Abstract
The special features of operation of combined brazed butt joints under loading are investigated. It is shown that to increase the load-carrying capacity of these joints, it is necessary to increase the number of steps in joints. The experimental results show that the thickness of the brazed joint in the butt and lap parts of the joint is an important design parameter which controls the efficiency of the stepped joint. An increase in the number of steps reduces the strength of the effect of natural strength of the brazed joint on the limiting load-carrying capacity of the butt joint.