Silver Solder > References > What the professionals say

What the professionals say

from Swindon Boilers
Member Association of Professional Copper Boiler Makers
''CuP Alloys have been supplying us with 42% silver solder for a number of years to BS EN 1044 AG303 and previously to BS 1845 AG2 and flux for use in the manufacture of our copper steam boilers and other copper fabrications including full size locomotive steam pipework involving pressures in excess of 200psi.

The reputation we have earned for quality and workmanship over the last 23 years are second to none with our products in use world-wide. This reputation and respect from our customers comes from using quality traceable materials and the expertize to use them in the correct and appropriate manner.

The copper boilers we manufacture are manufactured to the European Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC) and as such are subject to very strict tests and procedures involving monitoring by a Notified Body.

The silver solder that you supply us is the ideal jointing alloy and is used in all our copper boilers and has been subjected to, witnessed and passed all the relevant tensile and hydrostatic tests. (See attached sheets) We have procedures using this product for all of the flange, tube and stays joints etc on our range of copper boilers, ranging in size from the small category SEP copper boilers to the large Category 2 & 3.

A customer experiencing difficulties should not blame your products in any way for resulting problems he may incur.''

Mr T Tremblen
Managing Director
Swindon Copper Boiler Specialists.

from Materials Testing Laboratory
Test pieces from Swindon Boilers were submitted to Materials Testing Laboratories. Extract from their report;

All the joints made with Grade C106 copper and CuP Alloys 842 silver solder. They were all stronger than the parent materials.
Shear failure had not occured in any sample.
The joints were as strong as a similiarly welded joint.

Materials Testing Laboratory
Jan 22nd 2003

from Dragon Boilers
Member Association of Professional Copper Boiler Makers

''It has been some 7 years now since I started using CuP Alloys for my silver solder needs. In all that time I have built many dozens of boilers using your silver solder products on all of them.

I have to say that I have never had a problem with any boiler made and take the opportunity to thank you for your first class products.

I look forward to using your materials in the future be they on small pot boilers or large Cat 2 boilers for the larger 7.25" locos. I know I can rely on the silver solder that your company supplies.''

Mr I Stock
Dragon Boilers.

from GB Boilers

''I have been until recently the Boilersmith at a leading supplier to the model engineering trade and have built some 150 boilers for them using silver solder from other companies. At the same time I have built a similiar number for my own private customers using exclusively your products.
The nett result of nearly 4 years of this mixed experience is that there is no discernible difference at all. I have never had any problems with either supply of solder.

G Brannigan
GB Boilers

from Southern Boilers

May I please go on record as saying that I have been using your silver solder for a while now and it is the best silver solder I have used.
Using the correct gap and preparation, the joints have perfect penetration and are totally satisfactory. To comply with CE marking and the Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC I have had joints, of C106 strips joined with your 842 42% silver alloy, tested to destruction on a tensile testing machine at University of Surrey. In all cases the copper failed before the joint in excess of 30,000 psi, leaving the joint totally unaffected.
I look forward to using your products and excellent service in the future.

Paul Tomkins
www.southernboilerworks.co.uk
ptmachining@yahoo.uk

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