2007 SECTION II, PART C SFA-5.

31

SPECIFICATION FOR FLUXES FOR BRAZING AND

BRAZE WELDING

SFA-5.31

(Identical with AWS Specification A5.31-92. In case of dispute, the original AWS text applies.)

1. Scope this reason conversion from a standard size or dimension in

one system will not always coincide with a standard size or
This specification prescribes requirements for the classi-
dimension in the other. Suitable conversions encompassing
fication of brazing fluxes used with brazing or braze weld-
standard sizes of both can be made, however, if appropriate
ing filler metals such as those classified in ANSI /AWS
tolerances are applied in each case.
A5.8, Specification for Filler Metals for Brazing and Braze
Welding. 5.2 For purposes of determining conformance with this
specification, an observed or calculated value shall be
rounded to the nearest unit in the last right-hand place
PART A — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS of figures used in expressing the limiting value for other
2. Classification quantities in accordance with the rounding-off method
2.1 The brazing fluxes covered by this specification are given in ASTM E29, Recommended Practice for Using
classified according to the filler metal, form, and activity Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance
temperature range for which they are applicable as specified with Specifications.1
in Table 1.
2.2 Materials classified under one classification shall PART B — TESTS, PROCEDURES, AND
not be classified under any other classification of this speci- REQUIREMENTS
fication. 6. Summary of Tests
6.1 The tests required for each flux classification are
3. Acceptance specified in Table 2. These tests include tests for the water
content, maximum particle size, adherence to a test speci-
Acceptance of the material shall be based on meeting
men, and the presence or absence of sodium glare when
the requirements of this specification.
heating with a torch flame. They are also used to determine
the fluidity at high temperature, fluxing action, filler metal
4. Certification flow, and the active life of the flux at high temperature.
The base metal for the test specimen, the filler metal and
By affixing the AWS specification and classification to
the testing procedures to be used, and the results required
the unit package, the manufacturer certifies that the flux
are given in Part B, Sections 8 through 18 and Table 3.
meets the requirements of this specification. (See Sec-
tion A3.) 6.2 The shelf-life requirement shall be a minimum of
six (6) months from date of manufacture when stored in its
original unopened container. Alternate minimum storage
5. Units of Measure and Rounding-Off Procedure
periods shall be as agreed upon between the supplier and
5.1 U.S. customary units are the standard units of mea-
purchaser.
sure in this specification except where SI units are noted
for flux sample weights. The SI units are given as equiva- 1
ASTM standards can be obtained from the American Society for
lent values to the U.S. customary units. The standard sizes Testing Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA
and dimensions in the two systems are not identical and for 19428-2959.

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 SFA-5.31 2007 SECTION II, PART C

TABLE 1
CLASSIFICATION OF BRAZING FLUXES WITH BRAZING OR BRAZE WELDING FILLER METALS
Activity Temperature Range
AWS
Classification* Form Filler Metal Type °F °C

FB1-A Powder BAlSi 1080–1140 580–615

FB1-B Powder BAlSi 1040–1140 560–615
FB1-C Powder BAlSi 1000–1140 540–615
FB2-A Powder BMg 900–1150 480–620
FB3-A Paste BAg and BCuP 1050–1600 565–870
FB3-C Paste BAg and BCuP 1050–1700 565–925
BAg, BCu, BNi,
FB3-D Paste BAu & RBCuZn 1400–2200 760–1205
FB3-E Liquid BAg and BCuP 1050–1600 565–870
FB3-F Powder BAg and BCuP 1200–1600 650–870
FB3-G Slurry BAg and BCuP 1050–1600 565–870
FB3-H Slurry BAg 1050–1700 565–925
BAg, BCu, BNi,
FB3-I Slurry BAu & RBCuZn 1400–2200 760–1205
BAg, BCu, BNi,
FB3-J Powder BAu & RBCuZn 1400–2200 760–1205
FB3-K Liquid BAg & RBCuZn 1400–2200 760–1205
FB4-A Paste BAg and BCuP 1100–1600 595–870

* Flux 3B in the Brazing Manual, 3rd Edition, 1976 has been discontinued. Type 3B has been divided into types FB3-C and FB3-D.
NOTES:
a. The selection of a flux designation for a specific type of work may be based on the form, the filler metal type, and the classification above,
but the information here is generally not adequate for flux selection. Refer to Section A6 and the latest issue of the Brazing Handbook for
further assistance.
b. See 11.2 and 11.3 for the difference between paste flux and slurry flux.

