Table of Contents
What do you need for soldering copper?
You can find all the basic soldering copper pipe equipment at full-service hardware stores or home centers—a propane torch, solder, emery cloth (Photo 3) and flux. We also recommend a tube cutter, flame protector cloth (see opening photo) and heavy gloves and eye protection.
Do you have to use flux when soldering copper?
Strong metals such as brass and copper will require a synthetic acid flux in order to be soldered. This will remove not only oxidation but also corrosion and other residues that build up on these metals.
Can you use regular solder on copper?
Copper pipes and other copper parts can be soldered using various metals with low melting points. Traditionally, lead alloys have been used for soldering copper, but these have fallen from favor in recent years due to lead poisoning concerns. Today, copper water pipes are soldered with lead-free flux and silver alloys.
Can you solder copper with water in the line?
Don’t try to solder pipes with water in them. Soldering a joint in pipes that contain even tiny amounts of water is nearly impossible. Most of the heat from the torch goes into turning the water to steam, so the copper won’t get hot enough to melt the solder. Stop the trickle of water with a pipe plug.
What is the substance you use to put on copper pipe before you solder?
Before you assemble the joints prior to soldering, coat both halves of each joint with flux, a Vaseline-like substance that helps the solder flow and bond to the copper piping. Now assemble the joint, put on your safety glasses and light a hand-held propane torch.
What flux is used for soldering copper?
Superior No. 135 is a rosin/petrolatum soldering flux paste ideal for use with copper. The petrolatum helps protect the solder joint against attack, and the rosin leaves a protective coating over the solder area after soldering.
What is the purpose of using flux when soldering a copper pipe?
The main purpose of the flux is to prepare the metal surfaces for soldering by cleaning and removing any oxides and impurities. Oxides are formed when metal is exposed to air and may prevent the formation of good solder joints.
Why does solder not stick to copper pipe?
If the solder is beading up or running down the pipe, you have a dirty fitting. Just as Vic says use clean fine grit sandpaper or emery cloth. Clean both surfaces, spread flux as soon as you clean them. Also clean and flux joint after you fit them together.
Can silver solder be used on copper?
A simple way of soldering together a piece of copper and a piece of silver is to use a technique called sweat soldering. Place your silver sheet to one side and apply a small amount of flux to the top side of your copper sheet. Make sure the area that is covered is roughly the same as the size of your silver sheet.
What is the best solder for copper?
What Type of Solder is Used for Copper Pipe? Lead free solder is best for copper pipes carrying drinking water. It will be free of elements you don’t want entering your drinking water. However it will require a higher melting point than a 50/50 solder.
Do you weld copper or solder?
Metals that can be soldered include gold, silver, copper, brass, and iron. Flux is used in soldering, just as it is in brazing and welding to clean the metal surfaces and make it easy for the solder to flow over the pieces to be joined. Soldering is also used to join electrical components.
Is brazing flux the same as soldering flux?
For instance, flux used in electrical soldering typically contains a rosin core while flux for brazing applications might use borax or other compounds. Soldering is typically used in electronic applications, primarily to make an electrical connection.
What type of flux is used for electric soldering?
Types. For electronic devices, 3 major types of soldering fluxes are widely used: rosin-core flux (RF), mildly activated rosin (RMA), and water-soluble flux (WSF).
Is plumbing flux the same as electric flux?
To make it flow smoothly onto the connection, all solder contains a substance called flux. The acid flux in plumbing solder differs from electrical solder, which contains rosin flux. However, that corrosive acid flux will rapidly degrade wiring if plumbing solder is mistakenly used for electronics.
Do you need flux when brazing copper to copper?
Remember that copper to copper brazing does not require a flux. Here are a few common combinations: Using Stay-Brite® Solder – Stay-Clean® Soldering Fluxes.
What does flux do in soldering plumbing?
Flux is part of a dynamic duo of products that allows you to connect copper pipe and fittings by “sweating” or “soldering.” Flux is an acidic paste that comes in a little round tin. The paste is then applied to the fitting and pipe with a small brush and then the two parts are fitted together.
How does flux work in soldering copper?
About Flux The flux paste will draw in the solder after the pipe is heated using a blow torch. The acid in the flux attracts the solder into the seam between the two copper pieces and fills the gap and creates a semi-permanent bond between the pieces.
What is soldering flux paste used for?
Solder paste flux serves a threefold purpose: Removing any oxidized metal from the surfaces to be soldered. Sealing out air, preventing further oxidation. Improving wetting characteristics of liquid solder by facilitating amalgamation.
What would causes solder not to stick?
A classic reason solder won’t stick to something is because you’re not getting it hot enough. My interns come to me with this problem all the time. Make sure the tip of the iron is nice and shiny. Touch some solder on it, and it should melt almost instantly.
Does flux help solder stick?
Flux removes oxidation from metals, and it’s crucial because solder won’t stick to oxidized metals, and metals oxidize very quickly at soldering temperatures.
What temperature should I solder at?
Make sure the surfaces to be soldered are clean. Turn on the soldering iron and set temperature above the melting point of your solder. 600°- 650°F (316°- 343°C) is a good place to start for lead-based solder and 650°- 700°F (343°- 371°C) for lead-free solder.
