Copper-to-copper brazing is the most common and widely used connection method in refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical power, home appliances, and piping systems. Compared to brazing dissimilar metals, copper-to-copper connections are simpler and more economical, and offer high joint strength, good sealing, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.
Chalco's copper-to-copper brazing electrodes are based on phosphorus-copper alloys, with some series incorporating silver to enhance toughness and corrosion resistance. All products offer significant advantages.
- Simple process: Most alloys have self-fluxing properties, requiring no additional flux, and welding is efficient and reliable.
- Excellent performance: The connector is pressure resistant and leak-proof, while maintaining the high electrical and thermal conductivity of copper.
- Flexible options: from economical silver-free to high-performance silver-containing series, to meet different application needs.
With our complete BCuP series, you can flexibly choose between cost and performance to obtain the most suitable copper-copper welding solution.
Chalco Copper Brazing Materials Product Series – Copper-Copper Joint Welding Electrode Alloy
Chalco offers a complete range of copper-to-copper brazing electrodes, ranging from economical silver-free phosphor bronze alloys to high-performance silver-containing alloys, meeting the diverse needs of HVAC refrigeration, electrical power, appliance piping, and industrial systems. Through a balanced blend of silver contents, our BCuP series offers optimal value in terms of ease of use, joint reliability, and service life.
BCuP-2 – Phos-Copper Brazing Alloy, No Silver
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It contains phosphorus and is silver-free, possesses self-fluxing properties, and requires no additional flux for copper-to-copper brazing.
It has the lowest cost, good liquidity, and is suitable for large-scale standard applications.
It cannot be used on steel or nickel alloys (phosphorus will cause embrittlement).
Typical applications: HVAC refrigeration copper tubing, heat exchangers, and copper tubing for household appliances.
Technical Specifications:
| Alloy grade (AWS) | ISO | Ingredients (wt%) | Melting point range (°C) | Recommended brazing temperature (°C) |
| BCuP-2 | CuP 181 | Cu + 6.8–7.2% P | 710–793 | 740–790 |
BCuP-3 / BCuP-6 – Phos-Copper-Silver Brazing Alloys, Low Silver
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Adding 2–5% silver to the phosphorus-containing base results in better fluidity than the silver-free type.
Improve the toughness and corrosion resistance of the joint.
It performs better in applications with low to medium vibration or where certain fatigue requirements exist.
Typical applications: appliance piping, copper valves, and light vibration conditions.
Technical Specifications:
| Alloy grade (AWS) | ISO | Ingredients (wt%) | Melting point range (°C) | Recommended brazing temperature (°C) |
| BCuP-3 | CuP 281 | Cu + 5.8–6.2% P + 4.8–5.2% Ag | 645–815 | 680–740 |
| BCuP-6 | CuP 280 | Cu + 7% P + 2% Ag | 643–788 | 670–720 |
BCuP-4 – Phos-Copper-Silver Brazing Alloy, Medium Silver
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It contains about 7% phosphorus and about 6% silver, resulting in stronger wettability and denser welds.
The connector has better durability than low-silver products.
It balances cost and performance, making it a versatile high-performance option for copper-to-copper brazing.
Typical applications: refrigeration equipment, electrical contacts, and copper piping systems for drinking water.
Technical Specifications:
| Alloy grade (AWS) | ISO | Ingredients (wt%) | Melting point range (°C) | Recommended brazing temperature (°C) |
| BCuP-4 | CuP 283 | Cu + 7% P + 6% Ag | 643–724 | 680–720 |
BCuP-5 – Phos-Copper-Silver Brazing Alloy, High Silver
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It contains approximately 5% phosphorus and up to 15% silver.
The joint exhibits optimal toughness and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for high-end applications.
It has a high cost, but its cost-effectiveness is outstanding in key components.
Typical applications: motor coils, aerospace electrical systems, copper-copper connections in environments with strong vibration and high pressure.
Technical Specifications:
| Alloy grade (AWS) | ISO | Ingredients (wt%) | Melting point range (°C) | Recommended brazing temperature (°C) |
| BCuP-5 | CuP 284 | Cu + 5% P + 15% Ag | 645–800 | 670–720 |
Chalco’s copper-to-copper brazing electrode series, ranging from the economical BCuP-2 to the high-performance BCuP-5, covers all major applications including HVAC, home appliances, electrical systems, and industrial systems. In addition to these alloys, Chalco also provides a wide range of other brazing rods and brazing consumables to support different welding processes, which you can explore in the product list below.
Aluminum Brazing Rod
Flux-core Aluminum Brazing Rod
Aluminum Stick Welding Rod
Silver Brazing Solder Rod
Copper Brazing Rod
Brazing Ring Preforms
Chalco Copper to Copper Brazing Rods : Application Scenarios and Selection Recommendations
Chalco's copper-to-copper brazing electrodes have a wide range of applications in HVAC refrigeration, electrical power, drinking water and gas systems. By selecting appropriate alloys, from economical silver-free to high-performance silver-containing alloys, an optimal balance between cost and performance can be achieved.
HVAC & Refrigeration Systems
Copper-to-copper brazing electrodes are most widely used in the welding of pipes in air conditioners , condensers, evaporators, and heat exchangers. The joints require high airtightness and pressure resistance to ensure long-term stable operation of the system.
