ASTM B111 is the standard specification for copper and copper-alloy seamless condenser tubes and ferrule stock. When dimensional inspection is finally conducted, outside diameter, wall thickness, and length of the tubing shall be examined in accordance with Section 14 of the standard.
The dimensions and permissible variations (tolerances) prescribed in Section 14 are applicable to ASTM B111 seamless condenser tubes made from the following UNS designations:
| UNS Designations |
|---|
| C10100, C10200, C10300, C10800, C12000, C12200, C14200, C19200, C23000, C28000 |
| C44300, C44400, C44500, C60800, C61300, C61400, C68700, C70400, C70600, C70620 |
| C71000, C71500, C71520, C71640, C72200 |
All dimensions may be stated in either SI units or inch-pound units, and each system shall be used independently.
Outside Diameter – Maximum & Tolerances
Inch Units – Thin Wall Tubes (0.020″ to 0.035″)
| Outside Diameter (inch) | Wall Thickness 0.020-0.028" | Wall Thickness 0.032" | Wall Thickness 0.035" |
|---|---|---|---|
| d ≤ 0.500 | ±0.003" | ±0.0025" | ±0.0025" |
| 0.500 < d ≤ 0.740 | ±0.004" | ±0.004" | ±0.004" |
| 0.740 < d ≤ 1.000 | ±0.006" | ±0.006" | ±0.005" |
| 1.000 < d ≤ 1.250 | - | ±0.009" | ±0.008" |
Inch Units – Thicker Wall Tubes (0.042″ and above)
| Outside Diameter (inch) | Wall Thickness 0.042" | Wall Thickness ≥ 0.049" |
|---|---|---|
| d ≤ 0.500 | ±0.0025" | ±0.0025" |
| 0.500 < d ≤ 0.740 | ±0.0035" | ±0.003" |
| 0.740 < d ≤ 1.000 | ±0.0045" | ±0.004" |
| 1.000 < d ≤ 1.250 | ±0.006" | ±0.0045" |
| 1.250 < d ≤ 1.375 | ±0.008" | ±0.005" |
| 1.375 < d ≤ 2.000 | - | ±0.006" |
| 2.000 < d ≤ 3.125 | - | ±0.0065" |
SI Units – Thin Wall Tubes (0.508 mm to 0.889 mm)
| Outside Diameter (mm) | Wall Thickness 0.508-0.711 mm | Wall Thickness 0.813 mm | Wall Thickness 0.889 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| d ≤ 12 | ±0.076 mm | ±0.064 mm | ±0.064 mm |
| 12 < d ≤ 18 | ±0.10 mm | ±0.10 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| 18 < d ≤ 25 | ±0.15 mm | ±0.15 mm | ±0.13 mm |
SI Units – Thicker Wall Tubes (1.07 mm and above)
| Outside Diameter (mm) | Wall Thickness 1.07 mm | Wall Thickness ≥ 1.24 mm |
|---|---|---|
| d ≤ 12 | ±0.064 mm | ±0.064 mm |
| 12 < d ≤ 18 | ±0.089 mm | ±0.076 mm |
| 18 < d ≤ 25 | ±0.11 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| 25 < d ≤ 35 | ±0.20 mm | ±0.13 mm |
| 35 < d ≤ 50 | - | ±0.15 mm |
| 50 < d ≤ 80 | - | ±0.17 mm |
Wall Thickness – Range & Tolerances
The wall thickness of ASTM B111 seamless condenser tubes is usually furnished between 0.020″ to 0.134″ (0.51 mm to 3.40 mm).
Inch Units – OD up to 1″
| Wall Thickness (inch) | OD: 0.125" to 0.625" | OD: 0.625" to 1.000" |
|---|---|---|
| 0.020 ≤ t < 0.030 | ±0.003" | ±0.003" |
| 0.032 ≤ t < 0.035 | ±0.003" | ±0.003" |
| 0.035 ≤ t < 0.058 | ±0.004" | ±0.0045" |
| 0.058 ≤ t < 0.083 | ±0.0045" | ±0.005" |
| 0.083 ≤ t < 0.120 | ±0.005" | ±0.0065" |
| 0.120 ≤ t < 0.134 | ±0.007" | ±0.007" |
Inch Units – OD 1″ to 3.125″
| Wall Thickness (inch) | OD: 1.000" to 2.000" | OD: 2.000" to 3.125" |
|---|---|---|
| 0.020 ≤ t < 0.030 | - | - |
| 0.032 ≤ t < 0.035 | ±0.004" | - |
| 0.035 ≤ t < 0.058 | ±0.0045" | ±0.005" |
| 0.058 ≤ t < 0.083 | ±0.005" | ±0.0055" |
| 0.083 ≤ t < 0.120 | ±0.0065" | ±0.0065" |
| 0.120 ≤ t < 0.134 | ±0.0075" | ±0.008" |
SI Units – OD 12 mm to 80 mm
| Wall Thickness (mm) | OD: 12-25 mm | OD: 25-50 mm | OD: 50-80 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.50 ≤ t < 0.80 | ±0.08 mm | - | - |
| 0.80 ≤ t < 0.90 | ±0.08 mm | ±0.10 mm | - |
| 0.90 ≤ t < 1.50 | ±0.11 mm | ±0.11 mm | ±0.13 mm |
| 1.50 ≤ t < 2.10 | ±0.13 mm | ±0.13 mm | ±0.14 mm |
| 2.10 ≤ t < 3.00 | ±0.17 mm | ±0.17 mm | ±0.17 mm |
| 3.00 ≤ t < 3.40 | ±0.18 mm | ±0.19 mm | ±0.20 mm |
Length – Maximum & Tolerances
The length of ASTM B111 seamless condenser tubes shall not exceed 100 feet. Tolerances for lengths with wall thicknesses of 0.020″ to 0.032″ shall be agreed upon between the supplier and the buyer.
