Appendix A

Definitions of Terms

(This Appendix is not a part of the Brazing Handbook, but is included for information
purposes only.)

This Appendix was written to provide the Brazing Handbook reader with a dictionary of
the technical terms that are unique to the brazing industry. This compilation of terms
includes some entries from ANSYAWS A3.0 - Standard Welding Terms and Definitions
and the Metals Handbook (Ninth Ed., Vol. 6, pages 1-20).

-A- blind joint. A joint, no portion of which is

visible.
arc brazing. A brazing process using heat block brazing (BB). A brazing process that
from an electric arc. See carbon arc braz- uses heat from heated blocks applied to
ing. the joint. This is an obsolete or seldom
as-brazed. Pertaining to the condition of used process.
brazements after brazing, prior to any blowpipe. A device used to obtain a small,
subsequent thermal, mechanical, or accurately directed flame for fine work. A
chemical treatments. portion of any flame is blown to the de-
automatic brazing. Brazing with equipment sired location by the blowpipe which is
that requires only occasional or no obser- usually mouth operated.
vation of the brazing, and no manual ad- bond. A uniting force that holds things to-
justment of the equipment controls. gether. See bonding force, covalent bond,
mechanical bond, and metallic bond.
-B- bonding force. The force that holds two at-
oms together; it results from a decrease in
balling up. The formation of globules of energy as two atoms are brought closer to
molten brazing filler metal or flux due to one another.
lack of wetting of the base metal. braze. A weld produced by heating an as-
base material. The material that is welded, sembly to the brazing temperature using a
brazed, soldered, or cut. See also base filler metal having a liquidus above
metal. 840°F (450°C) and below the solidus of
base metal. The metal or alloy that is the base metals. The filler metal is distrib-
welded, brazed, soldered, or cut. uted between the faying surfaces of the
blanket brazing. A brazing process using joint by capillary action.
heat from flexible, resistance heated blan- braze interface. The interface between filler
kets. Brazing filler metal preforms are metal and base material in a brazed joint.
placed in the joint before arranging the braze welding. A welding process variation
workpieces and heating blanket(s). Blan- in which a filler metal, having a liquidus
ket brazing is commonly used for large above 840°F (450"C)and below the soli-
honeycomb panels. dus of the base metals, is used. Unlike

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442 / BRAZING HANDBOOK

brazing, in braze welding the filler metal brazing technique. The details of a brazing
is not distributed in the joint by capillary operation which, within the limitations
action. of the prescribed brazing procedure, are
brazeability. The capacity of a material to controlled by the brazer or brazing opera-
be brazed under the imposed fabrication tor.
conditions imposed into a specific, suit- brazing temperature. The temperature to
ably designed structure, and to perform which the base material is heated to en-
satisfactorily in the intended service. - able the filler metal to wet the base mate-
brazement. An assembly whose component rial and form a brazed joint.
parts are joined by brazing. brazing temperature range. The temperature
brazer. One who performs manual brazing. range within which brazing can be per-
brazing (B). A group of welding processes formed.
that produces coalescence of materials by butt joint. A joint between two members
heating them to the brazing temperature aligned approximately in the same plane.
in the presence of a filler metal having a
liquidus above 450°C (840°F) and below -C-
the solidus of the base metal. The filler
metal is distributed between the closely capillary action. The force by which liquid,
fitted faying surfaces of the joint by capil- in contact with a solid, is distributed be-
lary action. See also Master Chart of tween closely fitted faying surfaces of the
Welding and Allied Processes. joint to be brazed or soldered.
brazing alloy. A nonstandard term for braz- carbon arc brazing. A nonstandard term for
ing filler metal. twin carbon arc brazing.
brazing filler metal. The metal that fills the carburizing flame. A reducign oxyfuel gas
capillary joint clearance and has a liqui- flame in which there is an excess of fuel
dus above 840°F (450°C) and below the gas, resulting in a carbon-rich zone ex-
solidus of the base materials. tending around and beyond the cone.
brazing foil. A nonstandard terms for braz- chemical-bath dip brazing. A dip brazing
ing filler metal in strip form. process variation.
brazing operator. One who operates auto- clad brazing sheet. Metal sheet having one
matic, furnace, or mechanized brazing or both sides clad with brazing filler
equipment. metal.
brazing powder. A nonstandard term for coil (inductor). An electrical device con-
brazing filler metal powder. nected to an induction generator de-
brazing procedure. The detailed methods signed to provide induction heating of a
and practices involved in the production workpiece.
of a brazement. cold braze joint. Ajoint with incomplete co-
brazing procedure qualification record alescence caused by insufficient applica-
(BPQR). A record of brazing variables tion of heat to the base material during
used to produce an acceptable test braze- brazing.
ment and the results of tests conducted complete braze fusion. Molten brazing filler
on the brazement to qualifi a brazing pro- metal over the entire base material sur-
cedure specification. face intended for brazing and between all
brazing rod. A nonstandard term for brazing adjoining brazes.
filler metal rod. complete joint penetration. Brazing filler
brazing rope. A nonstandard term for braz- metal penetration for the full extent of the
ing filler metal in the form of fine wires intended joint.
woven together. complete penetration. A nonstandard term
brazing sheet. Brazing filler metal in sheet for complete joint penetration.
form. copper brazing. A nonstandard term for
brazing shim. A nonstandard term for braz- brazing with a copper filler metal.
ing filler metal in strip form. comer joint, A joint between two members
brazing tape. A nonstandard term for braz- located approximately at right angles to
ing filler metal in strip form. each other.

