logo
episode-header-image
May 2019
9m 33s

Short #53 - Brazing Steel

Bryan Orr
About this episode

In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers the unique practices of brazing steel. He also explains how it differs from brazing copper.

Brazing steel appears to be a rather uncommon practice in the HVAC industry. However, we actually do braze steel when we braze in compressors. Many compressors have copper-plated steel stubs; only the outer coating is copper, and if you burn through it, you'll reach the steel. However, steel requires a different fluxing agent than copper-to-copper or copper-to-brass brazing; you can't use a 15% silver-phosphorus rod because phosphorus doesn't react well with steel.

Instead, you will need a high-silver rod WITHOUT phosphorus when brazing steel to steel, copper, or brass. We recommend using a separate fluxing agent or flux-coated rods. However, high-silver rods are expensive and REQUIRE flux. When working with a compressor with copper-plated steel stubs, try to get all the solder off with heat.

When working with steel, you must keep in mind that it has a higher melting temperature and lower thermal conductivity. In other words, you can apply more heat to steel without it melting, but the heat doesn't transfer to steel as easily as it does to copper. You'll want to move your torch around more and pay more attention to the tip you use. Even though the thermal properties differ from copper, you're still aiming to get the steel to a dark cherry red color, about 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remember, you also want to protect any other components that will come into contact with the heat. You can use a wet rag or Refrigeration Technologies WetRag, which works great as a heat-blocking putty.

 

Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Up next
Jul 10
IAQ, Ethical Selling & Building Better Techs w/ Brynn Cooksey
In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan welcomes back Brynn Cooksey from Air Doctors and HVAC U to discuss critical topics facing the HVAC industry today. Brynn brings his unique perspective as both a successful contractor in southeast Michigan and an industry educator ... Show More
44m 25s
Jul 8
Crankcase Heaters - Short #248
In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about crankcase heaters, including their different types, what they do, and when we need to use them. Crankcase heaters usually come in belly band varieties, but some can be inserted into the sump of the compressor. As their name suggest ... Show More
8m 20s
Jul 3
The Contactor Reimagined w/ Copeland
In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan welcomes back Jim to discuss the groundbreaking SureSwitch contactor technology from Copeland. This isn't just another incremental improvement - it's a complete reimagining of how contactors should work in modern HVAC systems. Jim ... Show More
44m 22s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2022
Copper: From mining to microprocessors
Copper is a metal that has been with us since the dawn of civilisation. The Romans used it to build their empire, and its high thermal and electrical conductivity led to the 19th century discovery of how to generate electricity and a revolution in telecommunications. Copper was e ... Show More
39m 17s
Jan 2022
Why miners are moving 'twice as much material' to produce copper
Copper prices are heading up due to increased demand from energy transition and declining grades at existing mines, said Nolan Peterson, CEO of World Copper. On Friday Peterson recorded Kitco Roundtable with Kitco correspondent Paul Harris and Mining Audiences Manager Michael McC ... Show More
31m 54s
Aug 2023
Substitution, Silver and Steel
In this episode we discuss our recent notes on copper substitution and iron ore pellet feed, plus silver’s set-up and China’s steel cuts Episode transcript: https://research-ca.bmocapitalmarkets.com/documents/cjNLTUtEbEpjbWpvRmtidzIyUlp5dXNBdDNRN2M4REFKVTVGbWlhTFhCWjJTM0dKYk51OEt ... Show More
11m 1s
Dec 2023
Copper
When humans first learned how to work with metal, the very first metal they used was copper. Copper was easy to shape, easy to find, and relatively abundant. Since those early humans began using copper, usage of the metal hasn’t diminished. It's just that its modern usage is for ... Show More
13m 37s
Mar 2015
Iron & Manganese (Fe, Mn) - steel-making
The two key ingredients that enabled the mass production of steel. We travel to Sheffield - the birthplace of modern steelmaking - to get up close to the technological mid-wife, a Bessemer converter. Plus we visit the modern Forgemasters steelworks, to get a taste of just how har ... Show More
31m 6s
May 2024
Copper’s Double Negative
In this episode we discuss the unusual situation happening in copper at present, why iron ore might be the best way to play Chinese recovery, gold demand and BMO’s economic expectations. (13 min) Episode transcript: https://research-ca.bmocapitalmarkets.com/documents/d0pHOGZncGVN ... Show More
13m 2s
Nov 2023
Vizsla Copper and Why Craig Parry Believes in $20 Copper
We connect with Craig Parry in this episode to talk all things copper and an exploration update with his company, Vizsla Copper. Craig believes that $20 copper is in front of the markets because of a large squeeze which will happen due to lower head grades, falling supply, and hi ... Show More
15m 23s
Oct 2018
Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts: Brené Brown on Dare to Lead
In this enlightening episode, Brené Brown describes her research study, seven years in the making, that looks at the future of leadership and the barriers and obstacles to daring leadership. “One of the most important findings of my career is daring leadership—a collection of ski ... Show More
46m 5s