Soldering copper pipes - how is it done?
Soldering is a common way of joining metals. An inseparable connection is formed. Various equipment can be used for soldering, such as electric soldering irons. The brazing process is used for copper pipes that form gas or water installations.
The metal is held together with what is known as a solder, i.e. a binder. Soldering is slightly different from welding. The ends of the pipes are heated. The soldering iron itself is small and easy to use.
Soldering is divided into soft soldering and brazing. Precision is very important in brazing
Soft soldering
Easily fusible solder is used. The binder is an alloy of tin with cadmium or lead. Soft soldering is the most common type of soldering. Both experienced professionals and amateurs can solder. Soft solder takes various forms, i.e. a wire, a stick or a plate.
Brazing
When brazing, there is a high temperature of around 450°C. Quite complicated is industrial soldering. In this case, an ordinary soldering iron is not sufficient. In brazing, the following are used:
- blowtorch
- blacksmith's fire
- acetylene-oxygen torch.