I'm searching for a good material that can be easily machined to use for a small block where soldering will be done. I am replacing block that are made of something white and almost like a bar of soap. I assume it has a great heat resistance because it's wear resistance is awful. I can scratch off a 1/6th inch with my finger nail. I know ceramic would be great but difficult to machine.
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solder resistant material
- Thread starter rjp1
- Start date
- Replies 17
- Views 2,841
rvpa
Plastic
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2014
- Location
- SE PA, USA
Vespel or other high temperature engineering plastics work well for this, if you have the budget. FR4 or G10 are decent but nowhere near as nice to machine.
Conrad Hoffman
Diamond
- Joined
- May 10, 2009
- Location
- Canandaigua, NY, USA
Another plastic I recently ran across is Radel. Quite heat resistant, durable and not too tough to machine.
Larry Dickman
Titanium
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2014
- Location
- Temecula, Ca
just make it out of whatever and coat it with solder mask.
TDegenhart
Diamond
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2011
- Location
- Geneva Illinois USA
Your kidding. Brass is one of MOST easily soldered materials. I would vote for graphite.
Tom
Ray Behner
Diamond
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2009
- Location
- Brunswick Oh USA
Sounds like that block could be sal ammoniac, but I think you'd have mentioned the smell. It's for tinning soldering rons.
L Vanice
Diamond
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2006
- Location
- Fort Wayne, IN
Around 1965, jewelry supply companies sold shallow round aluminum pans filled with a coiled long narrow strip of asbestos sheet. They were used for supporting parts that were silver or gold soldered, work that was done at red heat. I think I tossed mine out once the danger of asbestos was publicized. Blocks of charcoal, also sold for the same purpose, work almost as well and are much safer. I often use fire bricks.
For soft solder (lead-tin and such that melt under about 500 degrees F) Teflon works.
Larry
For soft solder (lead-tin and such that melt under about 500 degrees F) Teflon works.
Larry
Or maybe a chunk of mica sheet ?
AARONT
Stainless
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Location
- Madison, WI
How about Ryton? I think its good up to about 450°F
Wlodek
Aluminum
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2018
I too use graphite in a number of grades. Another good material is Alumina-Silica Type UNIFORM C from Zircar. It is easily machinable and keeps good shape and dimensions. Good insulator can be used for soft or hard soldering setup.
Alumina-Silica Type UNIFORM C
Alumina-Silica Type UNIFORM C
awake
Titanium
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2006
- Location
- Angier, North Carolina
Yep - soapstone was the first thought I had on reading the OP's description.
FredC
Diamond
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2010
- Location
- Dewees Texas
If you had not said easily machined, titanium is routinely used in electronics and other industries. If lasting a long time without wear trumps easily machined but replaced often, look into having one made.
Bill D
Diamond
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2004
- Location
- Modesto, CA USA
Marble. Easy to machine with carbide endmills and HSS files.
A kitchen countertop or headstone maker is a good source of small pieces. You can buy thin floor tile sat any big box store Many trophy's in the thrift stores have a marble base
Bill D.
A kitchen countertop or headstone maker is a good source of small pieces. You can buy thin floor tile sat any big box store Many trophy's in the thrift stores have a marble base
Bill D.
Bill D
Diamond
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2004
- Location
- Modesto, CA USA
plaster of paris, molded to suit. You will have to make sure it is very dry before use to prevent steam explosions. How about concrete?
Bill D
Bill D
