I have an old microwave/convection oven that came with 2 metal circular trays for cooking on (in convection mode), a tall one and a shorter one that fits underneath it. However, a long time ago, one of the legs of the taller one snapped off, leaving me with just the shorter one. This is OK usually, except when I want to cook 2 things at once (that don't fit on one tray). I can get a replacement for >$40, but I'm just not interested in spending that much.
I recently had the idea to solder a new leg to the tray. Presumably I'd need some high-temperature solder. Considering it may come in contact with food, it'll have to be lead-free too (maybe flux is also a problem?). I'll have a soldering iron that can supposedly reach 896ºF, and the oven has a max temperature of 450ºF. I need solder that is both solid and stable up to at least ~500ºF (It can't just not melt, it has to be able to hold its shape!). I honestly couldn't find anything that meets my criteria; some contain lead, most melt too low, and some just too high. Does anyone know if such a thing even exists?
Thank you!
Best Answer
There is some serious fake information on the "Net" regarding "silver solder". ; starting with Oatey ( Home Depot) who flat out lies about what they call "silver solder". The Halstead net site is good. AWS ( American Welding Society) identifies silver solders as having 45 % to about 60 % silver with copper, zinc, cadmium in various amounts. Melting ranges of 1125 F to 1250 F and must be heated above those temperatures to flow. These alloys have AWS designations of B Ag-1 up to B Ag-7. I would not consider a product to actually be silver solder unless it had an AWS designation. ( I am using a 1971 ASM reference and AWS may have added designations or even changed their system ).( Irony , I gave my 1987 ASM reference to a local teacher a few days ago because I had not used it in years).