Silver Soldering Bronze to Mild Steel

[MitchYurko]

We are trying to silver solder 660 Bronze to 1020/1018 steel. My welder tried using Safety-Silv #56 rod at first, but we got pitting in the weld, particularly on the steel side of the weld bead.
We want to try using Safety-Silv #45T in our next trial, since the company claims it is designed for copper, brass, and steel. Before we order this silver rod I'd like to hear any input or opinions from anyone who has done this kind of soldering.
I'd also like to know any recommendations for flux types. Can anyone help me out?
We are in a bit of a rush with this, as we have an order of #56 rod on hold until we can determine a better alternative.
Anyone's advise will be greatly appreciated, and thank you kindly in advance!

Sincerely,

Mitch Yurkovich

 

[tomwalz]

For strength use 49% with manganese. It is AWS BAg 22.
Your 56% is AWS BAg 7 with Tin. We sell it primarily to hobbyists because it is easy to use. Industrially it is usually specified for color match with stainless steel.
The 45% is a poor man’s version of the 50% most commonly used. If you want to go that way you might as well go to 40%.

You pitting could be because the materials are not clean or because you are over heating the braze alloy and boiling the zinc out.

Go to our web site and it will explain how to clean materials, the differences in flux (use purified Black Flux) and failure analysis.

If you need to, go ahead and call.

Tom Walz
Carbide Processors




Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com

Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.