Brazing aluminum and strength?

[Egon Spengler]

Compared to a regular actual weld, how strong is a brazing joint when it comes to aluminum? I'm thinking of building a metal frame to build armor onto for a costume but need to know if this sort of a 'weld' can actually support the weight of a fiberglass structure connected to it?

I'd be "welding" together square and round tubing possibly.

Thanks

 

[Sundowner]

I had been told it is tough to braze aluminum because of having a TIG welder and some other things. So last year I just JB welded aluminum together for a sword project and it has held up great.

 

[Pharmer Ray]

I've seen some ads recently for "alumiweld". Seems very similar to a braze/solder but is supposedly is a very strong bond for aluminum!

 

[doppelganger]

Hi, im new here but have experience with all kinds of welding and brazing. I believe this is your best bet. Ive used it before with really good results.
http://www.frost.co.uk/auto-bodywor...e/automotive-welding-tools/lumiweld-kits.html

 

[max headroom]

Brazing alum is very strong but it takes practice. I brazen an alum bat once just to see how strong it is and I hit a least 50 balls with it and no cracks. I've done some alum flat bar as well and it holds up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[clonesix]

I don't know what you mean by a frame to build armor onto, but if you are not hammering, it should be strong enough. I have done this and it requires Map gas (in yellow cylinder)

Better suggestion: bolt your frame together. Aluminum can be cut and drilled with common woodworking tools, and a nut and bolt is much stronger than brazing, which is just soldering, really.

Next choice: Pop-Rivets.

good luck, and be sure to post pictures

 

[Conqueror_Worm]

I've had good luck with this stuff:
http://www.amazon.com/Forney-46111-Brazing-8-Inch-18-Inch/dp/B001739LJ0
It can be used with a basic propane torch, but MAPP gas speeds up the process if your parts are large (but MAPP can also melt Al, so you have to be more careful).
Make sure your parts are very clean. I scrub mine with a stainless steel brush before I solder them. Once the solder is on (and still liquid), I scrub the parts through the solder with the stainless steel brush again. It helps the aluminum to dissolve into the solder.
You can see some of the stuff I've soldered in this thread:
http://www.gbfans.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=37607

 

[Darth Humorous]

I have used the Fourney stuff with both good and poor results. You must be diligent with the cleaning because It is very unforgiving. On the other hand, I have used the following product, and it is outstanding:
https://www.tinmantech.com/html/aluminum_aero_braze.php
Works with oxyacetylene or mapp gas.
They now have it in flux core, which I haven’t tried yet, but might be more convenient:
https://www.tinmantech.com/html/aero_braze_flux_core.php
The site also has useful info on it, and a decent FAQ section.

And no, I am NOT affiliated with the site. I just think they have the best products and info on the topic I’ve ever seen.

You could also get the welding rods and flux, but the brazing turns out to be very strong. The biggest problem with welding aluminum is that it doesn’t have temperature colors the way steel, or copper alloys do, so it is difficult to judge when it is about to melt. Ironically, the brazing temp for aluminum is not too far from the welding temp.

Mark