Some types of welding melt 2 surfaces together so they adhere to each another. Bronze welding does not melt the surfaces to be joined. Instead, bronze welding requires that the 2 surfaces be heated to a high temperature, but a temperature below their melting point. A third metal is then melted and formed over the heated surfaces and joins the 2 pieces together once it solidifies. Use these tips to learn how to weld bronze.
1Clean and degrease the surfaces to be welded. Thoroughly clean and degrease the surfaces to be welded using commercial metal cleanser and degreaser products. This will allow proper adherence of the welding material to the surfaces. Metal cleaners and degreasers can be obtained at hardware and auto parts stores.
- Use a rough clean cloth to wipe the surfaces to be welded completely clean of cleanser and degreaser after the use of the cleansing and degreasing compounds.
2Fit the 2 parts to be welded together in the desired position. In the case of parts that thread together, they will mate to each other. If the parts to be welded do not mate to each other, they must be held in position by some external mounting means. For example, a metal pipe will secure the joint area in place by pieces threaded together, but a trim piece to be attached to a metal work of art must be held pressed against the work by some external mounting means.
3Light and set the oxy-acetylene torch. Open the torch valve and use an oxy-acetylene striker to ignite the gas coming form the torch. Adjust the gas flow to create a point-shaped flame. The size of the flame should be adjusted higher or lower depending on the thickness of the bronze welding rod being used.
4Apply the welding material. Hold the flame of the torch against an area of the joint to be welded. Do not heat the entire weld area at once. After the surfaces to be welded are heated, hold the tip of a bronze welding rod against them and under the flame. Use the tip of the bronze welding rod to spread the material melting off of the rod over the area to be welded. Bronze welding rods are available at hardware stores.
5Complete the weld. Move the heating and melting flame slowly over adjoining parts of the initial weld, and continue around the joint area. Make sure the weld material already applied stays liquid to fuse with new welding material being applied. This will form a sealed and uniform weld joint.
6Allow the weld area to cool. Remove the bronze welding rod and the oxy-acetylene torch flame from the weld area. Securely turn off the torch and allow the newly welded joint to cool.
Questions and Answers
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- Bronze welding is often referred to as braze welding. Although similar, bronze welding and braze welding are not the same. Braze welding counts on a solid physical connection between the 2 parts to be welded together, which is then sealed over by the material melted from the bronze welding rod. Bronze welding does not rely on a solid physical connection between the 2 parts to be welded together. Bronze welding uses the material melted from the bronze welding rod to provide a structural connection between the 2 parts to be welded together, as well as to cover the newly formed joint.
- Metal conducts heat efficiently. The heat from the welding operation will quickly spread through the area around the weld and presents a burn hazard to unprotected skin.
- When lit, the oxy-acetylene torch must be handled carefully. It presents both a burn hazard and an ignition hazard.
Things You'll Need
- Oxy-acetylene torch
- Oxy-acetylene torch striker
- Bronze welding rod
- Metal cleanser
- Metal degreasing compound
- Clean dry wiping cloth