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 Definitions of Terms I 443

covalent bond. A primary bond arising from duty cycle. The percentage of time during an
the reduction in energy associated with arbitrary test period that a power supply
overlapping half-filled orbitals of two at- or its accessories can be operated at rated
oms. output without overheating.
crack. A fracture type discontinuity charac-
terized by a sharp tip and high ratio of -E-
length and width to opening displace-
ment. edge joint. Ajoint between the edges of two
or more parallel or nearly parallel mem-
-D- bers.
electric brazing. A nonstandard term for arc
defect. A discontinuity or discontinuities that brazing and resistance brazing.
by nature or accumulated effect (for exam- electromagnetic field. The field created
ple, total crack length) render a part or when alternating current passes through
product unable to meet minimum applica- as inductor.
ble acceptance standards or specifications. electron beam brazing. A brazing process us-
This term designates rejectability. See also ing heat from a slightly defocussed elec-
discontinuity and flaw. tron beam. Normally, electron beam braz-
differential thermal expansion. The differ- ing is used in special applications where
ence between the dimensional changes of the joint is small and the workpieces can
two (or more) materials having different be heated only in a vacuum.
expansion coefficients, which is caused erosion. A condition caused by dissolution
by temperature changes at constant pres- of the base metal by molten filler metal
sure. resulting in a reduction of base metal
diffusion boilding. A nonstandard term for thickness.
diffusion brazing and diffusion welding. exothermic brazing (EXB). A brazing pro-
diffusion brazing (DFB). A brazing prucess cess using an exothermic chemical reac-
that forms liquid braze metal by diffusion tion between a metal oxide and a metal or
between dissimilar base metals or be- inorganic nonmetal as the heat source,
tween base metal and filler metal with filler metal preplaced int he joint.
preplaced at the faying surfaces. The pro-
cess is used with the application of pres- -F-
sure.
dilution. The change in chemical composi- face feed. The application of filler metal to
tion of a brazing filler metal caused by the the joint, usually by hand, during brazing
admixture of the base metal or previous or soldering.
brazing filler metal. It is measured by the faying surface. That mating surface of a
percentage of base metal or previous member that is in contact with or in close
brazing filler metal in the braze joint. proximity to another member to which it
dip brazing (DB). .A brazing process using is to be bonded.
heat from a molten chemical or metal filler metal. The metal or alloy to be added
bath. When a molten chemical bath is in making a welded, brazed, or soldered
used, the bath may act as a flux. When a joint.
molten metal bath is used, the bath pro- fillet. A radiussed region of brazing filler
vides the filler metal. metal where workpieces are joined.
discontinuity. An interruption of the typical fillet joint. A nonstandard term for a brazed
structure of a brazement, such as a lack of joint that is designed to have a fillet.
homogeneity in the mechanical, metal- fit. A nonstandard term for joint clearance.
lurgical, or physical characteristics of the flash coat. In brazing, a thin coating usually
filler metal, base material, or brazement. less than 0.0002 inches (0.005 mm) thick.
A discontinuity is not necessarily a de- flat position. The brazing position used to
fect. See also defect and flaw. braze from the upper side of the joint; the
dissolution. The dissolving of brazing filler face of the braze is approximately hori-
metal in one or more of the base materials zontal.
of a joint. flaw. An undesirable discontinuity.