TABLE 2
REQUIRED TESTS
AWS Flux Water Particle Sodium Fluxing
Classification Form Content Test Adherence Glare Fluidity Action Flow Life

FB1-A Powder X ... ... ... X X X ...

FB1-B Powder X ... ... ... X X X ...
FB1-C Powder X ... ... ... X X X ...
FB2-A Powder X ... ... ... X X X ...
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FB3-A Paste X X X X X X X X
FB3-C Paste X X X X X X X X
FB3-D Paste X X X X X X X X
FB3-E Liquid X X ... ... ... X X ...
FB3-F Powder X ... ... X X X X X
FB3-G Slurry X X X X X X X X
FB3-H Slurry X X X X X X X X
FB3-I Slurry X X X X X X X X
FB3-J Powder X ... ... X X X X X
FB3-K Liquid ... X ... ... ... X X ...
FB4-A Paste X X X X X X X X

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 2007 SECTION II, PART C SFA-5.31

TABLE 3
CONDITIONS FOR FLUXING ACTION, FLOW, AND LIFE TESTS
Base Metal Test Temperature1 Flow Area
AWS
AWS Flux Filler Metal Common UNS
Classification Classification Name Number2 °F °C Sq. in. Sq. mm

FB1-A BAlSi-4 3003 aluminum A93003 1135 613 0.2 129

FB1-B BAlSi-4 3003 aluminum A93003 1135 613 0.2 129
FB1-C BAlSi-4 3003 aluminum A93003 1135 613 NR3 NR3
FB2-A BMg-1 AZ31B magnesium M11311 1130 610 NR3 NR3
FB3-A BAg-7 1008 carbon steel G10080 1300 705 0.25 161
FB3-C BAg-24 304 stainless steel S30400 1400 760 0.25 161
FB3-D RBCuZn-D 304 stainless steel S30400 1850 1010 0.25 161
BNi-2 304 stainless steel S30400 1900 1040 0.25 161
FB3-E BAg-7 304 stainless steel S30400 1300 705 NR3 NR3
FB3-F BAg-7 1008 carbon steel G10080 1300 705 0.25 161
FB3-G BAg-7 1008 carbon steel G10080 1300 705 0.25 161
FB3-H BAg-24 1008 carbon steel G10080 1400 760 0.25 161
FB3-I RBCuZn-D 304 stainless steel S30400 1850 1010 0.25 161
BNi-2 304 stainless steel S30400 1900 1040 0.25 161
FB3-J RBCuZn-D 304 stainless steel S30400 1850 1010 0.25 161
BNi-2 304 stainless steel S30400 1900 1040 0.25 161
FB3-K RBCuZn-D 1008 carbon steel G10080 1750 955 NR3 NR3
FB4-A BAg-6 C613 aluminum bronze C61300 1525 830 0.25 161

NOTES:
1. Temperature tolerances shall be ± 15°F (±8°C).
2. ASTM/SAE Unified Number System for Metals and Alloys, published by SAE, Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
15096.
3. NR — No flow requirement. Wetting of base metal by the filler metal is all that is required.

7. Retests
If any test fails to meet its requirement, that test shall
be repeated twice. The results of both tests shall meet the
requirement. Samples for retest shall be taken from the FIG. 1 TEST SPECIMEN APPROXIMATELY 0.040 IN.
original test sample or from a new test sample. THICK

8. Test Specimen
8.1 The test specimen, Figure 1, shall be a rectangular
sheet, 1.25 in. (30 mm) wide, 2.5 in. (60 mm) long, and
approximately 0.040 in. (1 mm) thick, of the base metal
given in Table 3.
8.2 Except as noted in 8.3 and 8.4, the surface of the
test specimen shall be prepared by degreasing, polishing
with a grade 200 abrasive paper or cloth, washing, dry-
ing,wiping with a cloth soaked in light petroleum oil, and
wiping dry with a clean dry cloth.
8.3 The surface of the aluminum test specimen shall
be prepared by degreasing, caustic etching [5% NaOH at
170°F (77°C)], desmuting (500 HNO3 at room tempera-
ture), water rinsing, and drying.

