Soldering is a process in which elements are joined together. This technique is also used in jewellery production to create fine and filigree pieces of jewellery. Soldering has been known for over 7000 years and was already used in antiquity for the production of jewellery and cult objects as a joining technique. The best known soldering technique is fusion soldering, in which a solder provides the connection between the materials. The solder is a metal alloy that can be easily converted into a liquid state by adding temperature. Solders are composed of different metals depending on the intended use; lead, tin, silver, zinc and copper are usually used. The melting point of the solder is always lower than that of the workpiece. This circumstance also distinguishes soldering from welding, in which the melting temperature of the material is exceeded for the desired connection. During soldering, the solder and the materials to be joined form an alloy, creating an intermetallic bond for the material-locking joining of materials. Intermetallic connections are characterised by an atomic and molecular connection between the materials, are particularly strong and can only be released by destroying the material.