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 444 / BRAZING HANDBOOK

flowability. The ability of molten brazing microstsucture have been altered by the
filler metal to flow or spread over a sur- heat of wleding, brazing, soldering, or
face. thermal cutting. See Figure 20G.
flow brazing (FLB). A brazing process that heat pattern. The area heated by the coil in
bonds metals by heating them with mol- induction brazing.
ten nonferrous filler metal poured over hot crack. A crack that develops during so-
the joint until brazing temperature is at- lidification.
tained. The filler metal is distributed in hydrogen brazing. A nonstandard term for
the joint by capillary action. any brazing process that takes place in
flux. A material used to hinder or prevent pure hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing
the formation of oxides and other unde- atmosphere.
sirable substances in molten metal and on
solid metal surfaces, and to dissolve or -1-
otheiwise facilitate the removal of such
substances. See also activeflux and neu- impedence. A combination of electrical re-
tral flux. sistance, inductance, and capacitance.
flux coated rod. Brazing filler metal in rod imcomplete fusion. A condition in which
form that is coated with flux. some of the brazing filler metal in a joint
focal spot. In an energy beam the location did not melt.
having the smallest cross-sectional area incomplete joint penetration. Joint penetra-
and, consequently, the highest energy tion that is unintentionally less than the
density. thickness of the weld joint.
freezing point. A nonstandard term for indistinct fillet. A condition in which the
liquidus and solidus. brazing filler metal did not result in a
fuel gas. A gas usually used with oxygen for fully formed fillet.
heating; examples include acetylene, nat- induced current. Circulating currents pro-
ural gas, hydrogen, propane, methy- duced in the workpiece when placed in an
lacetylene propadiene stabilized, and electromagnetic field.
other synthetic fuels and hydrocarbons. induction brazing (IB). A brazing process us-
furnace brazing (FB). A brazing process us- ing heat from the resistance of the
ing a heated furnace. workpieces to induced electric current.
induction generator. An electrical device
-G- used in induction heating to convert line
frequency into higher frequency.
gap. A nonstandard term for joint clear- inert gas. A gas that normally does not react
ance. chemically with materials.
gas brazing. A nonstandard term for torch inhared brazing (IRB). A brazing process
brazing. using heat from infrared radiation.
gas generator. Equipment that produces a intergranular penetration. The penetration
furnace atmosphere. of a brazing filler metal along the grain
gas pocket. A nonstandard term for poros- boundaries of a base metal.
ity. ionic bond. A primary bond arising from the
getter. A material that is used to purifi low electrostatic attraction between two op-
pressure gases (usually vacuum furnace positely charged ions.
atmospheres) by chemically combining
with impurities. -J-
-H- joint. The junction of members or the edges
of members which are to be bonded or
hard solder. A nonstandard term for silver have been bonded.
base brazing filler metals. joint brazing procedure. The materials, de-
hazardous material. A substance that can tailed methods, and practices employed
harm humans. in brazing a particular joint.
heat-affected zone. The portion of the base joint clearance. The distance between the fay-
metal whose mechanical properties or ing surfaces of a joint. In brazing, due to

