METHOD OF FORMING ALUMINIUM HEAT EXCHANGERS HEADER TANKS

摘要

The invention relates to a method for producing a heat exchanger header tank comprising the steps of providing a tube having a core made from a AA3XXX-aluminium alloy; optionally pre-heating the tube; inserting the tube into a forming tool having a forming cavity with the shape of the final header tank; plugging the ends of the tube; internally pressurising the tube by the use of a gas so as to make it conform to the shape of the tool cavity, thus obtaining the final header tank; removing the header tank from the tool; and cooling the header tank. This method allows an efficient production of header tanks of irregular shapes made of AA3XXX aluminium alloy. The invention also relates to a method for producing a heat exchanger, where the header tank is connected to a plurality of tubes and corrugated fins inserted between the tubes, followed by brazing of the fins to the tubes.