ASTM B111 C12200 Copper Heat Exchanger Tube

ASTM B111 C12200 is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper tube specifically manufactured for heat exchanger applications. It is widely used in shell and tube heat exchangers, U tube condensers, HVAC systems, and boiler units. This grade offers high thermal conductivity, good weldability, and reliable performance for tube expansion and tube rolling.

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Product Introduction

Gnee Steel (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional manufacturers and suppliers of astm b111 c12200 copper heat exchanger tube in China, specialized in providing high quality copper products with competitive price. Welcome to buy discount astm b111 c12200 copper heat exchanger tube for sale here from our factory. Customized orders are welcome.

ASTM B111 C12200

C12200 is one of the most common copper alloys specified under ASTM B111 and ASME SB111. It is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper with a minimum copper content of 99.9%. The deoxidization process removes oxygen from the material, which significantly improves its performance during welding and brazing.

Unlike standard plumbing copper, C12200 is engineered for heat exchanger tube rolling and heat exchanger tube expansion. It provides consistent results in shell tube evaporator and u tube condenser applications.

This alloy is suitable for:

Heat exchanger HVAC systems

Heat exchanger boiler units

Heat exchanger car radiators and heaters

Heat exchanger air cooling coils

Material Specifications and Chemical Composition

C12200 is fully compliant with ASTM B111 pdf and ASME SB111 pdf standards. It is also available with certification to EN 12451 and JIS H3300 upon request.

Property	Value
Standard	ASTM B111 / ASME SB111
Alloy	C12200 (phosphorus deoxidized copper)
Cu content	≥ 99.9%
P content	0.015% – 0.040%
Temper	Annealed (O60), drawn (H80), or as required

This material is recognized for its resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, which is a common issue when welding oxygen-bearing copper.

Dimensions and Technical Parameters

We supply copper heat exchanger tube in a wide range of dimensions. Below are the most commonly requested sizes.

Common outer diameters:

copper heat exchanger tube 5/8 inch (15.88mm)

copper heat exchanger tube 3/4 inch (19.05mm)

copper heat exchanger tube 1 inch (25.4mm)

copper heat exchanger tube OD 19mm

copper heat exchanger tube OD 25.4mm

Wall thickness range:

0.5mm – 3.0mm depending on diameter and application

Length options:

Standard straight length: 6m, 9m, 12m

Custom copper heat exchanger tube length up to 30m

Coils available for annealed temper

Key technical parameters for design:

Heat exchanger tube pitch: typically 1.25 × OD, customizable

Heat exchanger tube sheet drilling tolerance: H11 recommended

Heat exchanger pipe diameter selection depends on flow rate and pressure drop

For engineers performing a copper tube heat exchanger calculation, we can provide thermal conductivity curves and pressure drop coefficients upon request.

Get a quote for copper heat exchanger tube

Applications – Where Is C12200 Used?

C12200 is specified across multiple industries. Its combination of thermal performance and workability makes it a practical choice for many heat transfer applications.

Shell and tube heat exchangers

C12200 is commonly used in shell and tube heat exchanger designs, including shell tube evaporator units. The tube material must withstand rolling into tube sheets and potential vibration. C12200 performs well under these conditions.

U tube heat exchangers

For u tube heat exchanger and u tube bundle heat exchanger designs, C12200 offers good bendability. It can be formed into U-bends without cracking when properly annealed.

HVAC and refrigeration

Heat exchanger HVAC systems, including condensers and evaporators, frequently use copper tube heat exchanger coils. Copper tubing heat exchanger is the standard choice for air conditioning units.

Power and industrial boilers

Heat exchanger boiler applications require materials that resist corrosion from treated water. C12200 provides long service life in closed-loop systems.

Automotive

Heat exchanger car applications include heater cores and EGR coolers where copper's thermal conductivity is an advantage.

Condensers

Heat exchanger condenser units in both commercial and industrial settings often specify C12200 for its balance of cost and performance.

