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Excerpt from Superior Flux & Mfg Web Site Definition of Flux The most commonly asked question we receive from people who have never worked with fluxes is:
"What is flux?"
FLUX: A chemical composition critical to the heat joining methods of soldering, brazing, and welding that: 1. Chemically: Cleans metals surfaces to assist the flow of filler metals over base metals. Provides a protective barrier against re-oxidation and heat scale. 2. Thermally: Assists with heat transfer from heat source to metal surface. 3. Physically: Helps in the removal of surface metal oxides.
Definitions of Different Heat Joining Processes
SOLDERING: A process whereby similar or dissimilar metals are joined using an alloy that typically includes a base of tin combined with lead, silver, antimony, bismuth, and indium. Soldering processes cover a temperature range of 60°C - 440°C/140°F - 850°F. Used in electronics, plumbing, food industry, electrical wiring and automotive applications.
BRAZING: A process whereby similar or dissimilar metals are joined using an alloy that typically includes a base of silver combined with nickel, copper, and zinc. High temperature brazing, generally used for carbide products, uses alloys that contain no silver but use nickel, copper, and manganese. Brazing covers a temperature range of 470°C -1,190°C/900°F - 2,200°F. Used for compressors, engine circulation tubes, mining tools, plumbing fixtures, jewelry, musical instruments.
WELDING: A process whereby similar metals are joined using a direct heat source to melt the base metal and a filler metal to create a uniform finished product. Most welding involves iron-based metals such as steel and stainless steel. Welding covers a temperature range of 800°C - 1635°C/1500°F - 3000°F. Used for forge and farrier applications, oil pipelines, and blacksmithing. |
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Superior Flux & Mfg. Superior Flux has been formulating and manufacturing metal-joining products since 1932. We pride ourselves on our quality products, innovative research and excellent customer service. Superior Flux is one of a few companies in the world to manufacture fluxes across a broad spectrum of joining applications
Superior Flux does not manufacture any product with chemicals that are unsafe for us to work with. Consequently, none of our fluxes contain hydrazine, ferro-cyanide and other chemicals that were previously available in fluxes. Environmental, health, and workplace safety have long been priorities at Superior Flux
Proper ventilation is a must when working with our products, with special attention necessary in closed spaces. It is always best to err on the side of caution in these crucial matters. |