[TheForge] Candle cups

[Washington, Aubrey O.]

Okay, so the 1100 degree rule is out the window.
 
Bill, what is your understanding of the technical difference between soldering and brazing?  Are these really just two different terms for the same process?  Is it the context or trade that uses different terms, or is there a definable difference between the two?
 
 

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From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of Bill Roberts
Sent: Tue 1/10/2006 4:01 PM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Candle cups



FWIW,
Soldering is the process most used by jewelers for joining metal, and
solder is the material that makes the join.Solder is also metal, but it
is a special alloy designed to melt at a lower temp than the metal it is
to join. On heating, the solder melts and flows between the pieces of
metal. On cooling, the solder solidifies to form a strong bond.

Hard soldering and soft soldering are the two common soldering
processes. Soft soldering is used mainly in electronic, electrical and
plumbing work. The solder used is a lead alloy, but this is
inappropriate for most jewelers' requirements because it forms a
relatively weak join. It also tends to spread over the work, adding an
undesirable impurity to pies made from precious metal. Hard soldering is
the joining process preferred by jewelers. Hard solder contains a high
proportion of the precious metal it is to join(for example, silver
solder contains mostly silver), and consequently makes a stronger bond.
Additives reduce the melting point of the solder, so that it is workable.

Hard soldering gives a strong, permanent and, when finished, invisible
join. The technique, which is quick and easy to carry out, is suitable
for many metals, including copper, brass, German silver, gilding metal,
silver, gold and platinum.
The metal to be soldered is cleaned and aligned so that it touches where
it is to be joined. A form of metal protection called flux is painted
around the join to keep it clean. The solder is placed in contact with
the work and then heat is applied. This causes the solder to melt and
join the metal. After the metal has cooled, it is cleaned in an acid
solution called pickle. Any excess solder is then removed from the area
around the join by filing.

Most hard solders come in three different grades. easy, medium, and
hard.
(i.e. melting/flow temps........silver solder.......easy melts at 1280
degrees F and flows at 1325 degrees....
medium...........melts at 1335 degrees and flows at 1390
degrees......HARD melts at 1365 degrees and flows at 1450 degrees)

bill roberts
www.CustomDesignMetalArts.com



"Washington, Aubrey O." wrote:
>
> Ron,
> I always find myself confused by the terminology.  I've always called it welding if you melt the base metal and flow the filler into the puddle.  So when I use copper wire to fuse copper base metal, I call it welding.  (But, I don't know that that is the correct term.)
>
> Where I really get confused is in the difference between soldering and brazing.  As I understand it, you do not melt the base metal in either process.  I also understand (from reading the literature from suppliers) that brazing does not have to involve a copper or brass alloy (as I once thought).  Does soldering always involve a lead or tin alloy?  So what is the difference?
>
> Aubrey (confused again)
>
>
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