Frequently Asked Questions

APPLICATION

17. What is the working time for HVAC SUPER PRO?

1. HVAC SUPER PRO can be left on the tubing and connector for several minutes, but when the tubing is inserted into the connector the chemical reaction will begin in 10 seconds.

17. Can HVAC SUPER PRO be used on both hard and soft copper and aluminum tubing?

1. Yes! The only requirement for both is that the tubing be round at the connection.

17. What is the maximum gap that HVAC SUPER PRO will seal?

1. The maximum gap that can be filled is 20 thousandths of an inch.

17. Can the fit between the connector and the tubing be too tight for HVAC SUPER PRO to bond correctly?

1. Yes! This is true for soldering, brazing, or the use of HVAC SUPER PRO. When the tubing fits snug against the connector, there is no space for the bonding material to bond between the tubing and the connector. An HVAC SUPER PRO bond requires a minimum clearance of 5 to 10 thousandths of an inch.

17. Why do both the tubing and the connector have to be sanded with 60-grit sanding cloth?

1. Because, HVAC SUPER PRO reacts with the copper, brass, or aluminum as part of the bonding process. Therefore, the copper, brass, or aluminum must be completely clean.

17. Why does the sanding cloth have to be 60-grit?

1. The 60-grit sanding cloth cuts a deep groove into the tubing and connector which does two things. 1.) It increases the bonding area. 2.) It assures that the tubing and the connector are clean for maximum reactivity.

17. Can a wire brush be used to clean fittings and tubing?

1. NO! There are two reasons 1.) HVAC SUPER PRO does not adhere to steel. The use of a steel brush can leave steel particles on the fitting and tubing, which weakens the bond. 2.) A wire brush does not cut a deep enough groove into the fitting or tubing to provide maximum bonding.

17. Is HVAC SUPER PRO a type of super glue?

1. No! HVAC SUPER PRO is not a glue; it is an anaerobic which means that it bonds in the absence of oxygen.

17. Why does HVAC SUPER PRO only work on copper, brass, and aluminum?

1. Copper, brass, and aluminum all have a negative valance which is highly reactive with the positive valance of HVAC SUPER PRO.           

17. Why does it take longer for HVAC SUPER PRO to bond to aluminum than to copper?

1. The negative valance for aluminum is much less than for copper, so it takes longer to react with the HVAC SUPER PRO.

17. Can HVAC SUPER PRO be used to bond aluminum to copper and brass as well as aluminum-to-aluminum?

1. Yes!

17. When connecting aluminum to copper or brass will corrosion occur at the bonding area.

1. No! No Galvanic action will occur when using HVAC SUPER PRO because HVAC SUPER PRO forms an acrylic barrier between the aluminum and copper.

17. How do I make a repair with HVAC SUPER PRO when the tubing has refrigerant and oil present?

1. HVAC SUPER PRO will NOT bond to tubing or connector when refrigerant and oil are present. To make a repair, sand the outside of the tubing and the inside of the connector using 60 grit emery cloth, use a clean rag saturated with alcohol to clean the outside of the tubing and the inside of the connector, then quickly apply HVAC SUPER PRO to the inside of the connector and the outside of the tubing and quickly insert the tubing into the connector before the refrigerant can migrate back to the bonding area. DO NOT use paint thinner or any other oil based solvent to clean the tubing and the connector.

17. When making repairs to a previously brazed connection, does all of the brazed material need to be removed prior to the use of HVAC SUPER PRO.

1. NO! HVAC SUPER PRO will bond to the brazed material. However, the area to be bonded must be sanded with 60 grit emery cloth prior to the application of HVAC SUPER PRO.

17. Is it possible for an HVAC SUPER PRO bond to leak after it has passed a vacuum leak test?

1. YES! If the bond was improperly made it is possible for the chemical reaction to occur, but in a weakened state. Refer to common application errors stated in FAQ’s.

17. If an HVAC SUPER PRO bond is installed incorrectly, can it be taken apart?

1. Yes! An HVAC SUPER PRO bond can be taken apart by heating the connection to 450 Degrees F – if other bonds are close, protect them from the heat. To re-bond, re-sand the outside of the tubing and the inside of the connector using 60-grit sanding cloth and re-apply HVAC SUPER PRO per the bonding instructions.

17. Is HVAC SUPER PRO recommended for use on potable water systems?

1. NO! HVAC SUPER PRO is non-toxic when cured, but it has not been tested to nsf AN/ANSI-61 standards. Jackson Industries does have a product specifically for potable water – JUST-FOR-COPPER PRO which is certified to nsf AN/ANSI-61.

TECHNICAL

17. What is the shelf life of SUPER PRO?

1. 18-months. The product is good for a minimum of 12 months after opening.

17. Q. Will HVAC SUPER PRO conduct electricity?

1. NO! HVAC SUPER PRO is an insulator.

17. What pressure will HVAC SUPER PRO withstand?

1. The pressure of an HVAC SUPER PRO bond depends on the bonding area – the larger the tubing, the greater the strength. HVAC SUPER PRO is rated at 1200psi and a copper or brass connection will reach a minimum of 850psi in 12 minutes, an aluminum connection requires 20 minutes to reach 850psi.

