Guidelines for Selecting the Right Brazing Alloy

There is a wide range of braze alloys on the market, and for many applications a number of them will do the job. The more specific the technical and economic requirements, the more obvious the correct choice becomes. There are many choices that affect the integrity of the assembly. Some of these are: joint design and proper fit-up, cleaning procedure to prepare surface, fluxing practice, proper cooling and flux removal, method of heating, and choice of brazing alloy. Most often, the design, method and materials are specified. Therefore, the remaining choices are limited. How do you choose a brazing alloy? Are there any specific precautions or procedures to follow? These frequently asked questions are the topic of this paper. Author: Wayne D. Rupert, Engelhard Corporation, Warwick, RI.