Can you overheat copper pipe when soldering?
Overheating is a major problem when brazing or soldering copper pipe because the flux will burn (become oxidized), stop working, and become a barrier to tinning. In addition, a heavy oxide can be formed on the pipe itself, preventing a bond from forming between the filler metal and the pipe surface.
What solder do plumbers use?
Acid core solders are most often used in plumbing applications to join metal pipes or sheet metal. Rosin core solder is also fabricated with a hollow core inside the solder wire, but the flux used is a milder variety made of rosin, which is a solid form of resin derived from conifers such as pine.
Can lead solder be used in plumbing?
Under the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws, the use of lead solder for jointing copper pipes is prohibited in plumbing systems which supply water for drinking, cooking or bathing. Solder containing lead can only be used on water installations not used for drinking, such as closed circuit central heating systems.
What is the difference between electrical solder and plumbing solder?
Perhaps the key difference between electrical and plumbing solder is the type of flux used in each application. The flux also aids wetting, helping the solder to flow and bond with the metals more readily. Typically, electrical solder contains rosin core flux; plumbing solder uses an acid-based flux.
Can you use solder as a wire?
Soldering isn’t allowed because with a solid core conductor in particular,they must have a strong mechanical connection, solder is really only there to provide electrical conductivity,so a form of screw terminal must be used.
Can I use plumbing solder on aluminum?
Aluminum needs heat to accept solder, usually to the tune of 300°C or more. Soldering aluminum is not like soldering copper; it’s not enough to just heat up and melt the solder. Even with the right flux and solder combination, you won’t achieve soldering if the aluminum isn’t hot enough to accept the solder alloy.
What type of flux is used for aluminum?
Nocolok® flux is an industry standard flux that works well for all 1000 and 3000 series aluminum alloys. Often, this product is used for aluminum heat exchangers and tube-to-tube joints.