Definition
A metal-joining process in which two pieces of base metal are joined using a non-ferrous filler metal that melts above 800°F (427°C) but below the melting point of the base metals. The molten filler is drawn into the joint by capillary action and bonds the parts when it cools and solidifies, without melting the base metals themselves.
Plain English
A way of sticking two metal parts together by melting a third metal between them. The third metal acts like a strong glue when it hardens. The two parts being joined never melt — only the filler does.
Context Anchor
Seen in airframe maintenance and repair discussions, especially when joining or repairing metal tubing, fittings, brackets, or other metal assemblies.
Derivation
From the word 'brass.' Early brazing used brass (a copper-zinc alloy) as the filler metal, so the process was named after the material that did the joining. Modern brazing uses many filler metals, but the name stuck.
Why Pilots Care
Brazed joints appear in airframes, exhaust components, and fluid system fittings. Knowing the difference between brazing, soldering, and welding matters when inspecting repairs or assessing damage — each has different strength characteristics and failure modes.
Intuition Check
Do not picture the main parts melting together as in welding. In brazing, the joining metal melts and flows into the joint, while the parts being joined remain solid.
Example Sentence 1
The steel tube cluster on the fuselage was joined by brazing rather than welding to avoid distorting the thin-walled tubing.
Example Sentence 2
Brazing allowed the mechanic to join the tubing without distorting the surrounding structure.