17. Is pull-apart strength the same as pressure strength (psi)?

1. No. Both are measurements of bonding strength, but they cannot be directly compared. Pressure is a multi-dimensional measurement. Pull apart strength is measured in foot pounds and is a measurement of strength in a single direction. The greater the area of a bond, the greater the foot pounds of force required to pull-apart the bond. The only accurate way to provide a measurement would be by size of pipe. The minimum pull-apart strength of HVAC SUPER PRO is 1500 foot pounds.

17. What is meant by rotational strength?

1. Rotational strength is the foot pounds of force required to twist a bond apart. As the tubing increases in size, the greater the bonding area, and the greater the foot pounds of force required to twist (rotate) the bond apart. The only accurate way to provide a measurement would be by size of pipe. The minimum rotational strength of HVAC SUPER PRO is 450 foot pounds.

17. What size tubing can HVAC SUPER PRO be used to bond?

1. There really isn’t a limit on the size of the tubing. Tubing diameters up to six inches in size are easy to bond. The key is that the tubing and connector must be fitted together in the final bonding position within 10 to 15 seconds. As the tubing gets larger than six inches, it becomes more difficult to fit the tubing and connector together in the 10 to 15-second time period, but it can be accomplished.

17. Is HVAC SUPER PRO compatible with POE oil?

1. Yes! HVAC SUPER PRO is compatible with all refrigerant oils including POE oil.

17. What is the minimum burst strength of HVAC SUPER PRO?

1. When brazing a bond, the copper pipe is weakened, and when doing a burst strength test on a pipe with brazed bonds, the pipe will normally burst between 1500 and 2000psi. The brazed bond will not break.

   When bonding with HVAC SUPER PRO, the pipe is not damaged. Our lab’s equipment goes to 2,500 psi. Every batch is tested to 2,500 psi, and a failure of the bond or the pipe has never occurred. Therefore, the minimum burst strength has been established at 2,500 psi, although it is actually much higher.

17. What is the coldest temperature you can apply HVAC SUPER PRO?

1. HVAC SUPER PRO can be applied at any temperature as long as it is liquid. In weather conditions below freezing, the HVAC SUPER PRO can be kept liquid in a pocket. In extreme cold conditions, like below -20, the connection should be made as quickly as possible after applying HVAC SUPER PRO.

17. Is the expansion rate the same for aluminum as for copper?

1. The expansion coefficient of aluminum and copper are so similar that there is no effect on tubing in HVAC applications.

17. Do you have to Nitrogen purge when using HVAC SUPER PRO on a 410A system?

1. No, but you should. One reason nitrogen purging is required is to remove the oxide (scale) that occurs inside the tubing during the brazing process. The POE oil in a 410A system is a strong detergent and removes this oxide which clogs the thermal expansion valve. HVAC SUPER PRO leaves no oxide (scale) to clog the thermal expansion valve. However, there are other benefits to doing a nitrogen purge, especially on 410a systems, prior to charging the system.

17. Can HVAC SUPER PRO be used on water and steam heating systems?

1. Yes! HVAC SUPER PRO has a temperature range of 350 Degrees F. HVAC SUPER PRO can be used on all steam heating and hydro-baseboard heating systems. The only place HVAC SUPER PRO cannot be used is on pipes that have direct contact with open flame.

17. Can HVAC SUPER PRO be used on hospital oxygen lines?

1. No! HVAC SUPER PRO is not certified for oxygen lines used by patients at home or in the hospital. Also, HVAC SUPER PRO was intentionally not tested for patient use because of the restrictive insurance costs.

COMMON APPLICATION ERRORS

17. What are the most common HVAC SUPER PRO application errors?

1. Listed in order of occurrence.

1) The clearance between the connector and tubing was less than 5 thousandths of an inch or greater than 20 thousandths of an inch.

2) The bonded connection was disturbed during the mandatory 3 or 5 minute bonding period. This is the period when the bond is changing from a liquid to a solid state.

3) The bonding areas were not sanded with 60-grit emery cloth.

4) While making the last connection, pressure was created inside the tubing causing the connection to move during the bonding period.

5) A brazed connection was made in close proximity to an HVAC SUPER PRO bond, creating transferred heat of 450 Degrees F or greater.

6) Connections to long pieces of tubing were not supported – creating stress on bonding area during the 3 or 5 minute bonding period.

7) When replacing a unit, stretching the current tubing to make it fit. The stress on the tubing will stress the bond and cause it not to bond correctly. An additional piece of tubing should be added to make the tubing the correct length.

8) There was refrigerant and/or oil present in the bonding area.

9) HVAC SUPER PRO was not applied completely around the outside of the tubing and/or the inside of the connector.

10) The tubing and/or connector were wiped after sanding.

11) The bottle was not shaken before application.