The American Welding Society defines soldering as "a group of joining processes that produce coalescence of materials by heating them to a soldering temperature and by using a filler metal (solder) having a liquidus not exceeding 840°F and below the solidus of the base metals." In actual practice, most soldering is done at temperatures from about 350°F to 600°F.
To consistently make satisfactory joints, the following sequence of joint preparation and operations, based on ASTM Standard Practice B 828, should be followed:
- Measuring and Cutting
- Reaming
- Cleaning
- Applying Flux
- Assembly and Support
- Heating
- Applying Solder
- Cooling and Cleaning
- Testing
The techniques described produce leak-tight soldered joints between copper and copper alloy tube and fittings, either in shop operations or in the field. Skill and knowledge are required to produce a satisfactorily soldered joint.