borax ?

It is usually used as a flux when welding in the forge. (and cleaning the floor afterwards :))
 
OK to put this in terms that makes sense or the best explanation I can come up with right now. Anyway here goes. Liken the process to that of an arc welder or stick welder.
Borax acts as flux that is on a welding rod. When making the weld in between two or more pieces of metal. Just like in stick welding the flux on the rod protects the weld from air as the heat created by the arc actually welds them together. That protection created by the flux allows for solid welds with little or no flaws.
The flux or borax creates that sheild and allows for the heat of forgeing and the hammering of the metal to weld the materials together, while the flux protects the weld. Anyway that's the best explantion I can come up with for now.
 
The flux ,typically borax ,does two things. I dissolves the oxides on the steel and forms a protective coating to prevent further oxidizing.Borax has been used as a flux for well over 1000 years .
 
Dixieblade57 said:
OK to put this in terms that makes sense or the best explanation I can come up with right now. Anyway here goes. Liken the process to that of an arc welder or stick welder.
Borax acts as flux that is on a welding rod. When making the weld in between two or more pieces of metal. Just like in stick welding the flux on the rod protects the weld from air as the heat created by the arc actually welds them together. That protection created by the flux allows for solid welds with little or no flaws.
The flux or borax creates that sheild and allows for the heat of forgeing and the hammering of the metal to weld the materials together, while the flux protects the weld. Anyway that's the best explantion I can come up with for now.
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Right on. It melts and coats the steel and stays on at high temps to form a barrier against oxygen. If the steel oxidizes, scale would prevent the two pieces from sticking together. Other things will work too, such as sand, but borax melts at a lower temperature so it's easier to use.
 
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