Flame Brazing
Flame brazing is a process of joining two or more metal components using heat generated from a gas flame and a filler metal with a melting temperature above 450°C (842°F). The filler metal is distributed over the abutting surfaces of the joint by capillary action. The process is essentially a specialized form of soldering and is used for a variety of applications.
Flame brazing is used in applications where strength is important, unlike brazing which uses filler materials with a lower melting point and implies a lower joint strength. Flame brazing is better able to join larger surface areas, higher thermal conductivity is possible, and the cost is usually comparable with soldering.
Flame brazing is used in a variety of industries including automotive, gas-powered equipment, consumer electronics, jewelry and biomedical. Its strength and thermal conductivity make it an attractive alternative to conventional solders in many applications.
Materials
Flame brazing is most commonly used to join copper and copper alloys, but is also suitable for stainless steel, aluminum and its alloys and even some steel components. Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals can be flame brazed with the right filler metal. Steel applications may require a two-stage operation to heat treat the parts first before joining them.
Applications
Flame brazing is used to join two or more parts of similar or dissimilar materials or dimensions. It is a permanent joint that has strong bond strength at temperatures up to 450°C (842°F). Brazing is often used to join Copper, Copper Alloys, and Stainless Steel products such as automobile exhaust systems, home heating systems and piping, appliances and jewellery.
Disc brakes contain flame brazed components as do some types of wire connectors. Consumer electronics such as television antennas also require flame brazing of component parts. Flame brazing is used to dramatically increase the temperature of the components and to rapidly heat them to the point of solder melting.
Process
Flame brazing occurs in a three-stage process. Pre-brazing preparation is necessary to prepare the parts for the brazing process. Joints need to be prepared and flux or flux paste may be used. The flux assists in the wetting of the filler metal to the surface. This may also involve pre-heating the component parts with a flame or oven.
The brazing process involves bringing the component parts together and heating the joint area to necessary temperature. The filler material must be heated to its melting temperature to wet the joint and fuse the component parts together. Care must be taken to avoid overheating the component parts.
Post-brazing operations must be completed to clean and protect the brazed joint. This can include cleaning of the flux from the joint, removal of oxide and oxide scale, and solubilization of oxides and oxides in the component part.
In conclusion, flame brazing is an effective method for joining component parts. It is cost effective, fast and provides strong bond strength to a variety of materials at temperatures of up to 450°C (842°F). Preparation, brazing and post-brazing operations must be completed for a successful brazed joint.