When it comes to joining the two main parts of the cutter tools, tip and body, the choice of the joining technique is an important factor to consider. There are many techniques used in the market, but the brazing technique is one of the most recommended for joining tungsten carbide to steel.
There are many benefits that come with buying brazed tungsten carbide machine parts. One of these benefits os harder tools that can last for a longer time. But what you need to have the right things so that the joining tungsten carbide to steel using the brazing technique is done properly? Here are three key elements that a cutter tools manufacture must observe.
Heat
One of the crucial elements in brazing technology is heat. What makes this technique differ from other forms of welding is that you will need to have the workpiece melt to make the joint. That’s why the amount of heat that is needed for this process is a little bit higher enough to melt the workpieces. Therefore, the manufacturer must ensure that they are getting the right setting to produce a quality joint. There melting of the workpiece is meant to produce more fitting parts than the soldering. The temperature could be anything above 450 °C (840 °F) to melt the alloy.
Filler Alloy
The other crucial element that you need to consider is the filler alloy. The filler alloys or the brazing alloy are the metallic materials that are used for the making of the actual joints. The metal alloy is heated by the temperature above 450 °C (840 °F) to meat. It is then distributed between the tungsten carbide tip and steel body to form the joint. Filler alloys are available in the form of rods, paste, cream, wire, ribbon, and powder, among others. For the joining tungsten carbide to steel, nicuman 23, nicuman 37, and alloy 548 are the most widely used. They have a high melting temperature than silver alloys.
Flux Agent
Last but not least is the flux agent. This is one of the crucial elements in joining tungsten carbide to steel using the brazing technique. The material plays a critical role in removing the oxide component that is produced during the process. Therefore, it helps to prevent the oxidation process during the forming of the joint, which could hamper the flow of brazing alloy filler between the tungsten carbide tips to the steel body. Borax, fluorides, and other wetting agents are the most used flux agents.