Braze alloy

Abstract

A braze alloy is described which includes indium and/or thallium as alloying elements. For example, between about 0.5% and about 10% by weight of indium (In) and/or thallium (Tl) can be added to a braze alloy to reduce the braze temperature without substantially effecting braze strength. Braze alloys that are alloyed to including indium (In) and/or thallium (Tl) can be use in brazing cutting elements to drilling tools. These alloying elements may also be added to braze alloys used for other applications to reduce braze temperature.

1 . A braze alloy, comprising: 
 at least one selected from the group of indium (In) and thallium (Tl).    
     
     
         2 . A braze alloy, comprising: 
 about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of at least one selected from the group of indium (In) and thallium (Ti).    
     
     
         3 . The alloy of  claim 2 , further comprising gallium.  
     
     
         4 . The alloy of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one selected from the group of silver, copper, tin, and zinc.  
     
     
         5 . The alloy of  claim 2 , further comprising silver in an amount of at least 40% by weight.  
     
     
         6 . The alloy of  claim 2 , further comprising copper in an amount of at least about 10% by weight.  
     
     
         7 . The alloy of  claim 2 , further comprising zinc in an amount of at least about 6% by weight.  
     
     
         8 . The alloy of  claim 2 , further comprising tin in an amount of at least about 2% by weight.  
     
     
         9 . The alloy of  claim 2 , wherein the alloy comprises between about 1% and about 8% of at least one selected from the group of indium (In) and thallium (Tl).  
     
     
         10 . The alloy of  claim 2 , wherein the alloy comprises between about 2% and about 5% of at least one selected from the group of indium (In) and thallium (Ti).  
     
     
         11 . The alloy of  claim 2 , wherein the alloy comprises around 3% of at least one selected from the group of indium (In) and thallium (Ti); and the alloy further comprises around 56% by weight silver, around 19% by weight copper, around 17% by weight zinc, and around 5% by weight tin.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one selected comprises indium (In).  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one selected comprises thallium (Ti).  
     
     
         14 . A silver based braze alloy for brazing cutting elements to a cutting structure of a downhole drilling tool, comprising: 
 at least about 40% by weight silver, and    about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of at least one selected from the group of indium (In) and thallium (Tl).    
     
     
         15 . The alloy of  claim 1 , further comprising gallium.  
     
     
         16 . The alloy of  claim 12 , further comprising at least about 10% by weight copper.  
     
     
         17 . The alloy of  claim 12 , further comprising at least about 6% by weight zinc.  
     
     
         18 . The alloy of  claim 12 , further comprising at least about 2% by weight tin.  
     
     
         19 . The alloy of  claim 12 , wherein the alloy comprises between about 1% and about 8% of at least one selected from the group of indium (In) and thallium (Ti).  
     
     
         20 . The alloy of  claim 19 , wherein the alloy comprises around 3% of at least one selected from the group of indium (In) and thallium (Tl); and the alloy further comprises about 56% by weight silver, around 19% by weight copper, around 17% by weight zinc, and around 5% by weight tin.