Solar flux B

[sixtwoeight]

Has anyone used solar flux type B??
Just wondering whether it worth buying (its expensive but i guess you dont use much per join) as opposed to buying equipment for back purging plus the extra gas.
Thanks

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Has anyone used solar flux type B??
Just wondering whether it worth buying (its expensive but i guess you dont use much per join) as opposed to buying equipment for back purging plus the extra gas.
Thanks

I've never personally used it but I know It's quite popular. Weldability have actually replaced their version of it with a significantly cheaper product with 99% of the same composition. I'll see if I can find the part number, might be of use to you if you're considering getting some.

 

[sixtwoeight]

Thanks Tom, that would be useful. I would like to try it if it seems others get good results with it.

 

[Fazerruss]

I would also be interested for when I eventually make my car exhaust.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

FO210050
I think that is it off the top of my head, I'll properly check in the morning.

 

[hotrodder]

Personally i consider solar flux a last resort type deal... it's usually more faffing about than improvising tempory purge dams, doesn't work as well as purging and while it's better than letting the root side coke/sugar it leaves a 'kin hard & tenacious residue behind which, depending on what you're making, is sometimes a big deal

The internet suggests the SIF stuff is ~£30 a jar so a nats more ££ than a Y-splitter and a second flow meter. Obviously you use more argon when purging but you don't need massive flow rates unless purging huge volumes and once the purge is estabilished the flow can often be turned down to a trickle provided everything is taped up except for the joint being welded and the vent hole

 

[whm_fab]

appologies for the thread revival, but i came across this thread on my travels - ive a tub of it there that i use alot more regularly than i thought i would actually. it might be expensive, but i think the can that i have will literally outlast my lifetime. you only need a small bit of powder each time. its not as 'pretty' as purging obviously, as you get a blackish glass like coating on the backside, but it does protect the weld 100% - after all they use it on jet engines.

sometimes i also find the purge hose and its fittings etc a pain when your welding odd shaped long manifold tubes on a bend, and it has to be turned and flipped 100 times.
i also use it on the backside when im welding on spring tabs etc, as it would be a complete waste of time purging a 30" long tube to weld on a spring tab for 2 seconds, so it has its uses in my opinion, more than what people give it credit for.
i think its one of those things you think you wouldnt use much until you have some, then it becomes rather handy.

another advantage is that you dont have to wait for the part to purge.

one big disadvantage though i find in my field, is that obviously you have to be able to reach the joint. nearly impossible for me most of the time as a manifold tube could have 6 or 8 joints snaking about, so its either take it apart and flux it or purge, obviously in that case purge is the only option.

in summary, its handy to have, and it works very very well if mixed right and used correctly, just not as pretty

 

[zeppelin builder]

we mixed it with a dash of swarfega Babcox trick ,another trick when purging lines is use a hoover to pull a vacuum and immediately replace it with argon via a two way valve