Copper Pipes
Length：1m,2m,3m,6m,or as required
Hardness：1/16 hard,1/8 hard,3/8 hard,1/4 hard,1/2hard,full hard,soft,etc
Surface：mill,polished,bright,oiled,hair line,brush,mirror,sand blast,or as required
Price Term：Ex-Work,FOB,CNF,CFR,CIF,FCA,DDP,DDU, etc
Payment Term：TT,D/P,L/C,Western Union,D/A,D/P,Paypal,etc
Gnee Steel (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional manufacturers and suppliers of copper pipes in China, specialized in providing high quality copper products with competitive price. Welcome to buy discount copper pipes for sale here from our factory. Customized orders are welcome.
Standards We Comply With
| Standard | Typical Application |
|---|---|
| ASTM B68 | General seamless copper tube (plumbing, HVAC) |
| ASTM B75 | General seamless copper tube (wider scope than B68) |
| ASTM B88 | Plumbing & potable water |
| ASTM B111 | Heat exchanger & condenser tubes (shell & tube) |
| ASTM B280 | Air conditioning & refrigeration |
Products we can offer
Rigid and easy to cut. Suitable for embedded construction, exposed plumbing lines, and precision machining.
Flexible and continuous without joints, saving shipping space. Suitable for air conditioner connections, underfloor heating loops, and refrigeration systems.
Space-saving design for tube bundles. Suitable for shell and tube heat exchangers and condensers.
Ultra-fine diameter with high precision for throttling. Suitable for refrigeration system expansion devices.
Spiral grooves inside to enhance heat transfer. Suitable for high-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps (20–30% efficiency gain compared to smooth tubes).
External fins maximize heat dissipation area. Suitable for air coolers, cooling towers, heat exchangers, and waste heat recovery systems.
Seamless copper tube specially produced for heat transfer equipment. Available in straight lengths or U-bends. Suitable for condensers, evaporators, boilers, and heat recovery units.
Square, oval, or flat profiles. Suitable for special radiators and automotive air conditioning systems.
Material Grades & Specifications
| Grade | Chemical Composition (%) | Mechanical Properties | Physical Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| C12200 (DHP) | Cu ≥ 99.9 P: 0.015–0.040 |
Tensile Strength: 220–310 MPa Yield Strength: 69–200 MPa Elongation: 40–60% |
Density: 8.94 g/cm³ Conductivity: 85% IACS Melting Point: 1083°C |
| C11000 (ETP) | Cu ≥ 99.9 O: 0.02–0.04 |
Tensile Strength: 220–340 MPa Yield Strength: 69–200 MPa Elongation: 45–60% |
Density: 8.94 g/cm³ Conductivity: 100% IACS Melting Point: 1083°C |
| C10200 (OFC) | Cu ≥ 99.95 O ≤ 0.001 |
Tensile Strength: 220–310 MPa Yield Strength: 69–200 MPa Elongation: 45–60% |
Density: 8.94 g/cm³ Conductivity: 100% IACS Melting Point: 1083°C |
| C44300 (Admiralty Brass) | Cu: 70–73% Sn: 0.9–1.2% Zn: Remainder |
Tensile Strength: 330–390 MPa Yield Strength: 110–170 MPa Elongation: 45–60% |
Density: 8.53 g/cm³ Conductivity: 26% IACS Melting Point: 935°C |
| C68700 (Aluminum Brass) | Cu: 76–79% Al: 1.8–2.5% As: 0.02–0.06% Zn: Remainder |
Tensile Strength: 370–480 MPa Yield Strength: 150–240 MPa Elongation: 30–50% |
Density: 8.33 g/cm³ Conductivity: 23% IACS Melting Point: 935°C |
| C70600 (CuNi 90/10) | Cu: 86.5–90% Ni: 9–11% Fe ≤ 1.8% Mn ≤ 1.0% |
Tensile Strength: 270–410 MPa Yield Strength: 105–200 MPa Elongation: 30–50% |
Density: 8.94 g/cm³ Conductivity: 9% IACS Melting Point: 1150°C |
| C71500 (CuNi 70/30) | Cu: 65–70% Ni: 29–33% Fe: 0.4–1.0% Mn ≤ 1.0% |
Tensile Strength: 380–520 MPa Yield Strength: 150–280 MPa Elongation: 20–40% |
Density: 8.94 g/cm³ Conductivity: 5% IACS Melting Point: 1180°C |
Which Material Should You Choose?
