Brazing alloys are metals melted at temperatures higher than 840 degrees F. They are used to fill fine joints between two other surfaces that are then fused together. The brazing process occurs at temperatures much higher than soldering and is characterized by braze alloy melting between two solid surfaces that do not themselves melt, but remain solid throughout the braising, or joining, process.

Brazing is typically accomplished by a variety of metal brazing alloy materials such as silver for silver brazing, copper for welding and nickel for cast iron welding. Brazing, however, is not welding. The brazing process uses a temperature much cooler than welding thereby preventing a distortion of either of the solids joined by the melted alloy sandwiched in the middle.

1. Buy silver brazing alloys and silver combination brazing alloy in a variety of forms for the most convenient use.

2. Find quality copper brazing alloy for heavy duty brazing applications.

3. Consider aluminum brazing alloy for corrosion resistance and reduced silicon penetration applications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy silver braze alloy in a variety of convenient forms

Uses for silver brazing alloy are diverse. To successfully fill your clients' needs for silver brazing alloy, buy from manufacturers who produce silver and silver combination alloys in different forms for ease of use in every situation.

I recommend: The Gasflux Company's custom manufactures nickel silver braze alloys in preformed shapes including rings, rods and spooled wire. Fusion, Inc. maintains an ISO 9001:2000 certification and custom manufactures aluminum brazing alloy and silver alloys. Fusion also manufactures copper brazing alloys, silver brazing alloy cadmium, cadmium-free silver brazing filler and jewelers gold brazing alloy. Fusion's alloys feature superior corrosion resistance and strength, and are available in wire, ring, paste and powder that meet ASTM and AWS standards.

Find quality copper brazing alloy for your clients' heavier duty brazing needs

Bronze and copper brazing alloy remain the standard brazing alloy for braze welding, which minimizes overheating and heat distortion, requiring minimal preheating while allowing the joining of dissimilar metals.

I recommend: Buy copper brazing alloy online from Lucas-Milhaupt, in both oxygen-bearing and oxygen-free formulas. All Lucas Milhaupt copper brazing alloys boast high thermal and electrical conductivity and are available in strip, wire, powder and paste forms. Try Tricon Brazing Alloys for custom manufactured copper and copper alloy brazing preforms and pastes. Tricon provides pure copper, copper-nickel, copper-iron and copper tin. Tricon also offers custom formulation to achieve specific properties of metal alloys and pastes.

Consider aluminum brazing alloy for corrosion resistance and reduced silicon penetration

Aluminum brazing alloy provides superior corrosion resistance and reduced silicon penetration for those who require it for industrial applications.

I recommend: Lynch Metals, the self-styled aluminum brazing specialists, are an AS 9100/ISO 9001:2000 certified distributor of 4047, 4044, 4045, 4343, 6951 and 3003 flat sheet aluminum brazing alloys for flux brazing, cladding and core alloys. Contact Belmont Metals for pure Al, 99.99%, 99.9% and 99.85% purities all available in small or large lots.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Titanium, as with a few other metals, cannot be brazed like other brazing alloys unless specially prepared. Resistance to brazing occurs because titanium is insoluble with other metals and forms an oxide layer too quickly when subjected to high heat. To braze titanium, first deoxidize the surface and then protect it with plating.