Torch brazing joins relatively small assemblies made from materials that do not

oxidize at the brazing temperature or can be protected from oxidation with a flux. The
most commonly used filler metals include aluminum-silicon alloys, silver-base alloys,
and copper-zinc alloys. Flux is required with these filler metals unless protective
atmosphere is used. Self-fluxing copper-phosphorus alloys are also used. Torch brazing
is done in air and is the most common brazing process.

Normally, torch brazing is done with handheld oxyfuel gas torches using various fuels.
However, there are automated machines that use preplaced fluxes as well as preplaced
filler metal in paste, wire, or shim form. Torch and machine brazing are generally used
to make lap joints in sections from 0.01 to 0.25 in. thick. Joints can be brazed rapidly,
but speed decreases as material thickness increases.

Furnace brazing is practical if the product is self-jigging or can be preassembled and

placed in a jig; if brazing material can be placed in contact with the joint; and if the part
can survive uniform heating. Furnace brazing is suited for fabricating complete
brazements, and does not require a highly skilled operator. Prefluxed or precleaned
parts with filler metal preplaced at the joints are heated in furnaces. Brazing can be done
in an air furnace with a flux, though a protective atmosphere usually is needed. The type
of atmosphere required depends on the materials being brazed and the filler metals
being used.

Base metals with readily reducible oxides can be brazed in an atmosphere of combusted
natural gas or cracked ammonia. Dry hydrogen, a powerful reducing agent, can be used
for brazing most stainless steels and many nickel, cobalt, and iron-base alloys.

Heat-resistant, high-strength alloys that contain appreciable amounts of aluminum or

titanium are frequently brazed in a vacuum to prevent formation of oxides that inhibit
wetting and flow of the filler metal. Parts made from such base metals can be plated to
prevent oxidation during brazing. Plated parts can be brazed in a vacuum or in a
controlled atmosphere.

Dip brazing is used on aluminum assemblies because the temperature of the molten
flux bath can be controlled. The molten bath serves as both heating medium and fluxing
agent. Uniform heating to brazing temperature is achieved rapidly. Parts are cleaned,
assembled, and held together in fixtures during brazing. Parts are normally preheated
before immersion, and residues must be removed after brazing in order to prevent
corrosion.

Production rates and efficiency are good; heating rates are very fast, and many joints
can be brazed at once. However, molten-metal baths are limited to use on small (0.005
to 0.200-in.) wires, sheet, and fittings that can be dipped into small heated pots.

Induction brazing heats the workpiece by inducing a high-frequency

current in the metal. The technique is used when the entire assembly
must be heated or when part of the assembly would be adversely affected
by heat. Because the workpiece is heated selectively by the coil, induction
brazing reduces unwanted part distortion or annealing. Induction
heating brings the joint rapidly to brazing temperature.