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 SFA-5.31 2007 SECTION II, PART C

8.4 The surface of the magnesium test specimen shall 11.5 Powder fluxes shall have a moisture content of
be prepared by degreasing, immersed for 2 minutes in a less than or equal to 5 percent.
ferric nitrate bright pickle solution [1.5 lb (0.68 kg) chromic
acid, 5.33 oz (0.15 kg) ferric nitrate, 0.5 oz (0.014 kg)
potassium fluoride per gallon of water at 60–100°F (16– 12. Particle Test
38°C)], water rinsing, and drying. 12.1 The particle consistency of a paste flux is accept-
able when the entire amount of a 60 gm sample will pass
through a U.S.A. Standard Testing Sieve 425 m (No. 40).
9. Flux Sample The screen shall conform to ASTM E11, Specification for
The extraction of an unmodified flux sample shall be Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes. Heating at 180°F
preceded by thorough mixing to a smooth, uniform con- (82°C) for one hour before testing is permissible.
sistency. 12.2 The particle consistency of a slurry flux is accept-
able when the entire amount of a 60 gm sample will pass
10. Filler Metal through a U.S.A. Standard Testing Sieve 106 m (No.
10.1 For all flux classifications, except FB3-D, FB3-I 140).
and FB3-J when testing with the BNi-2 filler metal, the 12.3 Liquid fluxes shall not exhibit any visible particles
filler metal shall be a 1 / 2 in. (13 mm) length of 1 / 16 in. when examined without magnification.
(1.6 mm) diameter wire of the AWS classification given
in Table 3.
13. Adherence Test
10.2 For the flux classifications FB3-D, FB3-I and
FB3-J when testing with the BNi-2 filler metal, the filler The adherence characteristics of the flux shall be deter-
metal shall be 0.2 gm of powder or rod. mined with the following procedures:
13.1 For temperatures below the activity temperature
11. Water Content Test range the following apply:
11.1 The water content shall be determined with the 13.1.1 Using a brush, apply a layer of flux approxi-
following procedure (all weights shall be determined to mately 1 / 32 in. (0.8 mm) thick to one surface of a test
the nearest 0.01 gm): specimen, see Figure 1, and for base metal see Table 3.
(1) Determine the weight of a dry 50 ml glass beaker.
13.1.2 Examination No. 1. Examine the surface for
(2) Place a 3 gm sample of the flux into the beaker.
areas of nonwetting.
(3) Determine the weight of the wet flux by weighing
the flux and beaker, and subtracting the weight of the 13.1.3 Allow the flux to dry in air at room tempera-
beaker. ture with the longitudinal axis of the test specimen inclined
(4) Place the beaker in a vacuum assist desiccator con- at approximately 60° from the horizontal.
taining activated silica gel mixed with a small amount of 13.1.4 Examination No. 2. Examine surface for areas
blue gel. of flux loss or retraction.
(5) Cover the desiccator and dry with vacuum assist for
13.1.5 With the same test specimen inclined at
48 hours.
approximately 60°, heat in an air atmosphere furnace which
(6) Determine the weight of the dry flux by weighing
has been preheated to 100°F (55°C) below the minimum
the flux and beaker, and subtracting the weight of the
activity temperature of Table 1, hold at temperature for
beaker.
three minutes, and air cool to room temperature.
(7) Calculate the water content as follows:
13.1.6 Examination No. 3. Examine surface for areas
(wet flux wt. − dry flux wt.) ⴛ (100) of flux loss or retraction.
Water content (%) p
wet flux wt.
13.2 The results of the tests are acceptable when each
of the three examinations indicates that the flux coating is
11.2 Paste fluxes shall have a water content of 15 to continuous, i.e., free from areas of nonwetting or areas of
35 percent. flux loss or retraction.
11.3 Slurry fluxes shall have a water content of 30 to 13.3 Minimum Activity Temperature
60 percent.
13.3.1 Apply 1.4 gm of flux as a uniform coating to
11.4 Liquid fluxes shall have a water content of 82 to one surface of the test specimen, Figure 1, of base metal
90 percent. specified in Table 3, and dry in air at room temperature.

