Brazing – Definition , Advantages and Disadvantages

Definition of Brazing:

Brazing is a metal-joining process whereby a filler metal is heated above melting point and distributed between two or more close-fitting parts bycapillary action. The filler metal is brought slightly above its melting (liquidus) temperature while protected by a suitable atmosphere, usually a flux. It then flows over the base metal (known as wetting) and is then cooled to join the workpieces together. Brazing is similar to soldering, except the temperatures used to melt the filler metal are higher.

See also ; 

Brazing vs Welding- Difference Between Brazing and Welding

Differences between Welding, Soldering and Brazing

Types of brazing : 

Depending upon the method of heating, brazing can be classified as
1. Torch brazing
2. Dip brazing
3. Furnace brazing
4. Induction brazing

Advantages of Brazing

Following are the advantages of brazing:

(a) Brazing is used to join a large variety of dissimilar metals.

(b) Properly brazed joints are pressure tight.

(c) Pieces having great difference in cross-sectional areas can be brazed.

(d) Thin sheets, pipes and gauges that can’t be joined by welding can be joined by brazing.

(e) Complex assemblies can be fabricated by this method.

(f) A brazed component has ability to preserve protective metal coating.

(g) Brazing can be done on cast and wrought materials.

(h) Corrosion resistance joints can be produced by this method.

(j) Brazing preserves metallurgical characteristics of a material better than welding.

(k) After brazing a component maintains more precision tolerances than welding.

(l) Brazing processes can be automated for bulk production.

(m) Non-metals can be joined to metals.

Disadvantages of Brazing

Following are the disadvantages of brazing:

(a) It requires tightly mating parts.

(b) It requires proper cleaning.

(c) Size of the job is limited.

(d) Joints are not successful at elevated temperatures.

(e) Colour of the filler metal may not match with that of the base metal.

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