Posted by admin on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 · Leave a Comment
I think each of the other answers is pretty much a little bit correct at least.
Welding melts the metals at the joint using very high temperatures. Essentially the metal from the two parts is blended by heat. This works best with metals that have properties that are suitable to the a molten phase that does not quickly become too liquid. Basically if the metal melts too easily it will become a liquid and run out of the weld area. Steel being a material that is commonl welded. Properly done a weld is just as strong as the metal being joined. However, the higher heat of welding can change the material properties if you aren't carefull. Also, welds are commonly performed on like materials only.
Brazing uses a braze alloy that become liquid at a moderate temperature to join two other metals. These metals can be the same or dissimilar. The joined materials are NOT molten in this case, but as I mentioned the braze alloy is liquid and flows between the joint. A very neat process and one that I work with daily. Properly performed brazed joints are actually stronger than the work pieces they joined! Brazing only has minimal impact on material properties (although it can change them). Braze alloys can be expensive. Copper alloys are commonly brazed, particularly since copper's properties make it very difficult to weld.
Soldering uses an alloy that is liquid at relatively low temperatures to join two other metals. It has the least impact on the base materials, but also provides the weakest joint. Its particularly useful when heat can damage or distort the materials being joined. Electrical components are commonly soldered to avoid heat damage.
If you want to learn more, search for phase diagrams of various metal alloys, as well as changes that might occur from thermal changes. There really is a science behind why each process is used and they generally can't be used interchangably.
By the way, I see more and more where structural adhesives are being used to replace these metal bonding methods. Ease of application and no clean-up or reduced clean-up are some of the reasons. But I'm not yet convinced of their strengths.
Victor 0-W-1 Welding Nozzle SIZE 0 (Brand New & Free Shipping) oxy ace brazing, Professional Oxy Acetylene Cutting Welding Brazing Outfit, Genuine Victor 5-W Welding/Brazing Torch Tip - Brand New for 315FC Handles, NEW Victor 100FC Torch Handle - welding, brazing, heating, cutting , Victor H315FC Welding, Heating, & Brazing Torch Handle - New - High Flow, INDUSTRIAL UL TORCH KIT WELDING CUTTING VICTOR BRAZING SOLDERING HIGH QUALITY , BRAZING HEATING TORCH 4 TIPS WERCO WXU 42-55-62 & WS-5 WELDING EQUIPTMENT TOOLS, Victor Smith Harris Uniweld welding cutting brazing torch wrench and book lot., Genuine Victor welding brazing torch tip set. New old stock fits 100 series., Genuine Victor welding brazing torch tip set. Fits 300 series new old stock., Genuine Victor welding cutting brazing torch head. 550-100 Fits J series. , Genuine Victor welding brazing torch tip set. Fits J series Victor., Genuine Victor welding brazing cutting torch mixing tube. 100FC very nice shape., Asco UGA welding brazing torch tip set in good working order., Purox Eutectic Linde welding brazing torch lot., Genuine Victor 100 series welding brazing torch tip set. Good working order., IPS WELD-ON SOLDERING & BRAZING FLAME STOPPER-NEW, NEW Lift Front Soft Frame 5.0IR Welding Cutting Brazing Goggles, Harris Stay-Silv Brazing Alloys 28 Sticks Phosphorous/Copper Welding Silver, NATIONAL 3A BLOWPIPE Welding Brazing Glass Torch Handle Aircraft Jewelers Dental, NEW SMITH Welding Brazing Torch Tip Set CW-203 & CW-205 Oxy Acetylene Victor, SILVALOY EXCEL 15% SILVER BRAZING/WELDING RODS - 1LB. 28 STICKS, SILVALOY EXCEL 15% SILVER BRAZING/WELDING RODS - 1LB. 28 STICKS, Welding aluminum radiators and A/C. Aluminum brazing rod with flux 5pc, Harris / Airco Brazing / Cutting / Welding equipment, NEW SMITH Welding Brazing Torch Tip AW 202 Oxy Acetylene Jewelers Airline VIctor, VICTOR 1-T4 & 5-T4 Welding Brazing Heating Torch Tips Oxy Acetylene Ser 300, VICTOR H315FC Welding Cutting Torch Handle Mixer Oxy Acetylene Heating Brazing, Bernzomatic Brazing/Welding Rods 328637 (PACK OF 6), Oxygen Acetylene Welding Cutting Torch Kit Fits Victor Brazing Soldering Goggles, Vintage Smith Smiths Smith's LARGE welding torch brazing tip LW 111, Welding aluminum radiators and A/C. Aluminum brazing rod with flux 10pc, NEW VICTOR 0-W-1 Welding Brazing Heating Torch Tip Oxygen Acetylene Ser 100, NEW VICTOR 100FC Welding Cutting Torch Handle Mixer Oxygen Acetylene Brazing, NEW VICTOR Type Welding Brazing Heating Torch Tips Rosebud Oxy Acetylene Ser 100, oxweld - weld, brazing torch, Oxy Gas Acetylene Welding Torch Cutting Kit For Harris 15FT Hose Brazing Solder, Commercial Welding Torch Cutting Kit Victor Brazing Soldering Brass Auto Home HD, Victor Gauge SET for Welding, Cutting, Brazing, and Heating Torch SET, Gas Welding Brazing and Cutting Torch Complete Acetylene Oxygen-Fuel Set, Victor Portable Torch for Oxygen Acetylene Metal Cutting, Welding or Brazing, US Forge 02303 Braze Welding Rod Low Fume Bronze Bare Finish 1/16" x 36", US Forge #02223 Flux 3/32" x 36" Low Fume Bronze Welding Braze Rod 5lb Tube, HARRIS BRAZING TIPS, 20N AND 30N, NEW, WELDING, CUTTING, TORCH, OXY, ACETYLENE, Welding aluminum radiators and A/C. Aluminum flux coated brazing rod 5pc, Smith Brazing/Welding Tip SC Series B P# SHSW213 NEW!!, 5 HTS 528 Brazing Rod Welding Repair Cast Iron Steel Metals - Built in Flux 18", 10 HTS 528 Brazing Rod Welding Repair Cast Iron Steel Metals - Built in Flux 18", 1/2lb HTS 528 Brazing Rod Welding Repair Cast Iron Steel Metal Built in Flux 18", Brass Hose Clamp 3/4OD torch hose,cutting brazing torch, radiator,welding PN#505,
