Soldering Tools

Additional information po:

The similarities and differences between Soldering, Brazing and Welding.

Similarities:

1. All these 3 are used to join to metals and in special cases, other materials. They all use fillers to remove gaps between materials to make good compounds.

Differences:

1. Soldering
- this is considered the weakest of all the 3, this is because it is not a mechanical bond, but rather used only in electrical components.
-application uses filler (solders) that require only low-heat to melt. Usually 840 °F (450°C).
- it uses flux to clean the metals so that the solders will easily flow over the materials when soldered.
-it can combine metals such as gold, silver, iron, copper and brass.

2. Brazing
- similar with Soldering, only it uses fillers with higher melting points than solders, but have lower melting point than the metals they are joining.
-the fillers are made up of alloy, which, when solidifies is joined to the other metals used.
-a mechanical bond, and joins silver, aluminum, gold, copper and iron.
-in terms of strength, the combined piece may be stronger than the individual metals, but it is still weaker compared to metal joined by welding.

3. Welding
-the strongest joiner of the 3. This happens when the welding process is done perfectly and under the right conditions. Not too much heat that can alter the metal's melting point, and not too cold to weaken the welded area.
-unlike soldering or brazing that combines different metals, welding combines 2 similar metals. So for example, iron cannot be joined with steel.
-since welding uses strong metals, it needs a higher melting point for the 2 metals to be welded.
-it does not use fillers all the time. In welding, you only need the 2 metals and some welding equipments to combine the 2 metals. Fillers are used in cases of gaps in the welded area.

Leahnullora wrote:Is it okay if i didn't use some flux?

In what I read, fluxes are used to make the solder easily flow through the metals, making it easier for the metals to be combined, so it is much better if you used one. Still, your choice

Are there different types of Solders I can use?

How can I determine the right kind of solder for my work?

Which requires more work? Soldering or Desoldering?

Thank you for posting this forum for Soldering. It made me research more about the topics that I didn't know.

Can soldering iron damage circuit board?

What wattage of soldering iron is the best to use?

What are the different types of soldering?

How can you be safe while soldering?

Can soldering iron cause fire?