Brazing rods are incredibly useful tools for joining metal, particularly within the welding and fabrication industries. While some assume that all brazing rods are the same, they can be made from various metals.
Since brazing rods can be different types of metal and have different widths and densities, they can also have varying melting points. Naturally, having an in-depth understanding of brazing rod melting points can be incredibly helpful when selecting the right option for a specific application.
To help you know which type of brazing rod you need to create strong joints compatible with the base metal you are welding together, we have written this comprehensive brazing rod melting point guide.
Not only will we explain the melting points of various types of brazing rods, but we will also dive into the significance of why this is so important.
What Does Brazing Rod Melting Point Mean?
Before we dive into the numbers, it is worth taking a moment to explain what is meant by the melting point of a brazing rod. The melting point of a brazing rod refers to the exact temperature at which the brazing rod you are using will melt into a liquid state.
To effectively use the brazing rod to bind materials together, it must be heated to at least this brazing temperature. Knowing this information is critical, as it allows the welder to know how much heat will have to be applied to the brazing rod to use it to form a strong bond between the base metal pieces that are being joined together.
Why Do You Need to Understand the Melting Point of Brazing Rods?
As we discussed above, different types of metal have different melting points. Since brazing rods are made from a variety of metals, having a basic understanding of a brazing rod’s melting point is essential for the following reasons:
Compatibility of the Brazing Rod with the Base Metals
You must understand their melting points to select the appropriate brazing rod for the base metals you are working with. This is because you need to find a brazing rod that will melt at a lower temperature than the base metals you are joining together.
If the base metals melt faster than the brazing rod you are working with, it can warp the base metals and compromise the overall integrity of the weld.
Welding Efficiency
Brazing at a lower temperature while still successfully melting the brazing rod will allow you to weld faster without using nearly as much energy. For large-scale jobs, efficiency can be incredibly important, so it is essential to have an in-depth understanding of brazing rod melting points.
Strength of the Finished Welds
You will want to choose brazing rods with an appropriate melting point to create a strong and durable brazed joint. You want to be able to melt the brazing rods controllably, which means only having to apply heat that will not compromise the structural integrity of the base metals you are joining.
What Are the Melting Points for Brazing Rods?
Now that you understand the importance of knowing the melting points for brazing rods, we can cover some of the most common types and their specific melting points.
- Copper Brazing Rods – Copper brazing rods are primarily used for joining pieces of copper alloy. They tend to be easy to work with, as copper brazing rods have a relatively low melting point. For more information, read Copper Brazing Rod – A Beginner’s Guide. Depending on the thickness and purity of the copper brazing rods, they tend to have a melting point that sits somewhere between 1,200° F (650° C) and 1,650° F (900° C).
- Nickel Brazing Rods – Nickel-based brazing rods are known for their high strength and relatively high melting points. This is why they are often used in the brazing process when welding in environments with hot temperatures. The melting point of nickel brazing rods tends to vary between 1,650° F (900° C) and 2,280° F (1,250° C).
- Aluminium Brazing Rods – Aluminium-based brazing rods are lightweight and have a low melting point. They are almost always used to join aluminum alloys. For more information on why they are used, consider reading The Benefits of Using Aluminium Brazing Rods in Your Welding. The melting point for most aluminum brazing rods will range from 930° F (500° C) to 1,110° F (600° C).
- Silver Alloy Brazing Rods – Although these silver brazing rods can be more expensive than other options, they are still used in various situations because silver brazing alloy offers very appealing qualities when it comes to fusing metal together, including high corrosion resistance and incredible durability.
Depending on the percentage of silver within the silver alloy brazing rods, they will have a melting temperature between 1,100° F (600° C) and 1,470° F (800° C). Basically, the higher the silver content, the higher the melting point of the silver brazing alloy is likely to be.
Where to Purchase Brazing Rods
If you want to order brazing rods, check out ECENRODE Welding Supply LLC. With over 40 years of experience supplying the MRO and metal fabrication industries with high-quality welding consumables, like brazing rods and TIG wire, they have everything you need.
Whether you need a small order of braze filler metal or filler alloy or are interested in our wholesale program, you can place your order by visiting the ECENRODE Welding Supply LLC Product Page.
Simplestik Brazing Rods from SIMPLEWELD
SIMPLEWELD also stocks the very popular Simplestik #808FC Brazing Rods. These brazing rods are available in a variety of weights and sizes.
This advanced, easy-to-use brazing rod is made from a multi-temperature brazing alloy, so it can be easily controlled at low heat and higher temperatures when required.
If you want to use it for repairing tight-fitting joints, you can heat it to higher temperatures, and it will flow incredibly thin.
It is highly wear-resistant and fuses well with just about any base metal. It is a budget-friendly option because it is much more affordable than high-cost silver brazing rods but offers incredible tensile strength.
Final Words
Understanding the melting temperature of brazing rods is crucial if you want to weld properly. It will help you choose suitable brazing rods for the task at hand and is very useful for heat management while you are working.
Always check the packaging for any brazing rods you have purchased, as most manufacturers detail the exact melting point of their products.