Soldering, as a technology for creating permanent connections of metal products, has an ancient history. And today, despite the leading position of welding processes, soldering of steel, aluminum, copper, and many other metals and alloys continues to be successfully used in various branches of technology.
The process of soldering metal alloys of different compositions has its own characteristics. This is due to the different melting points and chemical composition of the alloys. Soldering does not apply to some grades of steel.
Why is aluminum difficult to solder?
Many people have tried to solder aluminum at home and understand well: the solder does not want to stick to the surface of the parts. This occurs due to the formation of a stable oxide film on the metal, which has low adhesion to the solder material. Methods for soldering aluminum at home come down to fighting the protective film.
In mineralogy, aluminum oxide is called corundum. It consists of transparent crystals, which are gemstones. Corundum has different colors depending on the impurities: chromium gives a reddish tint, sapphire gives a bluish tint. The oxide film is highly durable and cannot be soldered. It must be removed from the surface and then begin to solder the parts.
Sequence of operations
The process of soldering steel parts begins with thoroughly cleaning the workpieces from dirt, rust and traces of oil.
To do this, use sandpaper, a file, or a steel brush. Rusty parts can be treated with a rust converter based on phosphoric acid. Fatty stains are removed with a solvent or alkaline solution. After cleaning and degreasing, a layer of flux is applied to the surface of the parts. If tin is used as solder, the parts are pre-tinned. Tinning is the uniform wetting of a surface with molten tin.
After this, the parts are assembled and securely fixed in the position in which they should be after connection.
How to remove oxide film
The film is removed from the metal surface in several ways, the most effective being chemical and mechanical. Both methods require an airless environment in which there is no oxygen to work.
The chemical method is based on the deposition of zinc or copper on the surface of the workpiece by electrolysis. Copper sulfate in the form of a concentrated solution is applied to the area prepared for soldering. The negative terminal of a battery or other power source is attached to a clean area of metal. One end of the copper wire is connected to the positive terminal, the other is dipped into a solution on the surface of the aluminum. As a result of electrolysis, copper or zinc is deposited in a thin layer on the aluminum and adheres tightly to it. Now you can solder aluminum with tin.
An oil film is used to remove the oxide. For this method, it is better to use synthetic or transformer oil with a low water content. Other types of oils need to be kept at a temperature of +150...+200°C, the water will evaporate. At higher temperatures, the contents will begin to splatter. Dehydrated oil is applied to the surface of the aluminum part. Use sandpaper to rub the aluminum under the applied layer to remove the oxide.
The emery cloth is replaced with a scalpel, a serrated soldering iron tip, or iron filings obtained from a nail rubbed with a file. The shavings are poured onto the oil and the soldering iron tip is rubbed over the surface, removing the oxide layer. It is advisable to heat a massive part with a hot air stream. The solder is dipped into the oil droplet with a soldering iron and rubbed over the soldering area. To improve the soldering process, rosin or other flux is added.
Constructive
This type of steel is characterized by the presence of chromium, used as an alloying additive. Thanks to chromium, steel acquires the necessary mechanical characteristics.
However, the presence of this alloying component significantly complicates the soldering process, since a fairly strong and difficult to destroy oxide film is formed on the surface of structural steels.
You can solder steel with the addition of chromium using an active flux containing acids. In addition, to obtain a high-quality result, special devices are used that create a protective atmosphere in the soldering area.
In addition, the steel surface prepared for soldering is coated with a layer of powder containing metal components. This protective layer prevents oxidation of the steel surface and burnout of alloying elements during heating.
Brazed joints on alloy steels are made using hard solders containing copper, silver or nickel.
Fluxes for aluminum soldering
Fluxes are highly active, so after soldering they need to be washed off with a solution of water and alkali. Baking soda works well as an alkali. After the alkali, the joint is washed with clean water. Respiratory organs should be protected from flux vapors entering them. They can irritate mucous membranes and enter the blood. The most common of them need to be considered each separately.
Rosin
Rosin is the most popular of all fluxes. It is used in joining various metals. It works on aluminum only in the absence of air, so it is rarely used. More time is spent when working with rosin, but less efficiency. This flux is not for professionals; it can perform soldering, but the quality of the connection is not strong.
Powder flux
Aluminum is soldered with a gas torch using powder fluxes. It is not recommended to add oxygen to the flame; it reduces the efficiency of the flux. The most common fluxes:
- F-34A;
- borax;
- acetylsalicylic acid;
- solder fat.
F-34A is an active flux containing 50% potassium chloride, 32% lithium chloride, 10% sodium fluoride and 8% zinc chloride. The composition is used with solders containing chemical additives. It is hygroscopic and dissolves in water.
Borax is a powder that melts at 700°C, is soluble in water, and can be washed off with an aqueous solution of citric acid. It is characterized by low cost.
Acetylsalicylic acid is found in the form of aspirin tablets. When heated by a soldering iron, vapors that are harmful to human health are released, burning the nose, eyes and respiratory organs.
Solder fat consists of paraffin, ammonium and zinc chloride, and deionized water. Solders well preheated areas that have undergone tinning procedure. After soldering aluminum parts, it is recommended to wash off the remaining flux, otherwise it will cause corrosion of the metal.
