What should be done during brazing in a healthcare facility to prevent the formation of scale?

Continuously purging with oil-free dry nitrogen during brazing is the correct approach to prevent the formation of scale. When brazing metals, especially in sensitive environments such as healthcare facilities, it is crucial to maintain a clean and controlled atmosphere. Oxygen in the air can react with the molten filler metal and the base metals, leading to oxidation and the formation of scale, which can compromise the integrity of the joint and contaminate the area.

By using oil-free dry nitrogen, which is an inert gas, you can displace the air around the brazing zone. This purging process helps to create an oxygen-free environment that minimizes the chances of oxidation and scale formation during the heating process. This is particularly important in healthcare settings where the cleanliness and reliability of piping systems directly impact patient safety and the functionality of medical equipment.

Other options do not address the need to prevent oxidation effectively. For instance, using water as a cooling agent could introduce moisture that may encourage corrosion or other unwanted reactions. Avoiding brazing altogether would not be practical in many scenarios where joining metals is necessary. Maintaining high temperatures alone does not prevent scale formation; in fact, it can exacerbate oxidation unless paired with an inert atmosphere. Hence, purging with dry nitrogen is clearly the best