If two pieces of metal are to be joined by silver brazing and are not in contact, how should each piece be treated?

When two pieces of metal are not in contact and need to be joined by silver brazing, the correct approach involves treating each piece by heating them separately. This method is essential because brazing requires the filler metal to flow into the joint by capillary action. If the metals are not touching, heating them together may not allow for effective thermal conductivity and could result in inadequate joining.

By heating each piece separately, it is possible to ensure that both surfaces reach an appropriate temperature for the brazing process. Once adequately heated, the two pieces can be brought into contact with the filler metal applied at the joint. This ensures that the filler can adequately flow into the gap, forming a strong bond between the two pieces.

In addition, heating separately allows for better control of the temperatures of each piece, minimizing the risk of damaging the materials or the brazing filler. Therefore, this method is critical for achieving a successful silver brazed joint when the two metals are not in contact initially.