Induction Brazing of Stainless Steel to Copper
Induction brazing is a process for joining two metals with a filler material that melts, flows, and wets the metals’ surfaces at a temperature that is lower than the melting temperature of the two metals. Induction brazing uses an electromagnetic field to generate heat in the conductive material of a workpiece placed within or near a coil. Induction brazing offers benefits such as efficiency, repeatability, easy integration, safety, and small footprint.
Induction brazing of stainless steel to copper is possible with the right filler material and flux. The filler material should have a lower melting temperature than both stainless steel and copper and should be compatible with both metals. The flux should prevent oxidation of the metal surfaces and filler material during the brazing process. Some examples of filler materials and fluxes for induction brazing of stainless steel to copper are:
- Silver-based alloys with zinc, such as AWS BAg-5 or BAg-7, with a white or black flux.
- Copper-based alloys with phosphorus, such as AWS BCuP-3 or BCuP-5, with a black flux.
- Nickel-based alloys with silicon and boron, such as AWS BNi-2 or BNi-5, with a fluoride-based flux.
The joint design, surface preparation, fixture, heating time and temperature, and cleaning are also important factors for the successful induction brazing of stainless steel to copper.
Advantages of Brazing Stainless Steel to Copper with Induction Heating
Some of the advantages of brazing stainless steel to copper with induction heating are:
- Induction heating generates heat only in the portion of the part needed for brazing, resulting in better efficiency and less energy consumption.
- Induction heating allows for precise and consistent quality brazes every time, with minimal part distortion and joint stress.
- Induction heating is easy to integrate into a lean manufacturing process, with a small footprint and no open flame or hot furnace.
Induction heating can braze similar and dissimilar metals, such as stainless steel and copper, with the right filler material and flux.
How to Select an Induction Heating Machine For Brazing Stainless Steel To Copper?
To select an induction heating machine for brazing stainless steel to copper, you need to consider several factors, such as:
- The size and shape of the parts to be brazed
- The required heating time and temperature
- The power and frequency of the induction heating machine
- The type and design of the induction coil
- The cooling system and control system of the induction heating machine
- Different induction heating machines have different specifications and features that can suit different brazing applications.
You can find more information and examples of induction brazing applications with KETCHAN’s induction brazing experts! Contact us now!
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