3-D finite element analysis of residual stress and its creep relaxation at high temperature for stainless steel brazed plate-fin structure

The residual stress generated in brazed process and its creep relaxation behavior for stainless steel plate-fin structure at high temperature were analyzed by finite element code-ABAQUS. The results show that larger residual stress was generated in brazed joint due to the mismatch mechanical properties between brazing filler metal and base metal and the constraint of clamping fixture. At high temperature region, the residual stress was greatly decreased due to the creep relaxation behavior. The creep stress and strain are concentrated in the fillet zone, where the crack may initiate and propagate along the brazing seam.