What is a Flare Fitting?
Flare fitting is a type of compression fitting which uses metal tubing, usually soft, ductile steel, copper, or aluminum. It is an excellent alternative to solder-type joints as it is mechanically separable and does not require the use of an open flame. In a flare fitting, the tube itself is being “flared,” which means it is expanded and/or deformed. The flare is then pressed into the fitting and secured with a flare nut to prevent any leakage. A flare connection provides long-term reliability and is thus the number one fitting of choice for mission-critical cases and harder-to-reach locations.
Why Soft Copper Tubing?
Unlike hard copper which is rigid, soft copper is malleable and can be easily bent according to one’s desired shape and size. As flare fitting requires flexible tubing, soft copper becomes the only type of copper tubing suitable for this use. It also provides high reliability as the copper material is corrosion-resistant, can withstand high temperatures, and has good electrical conductivity. Soft copper tubing usually comes in rolls 25 or 50 feet long with an outside diameter (OD) ranging between ⅛ inch to 1 ⅜ inch. Because of its flexibility and length, it is also the top choice for refrigerant lines in split-type air conditioners and heat pumps.
How to Make a Flare Connection
What you will need:
- Flaring tool
- Flare nut
- Flare union
- Adjustable wrenches
- Soft copper tube
- Flare the tubing ends.
- Place the flare nut close to the end being flared.
- Find the hole in the flaring bar of your flaring tool that matches the outside diameter of your tube.
- Insert the soft copper tube into the hole.
- Adjust the height of the tube and the hole opening accordingly to achieve sufficient flare length.
- Clamp the tool onto the tube.
- Align the compression cone to the tubing’s end and turn the handle to tighten the screw. This process flares the end of your tube.
- Remove the tube from the flaring bar and inspect your work carefully.
- Assemble.
- Connect the flared end of your tube into the flare union.
- Slide the nut down and tighten.
- Test for leaks.
- With one adjustable wrench placed on the flare nut and another one on the flare union, tighten the flared joint.
- Make sure not to overtighten.
- Once snug, give the nut and the union a half-turn each.
- To test, pour water into the tube.
- If the joint leaks, adjust the tightness until the leak stops.
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Magic-Aire carries soft copper tubing of varying lengths for all your HVAC needs. You can check out the available options on our website: https://magic-aire.com/product-category/copper-rollpipes/soft-copper-tubes/. For inquiries and updates on our other products, follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicaireindustries.
