ASTM B837-19

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Designation: B837 − 18 B837 − 19
Standard Specification for
Seamless Copper Tube for Natural Gas and Liquified
Petroleum (LP) Gas Fuel Distribution Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B837; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification establishes the requirements for Type GAS seamless Copper UNS No. C12200 tube for use in above
ground natural gas and liquified petroleum (LP) gas fuel distribution systems, commonly assembled with flared fittings or brazed
joints.
NOTE 1—Tube temper, size, and joining method are determined by installation code requirements.
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions to SI units whichthat are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 The following safety hazard caveat pertains only to the test method(s) portion, Section 17, of this specification. This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B153 Test Method for Expansion (Pin Test) of Copper and Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tubing
B577 Test Methods for Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper
B601 Classification for Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys—Wrought and Cast
B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
B900 Practice for Packaging of Copper and Copper Alloy Mill Products for U.S. Government Agencies
B968/B968M Test Method for Flattening of Copper and Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tube
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E53 Test Method for Determination of Copper in Unalloyed Copper by Gravimetry
E62 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper and Copper Alloys (Photometric Methods) (Withdrawn 2010)
E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
E243 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Examination of Copper and Copper-Alloy Tubes
E255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for the Determination of Chemical Composition
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.04 on Pipe and
Tube.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018Oct. 1, 2019. Published December 2018October 2019. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20102018
as B837–10.–18. DOI: 10.1520/B0837–18.10.1520/B0837–19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B837 − 19
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms relating to copper and copper alloys, refer to Terminology B846.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 liquified petroleum (LP) gas, n—any of the following hydrocarbons or mixtures of them: propane, propylene, butane
(normal butane or isobutane) and butylene.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 Include the following specified choices when placing orders for product under this specification, as applicable:
4.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue,
4.1.2 Copper [Alloy] UNS No. (or other internationally recognized copper [alloy]) designation,
4.1.3 Temper (Sections 5 and 7),
4.1.4 Dimensions (Standard Size), diameter, and wall thickness (Table 1),
4.1.5 How furnished: straight lengths or coils,
4.1.6 Length—(Table 2 and 12.5),
4.1.7 Quantity—total weight or total length or number of pieces of each size, and
4.1.8 Intended application.
4.2 The following options are available but may not be included unless specified at the time of placing of the order, when
required:
4.2.1 Tensile test (Section 9),
4.2.2 Electromagnetic (eddy-current) examination (Section 11),
4.2.3 Embrittlement test (Section 10),
4.2.4 Expansion test (Section 10),
4.2.5 Flattening test (Section 10),
4.2.6 Certification (Section 21),
4.2.7 Test report (Section 22), and
4.2.8 If product is purchased for agencies of the U.S. Government (see the Supplementary Requirements section of {this
specification or the general requirements section} for additional requirements, if specified).
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 Materials:
5.1.1 The material of manufacture shall be a tube of Copper UNS No. C12200 of such purity and soundness as to be suitable
for processing into the products prescribed herein. The finished tube shall have the properties and characteristics prescribed in this
specification and shall be cold drawn to size.
5.1.2 When specified in the contract or purchase order that heat identification or traceability is required, the purchaser shall
specify the details desired.
NOTE 2—Because of the discontinuous nature of the processing of castings into wrought products, it is not practical to identify a specific casting
analysis with a specific quantity of finished material.
5.2 Manufacture:
5.2.1 The product shall be manufactured by such hot-working, cold-working, and annealing processes as to produce a uniform
wrought structure in the furnished product.
5.2.2 The product shall be hot- or cold-worked to the finished size and subsequently annealed, when required, to meet the
temper properties specified.
5.2.3 Tube, when furnished in coils, shall be annealed after coiling.
TABLE 1 Dimensions, Mass and Tolerances in Diameter and Wall Thickness for Standard Sizes of Type GAS Seamless Copper Tube for
Natural Gas and Propane Fuel Distribution Systems (All Tolerances in This Table Are Plus and Minus)
Actual Outside
A
Average Outside Diameter Tolerances Wall Thickness and Tolerance Theoretical Mass
Diameter
Standard
B
Size, in. in. (mm) Annealed Drawn Wall Thickness Tolerance
lbs/ftlb/ft (kg/m)
in. (mm) in. (mm) in. (mm) in. (mm)
⁄8 0.375 (9.52) 0.002 (0.051) 0.001 (0.025) 0.030 (0.762) 0.003 (0.076) 0.126 (0.187)
⁄2 0.500 (12.7) 0.0025 (0.064) 0.001 (0.025) 0.035 (0.889) 0.004 (0.10) 0.198 (0.146)
⁄8 0.625 (15.9) 0.0025 (0.064) 0.001 (0.025) 0.040 (1.02) 0.004 (0.10) 0.285 (0.424)
⁄4 0.750 (19.1) 0.0025 (0.064) 0.001 (0.025) 0.042 (1.07) 0.004 (0.10) 0.362 (0.539)
⁄8 0.875 (22.3) 0.003 (0.076) 0.001 (0.025) 0.045 (1.14) 0.004 (0.10) 0.455 (0.677)
1 ⁄8 1.125 (29) 0.0035 (0.07) 0.0015 (0.038) 0.050 (1.27) 0.005 (0.13) 0.655 (0.975)
A
The average outside diameter of a tube is the average of the maximum and minimum outside diameter, as determined at any one cross section of the tube.
