5. brazing of pipes, 5-1. materials of brazing, 5-2. flux – Toshiba HWS-802XWHT6-E User Manual

Page 14: 5-3. brazing

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Toshiba

2-5. Brazing of pipes

2-5-1. Materials of brazing

Silver brazing metal

Silver brazing metal is an alloy mainly composed of
silver and copper.
It uses iron, copper, or copper alloy, and is relatively
expensive though it excels in soldering.

Phosphor bronze brazing metal

Phosphor bronze brazing metal is generally used to
join copper or copper alloy.

Low temperature brazing metal

Low temperature brazing metal is generally called
solder, and is an alloy of tin and lead. Do not use it for
refrigerant piping because its adhesive capacity is low.

NOTE

• Phosphor bronze brazing metal tends to react with

sulfur, producing a fragile compound water solution.
This may cause gas leakage. Therefore, use other
type of brazing metal at a hot spring resort or similar
place, and coat the surface with coatings.

• To braze the pipe again while performing service

work, use the same type of brazing metal.

2-5-2. Flux

Why flux is necessary

• Removing all the oxide film and any foreign matter

on the metal surface assists the flow of brazing
metal.

• Flux prevents the metal surface from being oxidized

in the course of brazing.

• Reducing the brazing metal's surface tension

enables the brazing metal to adhere for better metal
processing.

Characteristics of flux

• The activation temperature of flux matches the

brazing temperature.

• A wide effective temperature range makes flux hard

to carbonize.

• It is easy to remove slag after brazing.
• The corrosive action to the treated metal and brazing

metal is minimum.

• The good performance of flux gives no harm to a

human body.
Since flux works in a complicated manner as
described above, select an appropriate type of flux
according to metal treatment type, brazing metal and
brazing method, or other conditions.

Type of flux

• Non-corrosive flux

It is generally a compound of borax and boric acid.
It is effective when brazing temperature is higher
than 800 °C.

• Active solvent

Most of this type of flux is generally used for silver
brazing.
It features the increase of oxide film while moving the
capability to the borax-boric acid compound to add
compounds such as potassium fluoride, potassium
chloride, or sodium fluoride.

Piping materials for brazing and brazing
metal / flux

NOTE

• Do not enter flux into the refrigerant cycle.
• If chlorine contained in the flux remains within the

pipe, the lubricating oil deteriorates. Because of
this, use a flux that does not contain chlorine.

• When adding water to the flux, use water that does

not contains chlorine. (e.g. distilled water or ion-
exchange water)

• Remove the flux after brazing.

2-5-3. Brazing

Brazing must be performed by a person qualified and
experienced with theoretical knowledge since the
operation requires sophisticated techniques.
Perform brazing while flowing dry nitrogen gas (N2) to
prevent oxide film from forming during brazing
application to the inside of the pipe.

NOTE

• Never use gas other than nitrogen gas.

Brazing method to prevent oxidation

1) Attach a reducing valve and a flow meter to the

nitrogen cylinder.

2) Use a copper pipe to direct the piping material,

and attach the flow meter to the balance.

3) Apply a mark to the clearance between the

piping material and the copper pipe filled with
nitrogen to prevent the back flow of the
nitrogen gas.

4) If the nitrogen gas flows out, be sure to keep

open the piping end.

Piping material

Brazing metal to be

used

Flux to be used

Copper - Copper

Phosphor copper

Do not use

Copper - Iron

Silver

Paste flux

Iron - Iron

Silver

Vapour flux

+00A09-002_01EN_SVM_ALL_Air_to_Water.book Page 13 Monday, October 5, 2009 2:09 PM

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