ASTM B68 C12200 Copper Tube

Q1: What is the difference between ASTM B68 and ASTM B75 for C12200 tube?
A: ASTM B68 covers annealed seamless copper tube suitable for use in refrigerators, oil lines, and gasoline lines where absolute freedom from scale and dirt is required. ASTM B75 covers seamless copper tube for general engineering applications. Both use C12200 material. B68 is specifically for applications requiring high internal cleanliness.

Q2: Is C12200 the same as ETP copper?
A: No. C12200 is Deoxidized High Phosphorus (DHP) copper, containing 0.015-0.040% phosphorus. ETP (Electrolytic Tough Pitch) copper is C11000, which contains oxygen. C12200 is weldable and brazeable; C11000 is not. Some suppliers incorrectly label C12200 as ETP – this is wrong. Always verify the grade.

Q3: What is the electrical conductivity of C12200?
A: C12200 has approximately 85% IACS conductivity. The phosphorus added for deoxidation reduces conductivity from 100% IACS (pure copper). Some sources incorrectly claim 97-99% IACS for C12200 – that value applies to C11000 ETP copper. For high-conductivity applications, use C11000. For plumbing and HVAC, C12200 is standard.

Q4: What is the difference between C12200 and C12000?
A: C12200 (DHP) contains 0.015-0.040% phosphorus. C12000 (DLP – Deoxidized Low Phosphorus) contains 0.004-0.012% phosphorus. C12200 has better deoxidation and weldability but lower conductivity. C12000 has higher conductivity (about 90% IACS) but less complete deoxidation. C12200 is more common for plumbing and HVAC.

Q5: What are the mechanical properties of ASTM B68 C12200 annealed tube?
A: For annealed C12200 tube per ASTM B68, minimum tensile strength is 220 N/mm² (220 MPa), minimum elongation is 40%, and maximum hardness is 40 HV (Vickers). These values indicate a soft, ductile tube suitable for bending and flaring. Hard drawn tempers have higher strength but lower ductility.

Q6: What sizes of C12200 tube does GNEE supply under ASTM B68?
A: GNEE supplies ASTM B68 C12200 tube in diameters from 4 mm to 100 mm, wall thicknesses from 0.6 mm to 6 mm, and lengths up to 6 meters (straight lengths or coils). Custom sizes are available upon request. Standard finishes include bright/polished and plain. Minimum order quantity is 500 kg.

Q7: What are the typical applications for ASTM B68 C12200 tube?
A: Typical applications include: plumbing systems, heat exchangers, air conditioning lines, refrigeration systems, oil lines, gasoline lines, and general engineering. ASTM B68 is specifically suitable for applications requiring a tube absolutely free from scale and dirt, such as refrigeration and oil lines.

Q8: Can C12200 tube be bent without cracking?
A: Yes, annealed C12200 tube has excellent bendability. With minimum 40% elongation, it can be bent and flared without cracking. For field bending, use a tube bender or bending spring. Hard drawn tube cannot be bent without annealing first. For heavy forming, periodic annealing at 500-600°C may be required.

Q9: What is the corrosion resistance of C12200 tube?
A: C12200 has excellent corrosion resistance due to its phosphorus deoxidation and bright/polished surface treatment. It resists corrosion from water, soil, and many chemicals. It is suitable for plumbing, heat exchangers, and underground applications. For aggressive seawater or acidic environments, consider copper-nickel alloys.

Q10: What standards are equivalent to ASTM B68 C12200?
A: Equivalent standards include: BS 2871 Part 3 C106 (UK), EN 12451 DHP/Cu-DHP (Europe), JIS H3300 C1220 (Japan). All have similar composition requirements (min 99.90% Cu, 0.015-0.040% P). Tubes meeting these standards are interchangeable for most applications. GNEE can supply to any of these standards.

Q11: Why is phosphorus added to C12200?
A: Phosphorus (0.015-0.040%) is added as a deoxidizing agent. It removes oxygen from the copper melt, preventing hydrogen embrittlement during brazing and welding. Without phosphorus, oxygen in the copper would react with hydrogen to form steam, causing internal cracks. The trade-off is reduced electrical conductivity.

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:

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.

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