| Application | Recommended Grade |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning & refrigeration | C12200 (DHP) |
| Plumbing & gas lines | C12200 (DHP) |
| Electrical grounding & busbars | C11000 (ETP) |
| High-purity & vacuum applications | C10200 (OFC) |
| Seawater cooling (low velocity) | C44300 (Admiralty Brass) |
| Seawater cooling (high velocity) | C68700 (Aluminum Brass) |
| Marine piping & general seawater | C70600 (CuNi 90/10) |
| High-temperature seawater & heavy duty | C71500 (CuNi 70/30) |
Copper Tube Dimensions
Straight Tube
| Parameter | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 3mm – 219mm (1/8″ – 8″) | Custom sizes available |
| Wall Thickness (WT) | 0.3mm – 5.0mm | Depends on OD |
| Length | 3m, 4m, 6m | Custom lengths available |
Coil
| Parameter | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 3mm – 19mm (1/8″ – 3/4″) | |
| Wall Thickness (WT) | 0.3mm – 2.0mm | |
| Coil Length | 15m, 30m, 50m, 100m | Continuous without joints |
Common Schedules (ASTM B88)
Nominal Sizes 1/4" to 2" (most common range):
| Nominal Size (inch) | OD (inch) | Type K Wall (inch) | Type L Wall (inch) | Type M Wall (inch) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4" | 0.375 | 0.035 | 0.030 | - |
| 3/8" | 0.500 | 0.049 | 0.035 | 0.025 |
| 1/2" | 0.625 | 0.049 | 0.040 | 0.028 |
| 5/8" | 0.750 | 0.049 | 0.042 | 0.032 |
| 3/4" | 0.875 | 0.065 | 0.045 | 0.032 |
| 1" | 1.125 | 0.065 | 0.050 | 0.035 |
| 1-1/4" | 1.375 | 0.065 | 0.055 | 0.042 |
| 1-1/2" | 1.625 | 0.072 | 0.060 | 0.049 |
| 2" | 2.125 | 0.083 | 0.070 | 0.058 |
Type K has the thickest wall for each OD. Type M has the thinnest. Type L is in between (most common). Type K and L cover the full size range; Type M is available from 3/8" to 12".
Tolerance
| Parameter | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| OD (standard) | ±0.10mm |
| OD (precision) | ±0.05mm |
| WT | ±10% |
| Length (straight tube) | ±2mm |
Tighter tolerances available upon request.
Copper Tube Temper
| Temper | Code | Manufacturing Process | Hardness Level | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft (Annealed) | O60 | Fully annealed | Very low | Coils, air conditioner connections, refrigeration, flaring, bending |
| 1/16 Hard | H40 | Slight cold working | Low | Slightly stronger than annealed, light forming |
| 1/8 Hard | H55 | Light cold drawing / rolling | Low to medium | Straight tubes, general plumbing, light bending |
| 1/4 Hard | H60 | Moderate cold working | Medium | Hard drawn tubes, water pipes, general piping |
| 3/8 Hard | H65 | Medium-high cold working | Medium to high | Higher strength requirements, industrial use |
| 1/2 Hard | H70 | High cold working | High | High strength industrial tubes, hydraulic lines |
| Full Hard | H80 | Maximum cold working | Very high | Springs, high strength precision components |
| Extra Hard | H85 | Extreme cold working | Highest | Special high-strength applications |
Value-Added Services
| Service | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Flattening | One or both ends pressed flat | Ready for brazing or mounting, no on-site prep needed |
| Flaring / Expanding | End enlarged to receive another tube | Creates a socket joint, eliminates couplings |
| Bending | Custom angle bends (90°, 180°, U-shape) | Ready-to-install for HVAC or heat exchanger assemblies |
| Cutting to Length | Precision cutting as per your drawing | Reduces scrap, ready for final assembly |
| End Capping | Plastic caps or heat-sealed ends | Protects cleanliness during transport and storage |
| Deburring | Removes sharp edges from cut ends | Safe handling, prevents refrigerant or water flow blockage |
Quality Control & Testing
| Chemical composition analysis | Verify material grade (C12200, C11000, etc.) |
| Tensile test | Check strength and elongation |
| Hardness test | Ensure proper temper (soft / half-hard / hard) |
| Flattening test | Check ductility and surface uniformity |
| Expansion test | Verify tube formability for flaring and swaging |
| Eddy current test | Detect internal defects (pinholes, cracks) |
| Hydrostatic / pneumatic test | Confirm leak-proof performance under pressure |
| Dimensional inspection | Ensure OD, WT, and length within tolerance |
Packaging
| Product Form | End Protection | Inner Wrapping | Bundling / Securing | Outer Packaging | Pallet / Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Tube | Plastic end caps or heat-sealed film | Moisture-proof paper (optional) | Hexagonal or rectangular bundles with plastic/steel straps | Plywood or wooden case (ISPM15) | Strapped wooden case |
| Coil | – | Stretch film wrap | Plastic or steel straps around coil | Carton box (optional) | Wooden pallet + stretch film overwrap (optional for sea freight) |
Plant and equipment
Melting & Casting
We use a 15-ton tilting melting furnace capable of melting copper cathode at 1150°C. The furnace is equipped with a phosphorus feeder to add deoxidizing agent (P) during melting. Molten copper is cast into solid billets through a horizontal continuous casting machine. Each billet is 8 meters long and 200mm in diameter. Casting speed is controlled to prevent porosity and internal cracks.
