Brazing is joining two pieces of metal together with a third, molten metal. This third metal has a lower melting point than the other two metals, so it can join them together without melting the base metals. Brazing is often used when welding is not possible or desirable, such as when joining dissimilar metals or when working with sensitive materials that cannot withstand the high temperatures of welding. This blog post will show you how to braze copper into stainless steel.
What You’ll Need
To braze copper to stainless steel, you will need the following materials:
- Copper pipe
- Stainless steel pipe
- Brazing rod
- Brazing flux
- MAPP gas torch
- Soap and water
- File or sandpaper
- Wire brush
- Rag
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
Step 1: Clean the Pipes
Before you begin, cleaning the surfaces of the pipes that you’ll be brazing is essential. This will help ensure a strong bond between the two metals. Use a file or sandpaper to remove any rust or corrosion from the surface of the pipes. Then, use a wire brush to remove any debris. Finally, wipe down the pipes with a rag dipped in soap and water. Rinse the pipes with clean water and dry them with a clean rag.
Step 2: Prepare the Pipes for Brazing.
Now that the surfaces of your pipes are clean, you need to prepare them for brazing. First, apply a layer of brazing flux to both surfaces that will be joined together. Next, position the two pipes, so they are flush against each other. Make sure there is no gap between them; if there is, fill it with more brazing flux.
Step 3: Heat the Pipes
Once your pipes are in position and ready for brazing, it’s time to heat them. Put on your safety glasses and gloves. Then, using your MAPP gas torch, heat both surfaces until they are glowing red. Apply heat evenly to both surfaces; do not focus on one more than the other.
Step 4: Apply the Brazing Rod
Now that your pipes are hot enough, it’s time to apply the brazing rod. Touch the end of the rod to one of the surfaces; it should melt and flow onto the surface. Continue applying pressure as you move the rod along the length of the joint between the two pieces of metal. As you move, watch for any gaps; if you see any, stop and apply more flux before continuing.
Step 5: Cool and Inspect
Once you’ve reached the end of the joint, turn off your torch and allow everything to cool for several minutes.
Once it’s cooled down enough to touch, inspect your work to ensure no gaps or weak spots in the joint. If everything looks good, congratulations—you’ve successfully brazed copper to stainless steel! Braze safely! Ensure proper ventilation when using MAPP gas torches—the fumes can be dangerous if inhaled in large quantities! If you don’t feel comfortable brazing on your own, please call a professional plumber or heating contractor for assistance.]]
Conclusion:
Brazing is a great way to join together two pieces of metal without having to weld them—which can be difficult (or even impossible) when working with dissimilar metals like copper and stainless steel. Following these simple steps, you can braze copper pipe into stainless steel pipe—no problem! Make sure you take proper safety precautions and have proper ventilation when using MAPP gas torches.[/blog]
Meet Heer, a dynamic and driven writer learning tricks of her trade in the metal industry. With a background in Digital Marketing, Heer brings a unique perspective to her writing, sharing valuable insights. Apart from blogging she like reading and hiking.
