Basics Of Soldering Precious Metals
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Basics of Soldering Precious Metals
Introduction
Soldering precious metals involves careful consideration of design, fit, and the right materials. Successful soldering requires that the design is conducive to the process, parts fit closely and accurately, and the correct solder and flux are used.
Understanding Solders
Solders are categorized by their melting points: easy, medium, and hard. An easy-grade solder melts before a hard one, which is useful for making multiple joints sequentially. Solders should comply with hallmarking rules of the metal being joined?"for instance, a 9ct solder must contain at least 37.5% gold. However, there are exceptions like Platinum Solders and some white gold alloys.
Tools and Techniques
Gas and compressed air mixtures are ideal for torch soldering, allowing precise control of flame size and temperature. Keep the flame moving over the joint area for even heating. Clean joint areas with a file or emery paper to ensure the solder adheres to the parent metal.
Apply flux to the joint and solder before heating. Flux removes oxide films and prevents new oxides from forming during heating, ensuring the solder wets the workpiece effectively. Flux should remain active and fluid until the solder solidifies. For larger joints, additional flux may be needed during the process.
Application Methods
There are two main methods for applying solid solder:
- Preplacement: Small pieces of solder are placed at the joint before heating. Heat is applied until the solder flows into the joint.
- Feeding: Heat the fluxed joint to temperature, then feed the solder wire into the joint, allowing it to melt on contact.
For both methods, ensure the joint is heated more than the surrounding area, minimizing the time and temperature needed to complete the joint.
Cleaning Residues
To remove gold and silver flux residues, soak the piece in hot water and brush away any persistent residue. In tough cases, immerse the workpiece in a 5-10% sulfuric acid solution for 2-5 minutes, rinse in hot water, and brush again.
Advanced Techniques
For large-scale soldering, small furnaces can provide uniform heat. In mass production, batch or conveyor furnaces are viable if the volume justifies the investment and method development.
Conclusion
Finishing soldered workpieces can be achieved using standard practices. While powdered borax is commonly used, a variety of solders are available to meet different needs. By understanding these basics, you can achieve reliable results in soldering precious metals.
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