Harris Products Group
Brazing requires that the filler metal flow into a capillary between the two closely aligned base metals to be joined. In the case of copper-phosphorus braze alloys - these base metals are usually copper or brass, and joint integrity is dependent on a number of factors in addition to the choice of filler metal.
Phos-copper, and phos-copper-silver brazing alloys - such as Harris Stay Silv® alloys, Dynaflow® and Blockade® - are used for joining copper, brass and bronze only. You never want to join steel, cast iron or stainless steel with a phosphorus containing braze alloy; simply put the connection provides limited strength.
Medical gas copper oxygen line installations to NFPA 99 require using a phos-copper BCuP brazing alloy conforming to AWS A5.8 without flux. A nitrogen purge is also required during brazing. For copper to brass applications a flux is required. For these connections apply the flux sparingly to avoid getting flux inside the lines.
Other environments such as boiler houses, paper mills, and natural gas lines have high concentrations of sulfides or sulfur. Sulfides attack the phosphorus in the phos copper brazing alloy and can result in leaks. When joining material exposed to a sulfur environment you should use a high silver brazing alloy such as Harris Safety Silv®.
The temperature at which the filler metal flows and the skill of the operator in adding filler metal at the correct temperature are important. Proper cleaning of the base metal before brazing and avoiding excess oxidation during heating are contributing factors in joint integrity.
All of the factors that contribute to joint integrity must be properly controlled to assure reliability of a brazed joint.
If you’re in the market for a new set of alloy wheels, there are a huge variety of different makes, models, sizes, shapes and materials to choose from.
We’ve put together a simple and essential alloy buyers guide, with all the information you need to find your next set of alloy wheels.
If you’re looking to find which alloys fit your car, there are a few easy ways to find compatible makes and models.
Using the internet has made it exceptionally easy to find the right alloys for your car, with loads of sites allowing you to quickly search compatible alloys. Be sure to check different websites to be sure on what size is correct.
Your car’s registration number may be the easiest way to find the correct alloy size. Most mainstream alloy wheel suppliers will provide an option to input your registration number, and also display different sizing options so you can quickly check you’ve got the right size alloys.
If you already know the size of your alloy wheels, searching by size is the simplest way to browse a wide selection of options. Alloys are usually measured in inches, starting at 10” up to 30”.
If you don’t know the size of your alloy, you can usually find it on the side of your tyre or sometimes, it may be stamped on the side of your current alloys.
Contacting a specialist is a good idea if you’re still unsure about the diameter and width of your alloys. Many cars will usually use 17” alloys, but some cars can even take up to 22” alloys.
The most popular type of alloy wheels tend to be aluminium due to their lightweight yet strong properties.
Steel alloys are also a popular choice, as they are incredibly durable and offer more resistance to cracks and general damage.
Both types have their pros and cons, and which ones you choose will depend on the needs of your vehicle and the weather conditions usually you drive in.
You can read our guide on aluminium vs steel alloy wheels to find out which may be better suited to your vehicle.
If your steel or aluminium alloys become damaged, they can likely still be repaired by a specialist.
Rims are actually just one part of the alloy wheel, although many people use them as interchangeable terms.
A rim is the outer part of the wheel that holds the tyre in place, and it is usually deeper in the centre than round the edge as it supports the bead of the tyre.
The rim is made from the same material as the rest of the wheel, however, it usually has an extra layer of Teflon for additional protection.
There are a few factors you should be aware of when buying the right alloy wheels:
In today’s current financial climate, value for money is a must for many. A lot of brands in the UK offer excellent value for money, whilst others may be more expensive, but do come with additional features to extend the lifetime of your alloys.
Depending where you buy your alloys from, you may actually be able to pay on a finance plan, allowing you to spread the cost into more manageable payments.
Ideally, you want your alloy wheels to match your taste, and many people will purchase alloy wheels to enhance their vehicle. Things to consider may include the colour, finish and spoke pattern.
However, be aware that the more intricate and detailed the alloys, the more care they will require.
The size of the alloy will be a main factor when you buy a set of alloys, as maintaining the rolling radius of the wheel and tyre combination will ensure the accuracy of your speedometer and other monitoring technologies.
If you consider all these factors, you should be able to buy the right alloy wheels for your vehicle.
We hope your alloys will look brand new as long as possible, but if you do notice some scratches or dents, our alloy wheel repair and refurbishment service is here to help.