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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.
What is the best solder for copper pipes?
Lead-free solder is preferable for copper water pipes. It will be devoid of contaminants that you do not want in your drinking water. It will, however, necessitate a greater melting temperature than a 50/50 solder. Purchase lead-free solder suited for copper water pipes from the plumbing area of the store.
What type of solder do plumbers use?
Acid core solders are most often used in plumbing applications to join metal pipes or sheet metal. Rosin core solder is also fabricated with a hollow core inside the solder wire, but the flux used is a milder variety made of rosin, which is a solid form of resin derived from conifers such as pine.
What is used to solder copper pipes?
The torch needed for soldering copper can be propane or MAPP gas (methylacetylene-propadiene propane). MAPP gas comes in a yellow tank and propane comes in a blue tank. MAPP gas, usually a bit more expensive, gets much hotter than propane, so heats the pipe faster.
Do you have to use flux when soldering copper pipes?
Flux prevents the copper from oxidizing as you heat the copper with the torch. You can solder without flux, but it is really difficult! Flux is applied to both the pipe and the fitting with a handy miniature paint brush. You do not need massive amounts to be effective.
Which solder should you use to sweat domestic water lines?
Copper-tin Solder: Contains 97% tin and 3% copper. Lead-free and safe for water supply lines. Designed for sweating copper and brass plumbing joints. Melting range is 440°F to 572°F.
Can I solder copper pipe with a soldering iron?
Sure — if the iron is large enough to heat the piece of copper to the proper temperature (copper is an excellent conductor of heat, so it may take a larger heat source than a soldering iron), and you have good solder with the proper flux, and some skill.
Is rosin core solder good for plumbing?
Typically, electrical solder contains rosin core flux; plumbing solder uses an acid-based flux. So it’s not a good idea to use plumbing solder for electrical connections because the acid in the flux can damage the wiring and lead to connection failure.
Why is the solder not sticking to copper pipe?
the solder is hot enough, but the copper is not hot enough. Heat the copper more before applying the solder. The join is not clean enough. If you’re using a good flux, then the copper isn’t clean enough.
Can you overheat copper pipe when soldering?
Overheating is a major problem when brazing or soldering copper pipe because the flux will burn (become oxidized), stop working, and become a barrier to tinning. In addition, a heavy oxide can be formed on the pipe itself, preventing a bond from forming between the filler metal and the pipe surface.
Can you use electrical solder on copper pipes?
Electrical solder is generally hollow, with a core made of a flux intended to solder copper wires. This flux is not made for copper water pipes. You will want to use a separate paste flux especially made for sweating copper water pipe (and a small brush to apply it). Some electrical solders contain an amount of lead.
What happens if you don’t use flux when soldering?
Good solder joints simply do not result from working without flux. At low heat the solder might not melt fast enough, and a cold solder joint may result. At high heat the soldering tip may oxidize and that will make soldering almost, if not downright impossible!.
Can you solder copper pipe with a butane torch?
A butane torch creates a flame that can reach a maximum temperature of about 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. These high temperatures—coupled with butane’s long flames, which can reach up to 6 inches long—make these torches capable of melting and soldering metals like copper and silver.
Can you solder pipe with electrical solder?
The acid flux in plumbing solder differs from electrical solder, which contains rosin flux. Making the opposite switch—substituting electrical solder to join plumbing pipes—is now illegal in many areas of the country. Electrical solder is commonly a 60/40 blend of lead and tin.
Can I use acid core solder for plumbing?
The uses for acid core solder include the joining of oxidized metals. Examples of this include joining together parts of engines in cars or other machinery, and in plumbing to strip the layer of oxidation off the surface of pipes as the solder melts, allowing it to form a waterproof joint.
Is there different types of solder?
In summary, there are three main types of solder: lead-based, lead-free, and flux. Lead-based solders are the best understood, are reliable, and preferred in mission critical applications such as aerospace or medical electronics.
Do you need flux with acid core solder?
Acid Core Solder contains flux, however additional flux may be necessary to ensure proper flow of solder wire.
Why does my solder stick to my tip?
The solder is sticking to the tip of your iron because of lack of heat transfer usually caused by oxidation . 1. Everything should be clean and shiny and tinned-the iron tip, the pads or whatever your soldering to and the leads of the part.
Is JB Weld good for copper?
At least two different brands on the market — JB Weld and Harvey’s Epoxy Putty — work equally well for the purposes of stopping leaks. Both adhere best to dry surfaces and are effective for blocking small leaks in copper and galvanized steel pipe. Wait until the pipe stays dry after you wipe it.