Recommended alloy:
BCuP-2 → An economical option suitable for large-volume standard copper pipe connections.
BCuP-3 → Improves connector life and corrosion resistance, suitable for high-reliability refrigeration systems.
Electrical and power systems
Conductivity and contact reliability are critical indicators in the welding of busbars , copper contacts, coil terminals , and electrical joints. Copper-to-copper brazing electrodes maintain low resistance and high conductivity, ensuring long-term stable operation of equipment.
Recommended alloy:
BCuP-4 → High weld density, suitable for electrical contact and busbar connection.
BCuP-5 → High strength and fatigue resistance, suitable for high-end applications such as motors and aerospace electrical systems.
Piping and Gas Distribution
Drinking water, gas, and industrial piping systems require safe, sealed, and durable joints. Copper-to-copper brazing electrodes offer excellent leak resistance and corrosion resistance in these applications.
Recommended alloy:
BCuP-3 → Balanced performance, suitable for piping installations and residential systems.
BCuP-4 → The weld seam is denser, making it suitable for high-standard drinking water and gas pipeline systems.
Whether it's copper piping for refrigeration systems, high-reliability connectors for electrical busbars, or sealing welds for drinking water and gas pipelines, Chalco offers a full range of copper-copper brazing electrode solutions, from silver-free to high-silver. Contact us for suitable alloy recommendations, quick quotes, and sample support.
Process Guidelines and Operating Recommendations – Copper to Copper Brazing Rods
While copper-to-copper brazing is a simple process, achieving high-quality joints still requires adherence to proper operating procedures. The following are key process considerations recommended by Chalco:
Heating method
- Flame brazing: Use a neutral or slightly reducing flame to heat the copper tube evenly until the brazing filler metal is just bright and flowing.
- Induction brazing: Heating rate 20–40 ℃/s, hold for 2–3 seconds after penetration to avoid overheating.
- Furnace brazing: Uniform heating is controlled within the recommended temperature range, suitable for batch production of copper tube assemblies.
Brazing gap
- The recommended range is 0.03–0.08 mm to ensure sufficient capillary action.
- Excessive gaps will lead to decreased strength, while insufficient gaps will make wetting difficult.
Surface preparation
- Remove oil and oxide film before welding to keep the copper tube surface clean.
- Mechanical polishing or chemical cleaning is recommended to improve wettability.
Heating and cooling
- When heating, avoid concentrating the heating on the welding wire; the base material should be heated first.
- During the cooling phase, natural cooling is preferable to avoid sudden cooling that could cause the joint to crack.
Common defects and solutions
| Defect types | Possible reasons | Solution |
| pores | Surface contamination or excessively rapid heating | Strengthen cleaning and control the rate of temperature rise. |
| Incomplete penetration | Insufficient heating or excessive gaps | Adjust the flame or improve the assembly clearance |
| embrittlement | Used in steel base materials (phosphating embrittlement) | Copper-copper/copper alloy applications only |
| Overheating | Concentrated flame or excessively high temperature | Even heating, avoiding prolonged high temperatures |
FAQ of purchasing copper to copper aluminum brazing rod
Q1: Is flux always unnecessary for copper-to-copper brazing?
Most phosphorus alloys (such as BCuP-2 to BCuP-5) exhibit self-fluxing properties in copper-to-copper joints, eliminating the need for additional flux. However, when welding copper alloys or workpieces with severe surface oxidation, flux is recommended to improve wetting.
Q2: How to choose between silver-containing and non-silver-containing welding rods?
- Silver-free type (such as BCuP-2): Low cost, suitable for mass welding of standard copper pipes.
- Silver-containing types (such as BCuP-3/4/5/6): offer better toughness and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for vibration, fatigue, or high-reliability applications.
Q3: Can copper-to-copper welding rods be used for copper-to-brass or copper-to-steel connections?
Not recommended. Phosphorus can cause embrittlement of iron and nickel-based alloys. For copper-to-brass, copper-to-steel, or copper-to-aluminum connections, please refer to the corresponding solutions on the Copper to Aluminum Brazing Rod or Copper Brazing Rod page.
Q4: What are the differences between copper-to-copper brazing and other methods?
- vs. copper-aluminum brazing: Copper-copper process is simpler, has stronger self-fluxing properties, and lower process costs.
- vs. silver brazing (pure silver BAG series): Copper-copper brazing electrodes are more suitable for mass copper pipe assembly; silver brazing is more suitable for dissimilar metals and critical components.
Chalco copper to copper brazing rod product supply and specifications
Chalco offers a diverse range of copper-to-copper brazing electrodes, providing customers with flexible options for different operating conditions:
Supply forms: straight bar, coiled bar, cored type, coated type.
Size range: 1.5 mm – 6.0 mm in diameter, special specifications can be customized upon request.
Packaging methods: small packages, rolls, cartons or wooden crates for export, ensuring safe transportation.
Execution standards: Compliant with international standards such as AWS A5.8 and ISO 3677 , and provide complete material certification.
Delivery and Service: Common specifications are in stock, and we support fast delivery and sample requests. OEM customization services are also available.
Looking for a reliable copper-to-copper brazing electrode supplier?
Chalco offers a complete BCuP series, from silver-free to high-silver, enabling efficient welding of HVAC, electrical, and industrial piping systems.
Contact us today for a quote and samples, or for expert selection advice.
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