SOLDERING &

WELDING
 SOLDERING
IN ORTHODONTICS

 SOLDERING is defined as a process of joining metals by the

use of a filler metal which has a substantially lower fusion
temp. than that of the metals being joined.

 If the fusion temp. of the filler metal used exceeds 450°C, then
the procedure is termed BRAZING. as the joining of metals by
the fusion of filler metal between them, at a temperature below the
solidus temperature of the metals being joined and below 450° C.
SOLDERING is defined as the joining of metals by the fusion of filler metal between them,
at a temperature below the solidus temperature of the metals being joined and below 450° C.
w 450° C.
 DENTAL SOLDERS

• Are alloys that are used as filler metal to join two

or more metallic parts.

• Composed of Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc, Tin,

Nickel.
 FLUX

• Latin word meaning Flow.

• Dental solders do not adequately flow on metallic
surfaces that have an oxidized layer.
• Composition of Flux used in dentistry :
Borax glass 55%
Boric acid 35%
Silica 10%
 ANTI-FLUX

 Material that is used to confine the flow of the

molten solder over the metals being joined.
 Commonly used anti-fluxes are Lead pencil
markings, graphite lines and iron rouge.
TYPES OF SOLDERING

1) Investment soldering
2) Free hand soldering
 PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Use the reducing flame of the soldering torch

• Use wet cottons to limit the spread of heat
• The soldered joint should not be polished as it
weakens the joint
• Anti-flux should be used to prevent excessive
spread of solder
 APPLICATIONS IN
ORTHODONTICS

• To join parts of orthodontic appliances

• To fix the attachments to bands
 WELDING - DEFINITION

WELDING INVOLVES THE JOIINING OF

TWO OR MORE METAL PIECES DIRECTLY
UNDER PRESSURE WITHOUT THE
INTRODUCTION OF FILLER MATERIAL.
 TYPES :

• COLD WELDING
• HOT WELDING
 COLD WELDING

DONE BY HAMMERING OR
PRESSURE

Ex : GOLD FOIL FILLING

 HOT WELDING

USES HEAT OF SUFFICIENT INTENSITY TO

MELT THE METALS BEING JOINED.

THE TYPE OF WELDING USED TO JOIN

ORTHODONTIC COMPONENTS IS CALLED
SPOT WELDING
 PRINCIPLE OF SPOT
WELDING

HEAT and PRESSURE are two basic principles

involved in spot welding.
 SPOT WELDING

 HEAT SOURCE - HIGH AMPERE ELECTRIC

CURRENT
Electric current is made to pass through a step
down transformer to obtain a low voltage &
high amperage current that is conducted
through two copper electrodes
The resistance offered by stainless steel to
current of high amperage generates very high
temp. at the electrodes. Thus the area of metal
under the electrodes become plastic. The
copper electrodes simultaneously apply
pressure on the metals & therefore squeeze the
metals into each other
THE COPPER ELECTRODES IN A WELDING UNIT
SERVES THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

 Transmit the current to the metals to be joined so as

to cause a rapid increase in temp.
 The two electrodes help in holding together the two
metals to be joined.
 The electrodes are designed to apply a pressure on
the metals being joined.
 The electrodes help in conducting the heat produced
away from the area so as to preserve the properties
of stainless steel around the weld spot.
 It is very important that the passage of current at
the weld spot be of very short duration i.e. not
more than 1/10 th of a second .
 In case the current is passed for a longer duration
of time, it results in weld decay due to precipitation
of CARBIDES from the metal.
 Thus most of the modern welders have an
electronic timer that helps in discharging current of
very short duration.
 used instead of soldering in cases where the
heating cycle must be very short,
In order to prevent changes in the physical
properties of the components being joined.
 WELDING OF STAINLESS STEEL
DEPENDS ON THE 3 VARIABLES :

 The CURRENT flowing through the circuit

 The TIME during which the current is allowed to

flow

 The mechanical PRESSURE applied at the

welding heads
 PROCEDURE OF SPOT WELDING

Select the proper electrode for the thickness or shape

of the material to be welded .
The electrodes of the welder are cleaned so as to
remove any carbide ppt . The surface of each
electrode must be smooth , flat and perpendicular to
its long axis.
The metals to be joined are placed between the two
electrodes and the switch is turned on . The electrode
pressure can be maintained for a few seconds to help
obtain a good joint.
 When the electrodes are together ,they should be in
total contact .
 The welder has a timer that is set to required
reading.
 APPLICATIONS OF WELDING IN
ORTHODONTICS :

 Joining of metal strips during banding

 APPLICATIONS OF WELDING IN
ORTHODONTICS :

 Fixing attachments such as brackets & molar

tubes on to bands