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| [[File:soldering.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Soldering a component]] | | [[File:soldering.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Soldering a component]] |
− | '''Soldering''', is a process in which two or more items (usually metal) are joined together by melting and putting a [[filler metal]] ([[solder]]) into the joint, the filler metal having a lower [[melting point]] than the adjoining metal. Soldering differs from [[welding]] in that soldering does not involve melting the work pieces. In [[brazing]], the filler metal melts at a higher temperature, but the work piece metal does not melt. In the past, nearly all solders contained [[lead]], but environmental and health concerns have increasingly dictated use of [[lead-free solder|lead-free alloys]] for electronics and plumbing purposes. | + | '''Soldering''', is a process in which two or more items (usually metal) are joined together by melting and putting a filler metal (solder) into the joint, the filler metal having a lower melting point than the adjoining metal. Soldering differs from [[welding]] in that soldering does not involve melting the work pieces. In [[brazing]], the filler metal melts at a higher temperature, but the work piece metal does not melt. In the past, nearly all solders contained lead, but environmental and health concerns have increasingly dictated use of lead-free solder for electronics and plumbing purposes. |
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| == Thing 1 == | | == Thing 1 == |
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| == Applications == | | == Applications == |
− | Soldering is used in plumbing, electronics, and metalwork from [[Flashing (weatherproofing)|flashing]] to jewelry. | + | Soldering is used in plumbing, electronics, and metalwork from flashing jewelry. |
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| == Solders == | | == Solders == |
− | Soldering filler materials are available in many different [[alloy]]s for differing applications. In electronics assembly, the [[eutectic]] alloy of 63% tin and 37% lead (or 60/40, which is almost identical in melting point) has been the alloy of choice. Other alloys are used for plumbing, mechanical assembly, and other applications. Some examples of soft-solder are tin-lead for general purposes, tin-zinc for joining [[aluminium]], lead-silver for | + | Soldering filler materials are available in many differe |
− | ==Flux==
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− | The purpose of [[Flux (metallurgy)|flux]] is to facilitate the soldering process. One of the obstacles to a successful solder joint is an impurity at the site of the joint, for example, dirt, oil or [[oxidation]]. The
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− | Flux performance must be carefully evaluated for best results; a very mild 'no-clean' flux might be perfectly acceptable for production equipment, but not give adequate performance for more variable hand-soldering operations.
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| ==Processes== | | ==Processes== |
− | [[File:Brazing and soldering processes - AWS A3.0 2001.svg|thumb|right|300px|Brazing and soldering processes]]
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| There are three forms of soldering, each requiring progressively higher temperatures and producing an increasingly stronger joint strength: | | There are three forms of soldering, each requiring progressively higher temperatures and producing an increasingly stronger joint strength: |
− | # soft soldering, which originally used a tin-lead [[alloy]] as the filler metal
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− | # silver soldering, which uses an alloy containing [[silver]]
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− | # [[brazing]] which uses a [[brass]] alloy for the filler
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