Brazing is commonly used to join copper and brass plumbing fittings.
Brazing allows dissimilar metals like copper and brass to be joined together with a third metal (solder) using heat and the capillary action of the solder when it melts. This process is commonly done by plumbers when they are joining copper pipes and brass fittings in a plumbing assembly. Brazing is not a difficult process, but you will need to become comfortable with using a torch and being around hot metals.
Instructions
1. Clean the brass and copper surfaces where you want to solder using a wire brush and emery cloth.
2. Paint the surfaces with a light coat of brass and copper flux. Flux is a chemical cleaner and metal flowing agent that aids in the soldering process. Position the two pieces of metal together without touching the fluxed surfaces. The metals need to touch.
3. Light your MAPP gas torch and adjust the flame to a medium to high heat. Heat up the brass and copper. Heat the brass slightly more than the copper as the copper has a lower melting point.
4. Touch the soldering rod to the area being brazed. When the temperature is correct, the solder will flow around the joint. Move the torch away immediately and allow the two metals to cool. If the flux and metals make popping sounds it is likely you are overheating them. Heat the metal just enough to make the solder flow.
Tips Warnings
Solder globs can be wiped away quickly with a rag. The pieces can sometimes be cooled by spritzing them with water. Be careful to use a heat shield when soldering plumbing pipes inside wall cavities as it is easy to start the walls on fire with the torch.
