Testing of crimp connections made on a prototype stand

Abstract

The paper presents a project of a prototype stand for making inseparable crimped joints through crimping operation, which is commonly used in the construction of heat exchangers. The joint is formed by tools in form of crimping jaws, which are considered as a punch stamp for pressing two materials into each other. In effect these two materials are mutually “crimped”. This elaboration contains a case study of joints being made by the workstand. Furthermore, the paper presents an analysis of features of the joints by examining them by destructive testing: Micrography, Tensile strength test, and non-destructive testing: Leakage test. The elements to be joined have been made of aluminium 6060, which is well matched to indirectly or directly make joints for all kinds of coolers or condensers.