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C685
C685
BRAZE WELDING
SFA-5.31
1. Scope noted for flux sample weights. The SI units are given
as equivalent values to the U.S. customary units. The
This specification prescribes requirements for the
standard sizes and dimensions in the two systems are
classification of brazing fluxes used with brazing or
not identical and for this reason conversion from a
braze welding filler metals such as those classified in
standard size or dimension in one system will not
ANSI /AWS A5.8, Specification for Filler Metals for
always coincide with a standard size or dimension in
Brazing and Braze Welding.
the other. Suitable conversions encompassing standard
sizes of both can be made, however, if appropriate
tolerances are applied in each case.
PART A GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
5.2 For purposes of determining conformance with
2. Classification
this specification, an observed or calculated value shall
2.1 The brazing fluxes covered by this specification be rounded to the nearest unit in the last right-hand
are classified according to the filler metal, form, and place of figures used in expressing the limiting value
activity temperature range for which they are applicable for other quantities in accordance with the rounding-
as specified in Table 1. off method given in ASTM E29, Recommended Practice
for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine
2.2 Materials classified under one classification shall
Conformance with Specifications.1
not be classified under any other classification of this
specification.
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SFA-5.31 2001 SECTION II
TABLE 1
CLASSIFICATION OF BRAZING FLUXES WITH BRAZING OR BRAZE WELDING FILLER METALS
Activity Temperature Range
AWS
Classification* Form Filler Metal Type F C
FB1-A Powder BAlSi 10801140 580615
FB1-B Powder BAlSi 10401140 560615
FB1-C Powder BAlSi 10001140 540615
FB2-A Powder BMg 9001150 480620
FB3-A Paste BAg and BCuP 10501600 565870
FB3-C Paste BAg and BCuP 10501700 565925
FB3-D Paste BAg, BCu, BNi, BAu & RBCuZn 14002200 7601205
FB3-E Liquid BAg and BCuP 10501600 565870
FB3-F Powder BAg and BCuP 12001600 650870
FB3-G Slurry BAg and BCuP 10501600 565870
FB3-H Slurry BAg 10501700 565925
FB3-I Slurry BAg, BCu, BNi, BAu & RBCuZn 14002200 7601205
FB3-J Powder BAg, BCu, BNi, BAu & RBCuZn 14002200 7601205
FB3-K Liquid BAg & RBCuZn 14002200 7601205
FB4-A Paste BAg and BCuP 11001600 595870
*Flux 3B in the Brazing Manual, 3rd Edition, 1976 has been discontinued. Type 3B has been divided into types FB3-C and FB3-D.
NOTES:
a. The selection of a flux designation for a specific type of work may be based on the form, the filler metal type, and the classification above,
but the information here is generally not adequate for flux selection. Refer to Section A6 and the latest issue of the Brazing Handbook for
further assistance.
b. See 11.2 and 11.3 for the difference between paste flux and slurry flux.
TABLE 2
REQUIRED TESTS
AWS Flux Water Particle Sodium Fluxing
Classification Form Content Test Adherence Glare Fluidity Action Flow Life
FB1-A Powder X X X X
FB1-B Powder X X X X
FB1-C Powder X X X X
FB2-A Powder X X X X
FB3-A Paste X X X X X X X X
FB3-C Paste X X X X X X X X
FB3-D Paste X X X X X X X X
FB3-E Liquid X X X X
FB3-F Powder X X X X X X
FB3-G Slurry X X X X X X X X
FB3-H Slurry X X X X X X X X
FB3-I Slurry X X X X X X X X
FB3-J Powder X X X X X X
FB3-K Liquid X X X
FB4-A Paste X X X X X X X X
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PART C SPECIFICATIONS FOR WELDING RODS,
ELECTRODES, AND FILLER METALS SFA-5.31
TABLE 3
CONDITIONS FOR FLUXING ACTION, FLOW, AND LIFE TESTS
Test
Base Metal Temperature1 Flow Area
AWS
AWS Flux Filler Metal Common UNS
Classification Classification Name Number2 F C Sq. in. Sq. mm
FB1-A BAlSi-4 3003 aluminum A93003 1135 613 0.2 129
FB1-B BAlSi-4 3003 aluminum A93003 1135 613 0.2 129
3
FB1-C BAlSi-4 3003 aluminum A93003 1135 613 NR NR3
3
FB2-A BMg-1 AZ31B magnesium M11311 1130 610 NR NR3
FB3-A BAg-7 1008 carbon steel G10080 1300 705 0.25 161