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13.3.2 With the test specimen inclined at approxi- 16.1.1 Apply 1.4 gm of flux as a uniform coating to
mately 60°, heat in air in a furnace preheated to the mini- one surface of the test specimen, Figure 1, of base metal
mum activity temperature specified in Table 1, hold at specified in Table 3. Place the prefluxed filler metal sample
temperature for three minutes, then cool to room tempera- (see 10.1, 10.2, and Table 3) on the test specimen, and dry
ture in still air. in air at room temperature.
13.4 The result of the test is acceptable when 80 percent 16.1.2 With the test specimen in a horizontal posi-
or more of the test specimen surface remains covered and tion, heat in air to the furnace temperature in a furnace
protected from high-temperature oxidation by the flux. preheated to the minimum activity temperature of Table
1, hold at temperature for two minutes, and air cool to
room temperature.
14. Sodium Glare Test
14.1 One surface of a test specimen, Figure 1 of base 16.1.3 Clean the test specimen by soaking in warm
water.
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metal specified in Table 3, shall be generously coated with

flux. It shall then be heated with an oxyacetylene flame, 16.2 For FB3-K flux, fluxing action shall be determined
adjusted to a slightly acetylene-rich (reducing) condition, to with the following procedure:
approximately 100°F (56°C) above the minimum activity
16.2.1 Set up an oxyacetylene, liquid flux brazing
temperature of the flux being evaluated, see Table 1.
station as follows:
14.2 The result of the test is acceptable if an orange (1) Use a No. 48 drill size torch tip.
glare from the flux is not visible during heating. In cases (2) Set both oxygen and acetylene pressure at 7 psig.
of doubt, the sodium content shall not exceed 0.04 percent, (3) Place filler metal on a test specimen which has a
as determined by spectrochemical analysis or an equivalent blue oxidized surface.
mutually acceptable process. (4) With the tip 5 in. (127 mm) above the test specimen,
heat to 1400°F (760°C), and air cool to room temperature.
15. Fluidity Test (for all fluxes except FB3-E and 16.2.2 Use temperature indicating crayons, or equiv-
FB3-K) alent, to measure temperature.
15.1 The fluidity of the flux at high temperature shall
16.3 The result of the test is acceptable if the test
be determined with the following procedure:
specimen surface that was coated with flux and the filler
15.1.1 Place a 10 gm sample of flux in a nonreactive metal surface are free of high temperature oxidation as
crucible. indicated by lack of discoloration of the sample.
15.1.2 Heat the crucible in a preheated furnace with
an air atmosphere to the minimum activity temperature of 17. Flow Test
Table 1 and hold at temperature for five minutes. 17.1 For all brazing fluxes except FB3-K the extent of
15.1.3 Remove the crucible and immediately observe filler metal flow shall be determined with the following
the degree of fluidity of the molten flux at that temperature procedure:
by tilting the crucible. 17.1.1 Apply 1.4 gm of flux as a uniform coating to
15.1.4 Heat the crucible in a preheated furnace with one surface of the test specimen, Figure 1 of base metal
an air atmosphere to the maximum activity temperature of specified in Table 3, and place the prefluxed filler metal
Table 1 and hold at that temperature for 10 minutes. on the test specimen. Dry in air at room temperature.
15.1.5 Cool as rapidly as possible by resetting the 17.1.2 With the test specimen in a horizontal posi-
furnace controls to the minimum activity temperature. tion, heat in air in a furnace preheated to the test tempera-
15.1.6 When the furnace thermocouple indicates that ture shown in Table 3, hold for five minutes at the test
the furnace is at the minimum activity temperature, remove temperature, remove the test specimen and air cool to room
the crucible and observe the degree of fluidity at that tem- temperature.
perature by again tilting the crucible. 17.1.3 Clean the test specimen by soaking in warm
15.2 The result of the test is acceptable if the fluidity water.
at the second observation is approximately the same as 17.2 For FB3-K flux, the extent of filler metal flow
that at the first observation. shall be determined as follows:
17.2.1 Set up an oxyacetylene, liquid flux brazing
16. Fluxing Action Test station as follows:
16.1 For all fluxes except FB3-K the fluxing action (1) Use a No. 48 drill size torch tip.
shall be determined with the following procedure: (2) Set both oxygen and acetylene pressure at 7 psig.

