First, according to the manufacturing process classification
Seamless Copper Tube (Seamless Copper Tube)
Process: made by extrusion, stretching or rolling, etc., without welds.
Characteristics: high strength, good pressure resistance, suitable for high-pressure, high-precision areas.
Applications: refrigeration equipment, hydraulic systems, precision instruments, etc.
Welded Copper Tube (Welded Copper Tube)
Process: Copper strip curled by high-frequency welding (HFW) or argon arc welding (TIG) welding molding.
Characteristics: low cost, high production efficiency, but the weld may affect the strength and corrosion resistance.
Application: building water supply and drainage, electrical threading pipe and other low-voltage scenarios.
Second, according to the geometric shape classification
Round Copper Tube (Round Copper Tube)
Characteristics: the most common shape, low flow resistance, easy to process.
Applications: refrigeration lines, water pipes, gas pipes, etc..
Special-Shaped Copper Tube (Special-Shaped Copper Tube)
Type:
Square/Rectangular Copper Tube: for radiators, decorative structures.
Oval Copper Tube: Reduce wind resistance, suitable for air-conditioning heat exchangers.
D-Shaped/Flat Copper Tube: Space-saving, for compact heat exchangers.
Coiled Copper Tube (Coiled Copper Tube)
Characteristics: Soft state (O state), bendable, long length (usually 50~100 meters).
Applications: Underfloor heating tubes, refrigeration system connection tubes, and other scenarios where bending is required.
Straight Copper Tube
Characteristics: Hard state (H state), cut to length (common length 1~6 meters).
Applications: building water supply and drainage, industrial piping, etc.
Capillary Copper Tube
Characteristics: Small outer diameter (usually 0.5~3mm), thin wall, high precision.
Applications: refrigeration system expansion valves, medical equipment, precision instruments, etc. Third, according to the function and special structure classification
Inner Grooved Copper Tube (Inner Grooved Copper Tube)
Characteristics: Spiral grooves on the inner wall, increasing the heat transfer area and improving the heat transfer efficiency.
Application: Air conditioner condenser, evaporator and other high-efficiency heat transfer scenarios.
Outer Finned Copper Tube (Finned Copper Tube)
Characteristics: With fins on the outer surface to enhance heat dissipation.
Applications: radiators, heat pumps, automobile water tanks, etc.
Plastic-Coated Copper Tube
Characteristics: The outer layer is covered with PVC or PE plastic to prevent corrosion and insulation.
Applications: building hot and cold water pipes, floor heating pipes, etc.
Composite Copper Tube (Composite Copper Tube)
Type:
Copper - steel composite tube: outer layer of stainless steel, inner layer of copper, taking into account the strength and corrosion resistance.
Copper - aluminum composite tube: reduce the cost and weight, used for heating and ventilation systems.
Fourth, according to the use of state classification
Hard Drawn Copper Tube (H state)
Characteristics: not annealed, high strength, but poor bending.
Application: structural support, straight pipe delivery system.
Annealed Copper Tube (O state)
Characteristics: Annealed, good flexibility, easy to bend and mold.
Applications: coils, floor heating tubes, refrigeration lines, etc.
V. Special Purpose Copper Tubes
Medical Copper Tube (Medical Copper Tube)
Requirements: Ultra-high cleanliness, sterility, in accordance with GMP standards.
Applications: surgical instruments, respiratory equipment, etc.
Ultra-Thin Wall Copper Tube (Ultra-Thin Wall Copper Tube)
Features: wall thickness ≤ 0.3mm, lightweight design.
Applications: electronic equipment heat dissipation, micro heat exchangers.
Corrugated Copper Tube (Corrugated Copper Tube)
Features: Expandable, vibration resistant.
Applications: gas appliance connection pipe, solar water heater, etc.
VI. Selection reference factors
Pressure resistance requirements: seamless tube > welded tube, hard state > soft state.
Bending requirements: soft state coil or bellows more flexible.
Heat exchange efficiency: Priority to internal threaded tube or finned tube.
Cost control: welded tube is more economical than seamless tube.
Copper tube structure selection needs to consider the pressure, temperature, medium corrosion and installation environment. For example, air conditioning and refrigeration systems usually use seamless copper pipe with internal threads, while the building water pipes can choose plastic-coated welded copper pipe.
