Tensile and shear strength measurements on brazed "T" joints used in construction of intra- and intermaxillary hooks

Silver-brazed "T" joints, representing the first stage in the construction of intermaxillary hooks were fabricated under rigorously controlled conditions. Their tensile and shear strengths were then measured using specially developed test jigs. It was found that the braze joint itself was stronger than the component wires (under tensile load) while in shear mode, fracture occurred in one of a number of well-defined ways. The effect of prolonged heating was investigated using microhardness measurements and recommendations are made for the optimum brazing conditions.