Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is one of the most widely used metals in the industry, but it's hard to cut, drill and solder without special tools. It is an alloy consisting of carbon (0.03% to .45%), chromium (11% to 32%), nickel (.60% to 37%), molybdenum (.35% to 4.0%), and smaller amounts of manganese, phosphorous, silicon, sulfur, and copper.
Stainless steel distorts easily because it is a poor heat conductor and has a high rate of thermal expansion--so heat input is one of the main concerns when welding. Although stainless steels are generally corrosion-resistant--which accounts for the stainless description--under adverse conditions corrosion can occur.
Muggy Weld has stainless steel soldering and brazing well covered. Our Super Alloy 1, SSQ-6, and SSF-6 Silver Solder are both designed for use with stainless steel--with the Silver Solder being the preferred choice of the three.
| Compare |
Super Alloy 1 |
SSF-6 |
SSQ-6 |
| Melting temperature |
350 degrees |
1150 degrees |
1150 degrees |
| Bonding strength |
20,000 PSI |
Over 70,000 PSI |
Over 70,000 PSI |
| Sizes available |
3/32", 1/8" |
1/16" |
1 Oz Syringe |
| Flux |
Honey liquid |
Flux coated |
Mixed in |
| Color match? |
No |
Good |
Good |
| Contains cadmium? |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Recommended torch |
Any |
Any |
Any |
| Works in all positions |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Will clean oxidized stainless |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Will "wet" to burnt stainless |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Will join stainless to brass, steel, copper, cast iron |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Can work as a jig |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Works for heat sensitive parts |
Yes |
No |
No |
