I want to build stands for my glass sculptures out of solid copper. Can copper be TIG or MIG welded? If not, how about brazing? Could I get a rod that will take a patina like the copper?
Thank you,
Jack
- posted
16 years ago
Copper welding question
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- posted
16 years ago
Yes and yes. Pure copper wire and a argon/helium or pure helium shielding gas.
The most common brazing rod for copper is Sil-Phos-Bronze. It requires no flux on copper.
Only copper will patina like copper.
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- posted
16 years ago
Thank you, Ernie.
Jack
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16 years ago
Hi Jack Copper can be tig'd or mig's, but the most common process for joing it is by brazing. I have done mig welding of some very thick copper (4"x5" solid) used as buss bars on a gantry crane. Mig copper is not particularly hard, but its a very weird looking arc and takes quite some time to get used to setting it up.
Shaun
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16 years ago
If the braze is a bit light for your taste potassium dichromate will give a darker colouration . Derek
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16 years ago
Silver solder it. Better than either welding or brazing, and it has by far the best visual appearance / required skill level ratio.
Downsides are that the solder is expensive (affordable at this level though) and that it needs a well-fitting joint. It flows by capillary action, rather than manually building up a fillet.
Advantages are that it flows by capillary action. You get it clean, well-fitting and hot, then it just "flashes" by itself. You can even do it in an oven without needing to touch it. The toolign is also cheap - a few firebricks and a natural draught propane torch are enough.