Pangolin Editions, one of The UK’s leading sculpture foundries, is using SIFMIG 968 brazing/welding wire from Weldability-SIF, the UK based welding consumable range to weld and surface colour bronze sculptures.

Pangolin Editions, based in Chalford, Gloucestershire, is one of the few foundries still practicing the traditional skills of lost wax block investment casting. The foundry also has a sand molding facility where very large sculptures can be moulded.

SIFMIG 968 is a copper wire containing 3% silicon and 1% manganese and is used for welding materials of similar composition, copper alloys as well as for MIG brazing of steels and dissimilar applications. The silicon and manganese content helps provide good flow properties and wear resistance. It has a melting point of 980 - 1020C and an Ultimate Tensile Strength of 350 N/mm2. This wire is available in 0.8mm, 1.0mm and 1.2mm diameters on both 4kg and 12.5kg spools.

Pangolin uses it for both welding and surfacing work on the bronze sculptures to help produce attractive coloration of the bronze. When the mould is broken open, the raw cast sculpture is revealed and the task of chasing and metalworking the sculpture can begin. After cracks have been filled with bronze, the runners and risers are removed and the holes are filled with welded metal and the texture is punched back where relevant.

In the world of art, welding is very often used to repair damaged bronze and other metal statues and castings including tubular components. Recent trends in artistic metalwork have also driven an increase in the use of welding and brazing process in the creation of new pieces.

In industry this wire is used for the manufacture and repair of motor vehicles, shipbuilding and offshore applications as well as the heating and ventilation industries. It can also be used on galvanised steels and produces a good colour match on copper alloys. Weldability-Sif recommends that Pulse MIG and pure argon is used when brazing with this wire.