kovajuottaminen

Kovajuottaminen, also known as brazing, is a metal-joining process that involves melting a filler metal between two or more workpieces. The filler metal, which has a lower melting point than the base metals, is drawn into the gap by capillary action and forms a strong bond upon cooling. Unlike welding, the base metals do not melt during brazing.

The process typically involves cleaning the surfaces of the workpieces thoroughly to remove any oxides or contaminants. A flux is then applied to prevent oxidation during heating and to promote the flow of the filler metal. The assembly is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the filler metal but below the melting point of the base metals. Once the filler metal melts, it flows into the joint. After the filler metal has solidified, the joint is cooled.

Common filler metals used in brazing include alloys of copper, silver, and nickel. The choice of filler metal depends on the base metals being joined, the required joint strength, and the operating temperature of the application. Fluxes are selected based on the base metals and the filler metal, and they can be in powder, liquid, or paste form.

Brazing is widely used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, plumbing, and electronics. It is suitable for joining dissimilar metals and can produce strong, leak-tight joints. The process requires careful control of temperature and cleanliness to achieve optimal results.