Brazing Cracks In Thin Sheet Metal

Weld the excavation from the outside.

Brazing cracks in thin sheet metal.

Because of this you don t need the base metals to be similar so it s possible to tig braze copper to stainless steel as an example. Brazing is done at lower temperatures without melting the base metals. If needed use clamps to secure the pieces in position. Quench only after the braze filler metal has solidified to avoid cracks or rough braze joints.

Braze welding unlike brazing goes beyond capillary action and deposits a strengthening thickness or bead of brazing material in braze weld. Here s a few tips on repairing rust holes in car body panels. Grind the outside of the crack down to sound metal about 1 2 the thickness of the base metal. A third method of applying brazing filler metal is to use a paste mixture of flux and filler metal powder.

You should now have a complete joint penetration weld that is as strong as the original member assuming it is low medium carbon steel. Note that quenching can affect base material mechanical properties. A convenient method of preplacing filler metal is by using a brazing sheet an aluminum alloy base metal coated on one or both sides. Do not quench materials with large differences in coefficients of thermal expansion to avoid cracks in the base materials and tears within the braze alloy.

Position the metal as desired. Have you ever welded something so thin and worn out that all you do is blow holes in it. In most cases an overlapped joint will be stronger and braze together easier than a gapped joint. Extend the excavation at least 1 2 inch beyond the visible crack tip.

In this video im showing you the process i use to do small rust repairs where a complete panel. Apply the brazing rod to the joint while continuing to heat the metal surfaces. Heat the joint where the two pieces of metal will meet until the joint glows. The filler material flows into any and all microscopic crevices in the metal and pulls the pieces together similar to a permanent velcro.