B111 C12200 Copper SMLS Tube

C12200 is commercially pure copper that has undergone phosphorus deoxidation and has a relatively high residual phosphorus content. C12200 is not prone to hydrogen embrittlement, but due to its phosphorus content, its conductivity is relatively low compared to non-deoxidized copper grades.

This seamless (SMLS) tube is manufactured for use in condensers, heat exchangers, and other heat transfer applications where high thermal conductivity and good corrosion resistance to fresh water are required.

C12200 seamless tube is covered by the following international standards:

Note: ASTM B111 and ASME SB111 are the most commonly specified standards for heat exchanger tube applications in North America. JIS H3300 is typically specified for projects in Asian markets. GB/T 8890 is the Chinese national standard for seamless copper alloy heat exchanger tubes.

The phosphorus content acts as a deoxidizer, removing oxygen from the copper to prevent hydrogen embrittlement during welding or brazing. However, the phosphorus also reduces electrical and thermal conductivity compared to oxygen-free copper grades.

Notes on properties:

Elongation: 45% minimum indicates good ductility, suitable for bending, flaring, and tube expansion.

Yield strength: 9,000 psi (approx. 62 MPa) is typical for annealed temper. Hard drawn tempers will have higher yield strength but lower elongation.

Tensile strength: 32,000 psi (approx. 220 MPa) meets typical requirements for heat exchanger and condenser tube applications.

Hardness: 40 HRF maximum corresponds to a soft, annealed condition.

Advantages:

Not prone to hydrogen embrittlement – can be welded or brazed without risk of cracking

High thermal conductivity (though lower than non-deoxidized copper)

Good corrosion resistance in fresh water and many industrial waters

Excellent ductility for bending and tube expansion

Seamless construction eliminates weld seam as a potential failure point

Limitations:

Lower electrical and thermal conductivity than C10200 or C11000 due to phosphorus content

Not recommended for seawater service (use cupronickel alloys instead)

Phosphorus can cause issues in some high-temperature applications

C12200 seamless tube is used in:

Heat exchanger tubes for HVAC and refrigeration systems

Condenser tubes in power plants and industrial facilities (fresh water cooled)

Evaporator tubes

Plumbing and water distribution systems

Air conditioning and refrigeration lines

General engineering applications requiring seamless copper tube

Q1: What does SMLS stand for?
A: SMLS is an abbreviation for "seamless." Seamless tubes are manufactured by piercing a solid billet and drawing or extruding to final dimensions, without any longitudinal weld seam. This eliminates the risk of weld seam failure and provides uniform wall thickness and properties.

Q2: What is the difference between ASTM B111 and ASTM B75 for C12200 tube?
A: ASTM B111 is specifically for seamless condenser and heat exchanger tubes, with tighter dimensional tolerances and additional testing requirements for heat transfer service. ASTM B75 is a general engineering specification for seamless copper tube. For heat exchanger applications, B111 is the appropriate standard.

Q3: Why does C12200 have lower conductivity than other copper grades?
A: The phosphorus content (0.015-0.040%) used for deoxidation scatters electrons, reducing both electrical and thermal conductivity. C12200 typically has 70-90% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard) conductivity, compared to 100%+ for oxygen-free or tough pitch copper.

Q4: Is C12200 suitable for welding?
A: Yes. C12200 is specifically deoxidized to prevent hydrogen embrittlement during welding. It can be welded using TIG or oxy-acetylene processes with deoxidized filler rod (ERCu). This is a key advantage over non-deoxidized copper grades such as C11000.

Q5: What is the difference between C12200 and C12000?
A: Both are phosphorus deoxidized coppers. C12200 has higher residual phosphorus (0.015-0.040%) and is the standard deoxidized copper grade. C12000 has lower phosphorus (0.004-0.015%) and is less common. C12200 is more widely available and specified for most applications.

Q6: What is the maximum operating temperature for C12200 tube?
A: For continuous service, C12200 is typically limited to 200°C (400°F). Above this temperature, strength decreases rapidly and oxidation accelerates. Short-term exposure to higher temperatures may be acceptable for annealing or brazing.

Q7: Can C12200 be used in seawater?
A: C12200 is not recommended for seawater service. While it has good corrosion resistance in fresh water, it will corrode in seawater. For seawater applications, consider C70600 (90/10 copper-nickel) or C71500 (70/30 copper-nickel).

Q8: What is the minimum order quantity for C12200 seamless tube?
A: Please contact us directly with your dimensional requirements and quantity. Minimum order quantities vary depending on size, wall thickness, and temper.

Q9: Do you supply C12200 tube to ASME SB111?
A: Yes. ASME SB111 is the ASME code version of ASTM B111. The chemistry and dimensions are identical. SB111 includes additional quality assurance and certification requirements for pressure vessel applications. Please specify SB111 when ordering for ASME code work.

Q10: What tests are performed on C12200 seamless tube?
A: Typical tests per ASTM B111 include: chemical analysis, tensile test, hardness test, expansion test, flattening test, and nondestructive testing (eddy current or hydrostatic). Additional tests such as hydrogen embrittlement test or grain size analysis can be specified.

To request a quotation for C12200 seamless tube, please provide:

Standard – ASTM B111, ASME SB111, GB/T 8890, BS 2871, or JIS H3300

Alloy – C12200

Outer diameter

Wall thickness

Length per piece

Total quantity (meters or number of tubes)

Temper – annealed (O60) or drawn (H55, H80)

Form – straight lengths or coils

Destination – port or delivery address

Special requirements – third-party inspection, special packaging, additional testing

Contact our sales team for pricing and availability.

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.

Our Certifications & Compliance:

ASTM B111 pdf and ASME SB111 pdf full traceability.

ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.

Third-party inspection accepted: SGS, BV, Lloyds, or TUV.

Copper heat exchanger tube life expectancy testing reports available upon request.

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