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Grocery refrigeration

As a general rule, we have always used 15% silver solder for rack installations and all associated piping.…

Discussion · Sep 16, 2026

As a general rule, we have always used 15% silver solder for rack installations and all associated piping. Because of the significant increase in price of silver solder, I'm considering using Harris Dynaflow 6% silver. My thought is to use 15% for all connections onto the rack (closer to vibration source), and 6% for all pipe runs into the store. Wondering how this might affect joint integrity, vibration resistance, and long-term performance. We mostly work on Hussmann and Hill Phoenix racks (mix of medium and low temp systems).

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Reply · Oct 30, 2026

Your split is a sound way to think about it. Keep the 15% alloy at the rack, headers, and any joint close to a compressor or other vibration source — the extra silver gives you more ductility and a more forgiving joint where movement and temperature cycling are highest. The 6% alloy can hold up well on straight copper-to-copper runs in the store, but it is less forgiving, so fit-up, cleaning, and heat control matter more: keep the gap tight, do not overheat it, and keep nitrogen flowing while you braze. Check the job specification first, since some jobs require the higher-silver alloy throughout.