Inch Units
| Length (feet) | Tolerance (inch) |
|---|---|
| l ≤ 15' | (0, +3/32") |
| 15' < l ≤ 20' | (0, +1/8") |
| 20' < l ≤ 30' | (0, +5/32") |
| 30' < l ≤ 60' | (0, +3/8") |
| 60' < l ≤ 100' | (0, +1/2") |
SI Units
| Length (mm) | Tolerance (mm) |
|---|---|
| l ≤ 4500 | (0, +2.4) |
| 4500 < l ≤ 6000 | (0, +3.2) |
| 6000 < l ≤ 10000 | (0, +4.0) |
| 10000 < l ≤ 18000 | (0, +9.5) |
| 18000 < l ≤ 30000 | (0, +13.0) |
FAQ
Q1: What is the maximum outside diameter for ASTM B111 condenser tubes?
A: The maximum outside diameter for ASTM B111 seamless condenser tubes is 3.125 inches (80 mm). This applies to all copper and copper-alloy UNS designations covered by the standard, including C12200, C68700, C70600, and C71500.
Q2: What is the wall thickness range for ASTM B111 seamless tubes?
A: ASTM B111 seamless condenser tubes are typically furnished with wall thicknesses from 0.020 inches to 0.134 inches (0.51 mm to 3.40 mm). The specific thickness is usually specified by Birmingham Wire Gauge (BWG) number.
Q3: What are the OD tolerances for a 3/4" ASTM B111 C12200 tube with 0.049" wall?
A: For a 3/4" OD (0.750") tube with 0.049" wall thickness, the outside diameter tolerance is ±0.003 inches (based on the 0.500"<d≤0.740" range with wall thickness ≥0.049").
Q4: What are the wall thickness tolerances for a 1" ASTM B111 C70600 tube?
A: For a 1" OD tube (which falls in the 0.625" to 1.000" OD range), wall thickness tolerances depend on nominal wall:
0.035" ≤ t < 0.058": ±0.0045"
0.058" ≤ t < 0.083": ±0.005"
0.083" ≤ t < 0.120": ±0.0065"
Q5: What is the maximum length for ASTM B111 condenser tubes?
A: The maximum length for ASTM B111 seamless condenser tubes is 100 feet (approximately 30 meters). For lengths above 100 feet, special agreements between supplier and buyer are required.
Q6: What are the length tolerances for a 20-foot ASTM B111 C71500 tube?
A: For a 20-foot ASTM B111 tube, the length tolerance is (0, +1/8 inch). This means the tube can be exactly 20 feet or up to 20 feet 1/8 inch, but never shorter than 20 feet.
Q7: Which UNS alloys are covered by ASTM B111 dimensional tolerances?
A: ASTM B111 dimensional tolerances apply to all copper and copper-alloy UNS designations listed in the standard, including:
| Alloy Family | UNS Designations |
|---|---|
| Copper | C10100, C10200, C10300, C10800, C12000, C12200 |
| Aluminum Brass | C68700 |
| Copper-Nickel (90/10) | C70600, C70620 |
| Copper-Nickel (70/30) | C71500, C71520 |
| Other alloys | C14200, C19200, C23000, C28000, C44300, C44400, C44500, C60800, C61300, C61400, C70400, C71000, C71640, C72200 |
Q8: What is the OD tolerance for a 15mm ASTM B111 C68700 tube with 1.0mm wall?
A: For a 15mm OD tube (12<d≤18 range) with 1.0mm wall thickness (which falls in the 0.90≤t<1.50 range), the outside diameter tolerance is ±0.10 mm (from the SI units table for thicker wall tubes).
Q9: Can ASTM B111 tubes be supplied with wall thickness below 0.020 inches?
A: ASTM B111 typically specifies wall thicknesses from 0.020" to 0.134". Wall thickness below 0.020" is not covered by this standard. For thinner walls, ASTM B360 or other specifications may be applicable. Tolerances for very thin walls (0.020-0.032") require agreement between supplier and buyer.
Q10: What are the SI unit tolerances for a 2.5mm wall ASTM B111 C71500 tube?
A: For a tube with 2.5mm wall thickness (2.10≤t<3.00 range), tolerances vary by OD:
OD 12-25 mm: ±0.17 mm
OD 25-50 mm: ±0.17 mm
OD 50-80 mm: ±0.17 mm
Q11: What is the OD tolerance for an ASTM B111 tube with 0.028" wall thickness?
A: For tubes with 0.028" wall thickness (thin wall category), OD tolerances are:
d ≤ 0.500": ±0.003"
0.500" < d ≤ 0.740": ±0.004"
0.740" < d ≤ 1.000": ±0.006"
Q12: How are ASTM B111 tube dimensions specified?
A: ASTM B111 tube dimensions are specified by three parameters:
Outside diameter (OD) in inches or mm
Wall thickness (usually by BWG number or decimal inches/mm)
Length in feet or meters
Example: 3/4" OD × 0.049" wall (18 BWG) × 20 ft length, ASTM B111 C12200
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.
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. |
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| 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. |
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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