Liquid flux
Liquid flux is applied to the soldering area in a thin layer. When working with a soldering iron, it evaporates quickly, releasing scalding fumes. Flux F-64 contains fluorides, tetraethylammonium, corrosion inhibitors and ionized water. It destroys the oxide film well and helps to solder large aluminum workpieces. Used for soldering copper, aluminum, galvanized iron and other metals.
F-61 consists of triethanolamine, ammonium fluoroborate and zinc fluoroborate. Used for tinning and soldering aluminum alloys at temperatures up to 250°C. Castolin Alutin 51 L consists of cadmium, lead and 32% tin. Works most effectively at temperatures above 160°C.
Preparation of equipment and necessary materials
When preparing equipment, it is important to pay attention to the characteristics and design features of the soldering iron. Its power is at least 80-110 watts; weaker devices will not be able to provide sufficient heating of the working area. The sting must be fireproof. You can work with a soldering iron using soft, low-melting solders - rods made of pure tin or from mixtures like POS. Pure tin will be needed when repairing kitchen utensils and vessels that come into contact with food or drinking water. It does not contain harmful components. The most suitable flux for such dishes is phosphoric acid.
For hard solders you will have to use a gas torch.
Solder for soldering aluminum
Solder for soldering aluminum is made from zinc or aluminum. Additives are added to it to achieve various characteristics: to lower the melting point and increase strength. They are produced in America, Germany, France, Russia. Let's look at some of them.
A common and widely advertised solder for aluminum is HTS 2000. It is produced by a company from the USA. Practice shows its fragility: soldered parts allow air and moisture to pass through. It cannot be used without flux.
Castolin 192FBK based on zinc (97%) and aluminum (2%) is produced in France. The Castolin company produces solders 1827 and AluFlam-190, intended for soldering copper and aluminum at 280°C.
Castolin 192FBK is a tubular solder containing flux in the core. It is produced in the form of rods, 100 g of which costs 100-150 rubles. Solders small holes and cracks well.
Chemet Aluminum 13 is a solder used when welding parts at 640°C and above. It is based on aluminum (87%) and silicon (13%). The melting point of solder is about 600°C. It is produced in the form of rods, of which there are 25 pieces per 100 g. 100 g cost 500 rubles. The variety called Chemet Aluminum 13-UF has a hollow structure and contains flux in the core. Its cost for 12 rods, which weigh 100 g, is 700 rubles.
Aluminum solder is also produced at domestic enterprises. For soldering using a gas torch, grade 34A is used. It melts at a temperature of 525°C and solders AMts, AM3M, AMg2 alloys well. 100 g cost 700 rubles.
Grade A consists of 60% zinc, 36% tin and 2% copper. Melts at 425°C. Produced in rods weighing 145 g. The cost of one rod is 400 rubles.
SUPER A+ is produced in Novosibirsk and is an analogue of HTS-2000. Used together with SUPER FA flux. Costs 800 rubles. per 100 g. In the molten state it becomes viscous, you have to use steel tools to level it.
Low temperature options
In first place is the WOOD alloy with the composition: 10% Sn and Cd each, 40% Pb and Bi, the beginning of the melt is 65-72 C. The second position is occupied by a solder called ROSE, which begins to melt at 90-94 C. Consists of: 25% each of tin and lead, and the remaining 50% is bismuth. The above alloys are expensive solders.
The third place among low-temperature products is occupied by POSK-50-18, with a temperature of 142-145 C. The composition of this solder includes 50% tin, 32% lead and 18% cadmium, which increases corrosion resistance, but adds toxicity to it.
The second nominee (called ROSE) is very popular among radio amateurs, but in domestic radio electronics its marking is POSV-50, where the numbers are the percentage of bismuth. Used for installation/dismantling and tinning of overheat-sensitive copper tracks on printed circuit boards.
Aluminum soldering torches
You need to know how to solder with a gas torch. If the area of the parts is large and there is not enough soldering iron power, use a torch. It is better to use a gas one, since soldering aluminum with a gas torch has great capabilities. The burner quickly heats the joint of the parts almost to the melting temperature of aluminum. Flux with solder is applied to the joint, leveled with a soldering iron tip and hardened. The joint must be washed to remove any remaining soldering acid or other flux.
When working with burners, you must follow fire safety rules. There should be no flammable liquids or materials nearby.
Equipment used
In order to properly repair products, you need to prepare materials, equipment and study technology. To solder stainless steel in a workshop at home, you will need:
- electric soldering iron with a power of 100 W (portable propane torch);
- flux;
- degreaser (solvent);
- abrasive paper, wire brush, needle file;
- tin solder;
- rags;
- protective equipment: gloves, respirator, safety glasses or transparent face shield.
Portable propane torch
In addition, for the initial heating of massive workpieces, a more powerful soldering iron may be needed. Phosphoric acid provides high-quality surface cleaning and rapid coagulation.
Types and brands of solders, their composition, purpose and application
There are many types of solder with different compositions, characteristics and purposes. In accordance with the main classification, they are divided into refractory or hard, and fusible or soft. Their main difference is the melting point, which determines the difference in areas of application.
Refractory solders
Refractory solders, which melt at 450–500°C, produce a very hard joint. They are alloys based on copper, zinc, silver, brass, gold, aluminum, magnesium and nickel. Brazing alloys are used when soldering materials with a high melting point.
