What Is Fire Brick for Soldering?

Soldering is the process of using heat to join metals with either a soldering iron or a soldering torch. Both soldering tools require that you work on a fire-safe surface. Fire brick (also called firebrick or refractory brick) is often the surface of choice when soldering.

Fire-Safe

It is important to secure the item you plan to solder. Fire brick is a fire safe work surface designed especially for soldering. The size of the fire brick can vary, but in all cases the fire brick used should be large enough so that there is no danger of fire when using your soldering torch or iron.

Reflects Heat

Fire brick is often chosen as a work surface because the nature of fire brick is that it reflects, and therefore amplifies heat when soldering. Fire brick enables users to solder more quickly and efficiently because the fire brick allows you to concentrate heat where you want it.

Material

Fire bricks can be made of many materials. Traditionally, fire brick was made from clay. Today many manufacturers of fire brick use a combination of natural and synthetic materials to create a more efficient and economical tool for soldering.

References

• "The Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition"; Tim McCreight; 2005
• "Metalsmithing"; Robert Ebendorf, Michael Jerry, and Thomas Markusen; 1973
• "Form Emphasis for Metalsmiths"; Heikki Seppä; 1978
• "Jewelry Concepts and Technology"; Oppi Untracht; 1982
• "The Complete Book of Jewelry Making"; Carles Codina; 2006