Water heaters staged aluminum-to-copper dispute experts say technological innovation should be universal

Recently, the battle for aluminum-based copper in the gas-fired water heater industry has intensified. A brand of water heaters using gas-fired water heaters made of "aluminum-titanium alloy" materials has encountered skepticism from their peers. The accused was accused of "using lower-cost aluminum to replace copper in order to reduce the cost of raw materials," thereby hurting the interests of consumers and raising consumer concerns. As early as in the 2007 frozen season, it was particularly exciting due to the air-conditioning copper-aluminum connection. China is a country with a shortage of copper resources. The output rate of refined copper is only 40%, of which electronic and electrical products account for 25% of copper resources. However, aluminum reserves are abundant and the price is low. Using aluminum as an alternative product has become a lot of industries. Way out. In the 1970s, aluminum substitute copper first appeared in the automotive radiator (water tank) market, and now it has basically realized the replacement of all cars. In 2006, Alcoa Chairman Belda made it clearer in the company’s second quarter earnings conference call. Said that the heat exchanger products have been completely made of aluminum, so they built new factories in the United States and Europe. In the household appliance industry, air-conditioner copper-aluminum connection pipe, in 2007, the consumption of 12 large-scale air-conditioning companies was 10 million sets, replacing 11,000 tons of copper; according to the international KFB survey report, including how long Carrier, LG, and Japan were In 2007, the global air-conditioning copper-aluminum connection pipe utilization rate was 55%. Obviously, the entire industry in the world is looking for ways to replace aluminum with copper, and strive to practice the application, which is the general trend. Experts: Aluminum tape should not be misunderstood China is a typical copper resource-poor region, but the consumption and use of copper is very large, and most of them rely on imports. As early as 2001, some home appliances companies began research and innovation on aluminum-based copper materials and process methods.
At present, the heat exchangers of the refrigerators are all aluminum-based copper materials, and even steel substitutes for aluminum produce heat exchangers. The heat exchangers in automotive air conditioners used aluminum alloys many years ago. Domestic air conditioner companies have been promoting the use and promotion of aluminum substitute copper products, and even aluminum heat exchangers have appeared. Experts pointed out that the research and development of aluminum substitute copper is by no means simply replacing aluminum with aluminum. In fact, it also includes related post-processing manufacturing processes, in particular through a series of anti-corrosion, anti-leakage, pressure resistance, and welding tests. After the reliability study, the treated and reformed aluminum material performed well. Relevant experts also pointed out that household electrical appliance companies can't just work hard instead of burying their heads, but should promptly let consumers understand the necessity of material substitution and understand the real performance of products using alternative materials. Only in this way can we truly trust consumers. The water heater is also a product involving personal safety. Therefore, in the long-term promotion of the market in the future, it is necessary to adopt scientific and prudent attitudes and constantly correct the problems. However, no matter what, we should encourage bold innovation in the industry, because only in this way can there be continuous progress in science and technology. Quality inspection department: The product has passed the relevant inspection related quality inspection experts to explain "aluminum substitute copper" in detail. “What we call aluminum substitute copper is not what people think of as pure aluminum, but an aluminum alloy that incorporates titanium.” Because of the different materials added, the melting point of the alloy will change. The materials used in the current products, Its melting point is between 650 degrees Celsius and 700 degrees Celsius. Although no copper has a high melting point, it also fully meets the requirements of national standards. It is reported that the requirements for heat-resistant materials at 500 degrees Celsius in the national standards are actually much higher than the actual operating temperature of the product.
Since gas water heaters work with water, their operating temperatures are mostly between 110 degrees Celsius and 260 degrees Celsius. The temperature of high-temperature flue gas may indeed reach 1000 degrees Celsius. However, this is mainly caused by dry burning due to unreasonable product design. If this happens, it will not be aluminum or copper. It will also be burned. According to reports, in China, the gas-fired water heater heat exchanger has always been made of lead-impregnated copper materials. During the use of gas-fired water heaters, it is easy to emit a large amount of waste tobacco containing heavy metals. According to the European Union's RoHS directive, the use of lead-lead copper heat exchangers is strictly prohibited in Europe. However, in China, almost all of the flue-type products and most of the strong-row products are also used in this material, and only the high-end products use oxygen-free copper brazing technology. Since the inner and outer layers of the water tank are covered with high concentrations of lead, and the melting point of lead is only 327 degrees Celsius, if the aluminum alloy water tank is burned through, the lead-soaked copper products will not stand the test of high temperatures. Home Appliances Association: New Technology Must Ensure Quality is Not Affected Liu Fuzhong, deputy director of the China Household Electrical Appliances Association, said that in recent years, considering the impact on the global environment, countries have increasingly higher standards for energy-saving and environmentally friendly products, new technologies, and new products. The development and application of materials are the main means to achieve the transition from traditional to green upgrades in home appliances. In fact, for the use of alternative technologies for home appliance materials, whether manufacturers or consumers, the most concerned is whether the alternative materials can ensure that the quality of products is not affected. Liu Fuzhong believes that it cannot be attributed to the use of new technologies, new materials, and new processes.
Well-known companies are very cautious about the market for new technologies and new products. Before new products leave the factory, they will conduct repeated experiments on new technologies, materials, and processes. Therefore, in general, new products can stand the test of the market. of. It was learned from the National Standardization Technical Committee of Household Electrical Appliances that at present, in many newly revised home appliance product standards, the material of the product has not been limited, but there are strict regulations on the performance indicators of the product. The purpose is to guide the enterprise to carry out technology. Innovation. (Source: China Nonferrous Metals)