connecting copper tube with corrugated stainless

hot_rod

Corrugated stainless is commonly used in solar thermal piping. Common connections flatten the end for a gasket joint, or flare it.

Both can be tough connections to seal glycols.

I've found with a 3/4" CTS expander tool you can slide the copper tube into the CSST.

I've tried a few brazing methods with a typical Mapp gas turbo torch tip. Plain brass rod, with flux added also works.

Now you can soft solder the copper tube, pressfittings, compression, etc. into the collector or other piping connections

warno

Where I work we make copper to stainless or copper to black pipe connections pretty regularly. I personally don't work in that department by they use an acid based flux with 50% silver solder. After clean up, the joints look beautiful and we test at pressures up to 350 PSI.

Nice work.

njtommy

I love using 45%. I use it all the time in refrigeration or comfort cooling.

Tinman

Is that a workbench made of old hardwood flooring?

hot_rod

Stephen Minnich said:

Is that a workbench made of old hardwood flooring?

Grizzly Tool is near me, I drop by their seconds outlet and pick up the damaged tops. 100- 150 bucks depending on size and damage.

SWEI

Nice work.

I'm curious how you deal with expander grease on the inside of the CSST?

Solid_Fuel_Man

Nice! I like it, I've melted a fair share of Harris rods as well. I do love all things brazed or soft soldered, especially if glycol is in the mix. Great tip hr.

SFM

hot_rod

SWEI said:

Nice work.

I'm curious how you deal with expander grease on the inside of the CSST?

I use some grease on the backside of those segments, nothing on the outside. You want to clean both surfaces, belt sander and fitting brush, is what I used