B
Maximum permissible deviation at any one point.
B837 − 19
A
TABLE 2 Standard Lengths and Tolerances
Standard Length Tolerance, all plus
Standard Size,
in.
ft. (m) in. (mm)
Tubes Furnished in Straight Lengths
3 1
⁄8 –1 ⁄8 12 (3.7) 1 (25)
20 (6.1) 1 (25)
Tubes Furnished in Coils
3 1
⁄8 –1 ⁄8 60 (18) 24 (600)
100 (30.5) 24 (600)
A
Longer lengths are subject to agreement between the manufacturer or supplier
and purchaser.
5.2.4 Tube, when furnished in straight lengths, shall be normally furnished in the H58 (Drawn General Purpose) temper, except
when the O60 (Soft Anneal) temper is specified in the purchase order or contract.
6. Chemical Composition
6.1 The chemical composition shall conform to the following chemical requirements of Copper UNS No. C12200:
Copper (incl. silver) 99.9 % min.
Phosphorus 0.015 to 0.040 %
6.2 These composition limits do not preclude the presence of other elements. When included in the contract or purchase order,
and agreed upon by the manufacturer or supplier and the purchaser, limits shall be established and analysis required for unnamed
elements.
7. Temper
7.1 Type GAS copper tube shall be furnished in either of the following tempers as defined in Classification B601.
Soft anneal O60
Drawn general purpose H58
8. Grain Size for Annealed Tempers
8.1 Grain size shall be the standard requirement for all product in the annealed tempers.
8.2 Acceptance or rejection based upon grain size shall depend only on the average grain size of a test specimen taken from
each of two sample portions, and each specimen shall be within the limits prescribed in Table 3, when determined in accordance
with Test Methods E112.
9. Mechanical Property Requirements
9.1 Tensile Strength Requirement:
9.1.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order, the product shall conform to the tensile strength requirements in Table
3, when tested in accordance with Test Methods E8/E8M. Actual testing need not be performed unless specified at time of order
placement.
9.1.2 Acceptance or rejection based upon mechanical properties shall depend only on tensile strength.
9.2 Rockwell Hardness Requirement:
9.2.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order, the product shall conform to the Rockwell Hardness requirement
prescribed in Table 3, when tested in accordance with Test Methods E18.
10. Performance Requirements
10.1 Expansion Test:
10.1.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order, tube furnished in the soft-anneal (O60) shall withstand expansion in
accordance with Test Method B153 to the following extent:
TABLE 3 Mechanical Property Requirements
A
Temper Designation Tensile Strength Average Rockwell Hardness
B
ksi, min. Grain Size, Hardness
Standard Former MPa min. Scale
mm Value
O60 Soft anneal 30 (205) 0.035 min. F 50 max
H58 Drawn general 36 (250) . 30T 30 min
purpose
A
Rockwell Hardness tests shall be made on the inside surface of the tube.
B
ksi = 1000 psi.
B837 − 19
Standard Size Expansion of
(Actual Outside Diameter) Outside Diameter
in. (mm) %
0.625 (15.9) and under 40
Over 0.625 (15.9) 30
10.1.2 The expanded tube shall show no cracking or rupture visible to the unaided eye.
10.2 Flattening Test:
10.2.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order, the flattening test in accordance with Test Method B968/B968M shall
be performed.
10.2.1.1 During inspection, the flattened areas of the test specimen shall be free of defects, but blemishes of a nature that do
not interfere with the intended application are acceptable.
10.3 Microscopical Examination for Susceptibility to Hydrogen Embrittlement:
10.3.1 Tubes furnished in all coppers shall be capable of passing the embrittlement test specified in Procedure B of Test Methods
B577. In case of a dispute, Procedure C of Test Methods B577 shall be used as the referee method.
11. Nondestructive Testing
11.1 Each tube up to and including 1.125 in. (28.6 mm) outside diameter shall be subjected to an eddy-current test. Testing shall
follow the procedures of Practice E243, except for the determination of “end effect.” Tubes shall be passed through an eddy-current
test unit adjusted to provide information on the suitability of the tube for the intended application.
