About

• The brazing process is similar to the process of soldering; however; is different in that it applies metal directly to a surface using solder rather than connecting two pieces using solder. Originally brazing solder or flux was made with silver solder with cadmium which was eventually replaced with copper, bronze and some types of silver. These soft metals provide bonding strength as well as shock protection for the carbide.
  
  

Brazing Process

• The process of brazing carbide is relatively simple and requires an outer coating and properly preparing the carbide blade. First, the tool must be smoothed to remove any chips, burrs or deformities. A brazing foil, which can be silver, bronze, copper or any other light flexible metal, is wrapped around the blade and bonded using a carbide flux that will not be subject to oxidation so it cannot cause rust. The flux should be allowed to dry before melting the foil into place. After the melted foil dries, it should be filed into the appropriate sharpness.
  
  

Longevity

• A braised carbide tool is most useful because of its increased longevity. This is because the brazing process allows the metal to form a hard shell over the carbide which protects it from oxidation due to heat as well as particle breakdown from friction. Because the coating is smooth, this method is more certain of creating a long lasting tool than is the process of adding harder and rougher carbide into an unbrazed tool.
  
  

Uses

• Brazed carbide tools are useful for making long and smooth cuts in wood because of their polished surface and decreased resistance or friction. This allows the cuts to cause less wood damage. Brazed carbide can also be used to cut metal and in some cases glass. Another useful property of brazed carbide tools is they can be used in liquids that ordinary carbide might become soluble in. This allows the tool to work in an environment it previously had been ill equipped to face.