Extrusion Press
A 2,500-ton extrusion press pierces the solid billet and forms it into a hollow tube shell. The billet is heated to 850°C-900°C and pushed through a die at 8mm per second. Exit temperature is controlled to 600°C-650°C. The resulting tube shell has rough dimensions of 90mm OD and 25mm wall thickness.
Three-Roll Planetary Rolling Mill
The rough tube shell enters a three-roll planetary rolling mill. This machine reduces wall thickness from 25mm to 3mm and outer diameter from 90mm to 48mm in a single pass. The rolling speed is 15 meters per minute. An inline eddy current tester checks for surface defects immediately after rolling.
Drawing Line
We have seven draw benches of different capacities. The largest can draw tubes up to 100mm OD. Drawing reduces tube diameter and wall thickness to final dimensions through carbide dies. A typical tube goes through 3 to 6 drawing passes depending on final size. Between passes, tubes are annealed in a bell-type annealing furnace to restore ductility.
Annealing Furnaces
We operate four bell-type annealing furnaces. Each furnace can hold up to 5 tons of tube. The annealing cycle runs for 8 hours at 500°C-550°C under a protective nitrogen atmosphere. The controlled atmosphere prevents oxidation during heating. After annealing, tubes cool for 4 hours before removal. Soft temper (O60) is achieved through this process.
Coiling Equipment
For soft temper products, we use a take-up coiling machine that winds tube onto reels or forms level-wound coils. The machine operates at 20 meters per minute and can handle tube diameters from 1/4" to 1-1/8". Coil weight ranges from 50kg to 500kg depending on diameter.
Cutting & Straightening
Two flying cutters cut the continuous tube into straight lengths of 3m, 6m, or 20ft while the line is running. Cut length accuracy is ±3mm. A six-roll straightener removes curvature from hard temper tubes. Straightness tolerance is 1mm per meter.
SGS Certification
GNEE is an SGS certified manufacturer, and SGS third-party inspection is available for every shipment upon request.
FAQ
1. What is the difference between seamless and welded copper tube?
Seamless copper tube is made from a solid billet with no weld seam, offering higher pressure rating and uniform wall thickness. Welded copper tube is made from flat strip welded longitudinally, which is more cost-effective for larger diameters. Both are suitable for most applications.
2. What are the most common tempers for copper tube?
Soft (annealed, O60) is most common for coils, bending, and flaring. Half-hard (H55) is used for straight tubes with light bending. Hard (drawn, H80) is used for straight pipelines and embedded construction where no bending is required.
3. Can copper tube be used for seawater applications?
Copper tube has limited corrosion resistance in seawater. For long-term seawater service, copper-nickel alloys (C70600, C71500) or titanium tube are recommended. Copper tube may suffer pitting and erosion-corrosion in seawater.
4. What surface finishes are available for copper tube?
Common finishes include bright annealed (BA), pickled (AP), antioxidant coated, tin plated, and polished. Bright annealed is the most common for general applications. Tin plating is used for refrigeration systems to prevent galvanic corrosion with aluminum.
5. How do I choose the right wall thickness for my application?
Wall thickness depends on operating pressure, tube diameter, and application. For typical HVAC and refrigeration, 0.5-1.0mm is common. For higher pressure, use thicker wall. Refer to ASTM B88 pressure rating tables or consult our engineers.
6. What is the maximum operating temperature for copper tube?
Copper tube can operate up to 400°F (204°C) for Type K, L, and M. For high temperature applications above 400°F, specialized alloys or different materials should be considered.
7. Can copper tube be bent without cracking?
Soft (annealed) copper tube can be bent easily without cracking. Hard (drawn) copper tube should be annealed before bending. Use proper bending tools with mandrel for tight radius bends.
8. What is the difference between Type K, L, and M copper tube?
Type K has the thickest wall (highest pressure rating). Type L has medium wall (most common for general plumbing). Type M has thin wall (lowest cost, for low pressure applications). ASTM B88 covers these three types.
9. Do you provide third-party inspection for copper tube orders?
Yes. GNEE accepts SGS, BV, or any third-party inspection at buyer's cost. Inspection reports are provided with shipping documents.
10. What is the delivery time for copper tube orders?
For stock sizes, delivery is 3-7 days. For custom sizes or special tempers, lead time is 15-25 days depending on quantity and specifications.
Customer visits
Hot Tags: copper pipes, China copper pipes manufacturers, suppliers, factory, copper, C12000 flexible copper tubing, C26200 copper pipe, type k copper pipe, C24000 soft copper tubing, C12000 copper hose, C23000 copper pipe
Previous
No InformationNext
Brass PipeYou Might Also Like
Send Inquiry