TECO tube expanders are made from high quality alloy steels and are specially heat treated. The adjustable thrust collar incorporates a thrust bearing which eliminates frictional heating and possible tube end damage and makes these tools suitable for operation with electric or pneumatic power tools. The tube expanders in this catalogue cover the range of tubes from 1/4” O.D. – 20 Gauge to 4 1/2” O.D. – 2-18 Gauge.

SPECIAL TUBE EXPANDERS

Special Tube Expanders for any tube size and reach are manufactured to specification. TECO has manufactured for example a special tube expander with 3 1/4” O.D. and 12 feet reach for diesel engines. So do not hesitate to send your application for your specific need.

MANDREL EXTENSION AND UNIVERSAL JOINTS

These can be supplied as standard or special length with different square sizes.
Mandrel extensions can be utilized in situations where there is not sufficient room available to use standard expanders with a drive unit, e.g. in water boxes of condensers etc.

STANDARD REVERSIBLE THRUST/ COLLAR

The models CH-800 and CH-1200 Tube Expanders are equipped with a reversible thrust collar. This is specially designed by TECO. This offers the possibility of using the collar flush or recessed for the front tube sheet (please specify required recess depth). When reversed, the collar is now suitable for the rear tube sheet acting as a flow-collar allowing the tube to be drawn outwards. This eliminates the need to precisely cut the tube to length before expanding.

STANDARD REVERSIBLE THRUST/COLLAR

THRUST COLLARS

The following different models of thrust collar can be supplied:

a) recessed thrust collar instead of standard collar (depth of recess to be specified).

b) adjustable recess thrust collar to bring the tubes automatically to the right position in relation to the tube sheet; from a flush fitting on the tube sheet to as much as a 3/8”protrusion can be achieved.

c) small diameter collars, for the expansion of the outside
row of tubes into waterboxes for example.

d) for thin gauge tube a special thrust collar can be supplied to prevent the tube from becoming trapped between the rolls and the collar as there is a possibility of thin tube being drawn up inside the collar whilst rolling.

CONSTRUCTION

TECO tube expanders are of the self feeding and parallel rolling type.

The taper feed angle ensures a uniform expansion and tightness of the tube.

The rolls have a radius at both ends to avoid a sharp ridge inside the tube.

TUBE SIZE INFORMATION

Tube O.D. refers to the measured outside diameter of a tube.

Tube I.D. refers to the measured inside diameter of a tube.

Tube Gauge is Birmingham wire gauge (B.W.G.) of the wall thickness of the tube.

LUBRICATION, CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF TUBE EXPANDERS

The type of use demanded of tube expanders is severe and therefore these precision tools should be given a reasonable amount of care. For long, trouble-free and economical service the following is suggested:

1. Remove all rust, mill scale and other foreign matter from the inside and outside of the tube. Foreign matter on the inside of the tube will tend to become embedded into the tube wall and being abrasive may cause the rolls and mandrel of the tube expander to start breaking up. Mill scale or dirt left on the outer wall of the tube can cause damage to the tube seat and prevent the formation of a pressure-tight joint. Cleaning of the tube ends may be best accomplished by wire brushing or polishing. Remove any protective coating by washing with light oil or other solvents.

NB: DO NOT LEAVE A RESIDUE OF LIGHT OIL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TUBE AS THIS MAY ALSO PREVENT A PRESSURETIGHT JOINT.

2. Before using, the expander should be washed in any commercial solvent to remove protective coatings, dirt,grease and other foreign matter. Make sure that the rolls and mandrel are in good condition and working correctly.

3. Before using, expander should be properly lubricated with a pressure resistant lubricant. We recommend using TECO ‘Lube-A-Tube’.
This water soluble lubricant was developed for tube rolling and may be mixed with water to the desired consistency. For small diameter and light tube gauges immerse the expander inTECO ‘Lube-A-Tube’ or light oil such as SAE 10 or 20. For large diameter and heavy gauge tubes, brush the expander with TECO ‘Lube-A-Tube’ or mixture of SAE 40 oil and graphite.

4. Expanders should be rotated at a speed proportionate to the tube size, gauge and length of tube seat. Tube materials must also be taken into consideration. The proper speed will provide a safe cold working of tube metal without crystallization or surface damage. Speed is also a major factor in expander life and if correctly set will prevent undue roller or mandrel breakdown. Ideal speed will keep to a minimum mandrel slip and the heat generated in mandrels and rolls when working.

5. After rolling each tube, clean and cool the expander in solvent or light oil and then properly lubricate the expander again. It is good practice to use two expanders so that one can be cooling whilst the clean expander is being used.

6. Inspect the rolls and the mandrel after rolling each tube. Replace any chipped rolls or mandrels immediately. A small chip in a roll can damage the entire expander, rolls or mandrel if not replaced at once. It can also damage the tube causing marks in the expanded area which may necessitate tube removal.

7. After the job has been completed, the expander should be cleaned thoroughly with a commercial solvent or a light oil and stored in a manner which will avoid possibility of parts rusting.

NB: DO NOT LEAVE A RESIDUE OF LIGHT OIL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TUBE AS THIS MAY ALSO PREVENT A PRESSURETIGHT JOINT.

SOME GUIDELINES FOR TUBE EXPANSION

Improperly rolled joints create additional expense to rectify. Under-rolling can be easily corrected merely by re-rolling, but over-rolling will require complete tube replacement. The optimum joint is one that develops a leak tight joint with adequate strength for the service intended with the minimum amount of cold working or reduction of the tube wall thickness.Experience indicates that joints of this type can be obtained with non-ferrous tubes in surface condensers by expanding to a wall reduction of 5% to 6%. This wall reduction is only achieved after metal to metal contact between the tube O.D. and the tube sheet hole. Steel tubes in heat exchangers may require wall reductions of 4% to 6%; soft copper and aluminium tubes in heat exchangers also require larger wall reductions in the area of 7% to 10%.

A typical example of the application of this method is indicated for 3/4” x 18 gauge (19.05 x 1.24 mm) tube in a condenser.

LUBE-A-TUBE

TECO Lube-A-Tube is a water soluble lubricant especially compounded for use with tube expanders. When rolling large or small, ferrous or non-ferrous tubes, use TECO Lube-A-Tube for smoother rolling and longer expander life, for clean tube ends after rolling simply wash with water.