Heat Resistant joining material
Im not really sure how to join some pieces of copper pipe together because I fear the joining material may melt when the project is tested. Without revealing anything, the project will involve heating a section of copper pipe to rather high temperatures (350C+) and I think that solder & epoxy will both fail under those kind of temperatures. What other options do I have? Unfortunately I don't have a welder, but I have a powerful blowtorch on hand.
As a small side question, how much will this kind of heat affect the safe working pressure of the pipe?
thanks
As a small side question, how much will this kind of heat affect the safe working pressure of the pipe?
thanks
- Technician1002
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The problem with heating the copper with a blow torch is the excess air drawn through the flame. This oxidises the copper and makes porous leaky filler. The industry standard for refrigeration work is silver brazing solder with an oxy torch with the oxygen set neutral to low (carborizing flame) with a small feather inside the flame envelope. The area inside the feather is oxygen deficient and provides shielding gas to protect the joint from oxidisation. It will actually remove the oxide from the pipe. When silver brazing you can see the pipe start to glow then the oxide burn off leaving shiny copper ready for a good braze job without using flux. Since you need temperature resistance to 350 C and the silver brazing is done at about 600C, you should be OK.
I would highly recommend finding someone with the proper torch. Trying to use air will result in oxidised copper that the filler will not stick to, but roll off instead.
Don't use the low temperature plumbing solder or silver bearing solder. Use the high temp silver brazing solder.
I would highly recommend finding someone with the proper torch. Trying to use air will result in oxidised copper that the filler will not stick to, but roll off instead.
Reference http://www.welding-technology ... razing.htmA typical alloy contains 45% Ag, 15% Cu., 16% Zn and 24% Cd and it has melting point and flow point 607°C and 618°C respectively.
Don't use the low temperature plumbing solder or silver bearing solder. Use the high temp silver brazing solder.
I would make the "tank" or whatever this is for out of threaded steel fittings. Unless that in impractical....which I don't see why it would be....
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- mattyzip77
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What in gods name are you doing that it is going to be that hot?? How long of a period will it be that hot??? a second, a few seconds????
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- Lockednloaded
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It's probably a steam cannon, in which case copper would be a better option then thick steel or iron. Keep in mind solder melts at a higher temperature the second time, so you may be ok
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- Technician1002
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Higher pressure steam boilers run at higher temperatures. Boiling point is dependent on pressure. Model steam enthusiasts build copper boilers so they don't rust out. Water at 350C would be at about 100 Bar pressure.
Last edited by Technician1002 on Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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JB weld or devcon plastic steelAlster370 wrote:Im not really sure how to join some pieces of copper pipe together because I fear the joining material may melt when the project is tested. Without revealing anything, the project will involve heating a section of copper pipe to rather high temperatures (350C+) and I think that solder & epoxy will both fail under those kind of temperatures. What other options do I have? Unfortunately I don't have a welder, but I have a powerful blowtorch on hand.
As a small side question, how much will this kind of heat affect the safe working pressure of the pipe?
thanks
Copper melts at about 1,000C, so the usual safety factor in a pressure rating may not be enough, if the pipe is going to reach that temperature.
I suggest getting this done properly by a professional if you're going to be pushing the safety factor.
I suggest getting this done properly by a professional if you're going to be pushing the safety factor.
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Some reading for ya. (BIG file...have patience...save a copy for reference)
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=we ... wB3yLmPGBQ
None of the ratings go to 350C , but should give some useful information.
Tube ratings at temp on ~pg 26.
Joint ratings at temp on pg 28.
Be aware that brazing temps will anneal the copper (assuming it's drawn)...lowering the rating of the tube.
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=we ... wB3yLmPGBQ
None of the ratings go to 350C , but should give some useful information.
Tube ratings at temp on ~pg 26.
Joint ratings at temp on pg 28.
Be aware that brazing temps will anneal the copper (assuming it's drawn)...lowering the rating of the tube.
"It could be that the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others" – unknown
Liberalism is a mental disorder, reality is it's cure.
Liberalism is a mental disorder, reality is it's cure.
I thought this might be a problem. Thankfully I know where I can get some work done with a proper torch.The problem with heating the copper with a blow torch is the excess air drawn through the flame. This oxidises the copper and makes porous leaky filler. The industry standard for refrigeration work is silver brazing solder with an oxy torch with the oxygen set neutral to low (carborizing flame) with a small feather inside the flame envelope. The area inside the feather is oxygen deficient and provides shielding gas to protect the joint from oxidisation. It will actually remove the oxide from the pipe. When silver brazing you can see the pipe start to glow then the oxide burn off leaving shiny copper ready for a good braze job without using flux. Since you need temperature resistance to 350 C and the silver brazing is done at about 600C, you should be OK.
I would highly recommend finding someone with the proper torch. Trying to use air will result in oxidised copper that the filler will not stick to, but roll off instead.
Miniature steam cannon, just as a side project until I have finished my planning for my upcoming coaxial. Probably not too long, im hoping high temperature will boil the water fairly quickly. It will be small because I want a relatively short firing time and the only way to do that easily is with a small chamber. Steam takes up ~1700 times more volume than water, so even a small chamber of 20ml can produce half decent pressures.What in gods name are you doing that it is going to be that hot?? How long of a period will it be that hot??? a second, a few seconds????
This particular setup will have a burst disk, mainly to make sure the pressure doesn't build up too high, But also to maximize the performance.Water at 350C would be at about 100 Bar pressure.
So ideally I need my copper to be type K (446psi rating at 400f W 1/2D)Be aware that brazing temps will anneal the copper (assuming it's drawn)...lowering the rating of the tube.
I wasn't planning on huge pressures anyway, 100psi would be fine.