brazing

IPA/bɹˈeɪzɪŋ/
IPA/bɹˈeɪzɪŋ/

brazing — verb

1. to join metal pieces by heating a filler metal until it melts between them, whil

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to join metal pieces by heating a filler metal until it melts between them, while the main pieces themselves do not melt

Example

The mechanic brazed the cracked copper pipe in under ten minutes.

braze + metal part

Aya brazed the brass handle back onto the old kettle.

braze + object + onto + object

Common collocations
  • braze a joint
  • braze copper pipe
  • braze steel rods
  • braze a frame
Synonyms
  • solder

    uses a lower-temperature filler and is often for smaller or lighter work

  • weld

    melts the main metal itself, unlike brazing

Grammar Patterns

braze + metal part

braze + object + together

braze + object + onto + object

Usage Note

Usually takes metal parts or joints as the object and often appears with together, onto, or to. Unlike weld, the base metal stays solid while the filler metal melts.

Common Mistakes

The factory welded the copper tubes with a bronze filler.
The factory brazed the copper tubes with a bronze filler.
In brazing, the filler metal melts but the main tubes do not, so 'welded' gives the wrong process.

2. to make the surface of a metal object harder by heating it as part of a treatmen

2.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to make the surface of a metal object harder by heating it as part of a treatment process

Example

The smith brazed the knife edge before sharpening it by hand.

braze + blade edge

A long hot fire can braze the outer layer of steel.

Common collocations
  • braze a blade
  • braze a knife edge
  • braze a steel surface
Synonyms
  • harden

    the broad everyday verb, without the specific technical sense of heat treatment

  • temper

    a related metal-treatment process with a more specific manufacturing meaning

Grammar Patterns

braze + blade

braze + metal edge

braze + steel surface

Usage Note

Mostly found in technical or older descriptions of treating metal surfaces, not in everyday English. The object is usually a blade, edge, or steel surface.