Abstract: Objective The aim was to address performance degradation of induction-brazed joints between anode steel claws and aluminum guide rods in aluminum electrolysis cells caused by brittle intermetallic compound. Methods Induction heating equipment was used to investigate on brazing process for steel-aluminum butt joints. An orthogonal experimental design was employed to examine effects of brazing temperature, holding time, and Si content in brazing filler metal on microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints. Results Results indicated that layered intermetallic compounds formed at the interface of steel-aluminum joints. Si-containing brazing filler metal effectively suppressed growth of brittle Fe-Al phases and promoted formation of Fe-Al-Si ternary compounds. The optimal parameters were identified as a brazing temperature of 600 ℃, holding time of 150 s, and Si content (wt.%) was not less than 10% in brazing filler metal. Average thickness of intermetallic compound layer was 14.1 μm, and the maximum tensile strength of the joints reached 36 MPa. When brazing temperature increased to 700 ℃, thickness of intermetallic compound layer reached 25.9 μm, reducing tensile strength to 8 MPa. Conclusion Si-containing brazing filler metal has a significant microstructure modification effect. By optimizing the combination of brazing temperature and holding time, thickness of intermetallic compound layer can be effectively controlled, and mechanical properties of steel-aluminum welded joints can be significantly improved.