Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Welding Copper to Copper, Nickel Plating, and EN Plating

Q. I have been told and have read a little info that indicates I can weld copper sheeting using my MIG welder. I need to build a copper shower liner. Any help would be appreciated.

Mark E [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Atlanta, Georgia USA
2006

Q. I am trying to weld a copper wire to a nickel plated copper ring. I currently ultrasonically weld copper wire to a copper ring, but a different application is requiring me to weld copper wire to the same copper ring, however, it is being nickel plated first. The hardness of the nickel plating does not allow for a good ultrasonic weld and parts routinely have to be soldered post welding to help improve strength.

I am looking into resistance welding with a brazing material. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what kind to use. I have been told a Sil-Fos material will work, however, I'm not sure which alloy of Sil-Fos. Or could there be another material or method I should use?

The wires must be welded post nickel plating and the strength of the bond is an issue; regular solder isn't strong enough.

Regards

Steve K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
Engineer - Kokomo, Indiana
April 24, 2009

A. Hi. I don't claim to know much about this, but www.silfos.com/htmdocs/product_support/alloy_selection_guide.html is quite helpful, and seems to suggest Sil-Fos 15 for the copper-on-copper.

It suggests TEC flux and Braze 505 for copper to stainless steel -- which is as close to Electroless Nickel as that page gets.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
July 2013

Q. Does anyone out there copper braze parts that have been electroless nickel plated? We have experienced a crazing problem after brazing on parts we have had electroless nickel plated.

Christopher J [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Ligonier, Indiana
2000

Q. Does anyone have knowledge of brazing copper to a electroless nickel plated brass material? What is the temperature required to braze these parts together?

Thad L [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Mesa, Arizona, USA
2002

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