Installation of copper pipelines can be done in several ways. One of the most common is the application of the method of soldering individual sections. This makes it possible to achieve tightness, but not always practical because of the low maximum pressure in the system. For heating or water supply systems, it is best to use flaring of copper tubes.
Appointment
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 by the bell method, followed by pressing the joint. 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.
- Preparation of segments: trimming, grinding the edge of the cut.
- Determining the magnitude of the increase in the outer diameter in the connected part of the pipe.
- Using a special tool, a mechanical effect on the end face of the workpiece occurs, resulting in an increase in the inner diameter.
- Installation in the resulting bell of another pipe segment. Then the connection is fixed by soldering or crimping with a mechanical tool.
When installing pipelines, you can choose models with ready-made mounting sockets or perform the procedures for their formation yourself.
Factory manufacturing
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 expansion. For this, special shafts made of high strength steel are used. After manufacturing the pipe, its end part is crimped by two rollers. The method of rolling 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, often the dimensions of the finished structures 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 procurement of materials. Therefore, for laying small highways, it is recommended to use a tool for flaring copper pipes.
Roll formation on your own
When laying the piping of an air conditioner, plumbing or heating system from copper pipes, a special tool must be used. Before carrying out work, you should determine the diameter of the line. In this case, the expansion of copper tubes must be done independently.
For water supply, products with a cross section of 20 to 32 mm are often used. If the heating system is installed, then the optimum 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 by several types of tools. The main criterion for choosing should be the quality of the resulting bell and the possibility of using interchangeable nozzles for pipes of different diameters.
Tool
The easiest way to change the geometric dimensions of the end - the use of a conical cylinder of solid material. Its outer diameter should coincide with the maximum cross section of the future bell.
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 can crack. To prevent this, a stop is welded to the end of the cone. But this is not always a guarantee of the correct 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 which stoppers for pipes of various diameters are located step by step. By pressing the lever the bell evenly expands to the required level.
For a large amount of work, there are electric devices. The processes in them occur automatically, which guarantees a quality product. The main disadvantage is the price.
Method Advantages
If you do the flaring of copper tubes yourself, it is recommended to purchase a special tool. Use of inappropriate devices may result in significant deterioration of the connection.
The advantages of a professional milling tool are as follows:
- Uniform thinning of the walls as a result of mechanical stress.
- No breaks or deformation 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 rental services for rolling equipment for a small fee.