Liquid Borax / Migration?

B

Bearheart1

Joined
Sep 14, 1999
Messages
24
I recently read an article about a maker who soaks pre prepared billets, for Damascus, in a liquid Borax solution. After a certain amount of time, they are then taken out of the solution and dried. With the advent of evaporation, the crystaline structure of the borax stays in between the layers of the pre pared billet. Question: By the time the billet gets to welding temperature, does not the borax crystals revert into some kind of liquid and begin migrating back outside the billet? And or, would it actually stay dry keeping air from entering between the layers. I use sure weld and it works great, but it is very corrosive and loves to eat anything underneath it! I normally use a welding brick until the welding operation is done, then remove the crud with a wire brush on the billet, and replace the bottom brick with a clean brick. If the sure weld in liquid for stays in the forge, it will continue to literly devour everything it touches. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
 
I have heard of using borax in water for soldering flux. The dried borax will melt at welding temp. It stands to reason that there is not as much borax present, have to give it a try I guess.
Borax in the Forge; Jim Hirsoulas, mentions using kitty Litter in the bottom of the forge to soak up the excess flux, I use a piece of stainlees steel scrap.



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Sola Fide
 
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