Harris Stay-Silv 15 Brazing Strip (part number 15S0051) is a phos-copper silver brazing alloy in a thin strip format — 0.005 in × 1 in (0.13 × 25.4 mm) — supplied in a 1 lb box. The strip form is specifically designed for pre-placed brazing operations: the alloy is cut to length and placed directly in or adjacent to the joint before torch heating or furnace brazing, ensuring a precise and consistent alloy deposit without a hand-fed rod. This format is widely used in production environments such as heat exchanger manufacturing, OEM copper assembly lines, and appliance fabrication. Like all Stay-Silv 15 products, the alloy is classified AWS A5.8 BCuP-5, contains 15% silver, 5% phosphorus, and 80% copper, and is self-fluxing on copper-to-copper joints. Complies with EU REACH and RoHS directives.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | AWS A5.8 BCuP-5 |
| ASME Specification | ASME SFA-5.8 BCuP-5 |
| Other Standards | QQ-B-654A BCuP-5; ISO 17672 CuP 284; BS 1845-CP1 |
| Silver (Ag) | 14.5 – 15.5 % |
| Phosphorus (P) | 4.8 – 5.2 % |
| Copper (Cu) | Remainder (~80 %) |
| Solidus | 1,190 °F (643 °C) |
| Liquidus | 1,480 °F (804 °C) |
| Melting Range | 290 °F (161 °C) |
| Strip Dimensions | 0.005 in × 1 in (0.13 × 25.4 mm) |
| Package Weight | 1 lb box |
| Part Number | 15S0051 |
| Self-Fluxing on Copper | Yes — no separate flux needed for Cu-Cu |
| Compliance | EU REACH; RoHS |
The strip format is preferred in applications where alloy placement must be precise and consistent, or where hand-feeding rod during torch heating is impractical.
- Heat exchanger OEM production — pre-placed alloy rings or strips on tube-to-header joints, allowing induction or furnace brazing without operator feeding
- Appliance manufacturing — refrigerator and air conditioner coil assemblies where automated brazing equipment requires pre-placed alloy
- Flame brazing production lines — strips cut to length and nested in the joint; operator applies heat only, reducing cycle time and skill requirements
- Copper tube fittings — strips wrapped around tube ends to provide a controlled alloy volume for automated torch or induction stations
- Research and prototype fabrication — precise alloy control in laboratory or R&D environments where alloy volume must be exactly metered
Cut the strip to a length that provides the correct alloy volume for the joint (joint volume = gap area × joint length × alloy fill factor). Place the cut strip in the joint gap, wrapped around the tube, or nested between tube and fitting. Apply flux if required (copper-to-brass or any ferrous joint). Heat the assembly with a torch, induction coil, or place in a controlled-atmosphere furnace. The pre-placed alloy melts and flows by capillary action as the base metal reaches liquidus temperature — no operator rod-feeding required.
The 0.005 in × 1 in strip provides a cross-sectional area of 0.005 in². For a given joint, estimate the required alloy volume: joint annular area × joint length. Divide by strip cross-section area to determine strip length needed per joint. Pre-cutting strip to a standard length for a given fitting family ensures consistent alloy delivery across a production run.
- Strip (15S0051) — flat, thin; best for pre-placed manual or automated brazing where the strip can be nested against the joint. Easy to cut with shears.
- Flat rod (15620F5/15620F1) — thicker cross-section; preferred for hand-held torch brazing of fittings and field service work.
- Round rod (15520S) — square-profile rod; preferred for round-gap joints and production line straight-feeding operations.
- What is brazing strip used for?
- Pre-placed brazing — cut strip to length, place in joint, then apply heat. Ideal for automated production lines, heat exchangers, and appliance coil manufacturing.
- Is Stay-Silv 15 strip self-fluxing on copper?
- Yes — self-fluxing for copper-to-copper. Use Stay-Silv White Flux for copper-to-brass. Never use BCuP-5 on steel or stainless steel.
- Can strip be used in furnace brazing?
- Yes — controlled-atmosphere furnace brazing with pre-placed strip is a standard industrial process for copper assemblies.
- What AWS classification is Stay-Silv 15 strip?
- AWS A5.8 BCuP-5 / ASME SFA-5.8 BCuP-5. Contains 15% Ag, 5% P, 80% Cu.
Browse the full brazing alloy collection. Compare to the Harris Stay-Silv 15 round rod (15520S) and the Stay-Silv 15 flat rod 5 lb tube (15620F5) for hand-torch applications. Reference: Harris Products Group and AWS A5.8.