Silver Solder Question

3

30-30 Cal.

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Jan 1, 2004
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Hi guys,

I did a search on silver solder and found a lot of info. I have all the steps down (this will be my first silver soldered guard) based on Mike Hull's post and those of others--just one question, how is the solder and flux used for stainless steel marked? I didn't see any mention of flux/solder for stainless that I recall. Oh, and what is Eutectic solder, is that a good choice for an ATS-34/N.S. combination?

Thanks,

Dave
 
For stainless steel the soft solder to use is the 'silver solder' about 95Sn-5Ag [400F] and use a flux that states it's good for stainless. The 'eutectic' solder is usually meant as a 62Sn-38Pb not really good for knives and not for stainless.
 
Metallic eutectics
The term is often used in metallurgy to describe the alloy of two or more component materials having the relative concentrations specified at the eutectic point. When a non-eutectic alloy freezes, one component of the alloy crystallizes at one temperature and the other at a different temperature. With a eutectic alloy, the mixture freezes as one at a single temperature. The phase transformations that occur while freezing a given alloy can be understood using the phase diagram by drawing a vertical line from the liquid phase to the solid phase on a phase diagram; each point along the line describes the composition at a given temperature.

Confusing, huh? :)
 
Don, I'm not certain I understand the "unhappy face". Is that expressing displeasure at my tattoos?
 
If you are talking about attaching guards,just make sure the "silver soldering" you want to do is the soft solder type knife makers use.A search on silver soldering will also give you info on real silver soldering which is actually silver brazing ,and is done at around 1100-1200 degrees (as opposed to the 400 degrees of soft soldering).It is done with a silver/copper alloy (ag/cu to mete) which is also a eutectic alloy.
 
The term 'eutectic' doesn't tell you much since there are many alloy systems and many different types of solders that are eutectic. Even the term 'silver solder' doesn't tell you much . Metals in the alloy, melting temperature and strength are the important things .Sn 95-Ag 5 tells you that the nominal composition is 95% tin,5% silver. This alloy melts at about 400F and is fairly high strength. This is the alloy you want .Remember also that flux is just as important ,pick one that is designed for the metals to be soldered.Capillary action that wicks the solder into the joint requires a gap of about .003".Heat the metal [not the solder] that has been properly cleaned and fluxed, to above the melting point of the solder. Apply the solder .It's done !!
 
Will someone give me a type or brand name to silver solder (braze) 316 C stainless steel? Some people who know a lot more than I about welding that I, where I took the last project to, had a problem.
Thanks, Lynn
 
To braze 316 you would probably want a silver braze,cadmium free and fairly low melting point about 1200F. Your nearest welding supply should have something suitable .Just tell them what you are going to use it for and to give you a suitable flux also.
 
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