What is a common misconception about the appearance of a properly brazed joint?

A common misconception about the appearance of a properly brazed joint is that the joint should have visible filler metal. In reality, a properly executed brazed joint usually appears as a smooth, clean interface between the two base metals with the filler metal discreetly filling the gap rather than being obviously visible.

The goal of brazing is to allow the filler metal to flow into the joint by capillary action, and when done correctly, it should effectively bond the base materials while often making the filler metal less noticeable if it has been properly "drawn" into the joint. If the filler metal is overly visible, it can indicate that the joint was not properly made, potentially due to incorrect heat application or insufficient cleanliness of the surfaces being joined.

Understanding this concept is crucial for achieving strong, reliable joints in brazing applications.