How to flare copper tubes

2025 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-24 13:10

Installation of copper pipelines can be done in several ways. One of the most common is the use of the method of soldering individual sections. This makes it possible to achieve tightness, but is not always practical due to the low maximum pressure in the system. For heating or water systems, it is best to use flared copper pipes.

Destination

The essence of this process is to change the geometry of the end part of the workpiece. This is necessary to connect different parts of the pipeline using the socket method, followed by pressing the junction. The device for expanding copper tubes has various parameters and directly depends on the diameter of the product, wall thickness and the required speed of the procedure.

To understand the essence of the process, you can consider the stages of its implementation.

1. Preparation of cuts: trimming, grinding the cutting edge.
2. Determining the magnification amountouter diameter in the connected part of the pipe.
3. With the help of a special tool, a mechanical effect on the end of the workpiece occurs, resulting in an increase in the inner diameter.
4. Installing another piece of pipe into the resulting socket. The connection is then secured by soldering or crimping with a power tool.

When installing pipelines, you can choose models with ready-made mounting sockets or perform the procedures for their formation yourself.

Factory made

If the length of the copper line is large and does not contain a large number of turning parts, you can purchase a product with factory flaring. For this, special shafts made of high-strength steel are used. After the pipe is made, its end part is crimped by two rollers. The rolling method increases the geometric dimensions of the product in a certain part of it.

The advantage of factory flaring is compliance with all pipe parameters: wall thickness, socket length and diameter. However, during installation, the dimensions of the finished structures often do not match the required ones. This leads to an increase in substandard scraps and, as a result, a significant increase in the cost of purchasing materials. Therefore, for laying small lines, it is recommended to use a copper pipe flaring tool.

Formation of the roller yourself

When laying the pipeline of an air conditioner, plumbing or heating system from copper pipesyou need to use a special tool. Before carrying out work, you should determine the diameter of the line. In this case, the flaring of copper pipes must be done by yourself.

For plumbing, products with a cross section of 20 to 32 mm are often used. If a heating system is installed, then the optimal diameter is from 32 to 40 mm, depending on the parameters of the boiler. For the installation of air conditioners, products up to 16 mm are used.

Based on this, do-it-yourself flaring of copper tubes can be carried out with several types of tools. The main criterion when choosing should be the quality of the resulting socket and the possibility of using interchangeable nozzles for pipes of different diameters.

Tool

The easiest way to change the geometric dimensions of the end is to use a conical cylinder made of hard material. Its outer diameter must match the maximum section of the future socket.

However, without much practice, defects may appear on the pipe walls. If the flaring of copper tubes is done with more mechanical force than necessary, then in the end the metal may crack. To prevent this, a limiter is welded to the end of the cone. But this is not always a guarantee of proper work.

An alternative to this method can be the use of a special tool - an expander. It is a conical head, on the surface of whichrestrictors for pipes of various diameters. By pressing the lever, the bell expands evenly to the required level.

For a large amount of work, there are devices with an electric drive. Processes in them occur automatically, which guarantees a quality product. The main downside is the price.

Method advantages

If you do the flaring of copper tubes yourself, it is recommended to purchase a special tool. The use of devices not designed for this purpose may result in a significant degradation of the connection.

The advantages of a professional rolling tool are as follows:

• Uniform wall thinning due to mechanical action.
• No breaks or deformations on the pipe surface.
• The speed of work will allow you to install the highway in a short time.

With a small amount of work, it is not necessary to buy a professional tool. Currently, there are many companies that provide rolling equipment rental service for a small fee.