Brazing and welding are considered as 2 of the most effective methods of joining metals. And while they are often recommended for fitting together machinery and mechanical parts, there are certain factors to be considered as to which one will be more effective over the other.
So for the sake of this article, we are going to tackle the benefits of brazing technique over traditional welding and why some experts see it as the potentially superior choice in metal-joining technologies.
Defining One Over The Other
In simple terms, welding involves application of concentrated heat at very high temperatures with the use of a filler material (welding rod) to fuse 2 pieces of metal together into a joint.
Brazing on the other hand, is the process of heating the filler material above its melting point and then distributing it over the joint by capillary action.
So Why Brazing Is Beneficial Compared To Welding?
Although brazing technique is quite the same as soldering, the temperature applied to melt the filler material is lower to ensure that the physical as well as the mechanical properties of the base metals are not altered.
This is one of the reasons why experts consider brazing as a far more superior process than welding as changes in the mechanical properties in metals can lead to various faults in the end result.
Aside from that, here are the other reasons why brazing is far more advantageous than welding:
- Less Thermal Distortion – Since there is uniformed heating of the brazed metal, there is less thermal distortion.
Doesn’t Melt The Base Material Of The Joint – Brazing allows tighter control and the joint being produced will always come out clean even if without secondary finishing.- Can Bond 2 Different Metals – This is very possible without changing the properties of both base metals. For instance, you can apply aluminum braze over 2 different metals without any negative effects.
- Can Bond Metal And Non-Metal Bases – Even non-metal materials like metalized ceramics can also be joined with other metals through brazing.
- Can Bond Thinner Pieces Of Metal – Brazing also allows 2 thin pieces of base metals without the possibility of melting.
- Can Be Adapted To Mass Production – Since the process of brazing can be easily automated, it can be integrated into mass production because the results are less sensitive to deviation. Hence, allowing you to work on many metal projects for less the cost.
Final Word
Overall, the brazing technique is more advantageous compared to traditional welding and cost-effective as well. With no adverse effects on the mechanical properties of the metals, easy automation, and lower temperatures required it is a brilliant choice for combining 2 metal parts together.
If you’re looking for a good quality welding and fabrication company in Florida, you can visit PFC’s site and check out their services. You can also visit this link if you want to learn the basics of welding and fabrication.