I realise this is off topic, but I want to join copper to copper with the highest thermal conduction possible. The project is a high performance heatsink. The only feasible metal with a higher conductivity than copper is silver.
So I'm wondering if there's any physical reason why pure silver can't be used as a brazing filler for copper. I've experimented poking copper wire into blobs of molten silver (with borax flux), and the copper seems to dissolve. Does this mean it would work?
@keithappleton Thankyou for replying anyway. I noticed something about the thermal conductivity of alloys which seems to mean it wouldn't be a good idea even if it is possible.
@ImMichaelTaylor Talk to a jeweler, they use 99.8% Stirling silver to solder every day. Can tell you what flux to use with it for the best results as well.
@Dreddip "Talk to a jeweler" Yes, that's an idea. At the moment I need to find out if there's any soldering temperature I can pick which will stop the copper dissolving in the liquid silver, because that would probably ruin the conductivity. Turns out the thermal conductivity of mixtures of metals is usually much lower than either pure metal.
@ImMichaelTaylor No, pure silver will not flow into the joint gap. Also, pure silver has a melting point about 100 C higher than that of the alloy used in copper pipe. Even if you used very pure copper, the silver and copper would form a eutectic alloy with about 55% silver. This is what is happening when you're dissolving copper in to molten silver.
Your best bet is just to use the highest solver content solder which is ‘Hard’ silver jewellers solder. Google ‘Cookson Gold’,
@bbcisrubbish Hahaha - I've done that myself too many times as well - so that is also on the full DVD chapter of the next instalment about Silver Soldering - !
Hi, i ve been to your web site any was looking for the soldering and the flux but could nt find them, can you pls tell me where do i have to go? Can i use it to repair silver items? Also can i use paypal as a payment method?
Hi,... The solder you're using seems easy to work with.
I got some silver solder stick (6%) and it was impossible to melt with a little propane blowtorch. So I used a big one, connected to a cilinder,.. I had to put two copper pieces toghether (a piece of pipe on a cap, no through) and at the end it worked, but I used a screwdriver to knead the solder against the copper. I put normal "solder paste?"... well, I'm happy with the thing,... it's hard as a rock, but I would appreciate some advice
@JMEBF Insufficient heat is probably the problem. Soft solder flux needs to be kept away from a silver soldered joint. if you can "knead" the solder - it is not hot enough - !
new to soldering, I wish to silver solder brass to brass (small pieces) is there a specific type of silver solder and flux I need to use and where is the best place to buy these. I would like something NOT too difficult to work with and permanent joint as this is for constant use on a musical instrument.
@growler1687 No Silver soldering is called Hard Soldering.. where as lead soldering is known as soft soldering ... silver soldering is conducted at a higher temperature range.... next step up would be bronze welding known as Brazing.....
i watched this and follow but the flux just got burnt to black and the silver balled up on the surface :( what did i do wrong? i cleaned the surface with brake cleaner, then soapy water, then let dry.
@kryptoniterxn117 To clean - just use a dry scouring pad or sandpaper - you just need to get to pure copper. Solvents & soap are not definitely NOT recommended or necessary.
if the solder didn't run, then either the work is not clean enough - or not hot enough, or maybe the flux is contaminated - did you use Easyflo flux with Easyflo solder?
@keithappleton I was trying to solder steel to steel, no copper involved. The flux i used is called "alpha metal" it's just a small kit that came with the 2% silver.
I realise this is off topic, but I want to join copper to copper with the highest thermal conduction possible. The project is a high performance heatsink. The only feasible metal with a higher conductivity than copper is silver.
So I'm wondering if there's any physical reason why pure silver can't be used as a brazing filler for copper. I've experimented poking copper wire into blobs of molten silver (with borax flux), and the copper seems to dissolve. Does this mean it would work?
ImMichaelTaylor 2 months ago
@ImMichaelTaylor I can't really help you with this one, the highest silver solder I have seen is 55% silver - maybe some of the viewers can help.
keithappleton 2 months ago
@keithappleton Thankyou for replying anyway. I noticed something about the thermal conductivity of alloys which seems to mean it wouldn't be a good idea even if it is possible.
ImMichaelTaylor 2 months ago
@ImMichaelTaylor Talk to a jeweler, they use 99.8% Stirling silver to solder every day. Can tell you what flux to use with it for the best results as well.
