Brazing is one of the oldest processes for creating permanent joints between different materials, but it still has applications in a variety of projects and industries. Much like soldering, brazed joints use a liquified filler metal that flows through the joint, fusing the base material as it cools. Below are a few reasons a metal shop might recommend brazing for your repair or fabrication project.

5 Advantages of Brazing

1. The Base Materials Don’t Melt

Although the filler materials used in brazing are hotter than those used to solder, the base materials themselves don’t melt. This gives metal shop technicians more control over tolerances and results in a cleaner joint that doesn’t need extensive finishing.

2. It Creates a Strong Joint

Like welding, brazing triggers powerful metallurgical reactions that bond base materials on the atomic level. While brazing may not result in bonds that are as strong as welded joints, they’re typically sturdier than those produced by soldering or mechanical fasteners.

3. Brazing Can Join Different Materials

Because the filler interacts with each workpiece separately, brazing can be used to join parts made from entirely different materials. This makes it ideal for projects using metals that can’t be easily welded together, like aluminum and steel, as well as titanium or ceramic materials.

4. It Makes Complex Projects More Economical

If your project involves several parts or large, complex structures, brazing can be a cheaper, faster alternative to welding or casting. In many cases, your metal shop will be able to braze many of the parts together, creating joints that don’t require finishing.

5. Brazing Is Perfect for Large Surfaces

Unlike other joining processes, brazing can be done in a furnace, making it perfect for large, flat surfaces. For instance, two pieces of copper can be pressed together, separated by thin sheets of filler foil. When the assembly is heated, the filler melts and creates a single, powerful bond without joints or fasteners.

For over 66 years, Nadler Welding & Repair Shop has been one of Wentzville, MO’s, most trusted metal shops, serving businesses and individuals throughout St. Charles and Warren counties. Their workshop features some of the most advanced equipment in the industry and highly skilled technicians versed in almost every type of joining and fabrication techniques. Visit their website for a closer look at their services, get more tips and expert insight on Twitter, or call (636) 327-4404 to discuss your project with the best metal shop in Missouri.