NEW YORK -- The International Copper Association (ICA) announced that copper and brass are recapturing significant shares of the worldwide radiator market. More manufacturers are embracing ICA's CuproBraze(R) technology, because of its simplicity and flexibility as well as the high performance of the products. "Facilities worldwide are brazing copper-brass heat exchangers in every OEM and aftermarket product category," said Nigel Cotton, Automotive Manager for ICA.

CuproBraze is a more efficient alternative to aluminum-brazing processes and other joining methods such as welding and soldering. The technology joins new alloys of copper and brass with a filler metal that melts at a relatively high brazing temperature. This results in joints that are much stronger than soldered joints; and, unlike welding, brazing does not melt the base metals, so the dimensions can be tightly controlled and dissimilar alloys can be joined.

A straightforward process, CuproBraze allows for considerable latitude in brazing furnace design. Suitable furnaces for copper-brass brazing are widely available, and they cost much less than aluminum brazing furnaces. CuproBraze heat exchangers can be processed in batch, semi-continuous or continuous furnaces, depending on part sizes and production volumes.

Another advantage of the CuproBraze process is that it provides more flexibility than the aluminum brazing processes. Heat exchangers of different sizes and mass can be brazed in the same furnace with minor adjustments because of the wide margin between the brazing and melting temperatures of brass.

Today, nine manufacturers around the globe already are producing radiators, charge-air coolers and related equipment using the CuproBraze process, and 13 more players recently decided to open CuproBraze facilities. ICA estimates that more than one million CuproBraze heat exchangers will be in service by 2007.

For technical information, contact the International Copper Association, (212) 251-7245 or write to ICA at 260 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016-2401.

The International Copper Association, Ltd. is the leading organization for the promotion of the use of copper worldwide. The Association's twenty-nine members represent about 80 percent of the world's refined copper output, and its six associate members are among the world's largest copper and copper-alloy fabricators. ICA is responsible for guiding policy, strategy and funding of international initiatives and promotional activities. With headquarters in New York City, ICA operates in 28 worldwide locations through a network of regional offices and copper development associations.