Comparison – C12200 vs Other Heat Exchanger Tube Alloys

A common question from procurement engineers is: copper heat exchanger tube vs stainless steel – which one should I choose?

The answer depends on the operating environment.

Alloy	Key strength	Limitation
C12200 (copper)	Highest thermal conductivity, easy to bend and roll	Limited resistance to high-velocity seawater
C44300 (naval brass)	Good resistance to impingement corrosion	Lower thermal conductivity
C68700 (aluminum brass)	Suitable for brackish water	More expensive than C12200
C70600 (cupronickel 90/10)	Excellent seawater resistance	Lower thermal conductivity, higher cost
Stainless steel 316	Very high chloride resistance	Poor thermal conductivity

Another frequent comparison is copper heat exchanger tube vs cupronickel. For clean fresh water or closed-loop HVAC systems, C12200 is the more cost-effective choice. For seawater cooling, C70600 tube or C71500 tube is recommended.

Why use copper in heat exchanger systems? Because copper's thermal conductivity (approx. 400 W/m·K) is significantly higher than stainless steel (approx. 15 W/m·K) or cupronickel (approx. 30-50 W/m·K). This translates to smaller heat exchanger footprints and lower fan or pump power requirements.

Fabrication Guidelines – Bending, Welding, and Tube Expansion

How to bend copper heat exchanger tube

C12200 in annealed temper can be bent using a mandrel bender. The minimum recommended bending radius is 2.5 × tube OD. Hard-drawn tube should not be bent without intermediate annealing.

How to weld copper heat exchanger tube

C12200 is weldable using TIG process. Use deoxidized filler rod (ERCu). The low oxygen content of C12200 prevents gas porosity during welding.

Heat exchanger tube rolling

Proper heat exchanger tube rolling is critical for leak-free joints. Key factors:

Tube holes in the heat exchanger tube sheet must be clean and within tolerance

Use a torque-controlled roller expander

Avoid over-rolling, which can thin the tube wall

Heat exchanger tube expansion

For heat exchanger tube expansion into tube sheets, C12200 provides good ductility. Expansion should be performed to achieve a leak-tight joint without reducing wall thickness beyond acceptable limits.

Corrosion and Service Life

Copper heat exchanger tube corrosion is typically caused by one of the following factors:

Low pH (below 6.5)

Presence of ammonia or sulfide

High water velocity (above 2.0 m/s for C12200)

Galvanic coupling with a more noble metal

Under normal operating conditions in clean water or closed-loop HVAC systems, copper heat exchanger tube life expectancy exceeds 25 years. Regular water treatment and monitoring are recommended for open systems.

How to clean copper heat exchanger tube:

For soft fouling: mechanical brushing with nylon or stainless steel brush

For hard scale: circulate inhibited sulfamic or citric acid

Avoid hydrochloric acid, which causes rapid pitting

Ask our engineer about tube expansion or welding

FAQ

What is copper heat exchanger tube?

A copper heat exchanger tube is a seamless tube manufactured to precise dimensions for use in heat transfer equipment. It transfers thermal energy between two fluids without allowing them to mix.

How to clean copper heat exchanger tube?

Mechanical cleaning with a tube brush is the most common method. For chemical cleaning, use inhibited acids designed for copper. Avoid hydrochloric acid and aggressive chlorinated solvents.

How to bend copper heat exchanger tube without damage?

Use an annealed temper tube and a mandrel bender. The minimum bending radius should be 2.5 to 3 times the tube outer diameter. Support the tube properly to prevent kinking.

How to weld copper heat exchanger tube?

C12200 can be welded using TIG with ERCu filler rod. Clean the tube thoroughly before welding. Use deoxidized copper to avoid porosity.

Copper heat exchanger tube vs stainless steel – which lasts longer?

Stainless steel lasts longer in corrosive environments such as seawater or low-pH fluids. Copper lasts longer in clean water and closed-loop systems while providing much better heat transfer.

Copper heat exchanger tube vs cupronickel – which is better?

