Q&A for How to Solder Stainless Steel

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Can you solder stainless steel with a soldering iron?

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For small pieces, like jewelry or thin wires, an iron would probably work. However, if you’re soldering large pieces of stainless steel, you’ll need a butane torch.

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Which metals cannot be soldered?

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The most difficult metals to solder are cast iron, chromium, titanium, tantalum, and magnesium. In order to solder these metals, you’d need to plate or tin them with a solderable metal first.

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Why does solder flow towards heat?

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It has to do with the surface tension of the solder as it heats up and melts. The solder is hottest and will have the greatest ability to flow close to the heat source.

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What acid will work best for me as a flux?

Community Answer

That is generally used in soldering steel plumbing. For copper, do NOT use acid flux.

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Question

What solder is best to use?

Community Answer

This depends on what you are going to solder. If electronics, use only rosin core, never acid core, and the small skinny size made for that purpose. Check with Radio Shack for the solder. If plumbing, check with the home improvement stores like Lowe's, or Home Depot.

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How far away does the torch tip need to be when soldering stainless steel?

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The article was fairly clear: A direct flame on the repair area is likely to overheat the solder and flux. If using a torch, hold the torch tip 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 cm) away from the parent metal.

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What is the solder for stainless steel?

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Common solder will work but lead-free (PbF) would be better. Solder works on the basic principle of wetability; the thin oxide layer on the stainless steel prevents that. Solder for electronics is available in two types: tin-lead (60-40 alloy that melts below 200C) and lead free (pure tin often contains some copper and silver in small amount) but this has a slightly higher melting point.

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