2009-01-10 02:41:01 -

A new wave of interest has materialized for CuproBraze® technology, especially for stationary generators, locomotives, off-road equipment and government and military systems, says the International Copper Association.


The chief reason for the popularity of CuproBraze technology is that it allows for the use of brazed serpentine-fins (often of the square-wave type) in brazed copper-brass heat exchanger designs. In

large heat-exchanger applications, CuproBraze technology faces off against at least three competitive core technologies: soldered copper/brass plate fin; soldered copper/brass serpentine fin; and brazed aluminum serpentine fin. In the face of this competition, CuproBraze technology is emerging as the first choice in such applications.


Large CuproBraze heat exchangers with serpentine fins have important advantages over competitive designs. They are less expensive to manufacture than soldered plate-fin designs yet more durable than soldered serpentine-fin designs (because of much stronger joints). Compared to brazed aluminum serpentine-fin designs, they also are more rugged and they offer greater cooling efficiency because thinner materials allow for more air to pass through. Finally, square-wave type serpentine fins are not easily clogged and can be cleaned with pressurized water, allowing the thermal performance to be maintained during operation.


The new CuproBraze heat exchangers are rugged enough for the harsh operating environments of these applications. Fully assembled heat exchangers made from CuproBraze alloys, soldered copper-brass and brazed aluminum heat exchangers were subjected to at least four different corrosion tests: 1) Road environment pollutant, 2) Salt spray, 3) Sea water acetic acid, and 4) Marine air corrosion. These test results confirmed that CuproBraze resists corrosion much better than soldered copper-brass and is very competitive with brazed aluminum. Information about these tests can be found in the "CuproBraze Brazing Handbook," which can be downloaded free-of-charge at www.cuprobraze.com.


"In terms of durability, CuproBraze has proven itself in applications such as locomotives, generator sets and off-road equipment as well as in military environments," says Nigel Cotton, Automotive Manager for the International Copper Association. "Heat exchanger manufacturers are bracing themselves for a second wave of demand for CuproBraze products.?


For more details about CuproBraze, contact the International Copper Association, (212) 251-7245 or write to ICA at 260 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016-2401. Also see the website for the CuproBraze Alliance at www.cuprobraze.com, which includes OEM-specific articles at www.cuprobraze.com/lit_er.asp. ICA is a member of the CuproBraze Alliance.


About ICA


The International Copper Association, Ltd. (ICA) is the leading organization for promoting the use of copper worldwide. The Association's 38 member companies represent about 80 percent of the world's refined copper output. ICA's mission is to promote the use of copper by communicating the unique attributes that make this sustainable element an essential contributor to the formation of life, to advances in science and technology, and to a higher standard of living worldwide.








For International Copper Association, Ltd.

Harry Schmitz, 516-414-0698

hschmitz@kellencompany.com

or

Todd Costello, 212-297-2109

tcostello@kellencompany.com