47-55.1 Can I use this for brake line?

[mick53]

On my last project I asked the customer if I could have some scrap Stainless steel tubing for my brake lines on my 53 1/2 ton. They gave me two 200 foot coils. I'm running Wilwood 12.88" disk 4 piston rear and 6 piston front. The writing on the tubing is, Made in Canada, 0.250" XO .035" A ASTM A249 / A209 ASME 5A-249 & BRS-75 TP 304 / 304L HT #SE00444 welded NDE 2018/02/27 22:10

[1project2many]

Well, that looks like type 304 stainless tubing with .250" OD and .035" wall thickness which according to this chart (if I'm reading it correctly) has a working pressure of 5941 psi. This compares to a mild steel tube of same dimensions which has a working pressure of 3950 psi.

I would say yes, as long as your tools can form and flare the tubing safely, it is acceptable.

[MiraclePieCo]

I agree, sounds good. SS is harder to flare; guys often go with the 37* single flare instead of the double flare.

https://www.jegs.com/s/tech-articles...s+Steel+Tubing

[mongocanfly]

I was gonna add it may be hard to do a double invert without splitting the tube....

[1project2many]

guys often go with the 37* single flare instead of the double flare

I tend to believe the folks who insist double flare or ISO flare is better than single flare for safety reasons. I have seen single flared mild steel tubing which has split in service. While .035" wall stainless is going to be much tougher to flare than .028" wall mild steel brake tubing, it may be possible to create bubble flares and use adapters at each end of a brake line.

[mick53]

I have the nice Eastwood flaring set that does 37 deg. and 45 deg. flares. I have a little extra to play with. I guess I'll try a few practice pieces and see what happens.

[mongocanfly]

Good deal....let us know how it works with pics....I've got the Eastwood also...great tool...

[Krustyone]

You'll want to do 37deg single flares with that. Make sure you deburr the ends before flaring to keep it from splitting. Also, It helps the seal to slightly burnish the flare inside if you can with the tool you have. Keep a steady pace on the flaring tool, don't stop and start if you can help it. Stainless work hardens pretty easily. I usually run 3/16 but 1/4 should work as long as your master is sized appropriately. also, make sure the flares seats straight and not cockeyed.
Oh, one more thing, Use steel 37deg AN fitting, NOT aluminum.