FB3-C BAg-24 304 stainless steel S30400 1400 760 0.25 161
FB3-D RBCuZn-D 304 stainless steel S30400 1850 1010 0.25 161
BNi-2 304 stainless steel S30400 1900 1040 0.25 161
FB3-E BAg-7 304 stainless steel S30400 1300 705 NR3 NR3
FB3-F BAg-7 1008 carbon steel G10080 1300 705 0.25 161
FB3-G BAg-7 1008 carbon steel G10080 1300 705 0.25 161
FB3-H BAg-24 1008 carbon steel G10080 1400 760 0.25 161
FB3-I RBCuZn-D 304 stainless steel S30400 1850 1010 0.25 161
BNi-2 304 stainless steel S30400 1900 1040 0.25 161
FB3-J RBCuZn-D 304 stainless steel S30400 1850 1010 0.25 161
BNi-2 304 stainless steel S30400 1900 1040 0.25 161
FB3-K RBCuZn-D 1008 carbon steel G10080 1750 955 NR3 NR3
FB4-A BAg-6 C613 aluminum bronze C61300 1525 830 0.25 161
NOTES:
1. Temperature tolerances shall be 15F (8C).
2. ASTM/SAE Unified Number System for Metals and Alloys, published by SAE, Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
15096.
3. NR No flow requirement. Wetting of base metal by the filler metal is all that is required.
to be used, and the results required are given in Part 8. Test Specimen
B, Sections 8 through 18 and Table 3.
8.1 The test specimen, Figure 1, shall be a rectangular
sheet, 1.25 in. (30 mm) wide, 2.5 in. (60 mm) long,
6.2 The shelf-life requirement shall be a minimum and approximately 0.040 in. (1 mm) thick, of the base
of six (6) months from date of manufacture when metal given in Table 3.
stored in its original unopened container. Alternate
minimum storage periods shall be as agreed upon
between the supplier and purchaser. 8.2 Except as noted in 8.3 and 8.4, the surface of
the test specimen shall be prepared by degreasing,
polishing with a grade 200 abrasive paper or cloth,
washing, drying, wiping with a cloth soaked in light
petroleum oil, and wiping dry with a clean dry cloth.
7. Retests
If any test fails to meet its requirement, that test 8.3 The surface of the aluminum test specimen shall
shall be repeated twice. The results of both tests shall be prepared by degreasing, caustic etching [5% NaOH
meet the requirement. Samples for retest shall be taken at 170F (77C)], desmuting (500 HNO3 at room temper-
from the original test sample or from a new test sample. ature), water rinsing, and drying.
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SFA-5.31 2001 SECTION II
9. Flux Sample
12. Particle Test
The extraction of an unmodified flux sample shall
12.1 The particle consistency of a paste flux is
be preceded by thorough mixing to a smooth, uniform
acceptable when the entire amount of a 60 gm sample
consistency.
will pass through a U.S.A. Standard Testing Sieve 425
m (No. 40). The screen shall conform to ASTM E11,
10. Filler Metal Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes.
Heating at 180F (82C) for one hour before testing
10.1 For all flux classifications, except FB3-D, FB3-
is permissible.
I and FB3-J when testing with the BNi-2 filler metal,
the filler metal shall be a 1 / 2 in. (13 mm) length of 12.2 The particle consistency of a slurry flux is
1
/ 16 in. (1.6 mm) diameter wire of the AWS classifica- acceptable when the entire amount of a 60 gm sample
tion given in Table 3. will pass through a U.S.A. Standard Testing Sieve 106
10.2 For the flux classifications FB3-D, FB3-I and m (No. 140).
FB3-J when testing with the BNi-2 filler metal, the 12.3 Liquid fluxes shall not exhibit any visible parti-
filler metal shall be 0.2 gm of powder or rod. cles when examined without magnification.
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PART C SPECIFICATIONS FOR WELDING RODS,
ELECTRODES, AND FILLER METALS SFA-5.31
13.1.1 Using a brush, apply a layer of flux approxi- 14.2 The result of the test is acceptable if an orange
mately 1 / 32 in. (0.8 mm) thick to one surface of a test glare from the flux is not visible during heating. In
specimen, see Figure 1, and for base metal see Table 3. cases of doubt, the sodium content shall not exceed
0.04 percent, as determined by spectrochemical analysis
13.1.2 Examination No. 1. Examine the surface or an equivalent mutually acceptable process.
for areas of nonwetting.
