Flaring Tubes

Mechanical joint is sometimes required or preferred to join copper or steel tubes together, instead of brazing, soldering, or welding. If you connect tubes with a mechanical connection you need flaring. The process called flaring is a tube’s end forming, used for creating a gas- or liquid-tight connection.

The most common flare tube ends and corresponding flare fitting standards in use today are the 45-degree SAE style, and the 37-degree AN style, also used with the JIC system. For a given size, the AN/JIC style tubing generally has a higher pressure rating Due to the different flare angle SAE and AN/JIC connections are completely incompatible. The refrigeration and air conditioning industry usually uses 45° flare connections while hydraulic hoses are usually 37-1/2° flare connections. A copper tube used for propane, LP, or natural gas may use flared brass fittings of single 45°-flare type, according to NFPA 54/ANSI. Z223.1 National Fuel Gas Code. Nevertheless, all National Model Codes permit the use of flare fitting joints, the one should be consulted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to determine acceptance for a specific application

Double-lap flaring tool offers additional strength for tube ends, that are subjected to more fatigue and stress. The inside surface of the flare is designed with a larger diameter, that does not interfere with system’s flow characteristics. Double-lap flaring usually is formed in the same shapes and meets the same specifications as the Single Flare.

Most of flaring kits are relatively inexpensive and easy to find, despite the fact that different sizes of tubes require specific sets of equipment. You need to use a proper cutting tool to cut a tube. A flaring tool kit usually consists of two main pieces – a reamer and a flare form. A flare form is some kind of a clamp which has a number of holes designed to work with tubing of various diameter. The tubing is firmly held by the flare form, allowing you to flare the pipe using minimum strength The thing that makes the actual flaring is reamer, which has holding arms, a screw, and a conical point.

To make sure that the jointof tubes using fitting will be leak-tight, you have to flare tubing properly using the proper tools and techniques. The first step is cutting the right length of tubing with a proper tool. Secondly, don’t forget to slide the compression nut on a tubing The last thing is to use a flaring tool kit to make a flaring itself.