Residual stress relief in ceramic-metal joints produced by active brazing depends primarily on the plastic response of the filler metal. A procedure for the production and mechanical characterization of bulk active filler alloy specimens is developed. In parallel ceramic-metal joints are produced and tested. Residual stresses are measured by X-ray diffraction while the joint strength is assessed by four-point bend tests. The obtained elastoplastic properties of the filler are introduced into finite element models to predict the residual stresses in the joints and their behavior in bending. The results of the simulations show good agreement both with the residual stress measurements and with the results of four-point bend tests.