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 DeJinitions of Terms I 445

thermal expansion of the workpieces, joint metal-bath dip brazing. A dip brazing pro-
clearance may vary as the workpieces are cess variation.
heated and cooled. metallic bond. The principal bond that
joint design. The joint geometry together holds metals together and is formed be-
with the required dimensions. tween base metals and filler metals in all
joint efficiency. The ratio of the strength of a brazing processes. This is a primary bond
joint to the strength of the base metal, ex- arising from the increased spatial exten-
pressed in percent. sion of the valence electron wave func-
tions when an aggregate of metal atoms is
-K- brought close together. See also bonding
force and covalent bond.
karat. In gold base alloys, one karat is one metallizing. A nonstandard term for ther-
twenty-fourth gold by weight. mal spraying; or applying (by silk screen-
ing, chemical vapor deposition, spraying,
-L- etc.) material (usually molybdenum man-
ganese) to ceramic surfaces in prepara-
lack of fill. A nonstandard term for imcom- tion for brazing.
plete penetration. metallurgical bond. A nonstandard term for
lap joint. A joint between two overlapping metallic bond.
members in parallel planes. micron. A unit of pressure equal to one
laser. A device that produces a concen- thousandth of a torr; Le., one milli-torr.
trated coherent light beam by stimulated See also torr.
electronic or molecular transitions to
lower energy levels. -N-
laser brazing (LB). A brazing process using
heat from a focussed laser beam. Nor- neutral flame. An oxyfuel gas flame which is
mally, laser brazing is used where the neither oxidizing nor reducing. See also
joint is extremely small. oxidizing flame and reducing flame.
liquation. The separation of a low melting noncorrosive flux. Brazing flux which in nei-
constituent of an alloy from the remain- ther its original form nor its residual form
ing constituents, usually apparent in al- chemically attacks the base metal.
loys having a wide melting range.
liquidus. The lowest temperature at which a
metal or alloy is completely liquid. -0-
longitudinal crack. A crack with its major
axis approximately parallel to the joint oxidizing flame. An oxyfuel gas flame in
axis. which there is an excess oxygen, resulting
in an oxygen-rich zone extending around
-M- and beyond the core. See also neutral
flame and reducing flame.
machine brazing. A nonstandard term for
mechanized brazing. -P-
manual brazing. A brazing operation per-
formed and controlled completely by parent metal. A nonstandard term for base
hand. metal.
mechanical bond (thermal spraying). The partial joint penetration. Joint penetration
adherence of a thermal spray deposit to a that is intentionally less than complete.
roughened surface by the mechanism of partial pressure. Pressure, usually of a fur-
particle interlocking. nace atmosphere or constituent of a fur-
mechanized brazing. Brazing with equip- nace atmosphere, that is below 15 pounds
ment which performs the brazing opera- per square inch; or the pressure of any
tion under the constant observation and constituent in a gas mixture at any pres-
control of a brazing operator. The equip- sure.
ment may or may not load or unload paste brazing filler metal. A mixture of
workpieces. See also automatic brazing. finely divided brazing filler meta1 with an

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446 / BRAZING HANDBOOK

organic or inorganic flux or neutral vehi- -Q-

cle or carrier.
peel test. A destructive method of inspec- quench. Accelerated cooling, frequently in
tion which mechanically separates a lap liquid (oil, water).
joint by peeling.
-R-
penetration. A nonstandard term for joint
penetration. reaction flux (soldering). A flux composi-
porosity. Cavity type discontinuities tion in which one or more of the ingredi-
formed by gas entrapment during solidi- ents reacts with a base metal upon
fication. heating to deposit one or more metals.
postheating. The application of heat to an reaction stress. A stress that cannot exist in
assembly after welding, brazing, solder- a member if the member is isolated as a
ing, thermal spraying, or thermal cutting. free body without connection to other
See also postbraze heat treatment. parts of the structure
postbraze heat treatment. Any heat treat- reducing atmosphere. A chemically active
ment after brazing. protective atmosphere, which at elevated
temperature will reduce metal oxides to
power density. The kilowatts per square their metallic state.
inch within an induction brazing coil. reducing flame. An oxyfuel gas flame with
precoating. Coating the base material in the an excess of fuel gas. See also neutral
joint by dipping, electroplating, or other flame and oxidizing flame.
means before brazing. remelt temperature. The temperature neces-
preform. Brazing filler metal fabricated in a sary to melt a brazing filler metal in a
shape or form for a pecific application. completed joint.
preheat. The heat applied to the base metal repair brazing. The process of rebrazing a
or substrate to attain and maintain pre- joint that exhibited repairable defects.
heat temperature. residual stress. Stress present in a joint
member or material that is free of exter-
preheating. The application of heat to the nal forces or thermal gradients.
base material immediately before brazing resistance brazing (RB). A brazing process
or soldering. that uses heat from the resistance to elec-
preheat temperature. The temperature of tric current flow in a circuit of which the
the base metal or substrate in the welding, workpieces are a part.
brazing, soldering, thermal spraying, or
thermal cutting area immediately before -S-
these operations are performed. In a mul-
tipass operation, it is also the tempera- salt-bath dip brazing. A dip brazing process
ture in the area immediately before the variation.
second and subsequent passes are started. sandwich brazing. A brazed assembly of dis-
procedure. The detailed elements of a pro- similar materials using a preplaced shim,
cess used to produce a specified result. other than the filler metals, as a transition
procedure qualification. The demonstration layer to minimize thermal stresses.
that a brazed joint or a soldered joint semiautomatic brazing. Manual brazing
made by a specific procedure can meet with equipment which automatically
prescribed standards. controls one or more of the brazing con-
ditions.
process. A grouping of basic operational ele- semiblind joint. A joint in which one ex-
ments used in welding.brazing,soldering, tremity of the joint is not visible.
thermal cutting, or thermal spraying. shielding gas. Protective gas used to prevent
protective atmosphere. A gas or vacuum en- or reduce atmospheric contamination.
velope surrounding the workpieces, used shrinkage stress. A nonstandard term for
to prevent or reduce the formation of ox- residual stress.
ides and other detrimental surface sub- shrink crack. A nonstandard term for a hot
stances, and to facilitate their removal. crack or a shrinkage void.