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 SFA-5.31 2007 SECTION II, PART C

(3) Place the filler metal on the test specimen. 20.2 A flux in paste form shall meet the requirements
(4) With the torch tip 5 in. (125 mm) above the test of 11.2.
specimen, heat to 1750°F (955°C) and air cool.
20.3 A flux in slurry form shall be suitable for use
17.2.2 Use temperature indicating crayon, or equiva- with automatic flux dispensing equipment and meet the
lent, to measure temperature. requirements of 11.3.
17.3 The result of the test is acceptable if the filler 20.4 A flux in liquid form shall be suitable for use with
metal flow area is equal to or greater than the flow area flux spraying equipment and meet the requirements of 11.4.
shown in Table 3. Wetting of the base metal by the filler
metal is required for fluxes FB1-C, FB2-A, FB3-E, and 20.5 A flux in powder form shall meet the requirements
FB3-K, but there are no specific flow area requirements. of 11.5.

18. Life Test 21. Packaging

18.1 The ability of the flux to protect the base metal 21.1 Brazing fluxes shall be suitably packaged to pro-
surface at high temperature shall be determined with the tect them from damage during shipment and storage under
following procedure: normal conditions.
18.1.1 Apply approximately 1.4 gm of flux as a 21.2 Flux containers and closures shall be made of
uniform coating to one surface of the test specimen, Figure materials that do not noticeably react with the flux during
1, of base metal specified in Table 3, and dry in air at storage for a minimum period of six months after pack-
room temperature. aging.
18.1.2 Heat in the furnace preheated to the test tem- 21.3 Sealing shall be adequate to prevent loss or con-
perature shown in Table 3 with the test specimen in a tamination of the flux components under normal handling
horizontal position, and hold for ten minutes at the test conditions.
temperature.
21.4 Standard package weights shall be as agreed
18.1.3 Place the unfluxed filler metal on the test
between purchaser and supplier.
specimen in the furnace.
18.1.4 Continue to heat until the furnace returns to
the test temperature, hold for one minute at that tempera- 22. Marking of Packages
ture, remove the test specimen, and air cool to room temper- 22.1 The following product information (as a mini-
ature. mum) shall be legibly marked on the outside of each unit
package:
18.1.5 Clean the test specimen by soaking in warm
(1) AWS specification and classification numbers
water.
(2) Supplier’s name and trade designation
18.2 The result of the test is acceptable if the filler (3) Volume or net weight
metal has wet the test specimen. There is no specific flow (4) Lot, control, or batch number
area requirement. (5) Date of manufacture
22.2 The following precautionary information (as a
PART C — MANUFACTURE, IDENTIFICATION, minimum) shall be prominently displayed in legible print
AND PACKAGING on all applicable packages of flux, including individual
19. Method of Manufacture applicable unit packages enclosed within a larger package.

The brazing fluxes classified according to this specifica- WARNING:

tion may be manufactured by any method that will produce
a brazing flux that meets the requirement of this specifica- CONTAINS FLUORIDES. Protect yourself and others.
tion. Chemicals of technical grade, or better, shall be used.2 Read and understand this label.

FUMES AND GASES CAN BE DANGEROUS TO

20. Forms YOUR HEALTH. BURNS EYES AND SKIN ON CON-
20.1 Standard forms for brazing fluxes shall be powder, TACT. CAN BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED.
paste, slurry, or liquid, as shown in Table 1. W Before use, read, understand, and follow manufacturer’s
2 instructions, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), and
For further description of the classification of grades of chemicals,
refer to Manufacturing Chemists Association, 1825 Connecticut Avenue your employer’s safety practices.
N.W., Washington, DC 20009. W Keep your head out of the fumes.

