[Jewelry making - Article 00088] - Re: [Orchid] Boric Acid vs. Borax

[Douglas Turet]

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>     Boric acid is converted to borax when heated to soldering
>     temperatures. 

    Hi Jim, That sounds reasonable but, if that's true, why do we flux
    and/or firecoat with boric acid at all? I mean, why not just use
    straight borax in solution (alcohol)? Wouldn't that do the same
    thing (and possibly be less expensive)? While I'm asking
    flux-related questions, I'd like to add another: is there a
    "correct" alcohol to add to the mix, for fluxing? I seem to recall
    having been told to use denatured alcohol, each time I've taken
    classes, but the batch I made up using a can purchased at the local
    Ace Hardware (with boric acid) immediately coats everything in a
    black, sugary coating, the second I heat it with my torch. (This is
    after cleaning the pieces thoroughly, then pickling and neutralizing
    the pickle in a baking soda-and-water mixture.) Is it the alcohol?
    The torch (a blazer torch)? Something else I'm not comprehending?
    Can you please lend a hand in demystifying this for me? 

    Many thanks, Doug Douglas Turet Turet Design P.O. Box 162 Arlington, MA
    02476 Tel. (617) 325-5328 eFax (928) 222-0815 
    anotherbrightidea AT hotmail.com


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