[BC] Silver soldering BRASS

[Gary Peterson]

> Pure copper (Cu) melts at 1981 degrees F.  Pure zinc (Zn) melts at 786
> degrees F.  A brass alloy comprised of 85% Cu and 15% Zn has a listed
> melting point of 1652-1724 degrees F.  I'm not certain why this specific
> composition has a range, rather than a specific melting point.  
> Gary, K(zero)CX
> Rapid City, SD

After I thought about my uncertainty, above, I had a "well duh" moment.
Pure substances (all atoms or molecules identical) have sharp melting
points.  The transition from solid to liquid will seem almost instantaneous.
Mixtures (an alloy is a solid, homogeneous solution) slowly soften and
liquefy over a temperature range.

I quit teaching twenty years ago, this month.  It's amazing how many mental
cobwebs have formed between my neurons.  The information is mostly there.
It's just buried in clutter.

Gary, K(zero)CX
Rapid City, SD