In the soldering process, what material is primarily melted to join two surfaces?

In the soldering process, solder is the primary material used to join two surfaces. Solder is an alloy made typically of tin and lead, although there are also lead-free solders available that may contain other metals such as silver or copper. When solder is heated, it melts and flows into the joint between the two surfaces, creating a strong bond as it cools and solidifies.

The advantages of soldering include its ability to create a conductive connection in electronics and being a relatively low-temperature method of joining materials, which minimizes thermal damage to the components involved. Understanding the properties and applications of solder is essential for successful soldering techniques in various fields, particularly in electrical and plumbing work.