Welding and soldering are two terms that are interchangeable in the manufacturing industry. However, while the operation of both production processes is similar, they can be distinguished in terms of sub-techniques, skill requirements, heat, etc.
Weld and sold are widely used in the automotive, electronics, construction, mechanical, and other industries. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between these processes.
Let’s start with the main differences between these processes and move on to their advantages and disadvantages.
Welding vs soldering – are both fabrication methods, meaning they are used to join metal materials together using specific equipment and materials. Below are the main differences between welding and brazing:
Let’s now take a look at what welding and brazing are, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Simply put, welding can be defined as a method of joining metal parts by heating and melting the parts in contact at a specific point and cooling until a strong bond is formed.
Base metals are heated to melt, which changes the properties of the metal and therefore provides a strong connection. Speaking of complexity, welding is more complicated than brazing and requires additional technical knowledge because it involves the use of gases, flames, and electricity that need to be regulated.
In this method, the metals can be of the same property or different, plus it involves the use of equipment to perform the task. The temperature largely depends on the type of metal being welded and the type of welding, but it is usually around 3000 degrees Celsius, and in some cases much higher.
Welding can be divided into two main categories:
Arc welding is the use of electricity to heat and melt the base metal. It can be divided into the following categories:
Torch welding is the use of fuel gases and oxygen to heat and melt the base metal.
Welding creates a joint when the base metal is heated, melted and cooled again, however it has its pros and cons, let’s take a look:
Brazing is a method or process of joining metals using solder. Solder is a low melting point metal alloy that is often considered the base metal for brazing.
The part or structure to be joined is not heated to the point of melting, and this is where the solder (base metal) comes into play to create the joint.
Since the melting point of the base metal is low, the temperature required by this method is as low as 448 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature can vary depending on the metal and the type of work being performed.
Brazing is widely used in the electronics industry. It is also used in the jewelry industry.
Soldering is an important method in various industries and has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look.
CRITERIA | WELDING | BRAZING |
Melting point | The melting point for welding is above 450 degrees Celsius. | The melting point for brazing is below 450 degrees Celsius. |
Types | Plasma, laser and electric current. | Soldering iron and electrical resistance. |
Deformation | Very high | Very low |
Defects | Very likely | Very low probability of defects. |
Preheating | Not required | Required |
Connections | Connections have very high strength. | Solder joints have a lower strength. |
Here are a few differences between welding and brazing:
Welding is a process of joining identical or dissimilar metals using equipment and additional materials. They fall into two main categories: arc welding and torch welding. The joints created by welding are very strong and have high durability. This method is widely used in construction, automotive, and mechanical engineering.
Brazing is the process of joining identical or dissimilar metals using solder. The main material used in brazing is solder (a metal alloy) because it has a higher melting point than brazed materials. The soldering technique is common in the electronics industry. This method is easy to use and requires less time.
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