Pipes

Gas torch for soldering of copper pipes: see, specifics, application

September 4, 2020

When installing the pipeline, it is important to ensure reliable adhesion of system elements. Capillary soldering is the most common way to connect pipes. To perform the work requires a special tool - a pipe cutter, Bevel removers, expander, as well as a soldering iron for copper pipes. The functions of the latter can be performed by a special gas burner, sometimes a construction blow dryer or electric soldering iron.

Gas burners for soldering copper pipes are of different types

Review of the method of soldering and welding

Soldering is the production of an inseparable joint by inserting solder between parts. The solder has a lower melting point, than in the connecting parts and due to the capillary effect is evenly distributed on the surface of copper pipes regardless of their position. Increase the coefficient of adhesion and improve soldering allows the use of fluxes and cleaning surfaces, connecting. There are two methods of soldering copper pipes:

  1. Low temperature - used for household systems. The connection is made by brazing with a higher temperature 450 ° C, soft solder - less 400 ° C.
  2. High temperature - used for systems with heavy loads. The solder melts at temperature 600-900 ° C.

Soft solder is a wire with a diameter of 2 to 3 mm, made of lead, tin, alloys of them, sometimes with the addition of silver or other elements. Solder is made in the form of rods. The connection with its use is resistant to high temperatures and pressures.

Soft and hard solders are used to connect copper pipes

Self-fluxing copper-phosphorus solders are also common, containing silver. They have higher deformation characteristics, heat resistance (to 200 ° C), safety for the environment, improved fluidity and do not cause corrosion. The addition of phosphorus can reduce to 750 ° C melting point of copper, and almost equal coefficients of thermal expansion of copper and solder increase the strength of the connection.

Soldering equipment

Soldering is required:

  • pipe tool;
  • solder, which is used for soldering;
  • soldering iron (candle), melts the solder.

Preparatory work for soldering copper pipes is carried out before connection. The tools are selected based on the maximum diameter of the pipe used and the type of substance, which will be in it during operation.

A pipe cutter is used to cut the product perpendicular to the axis. You can remove burrs from the outer and inner edges to facilitate the insertion of pipes into each other with the help of chamfers. They come in a round body and in the form of a pencil. More convenient round tool, but it is more expensive and limited by the diameter of the pipe 0,36 cm.

Such a tool will be needed to install the copper pipeline, like a pipe cutter

The end of one pipe, in which the other end will be placed, must be expanded with a pipe expander to a depth, equal to its diameter.

Importantly! Pipe, which is expanded, повинна бути м’яка або відпалений.

Preparation of the inner surface of copper pipes is made with special sponges or brushes. The outer side is treated with brushes. The surface is heated over the entire joint area by a copper pipe soldering torch. A reflector is installed on its nozzle to prevent heat loss and protect adjacent combustible materials.

Types of gas burners

Gas burners for soldering copper pipes are equipment, consisting of:

  • nodes for mounting a gas cylinder;
  • injectors;
  • instrument head;
  • device for regulating the gas supply;
  • reducer.

Different models of burners for soldering copper pipes can be equipped with auxiliary parts - adapters, tips, etc.. D. According to the criteria of the combustible mixture used, this equipment is divided into:

  • propane burners for soldering copper pipes;
  • tool, which uses MAPP gas.

According to technical capabilities are distinguished: household gas burners (flame temperature from 1000 to 1500 ° C) and industrial (flame temperature from 1500 to 2000 ° C).

Gas burners differ in the type of fuel consumed and purpose

You can also select acetylene-oxygen burners; with a disposable cylinder or on a stationary basis. This equipment allows to provide highly reliable connection of highways and components of various systems by hard and soft solder..

Propane burner is universal and special purpose. It is usually equipped with a piezoelectric ignition function, mode of saving gas and its supply. Burner for soldering copper pipes using MAPP gas is more efficient, than propane due to high combustion energy. Despite the rather high combustion temperature, flame soft and non-flammable pipe material.

Soldering of edge and corner places is carried out by a gas soldering iron for copper pipes.

