What are the different types of soldering and brazing mats?
What are the different types of soldering
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A soldering and brazing mat is not only available in different fabrics but also with various features. Each feature can then be suited to a particular soldering task, as follows. | |||
Plain mats |
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The soldering and brazing mat on the left is made from woven glass fibre and coated with a graphite finishing treatment.
The strong and rigid weave is ideal for protecting worktops and carpets while still retaining enough flexibility to bend or fold behind pipes. Most woven mats will be stitched all around the edge to keep the fabric from fraying. |
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With the cheaper mats, however, the stitches are flammable – if they become loose or fray, they could ignite and burst into flames.
So check before you buy that any outer edging has been stitched in flame proof cotton or other non-combustible material. |
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Mats with an eyelet |
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This glass fibre mat has a brass eyelet or a small hole, which can be used to hang it on a nail to protect walls, cables or any flammable surfaces.
It is particularly useful when soldering vertical pipes or in restricted areas. |
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For example, when fixing a leaky joint in your plumbing system and general copper pipe soldering,
The mat will shield painted walls or surrounding woodwork. Fix a nail through the eyelet and simply suspend the mat so that it hangs vertically. |
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Mats with a precut slot and overlap |
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This time, the mat has a slit with a flap on the reverse, which is ideal for wrapping around pipework.
The overlap section extends over the pipe, covering it completely and giving a snug fit. Again, the hole in the centre of the mat does not provide adequate protection for horizontal use. |
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This is a similar mat showing the overlap beneath.
Again, the cut out shape and overlap folds neatly around pipes. |
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The overhang or flap beneath the slot gives a secure fit along with added cover from solder drips and heat damage.
These mats will fit around most pipework from 15 mm (0.6 inches) up to 100 mm (4 inches) in diameter. |
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Padded mats |
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Some soldering and brazing mats resist temperatures up to 1260°C and more.
These usually contain a high temperature wool-like filler called ECOMAB. The filler has a Class O fire rating, which is one of the highest levels of fire protection. The outer coating or ‘working’ surface of the mat is usually vermiculite. |
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If you’re tackling an electronics project, you will find that using a mat with a soft, padded surface is ideal for pushing pin headers into circuit boards prior to soldering.
The soft infill of the mat will make the job of aligning the pins easier and faster than it would be with a hard mat. |
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