Brazing of copper pipes

Objective
Successfully braze copper pipes in 7 seconds.

The objective of the application test is to braze copper pipes with induction to replace flame operation. The customer’s current time for brazing is about 40-45 seconds by flame.

Test 1

Equipment

UPT- W15/150 Power Supply
HS-15SP Heat Station
UBraze Handheld System
Custom coil

Materials
• Copper pipes supplied by customer
• Braze alloy – CuP7 – rod

Key Parameters
Power: 10 kW
Temperature: Approximately 1472° F (800° C)
Frequency: 110 kHz
Time: 7 sec

Test 2

Equipment

W15/150
HS-8
Custom coil

Materials
• Copper pipes supplied by customer
• Braze alloy – CuP7 – rod

Key Parameters
Power: 5 kW
Temperature: Approximately 1472° F (800° C)
Frequency: 68 kHz
Time: 22 sec

Process:
Test 1

  • A custom coil is made for the test.
  • The sample is held in position by press clamp.
  • Brazing alloy is applied.
  • Hand held UBraze gun is manually applied to the joint.

Test 2

  • A custom coil is made for the test.
  • The sample is held in position by press clamp.
  • Brazing alloy is applied.
  • Heat station and coil are held in position in reference of the joint.

Results/Benefits:

Test 1
Initial heating time is around 4.5sec. Because of manual alloy application overall brazing time appears to be 7 sec.
With precision tuning of the process, 5 – 6 sec. can be achieved.

Test 2
Initial heating time is around 13sec. Overall brazing time is 22sec.
Time can be reduced to 16 – 19sec

Conclusions:

  1. 15kW Is not applicable power for this process because of the sample size. Sample disintegrates in higher power levels.
  2. U-Braze system achieves best results for the process. This is the choice if the time is critical parameter.
  3. SM5/200 system achieves necessary quality of the joint in reasonable time.

Induction heating provides:

  • Strong durable joints
  • Selective and precise heat zone, resulting in less part distortion and joint stress
  • Less oxidation
  • Faster heating cycles
  • More consistent results and suitability for large volume production, without the need for batch processing
  • Technology without pollution, clean and safe

Pictures

Video

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