Description
Harris Solder-Safe™ 95/5 Lead-Free Tin-Antimony Solder – 1 lb Spool
Harris Solder-Safe™ 95/5 lead-free solder, part number 331760, is a tin-antimony solid-wire solder designed for lead-free plumbing and other applications requiring strong, highly fluid solder in properly fitted joints. Its 95% tin / 5% antimony composition provides a narrow melting range and rapid flow, making it especially well suited for small-diameter copper connections with close, uniform joint clearances.
Unlike wider-range solders designed to bridge irregular gaps, Solder-Safe™ 95/5 transitions rapidly from solid to liquid. This allows efficient capillary flow through a correctly cleaned, fluxed, and fitted connection, but also means joint fit-up is especially important. Harris does not recommend 95/5 for brass or HVAC connections.
Product Highlights
- Lead-free 95% tin / 5% antimony solder
- 0.118 in. solid wire supplied on a 1 lb spool
- Narrow melting range for fast, highly fluid solder flow
- Excellent for small-diameter, tight-fitting copper connections
- Approximately 5,500 psi tensile strength
- Useful where moderately elevated service temperature is a consideration
- Higher melting temperature than traditional tin-lead plumbing solders
- ASTM B32 Alloy Grade Sb5
- NSF/ANSI 372 lead-content compliant
- Harris literature identifies 95/5 for NSF/ANSI 61 drinking-water applications
- Not recommended by Harris for brass or HVAC connections
- Harris manufacturer part number 331760
Technical Specifications
Alloy Composition
Best Applications for 95/5
Tight-Fitting Copper Joints
- Small-diameter copper tubing
- Close-fitting tube and fitting connections
- Properly prepared capillary joints
- Connections with uniform joint clearance
- Lead-free plumbing installations
Elevated-Temperature Service
- Applications where moderately elevated temperature is a consideration
- Connections benefiting from the higher melting temperature of tin-antimony solder
- General lead-free soldering where 95/5 chemistry is appropriate
- Applications requiring rapid solder flow
Narrow Melting Range & Flow Characteristics
One of the defining characteristics of Harris 95/5 is its exceptionally narrow melting range. The alloy begins melting at approximately 452°F (233°C) and becomes fully liquid at approximately 464°F (240°C).
Because only about 12°F separates the solidus and liquidus temperatures, 95/5 changes rapidly from solid to highly fluid. This makes it excellent for capillary flow through a close-fitting connection, but gives the installer less ability to bridge or build material across a wide or irregular gap.
Joint Fit-Up Matters
Harris recommends 95/5 primarily for tight-fitting connections. Proper tube and fitting dimensions, surface preparation, flux application, and even heating are important because the alloy becomes highly fluid once its liquidus temperature is reached.
For joints with loose, irregular, or non-concentric clearances, a wider-range Harris solder such as Bridgit® may provide better gap-filling characteristics. Product selection should always be based on the base metals, joint geometry, service conditions, and applicable plumbing requirements.
Recommended Flux
Solder-Safe™ 95/5 solid wire requires an appropriate external soldering flux. Harris literature recommends Stay-Clean® Paste Flux or Stay-Clean® Liquid Flux for tin-antimony solders in suitable applications.
Clean the tube and fitting surfaces before applying flux. Use only the amount of flux required for proper wetting and follow the flux manufacturer's instructions for application, heating, cleanup, and suitability for the specific piping system.
Where 95/5 Is Not the Best Choice
Wide or Irregular Gaps
- Not designed primarily as a gap-filling solder
- Narrow melting range produces rapid liquid flow
- Loose or non-concentric joints may be better served by Bridgit®
- Proper joint fit-up is especially important
Brass & HVAC Applications
- Harris does not recommend 95/5 for brass connections
- Harris does not recommend 95/5 for HVAC connections
- Select a Harris alloy specifically suited to the base metal and service
- Verify application requirements before installation
Why Choose Harris Solder-Safe™ 95/5?
Solder-Safe™ 95/5 is a traditional lead-free tin-antimony alloy with a long history in plumbing and general soldering work. Its higher melting temperature, good mechanical strength, and highly fluid behavior make it particularly effective where components have proper fit-up and the installer wants rapid capillary flow.
The alloy is especially useful when the application calls specifically for 95/5 tin-antimony chemistry rather than the wider working ranges offered by Sterling®, Bridgit®, or other Harris lead-free solders.
