Laser Welding Wire Vs Solder

The Benefits Of Laser Welding Wire

One of the major differences between soldering and welding is the filler wire we use and how we use it. Soldering is a capillary fill process where the adjoining alloy is heated with a torch flame to a temperature that will flow the solder. The solder is designed to flow at various temperatures that are typically lower than the adjoining alloy. The solder than flows into the small gaps between the adjoining alloys bonding them together. Solder has a tendency to flow into gaps and spaces where it is not needed such as chain links freezing one or more links together. Many times this can result in using much more solder than is actually intended and thus adding to the cost of using solder. Over time solder will break down in strength causing a once strong joint to fail. Solder also can discolor over time visually exposing the seam or repair work.

When Laser welding, the adjoining alloys are first welded together such as 14k Yellow Gold to 14k Yellow Gold. This creates the welding bond. During the welding process, a small amount of alloy is vaporized leaving a slight dip in the surface of the weld joint. The Laser Operator than fills in that dip with welding wire of 14k Yellow Gold. 

A smoothing operation can than be performed to minimize final clean up. The finished product is entirely 14k Yellow Gold. Since the parts are welded together first, only small amounts of welding wire are typically used as filler. There is no wasted wire. The Laser is so precise; the welding wire can be added only where it’s needed. There is never any unintentional overflow. A single chain link can be welded without freezing adjoining links. LaserStar welding wire is the parent alloy and will never break down in strength and never discolor over time. A good weld it typically 90% as strong as Virgin alloy or 250 times stronger than the best solder.

LaserStar welding wire can also be used to bridge small gaps between two metal parts, filling porosity holes or pits, reinforcing existing parts or reinforcing existing welds. Welding wire is also used any time additional metal is required such as building metal to enlarge or thicken a part, adding material to a corner or edge, or any time there is a low point or deficiency in the metal structure.