Harris Stay-Brite 8 (part number SB861) is a premium lead-free, high-silver solid wire solder — 0.118 in (3.0 mm) diameter, supplied in a 12 lb box — engineered for strong, ductile, leak-tight connections on copper, brass, steel, and stainless steel. Unlike standard Stay-Brite (which has a single eutectic melting point), Stay-Brite 8 has a higher silver content that creates a melting range — the alloy transitions from solid to plastic to fully liquid over a temperature span, making it better suited for connections with wider joint clearances and dissimilar-material joints where bridging gaps is required. Stay-Brite 8 also color-matches stainless steel, making it a popular choice for visible joints on food service equipment and decorative stainless fabrications. Lead-free formula meets Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. Complies with EU REACH and RoHS directives. Use with Stay Clean liquid flux or compatible lead-free plumbing flux.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Harris Stay-Brite 8 Lead-Free Solder |
| Part Number | SB861 |
| Form | Solid wire (no flux core) |
| Wire Diameter | 0.118 in (3.0 mm) |
| Package Weight | 12 lb box |
| Silver Content | Higher silver than standard Stay-Brite |
| Solidus (approx.) | 430 °F (221 °C) |
| Liquidus (approx.) | 535 °F (279 °C) |
| Plastic Range | ~105 °F (58 °C) — usable range for wide-gap joints |
| Color | Silver — matches stainless steel |
| Lead Content | Lead-free |
| Potable Water Approved | Yes (meets Safe Drinking Water Act lead limits) |
| Flux Requirement | Yes — use Harris Stay Clean liquid flux or compatible lead-free flux |
| Compliance | EU REACH; RoHS |
| Base Metals | Copper, brass, steel, stainless steel |
- Stainless steel fabrication and food service — silver color closely matches brushed or polished stainless steel, producing joints that are nearly invisible on finished equipment
- Copper plumbing — lead-free and approved for potable water systems; 12 lb bulk format for plumbing contractors
- Brass and bronze fittings — excellent wetting on copper alloys in marine, industrial, and commercial plumbing applications
- HVACR service — soft soldering copper and brass fittings where brazing temperatures are not required and the joint clearance is wider than BCuP or BAg braze alloys prefer
- Steel repairs and joins — Stay-Brite 8 wets steel surfaces with appropriate flux, providing higher strength than standard tin-lead solder for light-duty steel assembly
- Decorative metalwork — silver-colored solder for visible joints on architectural metalwork, copper gutters, stainless accents, and display fixtures
Standard Stay-Brite is a eutectic alloy with a single melting point — it transitions from fully solid to fully liquid instantaneously. Stay-Brite 8 has a higher silver content that creates a ~105 °F plastic range. This plastic range makes Stay-Brite 8 better for:
- Wider joint clearances where a single-melting-point solder would run through before filling
- Vertical and overhead joints where the alloy needs a brief plastic phase to stay in place
- Connections between materials with different thermal masses (e.g., heavy fitting to thin tube)
Use standard Stay-Brite when a clean, sharp, single-temperature melt is required — precision electronics, sensor housings, and zero-tolerance assemblies.
Harris Stay-Brite 8 is a solid wire — no flux core. Apply Harris Stay Clean liquid flux or a compatible lead-free plumbing flux to all joint surfaces before assembly. Heat the joint with a propane, MAPP, or butane torch. Apply solder from the side opposite the flame once the flux is active and the base metal is uniformly hot. The solder flows by capillary action into the joint gap. After cooling, remove flux residue by wiping with a damp cloth and rinsing with water.
Stay-Brite 8 produces stronger joints than standard 50/50 or lead-free tin-copper solders, but its service temperature (limited to approximately 250 °F continuous) and joint strength are lower than brazed joints. For steam service, high-pressure gas, or refrigerant lines, upgrade to Harris Stay-Silv 15 (BCuP-5) for copper-to-copper, or Safety-Silv 45 (BAg-5) for copper-to-steel brazing.
- Stay-Brite vs. Stay-Brite 8 — key difference?
- Stay-Brite is eutectic (single melting point). Stay-Brite 8 has higher silver content creating a ~105 °F plastic range — better for wider gaps, vertical joints, and dissimilar-mass connections.
- Is Stay-Brite 8 approved for potable water?
- Yes — lead-free, meets Safe Drinking Water Act. Suitable for drinking water copper plumbing.
- Can Stay-Brite 8 solder stainless steel?
- Yes — with appropriate flux. Silver color matches brushed stainless. For structural stainless joints, upgrade to Safety-Silv 56 (BAg-7) brazing alloy.
- What flux is recommended?
- Harris Stay Clean liquid flux for copper and brass; Stay Clean Plus for stainless. Remove all residue after soldering.
Browse the full solder and brazing alloy collection. Compare to the Harris Silver Bearing Lead-Free Plumbing Solder (331762) for a larger bulk format, and the Harris Stay-Silv 15 BCuP-5 for copper joints requiring higher strength and temperature capability. Reference: Harris Products Group.