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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 kind of solder is used for copper wire?
Choosing the Right Solder The best solder to use for tinning stranded copper wire is electrical-grade rosin-core solder. This is an acid-free solder that contains a flux in the core of the solder. Never use solder that contains acid, which can damage the wire or its insulation.
Can you use lead solder on copper?
Under the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws, the use of lead solder for jointing copper pipes is prohibited in plumbing systems which supply water for drinking, cooking or bathing. Solder containing lead can only be used on water installations not used for drinking, such as closed circuit central heating systems.
What solder do plumbers use?
Lead-free plumbing solders are required for use on pipes carrying drinking water, also known as potable water lines. Leaded solders are available for applications that will not come into contact with potable water, such as sheet metal repair or copper drain lines.
Can you solder copper with silver solder?
A simple way of soldering together a piece of copper and a piece of silver is to use a technique called sweat soldering. Now, with a small amount of easy silver solder coated in flux and placed at the very end of some fine tweezers, you can begin to heat it with your hand torch.
Can you use acid core solder on copper?
Acid core is NEVER used for electical connections. They REQUIRE “rosin core”, otherwise they will corrode and lose conductivity. You cannot use ANY core solder to make copper pipe connections. If it is just a small can of flux, toss it and buy a new one when you need to make some joints.
Can I use a soldering iron to solder copper pipe?
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.
When did they stop using 50/50 solder?
According to regulations January 4, 2014 marked the date when, nationwide you could no longer use leaded solder on plumbing pipes. Since that date has come and gone we would hope nobody is still using leaded wire.
What kind of torch do you use to solder copper pipe?
MAPP gas torches burn hotter than propane, making them a better choice for modern solder. Five to 10 seconds of heating with a MAPP gas torch is all that’s required before you can feed solder into most 1/2- to 3/4-in. pipes and fittings.
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.
Do you need flux to solder copper pipe?
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.
What’s the difference between electrical solder and plumbing solder?
Perhaps the key difference between electrical and plumbing solder is the type of flux used in each application. Typically, electrical solder contains rosin core flux; plumbing solder uses an acid-based flux.
What is the strongest solder?
A 60-40 solder (60% tin, 40% lead) is the most expensive, but it makes the strongest bond and is easiest to work with because of its low melting point. Less expensive 40-60 solder is more difficult to use. A 50-50 solder is a good compromise between cost and ease of use.
Can you braze copper with a propane torch?
You’ll use a torch for brazing just as for soldering. Because brazing involves higher temperatures than soldering, using an oxygen-acetylene torch is your surest bet because this gets hotter than a MAPP gas or propane torch, although for most small-to-medium jobs (thinner copper piping) a turbo torch should also work.
Can you use silver solder on copper to copper?
These are available with either 2% or 5% Silver and are used primarily for joining Copper to Copper, where, if the metal is clean, no Flux need be used. Silver Solder can be used to join most common metals, including Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Copper, Brass, Cast Iron and Dissimilar Metals.
Can you solder copper to copper wire?
Soldering copper is a fairly easy task for the homeowner to complete, providing that they follow a few simple instructions. Begin by laying out all the items containing copper wire that you wish to solder; plug in your soldering iron to let it heat up and put on all the necessary safety gear.
What is the difference between 50/50 solder and 60 40 solder?
60/40 melts at 374 degrees and becomes solid when it cools to 361 degrees. 50/50 melts at 421 degrees and is solid at 361 so has a working range of 60 degrees. This solder will produce a much flatter bead than 60/40.
