1. 1 REFRIGERATION FUNDAMENTALS HVAC/R

2. 2 SOLDERING & BRAZING When and why; –When an A/C or refrigeration system is entered, it must be properly sealed –Although flared fittings are widely used, most components are joined by soldering and brazing When and why; –When an A/C or refrigeration system is entered, it must be properly sealed –Although flared fittings are widely used, most components are joined by soldering and brazing

3. 3 SOLDERING & BRAZING Difference between soldering and brazing –Soldering is accomplished with temps under 800°F –Brazing is accomplished with temps over 800°F; usually 1,000°F to 1,500°F Difference between soldering and brazing –Soldering is accomplished with temps under 800°F –Brazing is accomplished with temps over 800°F; usually 1,000°F to 1,500°F

4. 4 SOLDERING & BRAZING SOLDERING –Soldering is an adhesion process –Solder flows into tubing pores –Joining takes place when solder hardens –Solder has low tinsel strength –It is not recommended for A/C or refrigeration systems due to the high temps and high pressures SOLDERING –Soldering is an adhesion process –Solder flows into tubing pores –Joining takes place when solder hardens –Solder has low tinsel strength –It is not recommended for A/C or refrigeration systems due to the high temps and high pressures

5. 5 SOLDERING & BRAZING SOLDERING –Soldering is an adhesion process –Solder flows into tubing pores –Joining takes place when solder hardens –Solder has low tinsel strength –It is not recommended for A/C or refrigeration systems due to the high temps and high pressures SOLDERING –Soldering is an adhesion process –Solder flows into tubing pores –Joining takes place when solder hardens –Solder has low tinsel strength –It is not recommended for A/C or refrigeration systems due to the high temps and high pressures

6. 6 SOLDERING & BRAZING Newer solder gives tinsel strength of braze and lower melting point of solder –Known as silver bearing solder –StayBright 6 and StayBright 8 –Both contain silver Newer solder gives tinsel strength of braze and lower melting point of solder –Known as silver bearing solder –StayBright 6 and StayBright 8 –Both contain silver

7. 7 SOLDERING & BRAZING When soldering, flux must be used –Most common is Solderine Proper cleaning, fluxing, assembly support, and heating is necessary 1) Clean all surfaces to be soldered 2) use clean flux on all ends 3) Do not overheat 4) Have parts properly supported When soldering, flux must be used –Most common is Solderine Proper cleaning, fluxing, assembly support, and heating is necessary 1) Clean all surfaces to be soldered 2) use clean flux on all ends 3) Do not overheat 4) Have parts properly supported

8. 8 SOLDERING & BRAZING The solder has a lower melting point than the copper being joined Solder should be distributed evenly around and in the joint Heat the joint evenly, tube and fitting As flux clears, apply heat directly to the joint The solder has a lower melting point than the copper being joined Solder should be distributed evenly around and in the joint Heat the joint evenly, tube and fitting As flux clears, apply heat directly to the joint

9. 9 SOLDERING & BRAZING Capillary action will take place, leaving a proper fillet or cap No globs or drips should be present Clean joint with a cloth Capillary action will take place, leaving a proper fillet or cap No globs or drips should be present Clean joint with a cloth

10. 10 SOLDERING & BRAZING BRAZING –Brazing is a common practice in HVAC/R –On large applications, oxy-acetylene is used –Most day to day operations can be done with a plumbers torch and acetylene –Brazing is a welding practice BRAZING –Brazing is a common practice in HVAC/R –On large applications, oxy-acetylene is used –Most day to day operations can be done with a plumbers torch and acetylene –Brazing is a welding practice

11. 11 SOLDERING & BRAZING Unlike soldering, brazing can be done to join 2 dissimilar metals Many different alloys or filler metals are available for HVAC/R work –Most common: 5% Silver 15% Silver 45% Silver Unlike soldering, brazing can be done to join 2 dissimilar metals Many different alloys or filler metals are available for HVAC/R work –Most common: 5% Silver 15% Silver 45% Silver

12. 12 SOLDERING & BRAZING The greater the silver content, the greater the tinsel strength –5% and 15% are sold by the pound –45% is sold by the troy ounce Flux –When brazing, silver flux must be used –It cleans the metal and acts as a temperature indicator –It assists in alloy flow and prevents oxidation The greater the silver content, the greater the tinsel strength –5% and 15% are sold by the pound –45% is sold by the troy ounce Flux –When brazing, silver flux must be used –It cleans the metal and acts as a temperature indicator –It assists in alloy flow and prevents oxidation