Dreddip 2 months ago
@Dreddip "Talk to a jeweler" Yes, that's an idea. At the moment I need to find out if there's any soldering temperature I can pick which will stop the copper dissolving in the liquid silver, because that would probably ruin the conductivity. Turns out the thermal conductivity of mixtures of metals is usually much lower than either pure metal.
ImMichaelTaylor 2 months ago
@ImMichaelTaylor No, pure silver will not flow into the joint gap. Also, pure silver has a melting point about 100 C higher than that of the alloy used in copper pipe. Even if you used very pure copper, the silver and copper would form a eutectic alloy with about 55% silver. This is what is happening when you're dissolving copper in to molten silver.
Your best bet is just to use the highest solver content solder which is ‘Hard’ silver jewellers solder. Google ‘Cookson Gold’,
eutectics 2 days ago
nipples
1Nekit1 7 months ago 10
@1Nekit1 and nuts - !
keithappleton 7 months ago 8
For God's sake don't forget to put on the gland nuts, the right way round, before soldering on the nipples!!
I can say this from experience (just once).
bbcisrubbish 11 months ago
@bbcisrubbish Hahaha - I've done that myself too many times as well - so that is also on the full DVD chapter of the next instalment about Silver Soldering - !
keithappleton 11 months ago
very nicely detailed thank you.
75echo 1 year ago
Hi, i ve been to your web site any was looking for the soldering and the flux but could nt find them, can you pls tell me where do i have to go? Can i use it to repair silver items? Also can i use paypal as a payment method?
Thanks
Xuxkina 1 year ago
@Xuxkina The details of where to get silver solder & corresponding flux are in the video - please have another look
keithappleton 1 year ago
you talk awesome! lol
RyanInSD 1 year ago
Hi,... The solder you're using seems easy to work with.
I got some silver solder stick (6%) and it was impossible to melt with a little propane blowtorch. So I used a big one, connected to a cilinder,.. I had to put two copper pieces toghether (a piece of pipe on a cap, no through) and at the end it worked, but I used a screwdriver to knead the solder against the copper. I put normal "solder paste?"... well, I'm happy with the thing,... it's hard as a rock, but I would appreciate some advice
JMEBF 1 year ago
@JMEBF Insufficient heat is probably the problem. Soft solder flux needs to be kept away from a silver soldered joint. if you can "knead" the solder - it is not hot enough - !
keithappleton 1 year ago
new to soldering, I wish to silver solder brass to brass (small pieces) is there a specific type of silver solder and flux I need to use and where is the best place to buy these. I would like something NOT too difficult to work with and permanent joint as this is for constant use on a musical instrument.
growler1687 1 year ago
@growler1687 The details of where to get silver solder & corresponding flux are in the video - please have another look
keithappleton 1 year ago
@keithappleton
Thanks Keith, I thought different solder for different joint or material (I'm a novice at soldering)
I will get in touch with 'Blackgate'
Many thanks, you have been most helpful.
growler1687 1 year ago
@growler1687 No Silver soldering is called Hard Soldering.. where as lead soldering is known as soft soldering ... silver soldering is conducted at a higher temperature range.... next step up would be bronze welding known as Brazing.....
malachy1847 4 months ago
i watched this and follow but the flux just got burnt to black and the silver balled up on the surface :( what did i do wrong? i cleaned the surface with brake cleaner, then soapy water, then let dry.
kryptoniterxn117 1 year ago
@kryptoniterxn117 To clean - just use a dry scouring pad or sandpaper - you just need to get to pure copper. Solvents & soap are not definitely NOT recommended or necessary.
if the solder didn't run, then either the work is not clean enough - or not hot enough, or maybe the flux is contaminated - did you use Easyflo flux with Easyflo solder?
Hope this helps .........
keithappleton 1 year ago
@keithappleton I was trying to solder steel to steel, no copper involved. The flux i used is called "alpha metal" it's just a small kit that came with the 2% silver.
kryptoniterxn117 1 year ago
@kryptoniterxn117 Soldering steel to steel is more or less the same, but it sounds like your silver solder/flux combination is wrong.
Easyflo number 2 Silver solder & Easyflo number 2 Flux is what I use, and as shown in the video - it works.
keithappleton 1 year ago
@keithappleton ok, thank you, i'll keep that in mind on next project?
kryptoniterxn117 1 year ago