What are the Differences Between Welding, Brazing, and Soldering?
Each sharing a similar purpose, welding, brazing, and soldering are all methods which can be used to effectively join parts together. Often requiring intense heat which can be supplied through the implementation of various tools and techniques, the option for brazing, welding, or soldering is generally chosen depending on which metals need to be joined and how the application process can best be achieved. To better familiarize yourself with welding, brazing, and soldering, we will briefly discuss the differences of each type, and how they should be applied to promote a reliable joint.
Welding
Welding is a fabrication process that uses a combination of high heat and pressure, or either individually, to join two or more parts or surfaces together. With the help of a specialized torch used to reach temperatures as high as 10,000°F, equipment used for welding turns electricity into a source of heat. Intrinsically, the act of welding heats parts until they melt together, subsequently letting them cool to produce a byproduct of fusion. Once fused together, these joined surfaces are capable of withstanding multiple points of stress, often being used for aviation, aerospace, automotive, construction/infrastructure, manufacturing, shipping, and railroad industries for this very reason.
When welding parts together, it is critical that they are made from the same material. Frequently used for metals and thermoplastics, there are over thirty methods of welding which can be done to achieve a specific outcome.
Brazing
In lieu of fusing parts by heating and melting them together, brazing uses heat to melt filler metals along a joint, forming a permanent connection between parts. Typically employed for sealing small joints, heating equipment necessary for brazing must reach an upwards of 840°F or more to properly phase all materials together. While brazing is not as strong as welding, it can be used on dissimilar metals such as nickel, copper, silver, and gold.
During the process of brazing, the adherence of flux is required to improve multiple mechanical functions which include: promoting wetting—a phenomenon that allows flux and liquid filler to spread in a thin and even layer—aiding capillary actions by attracting molten alloys to a joint, and removing any excess oxides that form as a direct result of heating parts. Assisting both brazing and soldering techniques, flux is available in a variety of forms to best facilitate the connection of a filler metal to a base metal. As such, particular fluxes can be found in solid, powder, paste, liquid, ring, washer, and sheet forms.
Soldering
Like brazing, soldering involves the process of melting and applying filler metals to permanently bond materials together. Predominantly used for electronics, soldering is considered the weakest method of joining, but is extremely useful for its ability to allow current to travel across soldered materials, further connecting pieces of equipment that work to carry current. Simultaneously allowing electronic parts to continue conducting electricity, soldering may be done to join dissimilar metals ranging from copper, brass, gold, and more. Operating at a lower range of temperature when compared to welding and brazing, soldering heats filler metals near or below 840°F, reducing the likelihood of parts being damaged by excessive heat.
When you are ready to get welding, make sure you have all the parts you need to avoid any last-minute postponements. Whether you require parts and components for welding, brazing, soldering, laser tools, and various electronic accessories like electrodes, Industrial Automation Parts is here to streamline and expedite any one of your orders for immediate procurement. Due to our quality control and export compliance, we operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B certification and accreditation, alongside our NO CHINA sourcing pledge. If you would like to request a quote for your comparisons, you can submit an RFQ form as provided on our website. Upon receipt, a dedicated account manager will quickly review and respond with a personalized solution to your needs in just 15 minutes or less, 24/7x365.
Share
