nickel-silver

[james gonzalez]

has anyone here had any experience welding or brazing this stuff?

[Jose Gomez]

Despite the name, this is not a silver alloy at all, but mainly nickel and copper. It has a much higher melting point than genuine silver alloys.

On the other hand, nickel silver is stronger than brass filler, often much stronger, and some nickel silvers will work well on some alloys of stainless steel. Nickel silver does make strong, reliable joints. It has a very wide working range, from 1200 F to 1750 F, and a tensile strength of up to 85,000 psi.

Uses include Knife parts, decorative items, jewelry, musical instrument valves and components, optical instrument components, fittings for food and dairy equipment, screws, rivets, and slide fasteners.
In the referance manual that I have, Soldering of this alloy is rated as "excellent", brazing is rated as "excellent", oxyacetylene welding is rated as "good", gas shielded arc welding is rated as "fair", coated metal arc welding is "not recommended", spot welding is rated as "good", seam welding is rated as "fair", and butt welding is rated as "good".

[Hillbillysmith]

Jose, what is this "manual" that you have and where did you get it???

[james gonzalez]

Thanks for the info Jose.
I have a potential client who is requesting an entire interior railing system of this material.
is this within the realms of possibility?
I have zero experience with nickel siver working qualities.

[Jose Gomez]

Sorry for my delayed response, I let your posts slip by without noticing. Hillbillysmith, I should have said manuals. I gathered the information from several manufacturers’ data sheets and an AWS manual. You can also harvest a ton of info by goggling Nickel silver weld ability.

James, an entire interior railing system made of Nickel silver is very possible, but also ridiculously expensive, especially with the climbing cost of both copper and nickel (Nickel silvers primary ingredients). Do your homework on the requested materials before you even let him entertain the thought of wasting your time because there is a high probability that your customer will have a heart attack after seeing just the materials costs. You might suggest Stainless steel or even aluminum as a slightly less expensive suitable alternative.

[ThomasPowers]

Don't forget Monel as a possible metal too; but like the other Ni/Cu options very pricy. I've seen it used in hand forged gates and such.

I'd point him at stainless; but be aware that working it is harder as well; both on you and the tools so include that in the cost too!

DON'T quote a price until you have worked a trial piece to figure out time and consumables costs!
Thomas

[Ten Hammers]

I know people that quote stainless. They are on a week or less program ( meaning they quote process/fab today based on mfgr price of stainless and you get week or less to decide inc. print changes ).