What is a common degreasing step in brazing preparation?

• A. Sandblasting
• B. Alkaline degreasing
• C. Solvent cleaning
• D. Electroplating

Answer: (C)

Removing oils and greases from metal surfaces is essential so flux can wet the area and the filler metal can flow properly without contaminants blocking the joint.

Solvent cleaning uses organic solvents to dissolve oils, greases, and fingerprints, then leaves the surface ready for flux. It’s fast, effective on metal parts, and the solvents evaporate quickly, leaving minimal residue that could interfere with brazing. After this step, parts are dried and then fluxed for brazing.

Other methods exist: sandblasting is a mechanical cleaning step that roughens the surface and can introduce particles, not a degreasing method; alkaline degreasing is another valid approach but is not as universally favored in quick brazing prep as solvent cleaning; electroplating is unrelated to degreasing.