Argentium Silver Wire Solder, 20 Ga., Easy

Item Number: 103640

This 20-ga. Argentium® Silver wire solder is an excellent match for Argentium pieces. This solder has terrific flow characteristics and allows somewhat lower working temperatures (compared with conventional easy silver solders).
• Silver content: 65%
• Ft./ozt.: 21.5 (approx.)

Form: Wire
Metal type: Argentium silver
Melt temperature: 1263°F (684°C)
Flow temperature: 1331°F (722°C)
Density: Easy
Country of origin: USA
Catalog page: 2013 Gems and Findings & Display and Packaging Catalog p.796

How To

How To Solder More Successfully

These tips can help you solder more successfully and more reliably . . . every time. They are so simple, but it can be too easy to let the little things slip our minds as we work through our processes.

• Use the least amount of solder needed to make a good joint. Do not flood the joint with solder.

• Pieces to be soldered should fit tightly together with no air space in between.

• Make sure the joint and the solder are clean. Prior to soldering, flux all surfaces well to prevent oxidation, which can inhibit solder flow.

• As you heat the pieces to be soldered, work so so that all pieces reach soldering temperature at the same time.

The Basics On How To Solder Effectively

Here's how to solder effectively using the basic skills for soldering. Follow these steps to ensure strong, long-lasting joint.

Clean
Solder won’t flow on a dirty or greasy surface. Use a de-greasing detergent cleaner and an abrasive pad, or an abrasive such as pumice powder to remove dirt or grease from the metal being soldered. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning. You can also steam-clean the workpieces.

Fit
Components, findings and joints must fit tightly together. Gaps in joints and poorly matched junctures between parts create a poor solder joint, which could result in pitting of the solder or in a weak joint that could break. Occasionally, solder simply will not fill a poor-fitting area.

Flux
Flux prepares the metal surface to receive the fluid solder. When applying flux, make sure it is in contact with the solder at all times and that it touches both metal parts being joined. Some self-pickling fluxes also help dissolve oxides. Keeping the joint oxide-free is important for creating the ideal soldering surface.

Flame
Use either a neutral flame (equal parts oxygen and gas) or a reducing flame (more gas than oxygen). The metal adjacent to the joint must reach the necessary temperature before solder will flow. First concentrate the heat on the surrounding surface, then on the joint to be soldered. Remember, solder flows to the hottest part of the surface and toward the flame.

Follow-Up
After soldering, use a mild acid pickle to clean nonferrous metals. This removes oxides and other soldering residues prior to finishing. When storing solders, keep them free from dirt and grease. Sheet solders may be cleaned to remove dirt or residue.

Charts

Selecting Silver Solder

When assembling, start with your highest melting point solder. As you assemble each piece, use a lower temperature solder. The chart below describes the uses for and flow temperatures of four standard types of solder.
Solder	Flow Points	Use for
Extra-hard	1490°F/810°C	Laser welding, repair operations
Hard	1450°F/788°C	First soldering operations
Medium	1360°F/738°C	General soldering; intermediate operations
Easy	1325°F/719°C	General soldering and repairs; intermediate or final operations
Extra-easy	1207°F/653°C	Final soldering

Size Chart For Round Wire

Brown & Sharpe Gauge Thicknesses

Use this handy guide to quickly, easily and accurately convert gauge sizes into inches or millimeters—or vice versa.
Gauge	Inches	Millimeters
0	.325	8.26
2	.257	6.54
4	.204	5.19
6	.162	4.12
8	.128	3.26
10	.102	2.59
12	.081	2.05
13	.072	1.83
14	.064	1.63
15	.057	1.45
16	.051	1.29
18	.040	1.02
19	.036	.912
20	.032	.812
21	.028	.723
22	.025	.644
23	.023	.573
24	.020	.511
25	.018	.455
26	.016	.405
27	.014	.360
28	.013	.321
29	.011	.286
30	.010	.255
32	.0080	.2019
34	.0063	.1600

Temperature Conversions

From Celcius (centigrade) to Fahrenheit:	°C × 1.8 + 32 = °F
From Fahrenheit to Celcius (centigrade):	°F − 32 × 0.555 = °C