What is sweat soldering?

Sweat soldering refers to the technique of joining two pieces of metal, typically copper, by applying heat and using a solder that is drawn into the joint by capillary action. This process involves heating both components so that the solder melts and flows into the space between them as it cools and solidifies, creating a strong bond. The use of capillary attraction is crucial in this process because it allows the solder to wick into tight joints, ensuring a thorough and secure connection without requiring excessive amounts of solder.

Understanding the mechanics of sweat soldering emphasizes the importance of proper joint preparation and temperature control to achieve a successful connection. This technique is commonly used in HVAC applications for fittings and piping, where maintaining a leak-proof seal is essential. Other methods mentioned, such as applying solder before assembly or in a flat position, do not align with the defined process of sweat soldering and would not provide the same effective joint integrity that the capillary attraction method does.