james gonzalez Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 has anyone here had any experience welding or brazing this stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jose Gomez Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 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". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbillysmith Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Jose, what is this "manual" that you have and where did you get it??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james gonzalez Posted March 8, 2008 Author Share Posted March 8, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jose Gomez Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 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 ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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