Induction Brazing & Soldering Principle
Brazing and soldering are processes of joining similar or dissimilar materials using a compatible a filler material. Filler metals include lead, tin, copper, silver, nickel and their alloys. Only the alloy melts and solidifies during these processes to join the work piece base materials. The filler metal is pulled into the joint by capillary action. Soldering processes are conducted below 840°F (450°C) while brazing applications are conducted at temperatures above 840°F (450°C) up to 2100°F (1150°C).
The success of these processes depends upon the assembly’s design, clearance between the surfaces to be joined, cleanliness, process control and the correct selection of equipment needed to perform a repeatable process.
Cleanliness is ordinarily obtained by introducing a flux which covers and dissolves dirt or oxides displacing them from the braze joint.
Many operations are now conducted in a controlled atmosphere with a blanket of inert gas or combination of inert / active gasses to shield the operation and eliminate the need for a flux. These methods have been proven on a wide variety of material and part configurations replacing or complimenting atmosphere furnace technology with a just in time – single piece flow process.
Brazing Filler Materials
Brazing filler metals can come in a variety of forms, shapes, sizes and alloys depending on their intended use. Ribbon, preformed rings, paste, wire and preformed washers are just a few of the shapes and forms alloys that can be found. The decision to use a particular alloy and/or shape is largely dependent on the parent materials to be joined, placement during processing and the service environment for which the final product is intended.