Texes Art EC-12 Practice Exam

Which metalworking process involves using heat to create strong joints between dissimilar metals?

1. Brazing

2. Soldering

3. Welding

4. Machining

The correct answer is: Brazing

Brazing is indeed the process that utilizes heat to create strong joints between dissimilar metals. This process involves melting a filler metal that has a lower melting point than that of the base metals being joined. The heat applied does not melt the base metals but rather allows the filler material to flow into the joint by capillary action, forming a bond upon cooling. Brazing is particularly effective for joining different types of metals, which is an important characteristic that distinguishes it from other metalworking processes. In contrast, soldering uses a filler metal with a lower melting point than that used in brazing, and typically produces weaker joints, suitable for electronic or delicate connections rather than structural ones. Welding requires that the metals being joined have a similar melting point and often involves melting the base materials themselves, which can become problematic when dealing with dissimilar metals. Machining, on the other hand, involves the removal of material from a workpiece to shape it, rather than joining materials. These distinctions help clarify why brazing is the appropriate answer for creating robust joints between different metals.