13. 13 SOLDERING & BRAZING Heat both Fitting and Tube –Flux will turn powdery white and suddenly clear –Clearing is an indication of about 1,100°F Apply alloy (braze), very little is needed –Capillary action will take place –Alloy (braze) will flow around 1,100°F to 1,250°F As flow starts, remove alloy and flame Heat both Fitting and Tube –Flux will turn powdery white and suddenly clear –Clearing is an indication of about 1,100°F Apply alloy (braze), very little is needed –Capillary action will take place –Alloy (braze) will flow around 1,100°F to 1,250°F As flow starts, remove alloy and flame

14. 14 SOLDERING & BRAZING Cool the joint and clean to remove excess flux Excess flux could hide a pinhole leak Cool the joint and clean to remove excess flux Excess flux could hide a pinhole leak

15. 15 SOLDERING & BRAZING Heating of the joint for soldering and brazing –If heating at the compressor –Do the joint closest to the compressor first, using a wet rag as a heat shield, you could also use heat absorbing paste Whether soldering or brazing, avoid overheating; glowing red produces scale Heating of the joint for soldering and brazing –If heating at the compressor –Do the joint closest to the compressor first, using a wet rag as a heat shield, you could also use heat absorbing paste Whether soldering or brazing, avoid overheating; glowing red produces scale

16. 16 SOLDERING & BRAZING EQUIPMENT –Oxy-acetylene Extremely hot; may also be used for cutting Not for residential or Roof Top use Intended for work shop and construction site use EQUIPMENT –Oxy-acetylene Extremely hot; may also be used for cutting Not for residential or Roof Top use Intended for work shop and construction site use

17. 17 SOLDERING & BRAZING Tanks: –“B” tank or “MC” tank sizes –Can be an unguided missile if not properly secured, the tank is under 250 psi –Impact as little as 15 psi can cause valve to rupture –Tank is cork lined –The valve is opened only ½ turn with a tank wrench Tanks: –“B” tank or “MC” tank sizes –Can be an unguided missile if not properly secured, the tank is under 250 psi –Impact as little as 15 psi can cause valve to rupture –Tank is cork lined –The valve is opened only ½ turn with a tank wrench

18. 18 SOLDERING & BRAZING Safety –Always secure the tank –Leak test each time the tank is first opened or changed, using only a bubble solution –Store and use in upright position only Acetylene is heavier than air; can puddle on floor, removing oxygen from the room, resulting in an explosion hazard Safety –Always secure the tank –Leak test each time the tank is first opened or changed, using only a bubble solution –Store and use in upright position only Acetylene is heavier than air; can puddle on floor, removing oxygen from the room, resulting in an explosion hazard

19. 19 SOLDERING & BRAZING Regulators –2 types Adjustable and non-adjustable –Adjustable Flame is adjusted with the regulator, not the torch handle –Non-Adjustable Flame must be adjusted with the torch handle, handle is not made for fine tuning Regulators –2 types Adjustable and non-adjustable –Adjustable Flame is adjusted with the regulator, not the torch handle –Non-Adjustable Flame must be adjusted with the torch handle, handle is not made for fine tuning

20. 20 SOLDERING & BRAZING Hose, Handle, and Tip –Should be leak checked when checking the regulator –Tips are interchangeable –New tips are called swirl tips, the give off a hotter flame for brazing larger tubing –Blue tip of flame is the hottest Hose, Handle, and Tip –Should be leak checked when checking the regulator –Tips are interchangeable –New tips are called swirl tips, the give off a hotter flame for brazing larger tubing –Blue tip of flame is the hottest

21. 21 SOLDERING & BRAZING General Safety –Never use pliers on any part of torch setup –After use: Shut tank off at valve Bleed hose Coil hose –Light torch only using striker –Wear safety glasses at all times –Adjust flame for different sized tubing General Safety –Never use pliers on any part of torch setup –After use: Shut tank off at valve Bleed hose Coil hose –Light torch only using striker –Wear safety glasses at all times –Adjust flame for different sized tubing