If there really was no flux then you have a “cold” solder joint. The solder may stick in spots but it will not have “wicked” into the “sweat” joint properly and will not completely seal the joint.
Can I solder copper pipes without flux?
You “can” solder copper without flux, without scraping (sanding or filing) clean the two surfaces, and without ensuring there is a close even fit between the two surfaces for the molten solder to wick into and provide a quality joint.
Do you need flux to sweat copper?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Making the process much quicker. And less tiring with both of your surfaces. Now prepped let's assemble them but before you'll need to apply some flux applying flux is pretty self-explanatory. All.
Is soldering flux necessary?
Flux core solder has flux in the center of the solder wire. Additional flux is unnecessary for most applications, but using additional flux still may make the solder easier to work with for some tasks. When selecting flux core solder, it is important to use rosin core solder for electrical applications.
When sweat soldering pipe What is the purpose of flux?
In plumbing, flux is a compound used as part of soldering a pipe joint. It’s an acidic paste that is applied to the part of the copper pipe where the solder must make a bond. It cleans the joint, if you rub it on some copper and leave it a short while, it will be left gleaming when you wipe it off.
What happens if you solder without flux?
Yes, you can solder without flux. While it is helpful in the process of soldering as the flux helps break down the oxides on the metal, it is not needed. Also, most solder nowadays come with a rosin core which does the job of flux helping breaking down oxides.
Can you use Vaseline as flux?
Can You Use Vaseline as Flux? Yes, Vaseline works just as well as commercial flux, and you can even buy a generic brand. Petroleum jelly is primarily made from waxes and mineral oils so that it won’t corrode your components. Plus, it cleans away the gunk and eliminates metal oxides that could compromise your bond.
Can you overheat copper pipe when soldering?
Overheating is a major problem when brazing or soldering copper pipe because the flux will burn (become oxidized), stop working, and become a barrier to tinning. In addition, a heavy oxide can be formed on the pipe itself, preventing a bond from forming between the filler metal and the pipe surface.
Can I use sandpaper for copper pipes?
Pros clean copper with strips of 120-grit emery cloth, which is usually sold alongside the solder and flux on hardware and home center shelves (Photo 3). But fine steel wool or regular 120-grit sandpaper will do in a pinch.
Can you sweat a copper pipe with water in it?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So you'll never ever ever be able to solder copper pipes together when you have water in the line.
Do plumbers use flux?
Flux is one of the most commonly used products in plumbing. Flux is applied in pipe connections that are joined together by soldering. The process of connecting two joints by soldering is often referred to as sweating metallic pipes together. Flux is part of an effective soldering process.
Is flux used when soldering copper pipes?
Flux is a compound commonly used in plumbing applications where two joints are connected using solder. This is a process known as “sweating” pipes together. Combined with solder, flux is a key part of the sweating process. Flux is used to connect copper pipe.
How long does it take for flux to corrode copper?
i would say a week or two.
How long can you leave flux on copper before soldering?
This is why it is important to flush the lines when not using water soluble fluxes. Wipe excess flux off the exterior of the pipe after solder joint has been completed, and never wait more than 4 hours to solder a joint after applying any flux to the joint.
Does flux burn?
A mass of hot sticky flux can transfer more heat to skin and cause more serious burns than a comparable particle of non-adhering molten metal, which can be quickly shaken off. In this regard, molten flux is similar to molten hot glue.
Are fluxes irritant?
The flux contains fluoride and alkaline substances which are capable of irritating the skin and the respiratory tract. The jointing process is described and possible sources of hazard are noted. The incidence of complaints was found to be low.
What happens if you inhale flux?
In addition, using flux containing rosin produces solder fumes that, if inhaled, can result in occupational asthma or worsen existing asthmatic conditions; as well as cause eye and upper respiratory tract irritation.
How bad are flux fumes?
Exposure to solder fumes from resin or colophony-based solder flux can lead to a multitude of health hazards: Occupational asthma – one of the many risks caused by flux gases; coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest pain are among the symptoms of asthma.
Is flux a Coshh hazard?
As exposure to rosin-based solder flux fumes may be hazardous to health, their use is subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 (as amended).
Can soldering cause sore throat?
Early symptoms from fume exposure can include watering prickling eyes, running or blocked nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, tight chest and breathlessness. Dermatitis can result from skin exposure to the fume or flux. 2 Rosin is often used as a flux core in solder wire.
How do you stop soldering fumes?
As a result, the consensus is that solder fumes represent a serious occupational health hazard, and workers should be protected from these effects through proper ventilation, fume capture, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
