BeginnerTopic 18 of 102Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems
Soldering and brazing
Join parts using filler metals lower in melting point than base metals.
In depth
Soldering (<450 °C, e.g. tin-silver-copper electronics) and brazing (>450 °C, e.g. silver or copper alloys) join parts with a filler metal that melts without melting the base metal. Capillary action draws filler into joints; flux removes oxides. Lead-free solders reflow at ~245 °C.
Key points
- Wetting
- Joint clearance 0.05–0.1 mm
- Reflow profiles
ExampleCopper pipes are brazed for refrigeration lines; PCBs are soldered by reflow.
What is Soldering and brazing?
Join parts using filler metals lower in melting point than base metals.
Why is it important to understand soldering and brazing?
Soldering and brazing join parts without melting the base metal, so they suit electronics and heat-sensitive assemblies.
What is the difference between soldering and brazing?
Soldering uses filler below about 450 degrees Celsius, while brazing uses a higher melting filler that still stays below the base metal melting point.
Why is flux used?
Flux removes oxides from the surfaces so the filler can wet them and form a strong, clean joint.
How is Soldering and brazing used in practice?
Typical applications include soldering a component onto a printed circuit board, brazing a copper pipe joint in a refrigeration system and joining carbide tips to a steel tool holder by brazing.
What should I learn before Soldering and brazing?
Study "Welding processes" first (topic 17 of 102 in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Soldering and brazing?
Wetting. Joint clearance 0.05–0.1 mm. Reflow profiles.
Can you give an example of Soldering and brazing?
Copper pipes are brazed for refrigeration lines; PCBs are soldered by reflow.
What comes after Soldering and brazing?
The next topic is "Machining fundamentals", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Soldering and brazing?
It is classed as Beginner in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems (topic 18 of 102). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.