Primary process: Brazing. The full route, materials, tolerances and design tips for a heat exchanger, with an indicative cost.
BrazingPrimary process
JoiningFamily
5Route steps
A heat exchanger is primarily made by Brazing. Brazing joins metal with a filler that melts above 450 C but below the base metals, drawn into the joint by capillary action without melting the parts. Below is the full route to make a heat exchanger, the materials it suits, the tolerances to expect and the main design points. The route is free, from the finder.
Step by step
How a heat exchanger is made
The usual route, raw material to finished part. The amber step is where the heat exchanger gets its basic shape.
Prepare the parts
Make and clean the components the heat exchanger brings together.
Tooling None Tolerance ±0.125mm, to ±0.025mm Lead 1 to 10 days
Fit-up
Jig and align the parts, set the gap and tack where needed.
Brazing
Join the parts to form the heat exchanger.
Tooling Low Tolerance good Lead immediate
Clean and finish
Dress the joint, remove flux or spatter, and coat if required.
Inspection
Inspect the joint visually and, for critical work, by NDT or leak test.
Need the real cost for a heat exchanger? The free route above is yours. Unlock the full dossier to quote and source it.
General pointers. The full design-for-manufacturing list for a heat exchanger is in the dossier.
Gap too big/small for capillary flow.Design the right clearance.
No filler reservoir / flow path.Add a groove/relief.
Cost
What a heat exchanger should cost
Joins dissimilar metals and makes leak-tight joints (heat exchangers, carbide tips) below the base melting point.
PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for a heat exchanger at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$19 to 33per part at 1 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER
Everything you need to quote and source it
The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on a heat exchanger and buy it well:
Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
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A heat exchanger is primarily made by brazing. The route is: Prepare the parts; Fit-up; Brazing; Clean and finish; Inspection.
What does a heat exchanger cost?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $19 to 33 per part at 1 off and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. A model estimate, not a quote.
What material is a heat exchanger made from?
Common choices are Copper/brass + filler; Steel/stainless + filler; Carbide to steel.
What is the main process for a heat exchanger?
Brazing. Leak-tight joints in assemblies like heat exchangers, coils and tooling.
See the exact route and should-cost for your part
The free finder maps your part to its process and full route. Pro adds should-cost at your volume, sourcing and an RFQ draft.