13.1.3 Allow the flux to dry in air at room 15. Fluidity Test (for all fluxes except FB3-E
temperature with the longitudinal axis of the test speci-
and FB3-K)
men inclined at approximately 60 from the horizontal.
15.1 The fluidity of the flux at high temperature
13.1.4 Examination No. 2. Examine surface for shall be determined with the following procedure:
areas of flux loss or retraction.
15.1.1 Place a 10 gm sample of flux in a nonreactive
13.1.5 With the same test specimen inclined at crucible.
approximately 60, heat in an air atmosphere furnace
which has been preheated to 100F (55C) below the 15.1.2 Heat the crucible in a preheated furnace
minimum activity temperature of Table 1, hold at with an air atmosphere to the minimum activity tempera-
temperature for three minutes, and air cool to room ture of Table 1 and hold at temperature for five minutes.
temperature. 15.1.3 Remove the crucible and immediately ob-
13.1.6 Examination No. 3. Examine surface for serve the degree of fluidity of the molten flux at that
areas of flux loss or retraction. temperature by tilting the crucible.
15.1.4 Heat the crucible in a preheated furnace
13.2 The results of the tests are acceptable when
with an air atmosphere to the maximum activity temper-
each of the three examinations indicates that the flux
ature of Table 1 and hold at that temperature for 10
coating is continuous, i.e., free from areas of nonwetting
minutes.
or areas of flux loss or retraction.
15.1.5 Cool as rapidly as possible by resetting the
13.3 Minimum Activity Temperature
furnace controls to the minimum activity temperature.
13.3.1 Apply 1.4 gm of flux as a uniform coating
to one surface of the test specimen, Figure 1, of base 15.1.6 When the furnace thermocouple indicates
metal specified in Table 3, and dry in air at room that the furnace is at the minimum activity temperature,
temperature. remove the crucible and observe the degree of fluidity
at that temperature by again tilting the crucible.
13.3.2 With the test specimen inclined at approxi-
mately 60, heat in air in a furnace preheated to the 15.2 The result of the test is acceptable if the fluidity
minimum activity temperature specified in Table 1, at the second observation is approximately the same
hold at temperature for three minutes, then cool to as that at the first observation.
room temperature in still air.
13.4 The result of the test is acceptable when 80 16. Fluxing Action Test
percent or more of the test specimen surface remains 16.1 For all fluxes except FB3-K the fluxing action
covered and protected from high-temperature oxidation shall be determined with the following procedure:
by the flux.
16.1.1 Apply 1.4 gm of flux as a uniform coating
to one surface of the test specimen, Figure 1, of base
14. Sodium Glare Test metal specified in Table 3. Place the prefluxed filler
metal sample (see 10.1, 10.2, and Table 3) on the test
14.1 One surface of a test specimen, Figure 1 of specimen, and dry in air at room temperature.
base metal specified in Table 3, shall be generously
coated with flux. It shall then be heated with an 16.1.2 With the test specimen in a horizontal
oxyacetylene flame, adjusted to a slightly acetylene- position, heat in air to the furnace temperature in a
rich (reducing) condition, to approximately 100F furnace preheated to the minimum activity temperature
(56C) above the minimum activity temperature of the of Table 1, hold at temperature for two minutes, and
flux being evaluated, see Table 1. air cool to room temperature.
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SFA-5.31 2001 SECTION II
16.1.3 Clean the test specimen by soaking in warm 17.2.2 Use temperature indicating crayon, or equiv-
water. alent, to measure temperature.
16.2 For FB3-K flux, fluxing action shall be deter- 17.3 The result of the test is acceptable if the filler
mined with the following procedure: metal flow area is equal to or greater than the flow
area shown in Table 3. Wetting of the base metal by
16.2.1 Set up an oxyacetylene, liquid flux brazing the filler metal is required for fluxes FB1-C, FB2-A,
station as follows: FB3-E, and FB3-K, but there are no specific flow area
(1) Use a No. 48 drill size torch tip. requirements.
(2) Set both oxygen and acetylene pressure at 7 psig.