11.1.1 Either notch depth or drilled hole standards shall be used.
11.1.1.1 Notch depth standards, rounded to the nearest 0.001 in. (0.025 mm), shall be 22 % of the standard wall thickness. The
notch depth tolerance shall be plus and minus 0.0005 in. (0.013 mm). Alternatively, at the option of the manufacturer, using
speed-insensitive eddy-current units that are equipped so that a fraction of the maximum unbalance signal can be selected, the
following percent maximum unbalance signals may be used:
Unbalanced Signal
Standard Size, in. (mm)
Magnitude, max. %
Up to 0.500 (12.7) incl. 0.2
0.625 (15.9) to 1.125 (29) incl. 0.3
11.1.1.2 Drilled holes shall be drilled radially through the wall using a suitable drill jig that has a bushing to guide the drill, care
being taken to avoid distortion of the tube while drilling. The diameter of the drilled hole shall be in accordance with the following
Table and shall not vary by either more than +0.001 in. ( +0.025(+0.025 mm) or −0.000 in. (−0.000 mm) of the hole diameter
specified.
Tube Outside Diameter of Drilled
Diameter, in. Holes, in. Drill No.
3 3
⁄8 to ⁄4, incl 0.025 72
Over ⁄4 to 1, incl 0.031 68
Over 1 to 1 ⁄8, incl 0.036 64
Tube Outside Diameter of Drilled
Diameter, mm Holes, mm Drill No.
9.0 to 19.0, incl 0.64 72
Over 19.0 to 25, incl 0.79 68
Over 25 to 29, incl 0.92 64
11.1.2 Tubes that do not actuate the signaling device of the eddy-current tester shall be considered in conformance with the
requirements of this test. Tubes with discontinuities indicated by the testing unit may, at the option of the manufacturer, be
re-examined or retested to determine whether the discontinuity is cause for rejection. Signals that are found to have been caused
by minor mechanical damage shall not be cause for rejection of the tubes, provided the tube dimensions are still within the specified
limits and the tube is suitable for its intended application.
12. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
12.1 For the purpose of determining conformance with the dimensional requirements prescribed in this specification, any
measured value outside the specified limiting values for any dimension shall make the tube subject to rejection at the option of
the purchaser.
12.2 Standard Dimensions, Wall Thickness, and Diameter Tolerances—The standard dimensions, wall thickness, and diameter
tolerances shall be in accordance with Table 1.
12.3 Mass—For purposes of calculating mass, cross sections, etc., the density of copper shall be taken as 0.323 lb/in. (8.94
g/cm ). The theoretical weight per foot is given in Table 1.
B837 − 19
12.4 Roundness—For drawn unannealed tube in straight lengths, the roundness tolerance shall be as specified in Table 4. The
deviation from roundness is measured as the difference between major and minor diameters as determined at any one cross section
of the tube. No roundness tolerance has been established for annealed tube in straight lengths or for tube furnished in coils.
12.5 Lengths and Tolerances:
12.5.1 Standard Lengths and Tolerances—The standard lengths and tolerances shall be as specified in Table 2.
12.5.2 Tube supplied in other than standard lengths and tolerances shall be in accordance with requirements established by
agreement between the manufacturer or supplier and the purchaser.
12.6 Squareness of Cut—For tubes in straight lengths, the departure from squareness of the end of any tube shall not exceed
0.010 in./in. (0.25 mm/mm) of outside diameter for tube up to and including 0.625 in. (15.9 mm) standard size; and not more than
0.016 in./in. (0.016 mm/mm) of outside diameter for tube larger than 0.625 in. (15.9 mm) standard size.
13. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
13.1 The product shall be free of defects, but blemishes of a nature that do not interfere with the intended application are
acceptable.
14. Sampling
14.1 The lot size, portion size, and selection of pieces shall be as follows:
14.1.1 Lot Size—Lot size shall be 5000 lb (2275 kg) or fraction thereof.
14.1.2 Portion Size—Sample pieces shall be selected according to the following schedule:
Number of Pieces Number of Pieces
in the Lot to be Selected
1 to 50 1
51 to 200 2
201 to 1500 3
Over 1500 0.2 % of total number pieces
but not to exceed 10
14.1.3 Coiled Tube—A length sufficient for all necessary tests shall be cut from each coil. The remaining portion of these coils
shall be identified and included in the shipment. The permissible variation in lengths of such coils shall be waived.
14.2 Sampling for Chemical Analysis:
14.2.1 The sample shall be taken in approximately equal weight from each portion piece selected in 14.1.2 and in accordance
with Practice E255. The minimum weight of the composite sample shall be 150 g.
14.2.2 Instead of sampling in accordance with Practice E255, th
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