Brazing Soldering

Table 1: Common filler metals used in the brazing process and the base metals on
which they are used.

Typical Brazing
Filler
Composit Temper Base metals
metal
ion ature
Aluminum and
90% Al, 10% Si 600° C Aluminum
silicon

Copper 99.9% Cu 1120° C Nickel Copper

Copper and
95% Cu, 5% P 850° C Copper
Phosphorous

Copper and Zinc 60% Cu, 40% Zn 925° C Steels, Cast irons, nickel

Gold and silver 80% Au, 20% Ag 950° C Stainless steel, nickel alloys

Nickel alloys Ni, Cr, others 1120° C Stainless steel, nickel alloys

Silver alloys Ag, Cu, Zn, Cd 730° C Titanium, Monel, Inconel, tool steel, nickel

Filler metals are applied to the brazing operation in various ways, including wire, rod, sheets
and strips, powders, pastes, performed parts made of brazing metal designed to fit a
particular joint configuration, and cladding on one of the surfaces to be brazed.
 Several techniques for applying filler metal in brazing:
(a) torch and filler rod;
(b) ring of filler metal at entrance of gap;and
(c) foil of filler metal between flatpart surfaces.,
Sequence: (1) before, and (2) after.

Brazing fluxes have a similar purpose as in welding; they dissolve, combine with, and
otherwise inhibit the formation of oxides, other unwanted byproducts during the brazing
process. Use of a flux does not substitute for the cleaning steps described above.
Characteristics of a good flux include
1. low melting point temperature,
2. low viscosity so that the filler metal can displace it,
3. facilitates wetting, and
4. protects the brazing joint until the filler metal gets solidified.
The flux should be easy to remove after the brazing operation. Typical ingredients for
brazing fluxes include borax, borates, chlorides, and fluorides. Wetting agents are also part
of the mix to reduce the surface tension and to improve the wettability of the molten filler
metal. Different forms of flux include powders, pastes, and slurries. Alternatives to using a
flux are to perform the operation in a vacuum or a reducing atmosphere that inhibits oxide
formation.
Are you soldering, brazing or welding?
Your first step in choosing a flux is in determining the type of metal joining process you
are engaged in – soldering, brazing, or welding. The following are useful definitions of
each process:

Soldering: A process where similar or dissimilar metals are joined using an

alloy that typically includes a base of tin combined with lead, silver, antimony, bismuth
and indium. Soldering also includes processes where a metal is coated or tinned with a
solder. Soldering processes cover a temperature range of 60°C – 440°C/ 140°F –
825°F. Soldering is used in electronics, plumbing, electrical wiring, stained glass and a
host of industrial and commercial uses.

Brazing: A process where similar or dissimilar metals are joined using an

alloy that typically includes a base of silver combined with nickel, copper, and zinc. High
temperature brazing, often used for carbide products, may employ alloys that do not
contain silver, but contain rather nickel, copper and manganese. Brazing covers a
temperature range of 470°C – 1190°C/ 880°F – 2175°F. Brazing is used for
compressors, engine circulation tubes, mining tools, plumbing fixtures, jewelry, musical
instruments and a variety of other applications.

Welding: A process whereby similar metals are joined using a direct heat
source to melt the base metal and filler metal to create a uniform finished product. Most
welding involves iron-based metals such as steel and stainless steel, but welding is
used in other metals, such as aluminum. Welding covers a temperature range of 800°C
– 1635°C/ 1475°F – 2975°F. Welding is used in forge and farrier applications, oil
pipelines, blacksmithing and many other applications.