Seamless tubing in C10100 Oxygen-Free Electronic (OFE) copper is the industrial standard for high-vacuum and liquid-cooling manifolds. Unlike welded tubes, these are extruded without a seam, ensuring 100% structural integrity and a constant 101% IACS conductivity. With 99.99% purity and Max 5ppm oxygen, these tubes are designed to prevent the "virtual leaks" and "hotspots" that cause system failure in induction coils, medical LINACs, and semiconductor cooling lines.
Can I use standard C12200 plumbing tubes instead of C10100?
This is the most frequent procurement error. Standard C12200 (DHP) copper contains phosphorus to remove oxygen. While this makes it cheap and easy to weld for plumbing, the phosphorus acts as a "thermal bottleneck," dropping conductivity significantly.
By sourcing C10100 Oxygen-Free Electronic copper, you are buying a material refined through Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM). As we analyzed in C10100 vs. Brass, the high purity of C10100 is mandatory for high-performance cooling.
Grade Comparison for Tubing Applications
| Feature | C10100 (OFE) Tube | C10200 (OF) Tube | C12200 (DHP) Tube |
| Purity (Cu) | 99.99% Min | 99.95% | 99.90% |
| Conductivity | 101% IACS | 100% IACS | 75% - 90% IACS |
| Oxygen (O) | Max 5 ppm | Max 10 ppm | High (Phosphorus) |
| UHV Safe | Yes (Best) | Partial | No (Outgassing) |
| Brazing Risk | None | Low | High (Contamination) |
Will C10100 tubes crack during tight bending or coiling?
C10100 has exceptional ductility, but the temper must match your fabrication process. For induction coils or heat exchanger loops, specify the Soft (OS025) temper. This ensures the 99.99% pure grains can stretch without the "orange peel" or surface fracturing discussed in our C10100 surface finish guide.
If the tube is too hard, it will kink or crack during the bending process. Check our C10100 copper hardness and temper guide to select the correct mechanical state for your bending equipment.
Key Product Features:
101% IACS Conductivity: Peak electrical and thermal throughput for induction heating.
Max 5ppm Oxygen: Eliminates the risk of hydrogen embrittlement during brazing.
Seamless Strength: Handles high internal pressures without weld-seam failure.
Internal Purity: "Bright Annealed" and "Capped" to prevent internal oxidation.
Do you need a specific wall thickness or a custom-bent cooling coil? [Check Price and Stock]
What are the standard sizes for C10100 seamless pipes?
Lead time is usually the biggest concern for a buyer. We maintain a diverse inventory of C10100 Seamless Tube & Pipe in round, square, and rectangular formats to meet urgent production schedules.
Availability and Specs
| Format | Diameter Range | Wall Thickness | Preferred Temper |
| Round Tube | 0.125" – 8.0" (3 - 200mm) | 0.02" – 0.50" (0.5 - 12mm) | Soft (OS025) / H02 |
| Square Tube | 0.25" – 4.0" (6 - 100mm) | 0.03" – 0.25" (0.8 - 6mm) | Half-Hard (H02) |
| Capillary | Under 0.125" (3mm) | Precision thin-wall | Annealed |
Is C10100 tubing safe for vacuum brazing and TIG welding?
Yes. Because the oxygen content is Max 5ppm, the material is "hydrogen-safe." In standard copper, oxygen reacts with hydrogen to form internal steam, causing the joint to fail. C10100 ensures a gas-tight, zero-porosity weld, which is why it's the only safe choice for the techniques in our C10100 welding and brazing guide.
FAQ
1. How do I verify the 101% IACS and 99.99% purity on the MTR?
A real Mill Test Report (MTR) must list the specific trace elements (Zinc, Sulfur, Phosphorus) and the gas analysis (ONH test) to confirm the 5ppm oxygen limit. Avoid the common sourcing trap of accepting a generic "Certificate of Conformity."
2. Can I use C10100 square tubing for busbar cooling?
Yes. Square and rectangular seamless tubes are the preferred choice for busbars that require integrated liquid cooling channels. They provide flat surfaces for electrical contact while maintaining high-pressure fluid integrity.
3. Does C10100 tube require internal cleaning?
For high-vacuum and high-frequency RF waveguides, internal contamination is a major problem. We provide "Bright Annealed" tubes that are purged with nitrogen to remove drawing lubricants, ensuring the 99.99% purity remains untainted.
4. Why did my copper tube turn black inside?
This is usually oxidation caused by moisture trapped inside during storage. We ship all tubes with protective end-caps and VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) wrapping to prevent the tarnishing discussed in C10100 corrosion guide.
5. Is preheating required for welding thick-walled pipes?
For pipes over 3mm thickness, preheating to 150°C is recommended. Copper's thermal conductivity of 391 W/mK pulls heat away so fast that a cold start can lead to lack of fusion.
6. Do you offer custom-bent cooling coils?
Yes. We can provide C10100 tubing pre-bent to your drawings, including precision coils for high-current induction heating machines.
GNEE METAL Product Range
| Product Type | Shapes Available | Common Grades | Diameter/Thickness Range | Length/Width Range | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Tubes | Round, Square, Rectangular, Coiled | C10100, C10200, C11000, C12200, C12000 | OD: 0.5mm - 300mm Wall: 0.1mm - 20mm | Up to 6000mm or custom | HVAC, Plumbing, Heat Exchangers, Refrigeration, Hydraulic Lines |
| Copper Plates & Sheets | Flat Sheets, Perforated, Embossed, Tread Plate | C10100, C11000, C12200, C23000, C26000 | Thickness: 0.1mm - 200mm | Width: Up to 2500mm Length: Up to 6000mm | Electrical Busbars, Roofing, Cladding, Gaskets, Transformers |
| Copper Bars & Rods | Round Bar, Square Bar, Hexagonal Bar, Flat Bar | C10100, C11000, C14500, C17200, C18200 | Diameter: 1mm - 300mm | Length: 1000mm - 4000mm | Machined Components, Electrical Contacts, Busbars, Fasteners |
| Copper Wires | Round Wire, Flat Wire, Square Wire, Stranded, Braided | C11000, C11600, C17200, C17510 | Diameter: 0.05mm - 12mm | Coil weights: 1kg - 500kg | Electrical Wiring, Cables, Springs, Mesh, Welding Wire |
| Copper Strips & Coils | Thin Strip, Foil, Slit Coil, Profile Strip | C11000, C12200, C19400, C26000, C26800 | Thickness: 0.03mm - 5mm | Width: 2mm - 1000mm Coil ID: 300mm - 600mm | Transformers, Radiators, Shielding, Terminals, Connectors |
About Our Factory
We operate a full range of production lines including extrusion presses, cold drawing benches, high-speed rolling mills, slitting lines, and precision CNC machining centers, enabling us to produce copper tubes, plates, bars, wires, and strips entirely in-house. For quality assurance, we maintain a dedicated inspection laboratory equipped with spectral analyzers, universal testing machines, hardness testers, surface roughness testers, and optical measuring instruments. Every batch is tested for chemical composition, mechanical properties, and dimensional accuracy before shipment. Our production capacity reaches 500+ tons per month, and we hold ISO 9001:2015 certification with full traceability from raw material to finished product. Whether you need standard mill stock or custom-processed components, we deliver precision copper products with short lead times and complete material certification.
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