QA

How To Braze Copper Tubing

What can I use to braze copper?

Do you need flux when brazing copper?

Remember that copper to copper brazing does not require a flux. Here are a few common combinations: Using Stay-Brite® Solder – Stay-Clean® Soldering Fluxes.

Which solder is best for joining copper tubing?

Buy lead-free solder that’s designed for copper water pipes; you’ll find it in the plumbing section of the store. Solder with lead is still available, but the lead can leach into your water supply, so don’t use it.

How do you braze a vertical copper tube pipe?

Can I braze copper with a propane torch?

Here is the answer to whether you can braze with a propane / air torch. You can but you have to control the environment so that the heat loss to the atmosphere and parts is lower than the heat being put into the braze joint. It is a standard braze alloy that melts over a range of 1250 – 1305 F.

Can I use MAPP gas to braze copper?

Use. Genuine MAPP gas can be used in combination with oxygen for heating, soldering, brazing and even welding because of its high flame temperature of 2925 °C (5300 °F) in oxygen.

What is the purpose of flux when soldering copper?

The main purpose of the flux is to prepare the metal surfaces for soldering by cleaning and removing any oxides and impurities. Oxides are formed when metal is exposed to air and may prevent the formation of good solder joints.

What type of flux is used for brazing?

White flux is useful for brazing copper, brass, steel, stainless steel, and nickel alloys. It has an active temperature range of 1050 -1600°F (565 – 870°C).

Is brazing better than soldering?

It can be distinguished from soldering by temperature: in brazing the filler metal melts above 840 °F (450 °C). Because of the higher temperatures a brazed joint is stronger than a soldered joint.

Which is the best method of joining copper tubing?

While copper tube is usually joined by soldering or brazing, there are times when a mechanical joint may be required or preferred. Flared fittings are an alternative when the use of an open flame is either not desired or impractical.

Can you solder copper tubing?

Soldering vertical copper pipe shouldn’t be too different from working horizontally. If the joint and tip are hot enough, the solder should flow right in. Heat the middle of the fitting and apply the solder as soon as it starts to melt. Remove the heat once the solder starts moving.

What are the typical gases used for brazing copper tubing?

For most brazing jobs using oxygen-acetylene gases, a carburizing or neutral flame should be used. The neutral flame has a well-defined inner cone See diagram. Avoid an oxidizing flame. Excess acetylene removes surface oxides from the copper.

Which is the best material to use on HVAC pipe brazing?

When brazing copper the best choice is always sil-phos. Only use silver braze on the brass and steel joints. This compound is very expensive so it is not commonly used when sil-phos can be used.

Can you braze with a small propane torch?

Can you braze with a small propane torch? You can use a propane torch to braze most metals you want to join. Propane torches are widely available in your local hardware stores, plumbing supply houses as well as at metalsmith and jewelry supply companies.

Can you use propane gas for brazing?

Oxy Propane Propane is the easiest fuel gas alternative to Acetylene to obtain and is normally supplied in cylinders on a Deposit basis, rather than rented (as is usually the case with Acetylene). Oxygen and Propane fuelled kits are however, ideal for Silver Solder, Brazing, Cutting and Heating.

Can you braze with a Bernzomatic torch?

It has a durable brass burn wand, independent fuel and oxygen controls and is pressure regulated for consistent performance when inverted, making it ideal for small brazing, welding and metal-cutting projects.

Can you solder copper with MAPP gas?

Use MAPP gas to speed up the job Lead-free solder melts at a higher temperature than the now-banned lead-based solder. MAPP gas torches burn hotter than propane, making them a better choice for modern solder.

What is the best gas for brazing?

While acetylene gas is always required as the fuel for gas welding, braze welding can be performed with the other fuel gases such as propane, natural gas, propylene, etc., as well as with acetylene.

What can you weld with MAPP gas?

However, MAPP torches provide a very hot flame, almost as hot as oxy-acetylene, and the gas can be used for industrial metal-cutting operations. MAPP should not be used for welding steel because the hydrogen in the gas mixture can result in brittle welds.

What flux is used for soldering copper?

135 is a rosin/petrolatum soldering flux paste ideal for use with copper. The petrolatum helps protect the solder joint against attack, and the rosin leaves a protective coating over the solder area after soldering. No. 135 is ideal for soldering electronic or electrical components.

How does flux work in soldering?

In soldering of metals, flux serves a threefold purpose: it removes any oxidized metal from the surfaces to be soldered, seals out air thus preventing further oxidation, and by facilitating amalgamation improves wetting characteristics of the liquid solder.

What is the purpose of flux in welding?

It is commonly used in metal joining and metallurgy. It is a material used to promote the fusion of metals and is employed in welding. The primary purpose of weld flux is to prevent oxidation of the base and filler materials during the welding process.

What is brazing flux made of?

Fluxes for silver brazing are typically composed of potassium salts or fluorides and borates in a water base. Several flux types are available to cover all possible base metals and/or conditions during brazing.

Can I use soldering flux to braze?

Silver Brazing / Soldering Flux Molten at 1000°F and active to a maximum of 1800°F. It exhibits a long active lift at brazing temperatures combined with excellent fluidity and promotes outstanding adherence.

Is brazing flux the same as soldering flux?

For instance, flux used in electrical soldering typically contains a rosin core while flux for brazing applications might use borax or other compounds. Soldering is typically used in electronic applications, primarily to make an electrical connection.