The Basics Of Soldering Precious Metal

By Bryan Bank


Prior to soldering you will discover 3 factors which should be considered. The design ought to lend itself to soldering, parts to be soldered have to fit closely and accurately plus the right solder and flux should be employed.

Solders are typically classified according to their melting points - quick, medium and hard. This for that reason refers to the ease of melting the solder. Therefore an effortless grade solder melts just before a challenging grade one. This could be used exactly where a sequence of joints are to be produced. Generally a solder need to conform to the same hallmarking rules as the metal becoming joined - by way of example, a 9ct solder need to contain at least 37.5% gold. Having said that, you will discover some concessions like Platinum Solders and some white gold alloys.

Gas and compressed air mixtures are typically one of the most satisfactory for torch soldering. Fine adjustment of flame size and temperature are probable. The flame ought to be kept constantly on the move more than the entire joint location, or over as wide an location as may be conveniently joined, in a single application of solder.

The joint areas must be cost-free from dirt and grease, and ideally cleaned using a file or emery paper to make certain the solder will wet the parent metal. Flux should really be applied towards the joint region and solder prior to heating. Fluxes promote wetting with the workpiece by the molten solder. This is accomplished by removing any oxide films present on each the parent metal and solder and prevent further formation of oxides through heating. The flux must be fully fluid and active just before solder liquidation and need to stay so until immediately after the solder solidification.

If the size of the joint is substantial further flux additions may well be produced during the method. It should be noted that warming of the workpiece may well be needed to ensure full retention with the flux paste over the whole joint location. The torch need to initially be held some distance from the workpiece so that the flame heats the work commonly. If components of various size are being joined the torch ought to predominantly heat the heavier item.




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