What differentiates welding from brazing?

Welding and brazing are both processes used to join materials, but they have distinct differences. The correct choice highlights that welding primarily involves the joining of metals and does not typically include the use of non-metallic materials such as plastics. Brazing, on the other hand, can involve the joining of dissimilar materials and may include plastics in certain applications, though its primary focus is on joining metals using a filler material.

In welding, the process generally applies high heat to melt the base metals together, creating a strong, solid joint after cooling. This process is predominantly metal-to-metal as it requires the base materials to reach their melting point.

The distinction is crucial as welding is specifically aimed at metals and often relies on similar or compatible metals for the best structural integrity. The mention of plastics in welding is misleading—welding techniques are focused on metals, while brazing is known for its versatility and ability to bond various materials, including metals and occasionally plastics under particular conditions.

This understanding clarifies the nature of welding versus brazing, reinforcing that the processes have different applications and methods, primarily driven by the materials they are intended to join.