Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32456: BRAINS: Advancing Metal Joining Techniques in Space

Joining metal parts together in space isn’t as easy as it sounds. Traditional welding methods don’t always work in microgravity. Enter BRAINS—the BRazing of Aluminum alloys IN Space experiment.

Led by Dr. Dusan Sekulic, BRAINS tested the brazing process, which involves melting a filler metal to join two base metals without melting them. This technique is especially useful for aluminum alloys, which are commonly used in aerospace engineering due to their light weight and strength.

Conducted aboard the International Space Station, the experiment sought to understand how microgravity affects the flow of molten metal during brazing. Without gravity to pull the molten filler down, its movement and bonding behavior change, offering insights into improving the technique for space use.

The findings could pave the way for future in-orbit construction and repairs, from building space stations to manufacturing satellites. Moreover, these results have implications for improving brazing processes here on Earth.

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