Fillermetaal

Fillermetaal is a term used in metalworking to refer to a filler metal employed to join base metals by processes such as welding, brazing, soldering, or cladding. It can take the form of wires, rods, powders, or preforms designed to melt and form a metallurgical bond with the base materials. In Dutch-language technical literature, fillermetaal is often used to translate or describe the concept of filler metal, though English texts typically use “filler metal” or “filler alloy.”

Typical compositions of fillermetaal cover a range of families, including aluminum-based alloys (for example aluminum-silicon fillers), low-melting brazing alloys, stainless steel and nickel-based alloys for high-temperature or corrosive environments, and lighter fillers for noncritical joints. The choice of filler determines the joint’s melting range, dilution with the base metal, and the final properties such as strength and corrosion resistance.

Fillermetaal is produced in various forms, including seamless wires and rods for arc welding (MIG/TIG), hollow tubes or preforms for brazing, and powders for brazing pastes or additive processes. It may be used with fluxes or under protective atmospheres to control oxidation during joining.

Standards and selection criteria guide filler-metal use. Selection focuses on base-metal compatibility, service conditions, melting behavior, mechanical and corrosion performance, and cost. Standards from organizations such as the AWS or ISO provide designations and testing requirements for filler metals.

Safety and handling considerations include potential exposure to hazardous elements, generation of fumes, and proper ventilation, personal protective equipment, and handling of fluxes. Environmental aspects address recyclability and worker exposure.