--``,```,``,,,,,,``,,,``,,,`,,,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
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 2007 SECTION II, PART C SFA-5.31

W Use enough ventilation, exhaust at the work, or both, to Florida 33135; OSHA Safety and Health Standards, 29
keep fumes and gases from your breathing zone and the CFR 1910, available from the U.S. Government Printing
general area. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
W Avoid contact of flux with eyes and skin. W First Aid: If flux contacts eyes, flush immediately with
W Do not take internally. clean water for at least 15 minutes. If swallowed, induce
W Keep out of the reach of children. vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an uncon-
W See American National Standard Z49.1, Safety in Welding scious person. Call a physician.
and Cutting published by the American Welding Soci-
ety, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, P.O. Box 351040, Miami, DO NOT REMOVE THIS LABEL

705
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 SFA-5.31 2007 SECTION II, PART C

Appendix
Guide to AWS Specification for Fluxes for Brazing and
Braze Welding
(This Appendix is not a part of ANSI /AWS A5.31-92, Specifcation for Fluxes for Brazing and Braze Welding, but is included for information
only.)

A1. Introduction Tests on such material may, or may not, have been made.
The basis for the certification required by the specification
The purpose of this guide is to correlate the flux classifi-
is the classification tests of “representative material” cited
cations with their intended applications so the specification
above.
can be used effectively. Reference to appropriate base met-
als, filler metals, and brazing processes is made whenever
that can be done and when it would be useful. Such refer- A4. Ventilation During Brazing
ences are intended only as examples rather than complete A4.1 Five major factors govern the quantity of fumes
listings of the materials and processes for which each braz- in the atmosphere to which brazers, brazing operators, and
ing flux is suitable. other personnel are exposed during brazing:
(1) Dimensions of the space in which brazing is done
(with special regard to the height of the ceiling)
A2. Classification System
(2) Number of brazers and brazing operators working
The system for identifying the flux classifications in in that space
this specification is based on three factors: applicable base (3) Rate of evolution of fumes, gases, or dust, according
metal, applicable filler metal, and activity temperature to the materials and processes used
range. The letters FB at the beginning of each classification (4) The proximity of the brazers, brazing operators, and
designation stands for “Flux for Brazing or Braze Weld- other persons to the fumes as the fumes issue from the
ing.” The third character is a number that stands for a brazing zone, and to the gases and dusts in the space in
group of applicable base metals. The fourth character, a which they are working
letter, designates a change in form and attendant composi- (5) The ventilation provided to the space in which the
tion within the broader base metal classification. brazing is done
A4.2 American National Standard Z49.1, Safety in
A3. Certification Welding and Cutting, published by the American Welding
Society, discusses the ventilation that is required during
The act of placing the AWS specification and classifica-
brazing and should be referred to for details. Attention
tion designation on the packaging enclosing the product
is drawn particularly to the section of that document on
constitutes the supplier’s (manufacturer’s) certification that
Ventilation.
the product meets all of the requirements of the specifi-
cation.
The only testing requirement implicit in this certification A5. Brazing Considerations
is that the manufacturer has actually conducted the tests A5.1 Successful brazing requires that the surfaces of
required by the specification on material that is representa- the workpieces and the filler metal be free of oxide, tarnish,
tive of that being shipped and that the representative mate- or other foreign matter at the time the brazing filler metal
rial tested met the requirements of the specification. flows into the joint. Proper prebraze cleaning is an initial
Representative material, in this case, is any production step in any brazing process; however, additional protection
run of that classification using the same formulation and and cleaning is required to maintain this condition through-
manufacturing procedures. “Certification” is not to be con- out the brazing procedure. Fluxes may be used to maintain
strued to mean that tests of any kind were necessarily cleanliness and protection from oxidation. Controlled
conducted on samples of the specific material shipped. atmospheres, including vacuum, and active deoxidizing

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 2007 SECTION II, PART C SFA-5.31

