Can you solder stainless steel jewelry?

Category: hobbies and interests jewelry making
4.3/5 (1,319 Views . 13 Votes)
Generally, welding holds stainless steel parts together best. You can silver solder stainless to itself or to brass or copper to make easier connections without risk of corrosion problems. You can use any silver solder, but you will need an acid-based flux specifically manufactured for nickel or stainless steel.



Just so, can you solder stainless steel?

The short answer is yes, as long as you use the correct heating source, solder, and flux. When soldering stainless steel you should not use normal soldering flux. You will need a high activity acid flux because of the amount oxides on the surface of stainless steel.

Also Know, what type of flux is used for stainless steel? 75 is a inorganic acid, general purpose flux for stainless steel.

Likewise, what kind of solder is used for jewelry?

Gold solders are generally used only for making gold jewelry while copper, brass, and bronze solders are typically used to make copper, brass, and bronze jewelry respectively.

What metals can be soldered?

Metals that can be soldered include gold, silver, copper, brass, and iron. The filler, called solder, melts. When it solidifies, it is bonded to the metal parts and joins them. The bond is not as strong as brazed joint or welded one.

37 Related Question Answers Found

What metal Cannot be soldered?

Stainless steel and high alloy steel have a low solderability because the chromium alloying element creates oxides that require aggressive fluxes. The only way that the final category of metals can be soldered is by pre-plating them in a metal that is solderable.

What kind of solder do you use for stainless steel?

You can silver solder stainless to itself or to brass or copper to make easier connections without risk of corrosion problems. The joint will only be as strong as the silver solder itself. You can use any silver solder, but you will need an acid-based flux specifically manufactured for nickel or stainless steel.

Does solder stick to steel?

Soldering, Brazing, and Welding Tips. Soldering with a propane torch is the easiest way to join copper and brass. You can even use solder to join copper or brass to stainless steel, you just need the proper flux. Do not use electrical or jeweler's solder because these often contain lead or cadmium.

How do you join two pieces of stainless steel together?

How to Glue Stainless Steel
  1. Clean and prepare the pieces you wish to glue together with soap and water.
  2. Place a paper plate onto a hard work surface.
  3. Squeeze equal parts from both tubes onto the paper plate.
  4. Use the toothpick or Popsicle stick to thoroughly stir the epoxy.
  5. Use toothpick or Popsicle stick to apply the epoxy to the pieces of metal.

Does Lead stick to stainless steel?


Solders. Conventional tin-lead solders may be used to solder stainless steels. It is recommended that the tin content should be more than 50% to give good bond strength and minimise the risk of galvanic corrosion to the soldered joint during service.

Can stainless steel be brazed mild steel?

Stainless steel can also be soldered or brazed to itself or to brass or copper, with good results. These processes provide good alternatives to the welding of stainless steel fittings.

Why does my solder not stick?

A classic reason solder won't stick to something is because you're not getting it hot enough. Touch some solder on it, and it should melt almost instantly. Put a nice little blob of solder on the tip of the iron. Press the blob of solder into the metal to be soldered.

What are the three different types of solder?

In summary, there are three main types of solder: lead-based, lead-free, and flux.

What is the best soldering iron for jewelry making?

Review for Best Soldering Irons for Jewelry
Product Dimensions Weight
Electric Soldering Iron Kit 9 x 7 x 1.8 inches 7.4 ounces
The Iso SolderPro 120 Butane Soldering Iron 1 x 1 x 9.7 inches 6.4 ounces
Soldering Iron Tool Kit 110v 60W Adjustable Temperature 7.5 x 2.7 x 1.5 inches 1. 26 pounds

Can you solder without flux?


Bear in mind though, most common solder wire is rosin-core, it has one or more cores of flux inside of it. The kind of solder plumbers use has no flux because they apply the flux externally. So you could solder with that solder. At low heat the solder might not melt fast enough, and a cold solder joint may result.

What can be used in place of solder?

Wire-wrapping is a substitute for soldering but wire-wrap supplies can get very expensive unless you buy in very large volumes or happen to find a surplus deal. You could also crimp the wires together. There are terminals called butt splices. You could insert multiple wires into the terminal and then crimp.

Should I solder my rings together?

Soldering your engagement ring to your wedding band will reduce turning, but not eliminate it. The wedding band doesn't look good on its own: If your wedding band is notched or has unique curves, it may not look good without your engagement ring. Soldering the rings together is probably a good choice.

Does solder stick to silver?

Purchase silver solder.
Silver solder is an alloy formed from silver and other metals, designed to join with silver but melt at a lower temperature. Do not attempt to use lead solder when soldering silver, as it will usually fail to work and is difficult to remove.

What flux is used for jewelry?

This is called the flow flux. Batterns and Handy Flux are the top choices. Boric acid and water is also used. Batterns Self-Pickling Flux is used for hard soldering (solder that melts at a high temperature) of gold, silver, and platinum.

What kind of solder do you use for copper jewelry?


If you are using copper to make jewelry, your best bet and most easily accessible solder to use is silver solder done with a torch.

What do you mean by flux?

The noun flux describes something that constantly changes. If your likes, dislikes, attitudes, dreams, and even friends are changing all the time, you may be in flux. Flux can also mean being unsure about a decision. Another kind of flux is liquid moving or flowing, like the flux of water under a sheet of melting ice.

Can you gas weld stainless steel?

When gas welding stainless steel, you need to run a carburizing flame.which is running more acetylene than a neutral flame. If you run a neutral flame as used for regular steel, you will get black soot all over. Stainless steel is almost as difficult to weld as aluminum.