silver solder

About 20 years ago , when a firm went under, I inherited some silver solder used to join 8 in band saws. Its made by Eutectic Co.Ltd , Its Eutecrod 1801 , says suitable for ferrous and non ferrous metals . My question is , is this suitable for soldering a small boiler ?

regards Phil

**LINK**

Unclear from this what the percentage of Silver is but looks like it might be too high a temp for easy soldering.

Edited By JasonB on 15/09/2016 20:36:54

Do check its content. It may contain Cadmium, which is outlawed these days. It would not stop you using it, but be aware that Cd is particularly toxic.

The temp range is given as (converted to C from F) 682 - 815 which is a very large range. I'd be tempted to steer clear.

This **LINK**

(note no G on the end) suggests that it is a (low) Cadmium bearing alloy with a high Silver content and a working temperature of 604C. If correct then very good for boiler making. I would be happy to use it out of doors.

Rod

Roderick is absolutely correct, Castolin/Eutectic 1801 is equivalent to the famous Easyflow. Luckily it is still available without problems here in Switzerland. Maybe you will get it back after Brexit?

Regards, HansR

Welcome to the confusing world of Castolin and what are you actually getting when buying their silver solders.. After 47 years in this business nothing has changed!

It has not been uncommon for the same alloy to have different numbers dependent upon marketing conditions.

One of the links tells me that 1801 is cadmium free with a melting range 660 - 743 C but little else, This is more closely aligned to a 38% silver cadmium free alloy

The other tells me that it is 51% silver, 5% cadmium, 22% copper, 1% tin and 21% zinc which incidentally is nothing like the composition of easyflo 2.

Is it any good for boiler making ? Possibly.

If all the joints are being made on a small boiler using the same alloy - fine. Use it but in well ventilated areas because of the uncertainty about cadmium.

If you want to use two different alloys, ie step braze, then it falls between two stools. It is too high a temperature for the low temperature joints and too low a temperature for the high temperature joints!

If you have enough, I would suggest you scrap it and with the money buy alloy that you know and can trust. Contact John Betts Refiners Birmingham.

Keith

hello , well that's confusing then ! I have been using this material for some time for odd jobs , melts with a propane burner . I have quite a lot of of it , must have cost a fortune !!!!!!! , I am having a go at a small traction engine , only a 2 inch dia boiler . I think I will have a test on a bit of the spare boiler tube ,

regards Phil

Hi Phil. Spot on!

Castolln always supplied good products. It will do what it says on the tin without telling you what is in the tin!