elements are alternate methods of providing the necessary to a higher temperature, and it may contain elemental
surface cleanliness during brazing. boron. Water is used for thinning.
A5.2 Brazing fluxes are mixtures of chemical com- A6.7 FB3-D is a brazing flux in paste form intended
pounds which may include inorganic salts and mild acids for torch, furnace and induction brazing of steels, nickel
selected for their ability to provide chemical cleaning or and its alloys, and carbides using high-temperature filler
protection of the faying surfaces and the filler metal during metals. It consists primarily of boric acid, borates, and
brazing. Fluxes must perform this protective, cleaning, and complex fluorine compounds. It may contain elemental
fluxing action with the specific filler metals being used, in boron. Water is used for thinning.
conjunction with the other brazing variables; such as, base
A6.8 FB3-E is a low-activity liquid brazing flux used
metal, brazing process, mass of the workpieces, and method
in the torch brazing of jewelry or to augment borderline
of flux application. For further information, refer to the
furnace brazing atmospheric conditions. Flux usually is
Brazing Handbook, published by the American Welding
applied by dipping or by the use of semi- or fully-automatic
Society.
spray dispensing equipment. The flux constituents are simi-
lar to those in FB3-D fluxes.
A6. Description and Intended Use of Brazing Fluxes A6.9 FB3-F is a brazing flux somewhat similar to the
A6.1 FB1-A is a brazing flux in powder form intended FB3-A flux, except that no vehicle is added to the powder
for torch and furnace brazing of aluminum and its brazeable during manufacture. In application, water maybe used as
alloys. It consists primarily of fluorides and chlorides of a thinning vehicle.
some of the alkali metals. Water or alcohol may be used
A6.10 FB3-G is a brazing flux in slurry form for use
for thinning.
with automatic spray dispensing equipment. The general
A6.2 FBl-B is a brazing flux in powder form intended areas of application are similar to those of FB3-A flux.
for furnace brazing of aluminum and its brazeable alloys. Water may be used as the thinning vehicle.
The lower end of its activity temperature range is slightly
A6.11 FB3-H is a brazing flux in slurry form for use
lower than that of the FB1-A classification. It consists
with automatic spray dispensing equipment. The general
primarily of fluorides and chlorides of some of the alkali
areas of application are similar to those of the FB3-C flux.
metals. Water or alcohol may be used for thinning.
The flux typically contains complex borates and fluoride
A6.3 FB1-C is a brazing flux in powder form intended compounds plus powdered boron. Water may be used as
for salt-bath dip brazing of aluminum and its brazeable the thinning vehicle.
alloys. The lower end of its activity temperature range is A6.12 FB3-I is a brazing flux in slurry form for use
much lower than that of the FB1-A and FB1-B classifica- with automatic spray dispensing equipment. The general
tions. It consists primarily of fluorides and chlorides of areas of application are similar to those of the FB3-D flux.
some of the alkali metals. Water should be avoided in the The flux typically contains complex borates and fluoride
flux or removed prior to immersion of the brazement in compounds plus powdered boron. Water may be used as
the salt bath. the thinning vehicle.
A6.4 FB2-A is a brazing flux in powder form intended A6.13 FB3-J is a brazing flux in powder form for areas
for salt-bath dip brazing of magnesium alloys whose desig- of application similar to those of the FB3-D flux. The flux
nators start with AZ. It consists primarily of fluorides and typically contains complex borates and fluoride compounds
chlorides of some of the alkali metals. Water should be plus powdered boron. Water may be used as the thinning
avoided in the flux or removed prior to immersion of the vehicle.
brazement in the salt bath.
A6.14 FB3-K is a liquid flux used almost exclusively
A6.5 FB3-A is a general purpose brazing flux in paste in torch brazing. The fuel gas is passed through the con-
form intended for use with most brazing processes in the tainer of liquid flux entraining flux in the fuel gas. The
brazing of steels, copper, copper alloys, nickel, and nickel flux is applied by the flame where needed on base metals
alloys. It is not suitable for aluminum bronze or other base such as carbon steels, low alloy steels, cast iron, copper
metals containing alloying elements, such as aluminum, and copper alloys, nickel and nickel alloys, and precious
which form refractory oxides. It consists primarily of boric metals. The flux consists primarily of liquid borates.
acid, borates, and complex fluorine compounds. Water is
used for thinning. A6.15 FB4-A is a brazing flux in paste form intended
for brazing of copper alloys and other base metals con-
A6.6 FB3-C is a brazing flux in paste form similar to taining up to 9 percent aluminum, e.g., aluminum bronze.
FB3-A, except that the activity temperature range extends It may also be suitable for base metals containing up to

707
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 SFA-5.31 2007 SECTION II, PART C

3% titanium or other metals that form refractory oxides. It and complex chlorine compounds. Water is used for
consists primarily of borates, complex fluorine compounds, thinning.

708
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Provided by IHS under license with ASME Licensee=Aramco HQ/9980755100
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