(3) Place filler metal on a test specimen which has
a blue oxidized surface. 18. Life Test
(4) With the tip 5 in. (127 mm) above the test 18.1 The ability of the flux to protect the base metal
specimen, heat to 1400F (760C), and air cool to surface at high temperature shall be determined with
room temperature. the following procedure:
16.2.2 Use temperature indicating crayons, or 18.1.1 Apply approximately 1.4 gm of flux as a
equivalent, to measure temperature. uniform coating to one surface of the test specimen,
16.3 The result of the test is acceptable if the test Figure 1, of base metal specified in Table 3, and dry
specimen surface that was coated with flux and the in air at room temperature.
filler metal surface are free of high temperature oxidation 18.1.2 Heat in the furnace preheated to the test
as indicated by lack of discoloration of the sample. temperature shown in Table 3 with the test specimen
in a horizontal position, and hold for ten minutes at
the test temperature.
17. Flow Test
18.1.3 Place the unfluxed filler metal on the test
17.1 For all brazing fluxes except FB3-K the extent of specimen in the furnace.
filler metal flow shall be determined with the following
procedure: 18.1.4 Continue to heat until the furnace returns
to the test temperature, hold for one minute at that
17.1.1 Apply 1.4 gm of flux as a uniform coating temperature, remove the test specimen, and air cool to
to one surface of the test specimen, Figure 1 of base room temperature.
metal specified in Table 3, and place the prefluxed
filler metal on the test specimen. Dry in air at room 18.1.5 Clean the test specimen by soaking in warm
temperature. water.
17.1.2 With the test specimen in a horizontal 18.2 The result of the test is acceptable if the filler
position, heat in air in a furnace preheated to the test metal has wet the test specimen. There is no specific
temperature shown in Table 3, hold for five minutes flow area requirement.
at the test temperature, remove the test specimen and
air cool to room temperature.
PART C MANUFACTURE,
17.1.3 Clean the test specimen by soaking in warm
IDENTIFICATION, AND PACKAGING
water.
19. Method of Manufacture
17.2 For FB3-K flux, the extent of filler metal flow
shall be determined as follows: The brazing fluxes classified according to this speci-
fication may be manufactured by any method that will
17.2.1 Set up an oxyacetylene, liquid flux brazing produce a brazing flux that meets the requirement of
station as follows: this specification. Chemicals of technical grade, or
(1) Use a No. 48 drill size torch tip. better, shall be used.2
(2) Set both oxygen and acetylene pressure at 7 psig.
(3) Place the filler metal on the test specimen. 2
For further description of the classification of grades of chemicals,
(4) With the torch tip 5 in. (125 mm) above the refer to Manufacturing Chemists Association, 1825 Connecticut Ave-
test specimen, heat to 1750F (955C) and air cool. nue N.W., Washington, DC 20009.
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PART C SPECIFICATIONS FOR WELDING RODS,
ELECTRODES, AND FILLER METALS SFA-5.31
703
SFA-5.31 2001 SECTION II
Appendix
Guide to AWS Specification for Fluxes for Brazing and
Braze Welding
(This Appendix is not a part of ANSI /AWS A5.31-92, Specifcation for Fluxes for Brazing and Braze Welding, but is included
for information only.)
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PART C SPECIFICATIONS FOR WELDING RODS,
ELECTRODES, AND FILLER METALS SFA-5.31
705
SFA-5.31 2001 SECTION II
A6.13 FB3-J is a brazing flux in powder form for iron, copper and copper alloys, nickel and nickel alloys,
areas of application similar to those of the FB3-D flux. and precious metals. The flux consists primarily of
The flux typically contains complex borates and fluoride liquid borates.
compounds plus powdered boron. Water may be used A6.15 FB4-A is a brazing flux in paste form intended
as the thinning vehicle. for brazing of copper alloys and other base metals
containing up to 9 percent aluminum, e.g., aluminum
A6.14 FB3-K is a liquid flux used almost exclusively bronze. It may also be suitable for base metals con-
in torch brazing. The fuel gas is passed through the taining up to 3% titanium or other metals that form
container of liquid flux entraining flux in the fuel gas. refractory oxides. It consists primarily of borates, com-
The flux is applied by the flame where needed on base plex fluorine compounds, and complex chlorine com-
metals such as carbon steels, low alloy steels, cast pounds. Water is used for thinning.
706