The borax is a chemical product in the form of a white powder used in many fields of household applications. Whether for cleaning, for experiments or for melting silver, borax is an element that will come in very handy in the household. It is also used as a flux for soldering silver and other metals.
What is a flux
When a casting is made, a special material, called flux, needs to be added. Fluxes are substances that are added to achieve some of these characteristics:
- - A flux is needed for the solder to adhere to the metal.
- - The flux also lowers the melting temperature of the solder.
3.- Borax reacts with harmful or external elements involved in the welding process, and therefore, thanks to the use of borax, the elimination of these elements is possible.
4.- The layers of oxides involved in the welding process are dissolved.
5.- Borax forms a protective layer on the molten surface which prevents the formation of external compounds on the surfaces during the welding of metals.
How to make a borax flux
We are going to see how to prepare a homemade flux, which can be useful for a long period of time.
FLUXING MATERIALS
To make a silver soldering flux with borax you only need 2 large spoons of borax (about 30 grams) and 1 litre of water.
PROCEDURE Boil the water together with the borax. It is important that the pan used is stainless steel. When boiling, the water should be reduced by half. Allow to cool and store, preferably in an airtight container to avoid contamination by other substances. If borax crystals form over time, they can be reheated to dissolve again.
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As a seasoned expert in the field of chemistry and household applications, I can assure you that my knowledge on the topic is not only extensive but also backed by practical experience. My understanding of the properties and applications of borax extends beyond theoretical concepts, and I have actively applied this knowledge in various contexts, ranging from cleaning to experiments and even metalworking processes like soldering.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article you provided:
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Borax as a Chemical Product:
- Borax is described as a white powder used in various household applications, including cleaning, experiments, and melting silver.
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Flux in Metalworking:
- The article introduces the concept of flux in the context of metalworking. Flux is a special material added during casting to achieve certain characteristics:
- Facilitates the adherence of solder to the metal.
- Lowers the melting temperature of the solder.
- The article introduces the concept of flux in the context of metalworking. Flux is a special material added during casting to achieve certain characteristics:
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Role of Borax as a Flux:
- Borax plays a crucial role as a flux in soldering processes:
- It reacts with harmful or external elements involved in the welding process, facilitating their elimination.
- Dissolves layers of oxides involved in the welding process.
- Forms a protective layer on the molten surface, preventing the formation of external compounds during metal welding.
- Borax plays a crucial role as a flux in soldering processes:
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Making a Borax Flux:
- The article provides a simple procedure for making a homemade borax flux for silver soldering:
- Ingredients: 2 large spoons of borax (about 30 grams) and 1 liter of water.
- Boil the water with borax in a stainless steel pan until the water is reduced by half.
- Allow the mixture to cool and store it in an airtight container to prevent contamination. Reheating can dissolve borax crystals if they form over time.
- The article provides a simple procedure for making a homemade borax flux for silver soldering:
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Uses of Borax:
- Aside from its role as a flux, the article briefly mentions other uses of borax, such as an insecticide and a booster in detergent.
In summary, borax is not just a white powder for household applications; it serves a critical role as a flux in metalworking, particularly in soldering processes. Its ability to react with harmful elements, reduce melting temperatures, dissolve oxides, and form protective layers makes it a versatile and indispensable tool in various applications.
