Joining Process Traditionally Applied to Metals
i. Explain two (2) situations this process is preferable to be used as compared with fusion welding.
ii. State temperature use and list one (1) advantage compared with welding process.
There are a few situations where the joining process shown in Figure 4A is preferable to fusion welding. The first situation is when the two metals being joined have a different melting point.
This is because the traditional joining process does not require the base metal to reach its melting point, unlike fusion welding which requires the metal to reach its melting point. The second situation is when the metals being joined are thin.
This is because fusion welding can warp and distort thin metals, but the traditional joining process has less chance of doing so.
ii. The temperature used in the traditional joining process is around 200°C to 300°C. One advantage of this process compared to welding is that it does not require a power supply.
The joining process traditionally applied to metals, as shown in Figure 4A, offers certain advantages when compared to fusion welding. One of the situations where this process is preferable is when the metals being joined have different melting points. In fusion welding, both metals need to reach their respective melting points, which can be challenging if the metals have significant differences in melting points. However, the traditional joining process does not require the base metal to reach its melting point, allowing for easier joining of dissimilar metals.
Another situation where the traditional joining process is preferred is when the metals being joined are thin. Fusion welding can apply intense heat that may warp or distort thin metals during the joining process, leading to undesirable outcomes. In contrast, the traditional joining process, with its lower temperatures and capillary action, poses a lower risk of distortion to thin metals.
Furthermore, the temperature range used in the traditional joining process is typically between 200°C to 300°C. This moderate temperature is sufficient to melt the filler metal alloy and facilitate the joining process without requiring a power supply, unlike welding processes that rely on electricity or other power sources. The absence of the need for a power supply simplifies the traditional joining process and makes it more versatile in various working environments.