Cupronickel (C70600, C71500) is better for seawater. Copper (C12200) is better for fresh water, HVAC, and boiler applications. Copper also has higher thermal conductivity and lower material cost.

Why use copper in heat exchanger instead of other metals?

Copper offers the best combination of thermal conductivity, workability, and cost for clean water and refrigerant applications. No other common material matches copper's heat transfer efficiency in these environments.

What is the life expectancy of copper heat exchanger tube?

In properly maintained closed-loop systems, 25-30 years is typical. In open cooling towers with poor water treatment, corrosion may occur within 3-5 years.

What causes copper heat exchanger tube corrosion?

Common causes: low pH (<6.5), high dissolved oxygen, ammonia, sulfides, high water velocity, or galvanic corrosion from dissimilar metals.

Do you have copper heat exchanger tube for sale in small quantities?

Yes. We support both small repair quantities and large OEM orders. Minimum order quantity depends on size and temper. Contact us with your requirements.

Can you supply C12200 to EN 12451 or JIS H3300?

Yes. While ASTM B111 and ASME SB111 are our primary standards, we can also provide certification to EN 12451 or JIS H3300 upon request.

What is the difference between ASTM B111 and ASME SB111?

ASME SB111 is the ASME code version of ASTM B111. It includes additional quality assurance and certification requirements for pressure vessel applications. For ASME-coded shell and tube heat exchangers, SB111 is required.

Contact our sales team for pricing and availability

How Do We Package Copper Heat Exchanger Tubes for Global Delivery?

Poor packaging destroys even the best copper heat exchanger tube. As a professional copper heat exchanger tube factory serving copper heat exchanger tube USA, Europe, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India, we follow military-grade export packaging standards to ensure zero damage during sea or air freight.

Our Standard Packaging Process:

Packaging Stage	Material / Method	Purpose
Individual Tube Protection	Anti-rust VCI paper + plastic end caps	Prevents moisture, dust, and scratches on copper tube heat exchanger inner surfaces.
Bundling	Nylon straps + wooden spacers	Keeps copper heat exchanger tube OD 19mm, 1 inch, or 5/8 inch sizes organized and vibration-free.
Moisture Barrier	Thick PE film wrap (heat-shrunk)	Blocks humidity during long sea voyages to copper heat exchanger tube Germany or Saudi Arabia.
Outer Packing	Export-grade plywood cases or steel-banded wooden crates	Withstands stacking and rough handling. Each crate labeled with PO number, alloy (e.g., SB111 C70600), and quantity.
Documentation	Packing list + Mill Test Certificate (MTC) attached outside	Customs clearance support for copper heat exchanger tube stockist and distributor partners.

For U-Bundle Orders: U tube heat exchanger and U tube bundle heat exchanger are placed in dedicated steel jigs inside the crate to prevent bending radius distortion.

copper heat exchanger tube manufacturers

Our Factory & Equipment

Equipment Type	Specification / Capability	Quality Impact
Horizontal Continuous Casting Line	10-ton capacity	Produces homogeneous copper alloy tube for heat exchanger billets with zero porosity.
Three-Roll Piercing Mill	Up to 60mm OD	Precision wall thickness control for heat exchanger tube wall thickness as low as 0.5mm.
Cold Drawing Bench	5 draws in sequence	Achieves tight tolerances on copper heat exchanger tube length and heat exchanger pipe diameter.
Straightening & Cutting Line	CNC servo-controlled	Burr-free cutting for copper heat exchanger tube 3/4 inch and 1 inch to exact project lengths.
U-Bending Machine	CNC mandrel type	Produces u tube condenser and U tube bundle heat exchanger without kinking or ovality.
Eddy Current Tester	NDT (Non-Destructive Testing)	100% inspection of C70600 tube and C71500 tube for pinholes or cracks per ASTM B111 pdf standards.
Hydrostatic Tester	Up to 200 bar	Validates heat exchanger tube expansion and tube rolling integrity.
Spectrometer	Optical emission (OES)	Confirms chemical composition of ASME SB111, EN 12451, and JIS H3300 grades on every batch.