[TheForge] Soldering/Brazing (was: Candle cups)

[Bruce Freeman]

Andy,

What's your source for this?   AFAIK, there's more to it than this.  

Yes, there are "pores" in a metal surface, if you define "pores" appropriately.  But a metal surface (except for some cast metals) is not like a sponge.  Rather, there are surface irregularities from a number of causes - scale, scratches, and, occassionally, casting bubbles (gases coming out of molten metal on cooling).

It certainly is possible that the solder filling these "pores" contributes mechanically to the strength of a solder joint.

However, I believe that adhesion on the atomic level also plays the greater part in the strength of such a joint.

Bruce
NJ

>>> osan at netlabs.net 1/10/2006 8:29:02 PM >>>
Soldering and brazing is a process of mechanically joining metal by 
capillary action.  It is essentially a mechanical joint in much the same 
way as one that is riveted.  The metal has pores and the filler fills 
those pores and locks the pieces together.