Tube manipulation is one of our most popular services due to how useful it is to a number of clients. There are all sorts of items you can create for use in an array of settings. Multiform Tubes has the skills to make lots of them. In addition, we use advanced machinery to ensure accurate and efficient results. We can work with steel and a range of other metals.

Heat exchangers

Our tube services can help you to create heat exchangers. From air coils and refrigeration to heat recovery, selecting the right substances here is vital. Heat exchanger design demands that you consider several areas. This includes the application and environment. One thing that stands out however is the attributes of those materials you use.

Picking the substances is simpler after you look at the use and environment. The heat exchanger could be for a processing facility with corrosive materials. You might need to use it outside. As a result, you must make certain the material has a high resistance to corrosion.

The most common materials

The two materials chosen the most for exchangers are copper and aluminium. Each metal has top tier corrosion resistance and thermal characteristics. These are what make them the frontrunners. There are differences to think about though.

Copper

The standard thermal conductivity for generic pure copper is 386.00 W/(mK) at 20°C. In other words, it is the most thermally conductive of the common metals. This alone is enough to make it a great option for heat exchangers.

Another detail that you should know about it is that you need to join the copper tubes using brazing and not soldering. The latter is not as effective because it uses a filler metal. This won’t have the same performance as the copper.

On top of this, it means that you must opt for copper that has decent sagging resistance to lower deforming in brazing. If you need help with tube manipulation, contact us.

Aluminium

If low weight is important you should use aluminium because it is lighter than copper. It is also the third most thermally conductive substance, ensuring good performance.

Aluminium is also flexible and malleable. This means that engineers fashioning a plate-fin exchanger for a gas furnace will find that it is the best option for the fins’ intricacies.

Saying this, aluminium does normally have less sag resistance when you compare to copper. This makes it more vulnerable to deformation after continuous heat cycles and when you braze it. Luckily, you can overcome this. You must specify an aluminium alloy that has attributes that are closer to copper.

Speak to us about tube manipulation

At Multiform Tubes, we aim to satisfy every single client. They may ask for help with tube manipulation or one of our other services. No matter the needs, we won’t disappoint them.

If there is anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to call us.