Burners with disposable and stationary cylinder

The most compact equipment for soldering copper pipes is a gas burner with a disposable cylinder. Acetylene can be used for fuel, propane or other gas mixtures. There is a valve on the burner handle, regulating fuel supply. Advantages of using such a device for soldering copper products:

  1. Simplicity: no need for a power source, the equipment is easy to operate.
  2. Versatility: five different nozzles fit on one handle.
  3. Mobility: it is possible to adjust the flame power, connection provisions, heating rate.
  4. Security: the tool is equipped with non-return valves, which, if necessary, block the gas supply.
  5. A high quality: the joints will be strong and durable, if you meet the conditions of gas burner welding technology.

Gas burners with a stationary cylinder allow you to get a high quality connection. Their flame can melt almost all metals, used in industry.

The burner with a disposable cylinder is a convenient and easy-to-handle equipment

Importantly! The diameter of the connection is twice lower, if soldering copper pipes by brazing. Acetylene-oxygen burners can be selected for this technology.

Features of the choice of gas burners

The choice of gas equipment for soldering copper pipes is quite large. There are many manufacturers on the market, example, Rems, Rothenberger et al. The price range is wide and depends on the model.

The functions of the burner involve not only soldering, but also metal cutting, thawing, processing at high temperatures, heating. Propane burner is convenient when working in the wind.

The tool is chosen according to the following characteristics:

  • burner type: injector, bezinzhektornie;
  • power: the bigger it is, the more efficient the work with thick-walled pipes;
  • type of gas: example, propane, acetylene. Some burners are multifunctional and can be used with other gas. It is recommended to buy a tool, which runs on one type of fuel. Propane burner is used mainly in industry.
  • appointment: if the burner is held for soldering, then it is not very suitable for cutting;
  • material of products, to be processed.

Soldering copper pipes requires compliance with safety rules: wear protective gloves, which will save your hands from burns; carry out work in a ventilated room with good ventilation; make sure before connecting the connection, that it has cooled.

The choice of burner primarily depends on the purpose, facing the master

Some rules of soldering

Surface cleanliness is an important condition for reliable soldering. It is forbidden to use abrasive materials for cleaning. Oil should not get on the surface, dirt, lubrication, etc.. D., Because it will prevent wetting, if solder enters the joint. After inserting one pipe into another there should be a gap in 25-125 μm between the outer and inner walls.

To prevent air from entering the seam, removal of oxides, increase the fluidity of the solder, Fluxes or pastes are used to improve adhesion. They are high temperature (over 450 ° C) and low temperature (to 450 ° C). The flux for soldering copper pipes is applied with a brush in a uniform thin layer.

The pipes are heated along the entire length and circumference of the connection, distributing heat evenly. The flame of the burner should be slightly reduced, as overheating enhances the interaction of the solder with the metal, and this has a negative effect on the service life of the connection. Simultaneous introduction of solder and flame in the soldering zone will lead to uneven heating. Heated solder enters the joint under the action of capillary forces.

Importantly! After the soldering process, the flux residues should be removed to prevent leakage and corrosion of the metal.

Gradual soldering of pipe joints

In soft soldering, the process is as follows:

  • going processed and expanded under the bell joint;
  • a flux is applied to the inner zone of the bell and the outer surface of the copper pipe and the pipe assembly is assembled;
  • equipment for soldering copper pipes is heated to 300-400 ° C joint. The heating temperature is controlled by the color of the flux: only it will begin to darken - it is necessary to take solder.
  • untwisting the wire solder, its end is introduced into the soldering zone. In contact with a heated pipe, it melts, slides on the flux to the seam, fills the space between the bell and the pipe. In the process of soldering the pipe is returned.

During the soldering process, an influx of heated solder mass may form at the seam.

Each soldering method has its own rules and features

At high-temperature soldering of copper pipes, using brazing, the process differs at the stage of its melting:

  • the joint assembly is assembled and processed by flux;
  • using the necessary equipment, the structure is heated and placed on a heat-resistant surface;
  • solder is introduced at the junction of the bell and the pipe, which is heated by a gas burner;
  • the pipe turns slightly and solder, softened by the burner, is wound on the next part of the joint to obtain a ring seam.

The tightness and quality of soldering of copper parts depends on the physical characteristics of the connection and the soldering process. Joining pipes with gas burners can be done independently; high-strength connections are made with special equipment.