Heat transfer tube constructed of tin brass alloy

Abstract

The present invention provides a heat transfer tube constructed of a tin brass alloy, which results in a heat transfer tube suitable for ACR systems that is superior in resistance to formicary corrosion.

1 . A formicary corrosion resistant heat transfer tube comprising a tin brass alloy.  
   
   
       2 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , comprising up to 3.0% tin.  
   
   
       3 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , comprising from 0.8 to 1.4% tin.  
   
   
       4 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , comprising from 86% to 90% copper.  
   
   
       5 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , comprising from 86% to 89% copper.  
   
   
       6 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , comprising from 9.6% to 13.2% zinc.  
   
   
       7 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , comprising up to 35% zinc.  
   
   
       8 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , comprising no more than 0.05% lead.  
   
   
       9 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , comprising no more than 0.05% iron.  
   
   
       10 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , comprising no more than 90% copper, no more than 3.0% tin, and no more than 13.2% zinc.  
   
   
       11 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , consisting essentially of between 86.0% and 90.0% copper, between 0.8%-3.0% tin, no more than 0.05% lead, no more than 0.05% iron, no more than 0.35% phosphorus, and the remainder zinc.  
   
   
       12 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , consisting essentially of between 86.0% 89.0% copper, between 0.8%-1.4% tin, no more than 0.05% lead, no more than 0.05% iron, no more than 0.35% phosphorus, and the remainder zinc.  
   
   
       13 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed from alloy C422.  
   
   
       14 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed from alloy C425.  
   
   
       15 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising the heat exchange tube of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of plate fins and at least one tube sheet.  
   
   
       16 . The heat exchange tube of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed by welding, extrusion or cast-and-rolling.  
   
   
       17 . A heat exchanger assembly for use in ACR systems, the heat exchanger comprising a formicary corrosion resistant heat transfer tube comprising a tin brass alloy.  
   
   
       18 . A method of making a heat exchanger comprising: 
 forming a heat transfer tube wall from a tin brass alloy.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the tube allow is formed from alloy C422.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tube wall comprises up to 3.0% tin.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tube wall comprises from 0.8 to 1.4% tin.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tube wall comprises up to 35% zinc.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tube wall consists essentially of between 86.0% and 90.0% copper, between 0.8%-3.0% tin, no more than 0.05% lead, no more than 0.05% iron, no more than 0.35% phosphorus, and the remainder zinc.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the heat exchanger is installed in an ACR system.