Shapes & Materials of Copper tubes

Copper tubes can be supplied in different shapes to meet different installation methods and requirements. The most common delivery forms for copper tubes are straight lengths, level wound coils and pancake coils.

Straight lengths

Straight lengths are the simplest form of delivery for copper tubes. These tubes usually come in standard lengths of 3 meters or 6 meters, although custom lengths are also available. Straight lengths are useful for installations where tubing must run in a linear path without large bends or curves.

Product features and application according to ASTM B280

Type K: Type K copper tubes are thick-walled, much thicker than Type L and Type M, and are used for domestic water supply and distribution, fire protection, solar energy, fuel and oil, HVAC, compressed air, oxygen, LPG gas, snowmelt, steam and vacuum systems.

Type L: Standard Type L copper tubes are used for overhead indoor piping, water piping and distribution, fire protection, solar, fuel and oil, HVAC, compressed air, LPG gas, snowmelt, steam and vacuum systems.

Type M: Type M copper tubes are used in ACR systems, refrigerators, cooling units, building water lines and generator sets. The wall thickness is less than that of Type K and Type L.

Dimensions according to ASTM B280

O.D.	Wall Thk			Weight
	Type K	Type L	Type M	Type K	Type L	Type M
	ASTM B280		Econ	Type K	Type L	Type M
Inch mm	mm	mm	mm	kg/m	kg/m	kg/m
3/8 9.53	0.89	0.76	0.61	0.22	0.19	0.15
1/2 12.70	1.24	0.89	0.61	0.40	0.29	0.21
5/8 15.88	1.24	1.02	0.71	0.50	0.42	0.30
3/4 19.05	1.24	1.07	0.71	0.60	0.54	0.37
7/8 22.23	1.65	1.14	0.81	0.95	0.67	0.49
1.1/8 28.58	1.65	1.27	0.91	1.24	0.97	0.71
1.3/8 34.93	1.65	1.40	1.02	1.54	1.31	0.97
1.5/8 41.28	1.83	1.52	1.22	2.02	1.69	1.37
2.1/8 53.98	2.11	1.78	1.42	3.07	2.60	2.10
2.5/8 66.68	-	2.03	1.63	-	3.68	2.97
3.1/8 79.38	-	2.29	1.78	-	4.94	3.87
4.1/8 104.78	-	2.79	2.41	-	7.97	6.91
5.1/8 130.18	-	3.18	2.77	-	11.31	9.88
6.1/8 155.58	-	3.56	3.10	-	15.15	13.24

Level wound coils

Annealed Copper tubes can be supplied in coils, with the tube wrapped in a circular coil. Coils are often used for applications where flexibility and ease of installation are important, such as in domestic plumbing, HVAC systems and steam tracing for piping systems.

Annealed copper goes through the same tensile process as hard-drawn copper, but receives heat treatment shortly thereafter as part of the manufacturing process. The heat makes annealed copper easier to work, bend and shape, making it a "softer" and less brittle tube.

This version of copper tube is more conductive than hard-drawn, thanks to the heating process the tube undergoes after being drawn. The heat performs a kind of reset on the crystalline structure of the copper, returning it to its original shape. The result is a path that allows electrons to flow more easily.

Annealed copper tube is a popular choice in many applications because of its flexibility. This is useful when the tube must bend around corners, pass through pipes or fit in tight spaces.

Pancake Coils

Round, seamless copper tube coiled in the shape of a pancake, hence the name "pancake" coil. Available in both copper and copper-nickel alloys and a range of sizes to suit the application.

Pancake coils are primarily used in the air conditioning and refrigeration market, but also in industries such as automotive and medical.

The material can be supplied at customer-specific lengths depending on dimensions, with the ability to customize markings and packaging.

Pre-insulated copper tubes

Pre-insulated copper tubes are tubes encased in insulating material, such as foam or rubber.

These tubes are often used for cooling water or refrigeration applications where insulation is needed to prevent condensation and maintain temperature efficiency.

Pre-insulated copper tubes simplify installation by combining the tubes and insulation in a single product.

American Society for Testing
and Materials

ASTM Material Grades for Copper Tubes

C10100 Oxygen-Free Electronic Copper or OFE has a copper content of 99.99% at a minimum. It's conductivity is 101% IACS, which places it as the highest among all coppers.

C10200 Oxygen-Free Copper or OF is a high purity, oxygen free, non phosphorus-deoxidized copper that does not contain in vacuum evaporating elements. It has a very high electrical and thermal conductivity, good welding and excellent soldering properties. It has excellent hot and cold forming properties, and a good corrosion resistance, especially in atmosphere due to a good adherence of the oxide layer.

C11000 Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper or ETP is known for its high electrical and thermal conductivity, good corrosion resistance and solderability. C11000 copper is used for welding fixtures, anodes, bus bar in electrical power installations, ground straps, commutators and current-carrying hardware.

C12000 DLP Copper is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper with a limited, medium amount of residual Phosphorus. It has a good electrical conductivity and excellent welding and soldering properties. It can be formed excellent, either hot or cold.

C12200 Phosphorus-Deoxidized Copper or DHP is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper with a limited, high amount of residual Phosphorus. It has excellent welding and soldering properties and is resistant against hydrogen embrittlement. It can be deformed excellent, either hot or cold.

ASTM specifications for Copper tubes

ASTM B88 This specification covers seamless copper alloy water tubes for general plumbing and similar applications in fluid conveyance. These water tubes made from UNS C10200, C12000, and C12200 copper alloys are commonly used with solder, flared, or compression-type fittings.

ASTM B280 This specification covers the requirements for seamless UNS C10200, C12000, or C12200 copper alloy tubes used for connection, repairs, or alternations of field air conditioning or refrigeration units.

ASTM B306 This specification establishes the requirements for seamless copper tube (DWV) produced from Copper UNS C12200 and intended for sanitary drainage, waste, and vent piping. The tube shall be manufactured by such hot- or cold-working process as to produce a homogeneous uniform wrought structure in the finished product.

ASTM B743 This standard specification establishes the requirements for seamless copper tube coils, suitable for use in refrigeration and air conditioning or other uses, such as oil lines and gasoline lines.

ASTM B819 This specification establishes the requirements for two wall thickness schedules of specially cleaned, straight lengths of seamless copper tube, identified as Types K and L, suitable for medical gas systems.

ASTM B837 This specification establishes the requirements for Type GAS seamless Copper UNS C12200 tube for use in above ground natural gas and liquified petroleum (LP) gas fuel distribution systems, commonly assembled with flared fittings or brazed joints.