95/5 vs. Other Harris Lead-Free Solders
Solder-Safe™ 95/5
- 95% tin / 5% antimony
- 452°F solidus / 464°F liquidus
- Very narrow melting range
- Highly fluid when molten
- Best for close-fitting connections
- ASTM B32 Grade Sb5
Bridgit® / Sterling®
- Alternative Harris lead-free plumbing formulations
- Broader working ranges
- Bridgit® offers especially strong gap-filling characteristics
- Sterling® contains no antimony or nickel
- May be preferable where joint or application requirements differ from 95/5
Compliance & Standards
Product Resources
Review current Harris manufacturer information, soldering instructions, flux recommendations, base-metal compatibility, and safety documentation before final product selection or use.
Need Help Selecting Lead-Free Plumbing Solder?
Our GetPipe.com team can help compare Harris 95/5 with Bridgit®, Sterling®, 97/3, Stay-Brite®, and other Harris solders, review joint fit-up and base-metal requirements, select the proper flux, and help with torches and related plumbing supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harris Solder-Safe™ 95/5 made from?
Harris 95/5 is a lead-free tin-antimony solder containing approximately 95% tin and 5% antimony.
What is Harris part number 331760?
Part number 331760 is Harris Solder-Safe™ 95/5 solid solder wire, 0.118 in. diameter, supplied on a 1 lb spool.
What temperature does Harris 95/5 solder melt at?
Harris lists a solidus temperature of approximately 452°F (233°C) and a liquidus temperature of approximately 464°F (240°C).
Why does 95/5 solder work best in tight-fitting joints?
95/5 has a very narrow melting range and becomes highly fluid once molten. This promotes fast capillary flow through properly fitted joints but provides less ability to bridge wide or irregular clearances.
Is 95/5 solder good for filling large gaps?
No. Harris recommends 95/5 primarily for small-diameter, tight-fitting connections. A wider-range solder such as Harris Bridgit® may be more appropriate when significant gap filling is required.
Does Harris 95/5 solder require flux?
Yes. Part number 331760 is solid wire without an internal flux core and requires an appropriate external soldering flux. Harris recommends Stay-Clean® Paste or Stay-Clean® Liquid Flux for tin-antimony soldering in suitable applications.
Is Harris 95/5 lead free?
Yes. Harris 95/5 is a lead-free tin-antimony alloy and is listed to NSF/ANSI 372 lead-content requirements.
Can Harris 95/5 be used for potable-water plumbing?
Harris literature identifies its 95/5 solder as certified to NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI 372 for drinking-water systems. Always verify that the complete installation, including flux and components, meets applicable plumbing codes.
What ASTM classification does Harris 95/5 meet?
Harris Solder-Safe™ 95/5 meets ASTM B32 Alloy Grade Sb5.
How strong is Harris 95/5 solder?
Harris lists approximately 5,500 psi tensile strength for its 95/5 lead-free solder.
Is Harris 95/5 recommended for brass?
No. Harris specifically states that its 95/5 tin-antimony solder is not recommended for brass connections.
Is Harris 95/5 recommended for HVAC connections?
No. Harris specifically states that 95/5 is not recommended for HVAC connections. Use an appropriate Harris solder or brazing alloy designed for the HVAC application and base metals involved.
What is the difference between Harris 95/5 and Bridgit®?
95/5 is a 95% tin / 5% antimony solder with a very narrow melting range and high fluidity, making it best suited to close-fitting joints. Bridgit® has a much wider working range and is designed to provide greater gap-filling capability on large, irregular, or non-concentric plumbing connections.
Important Soldering & Safety Notes
- Confirm that 95/5 is appropriate for the base metals and service conditions before use.
- Harris does not recommend this alloy for brass or HVAC connections.
- Clean and deburr copper tubing before assembling the joint.
- Remove oxidation and contamination from both tube and fitting surfaces.
- Use an appropriate soldering flux; solid-wire 331760 is not self-fluxing.
- Assemble a close-fitting joint suitable for the highly fluid 95/5 alloy.
- Heat the tubing and fitting uniformly rather than applying excessive direct flame to the solder.
- Allow heat from the properly prepared joint to melt and draw solder into the connection.
- Avoid overheating the solder, fitting, or flux.
- Remove flux residue as recommended by the flux manufacturer.
- Verify applicable plumbing codes and potable-water requirements before installation.
- Soldering fumes and heated flux can be hazardous; provide adequate ventilation.
- Wear appropriate eye, hand, and body protection during soldering operations.
- Keep combustible materials away from the work area and follow applicable hot-work procedures.
- Review current Harris technical and safety documentation before use.