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 Definitions of Terms I 447

shrinkage void. A cavity type discontinuity sufficient temperature to relieve the ma-
normally formed by shrinkage during so- jor portion of the residual stresses, fol-
lidification. lowed by uniform cooling.
silver alloy brazing. A nonstandard term for strike. A nonstandard term for flash coat.
brazing with a silver-containing filler susceptor. An electrically conductive mate-
metal. rial heated by induction and used to assist
silver soldering. A nonstandard term for in heating a workpiece by radiation.
brazing with a silver-base filler metal.
simultaneous brazing. A nonstandard term -T-
for producing several brazed joints at the
same time. thermal expansion. T h e dimensional
skull. The unmelted residue from a liquated change exhibited by solids, liquids, and
. filler metal. gases, which is caused by temperature
slag inclusion. Nonmetallic solid material changes at constant pressure.
entrapped in filler metal or between filler thermal expansion coefficient. The frac-
metal and base material. tional change in length or volume of a
soldering (S). A group of welding processes material for a unit change in temperature
that produces coalescence of materials by at constant pressure,
heating them to the soldering tempera- thermal stress. Stress resulting from non-
ture and by using a filler metal having a uniform temperature distribution or dif-
liquidus not exceeding 450 (840°F) and ferential thermal expansion.
below the solidus of the base metals. The torch brazing (TB), A brazing process using
filler metal is distributed between closely heat from a fuel gas flame.
fitted faying surfaces of the joint by capil- torr. A unit of pressure normally used to de-
lary action. See also the Master Chart of scribe very low pressures; one torr exerts
Welding and Allied Processes. the same force as one millimeter of mer-
solidus. The highest temperature at which a cury.
material is completely solid. twin carbon arc brazing (TCAB). A brazing
spool. A filler metal package consisting of a process that uses heat from an arc be-
continuous length of welding wire in coil tween two carbon electrodes. This is an
form wound on a cylinder (called a bar- obsolete or seldom used process.
rel), which is flanged at both ends. The
flange contains a spindle hole of smaller -U-
diameter than the inside diameter of the
barrel. undercut. A groove melted into the base
step brazing. The brazing of successive metal adjacent to the braze and left-un-
joints on a given part with filler metals of filled by filler metal.
successively lower brazing temperatures
so as to accomplish the joining without -V-
disturbing the joints brazed previously. A
similar result can be achieved at a single vacuum brazing. A nonstandard term for
brazing temperature if the remelt temper- various brazing process that take place in
ature of prior joints is increased by metal- a chamber or retort below atmospheric
lurgical interaction. pressure.
stopoff. A material used on the surfaces ad-
jacent to the joint to limit the spread of -W-
brazing filler metal or flux.
stress relief cracking. Intergranular crack- weld brazing. A joining method that com-
ing in the heat-affected zone or filler bines resistance welding with brazing.
metal as a result of the combined action wetting. The phenomenon whereby a liquid
of residual stresses and postbraze expo- filler metal or flux spreads and adheres in
sure to an elevated temperature. a thin continuous layer on a solid base
stress relief heat treatment. Uniform heat- metal.
ing of a structure or a portion thereof to a workpiece. A part that is brazed.

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