Have you ever wondered how things like ships, airplanes, and bridges are put together? Surely, you know it takes more than a few nails to put these kinds of objects together. Welding and brazing are two popular techniques that are used to attach two or more metal parts together.
But what is the difference between the two? Welding and brazing are two techniques used heavily in the fabrication and construction of a variety of objects.
From cars and boats to large upstream components, more than 28 million tons of welded materials and
4 million tons of brazed materials are consumed every year in the United States. So why are these two techniques used so often, and what separates them from one another? Let’s explore the differences between welding and brazing and find out!
What is the Difference between Brazing and Welding?
Brazing and welding are methods of metal joining, but they are not the same.Although they have some similarities, they serve different purposes. In this blog, we will look at the difference between brazing and welding as well as when to use each type of process.
What is Brazing?
Brazing is a joining process where two or more metals are joined using a non-ferrous metal as a filler. The filler metal has a lower melting point than the base metal, meaning it melts and flows into the joint without the base metal’s melting point. Brazing can be used to join a variety of different materials including copper, steel, aluminum, and brass.
What is Welding?
Welding is a metal joining process in which two or more pieces of metal are fused together at high temperatures.The base metals are heated to the melting point and then fused together by applying pressure. Welding can be used to join two pieces of the same metal or two different metals.
Differences Between Brazing and Welding
- Heat: Welding requires more heat than brazing, as the base metals must be brought to their melting points to be fused together.
- Filler Metal: Brazing uses a non-ferrous metal as a filler while welding uses a ferrous metal or alloy.
- Strength: Welded joints are stronger than brazed joints, as the base metals fuse together.
- Applications: Brazing is most commonly used to join thin pieces of metal with minimal gap, while welding is used for thicker metal.
When to Use Brazing and Welding
- Brazing: Brazing is best for joining thin pieces of metal with a minimal gap. It is also used when a strong bond is not needed.
- Welding: Welding is best when extra strength is needed and when two or more pieces need to be fused together.