ASTM B43-20

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B43 − 15 B43 − 20
Standard Specification for
Seamless Red Brass Pipe, Standard Sizes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B43; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
2 3
1.1 This specification establishes requirements for seamless red brass (Copper Alloy UNS No. C23000) pipe in nominal pipe
sizes, both regular and extra-strong. In the annealed temper (O61), the pipe is suitable for use in plumbing, boiler feed lines, and
for similar purposes. In the drawn general purpose temper (H58), the pipe is suitable for architectural applications, such as guard
railings and stair hand railings.
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 that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 The following hazard caveat pertains only to the test method portion, 9.1.1, 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.4 Warning—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous materialsubstance that can cause
serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution
should be taken Use caution when handling mercury and mercury containing mercury-containing products. See the applicable
product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional information. Users should be aware The potential exists that selling mercury and/or
mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by law. or mercury-containing products, or both, is
prohibited by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their location. (See 9.2.)
1.5 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
B154 Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
B601 Classification for Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys—Wrought and Cast
B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
B858 Test Method for Ammonia Vapor Test for Determining Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper Alloys
B900 Practice for Packaging of Copper and Copper Alloy Mill Products for U.S. Government Agencies
B950 Guide for Editorial Procedures and Form of Product Specifications for Copper and Copper Alloys
B968/B968M Test Method for Flattening of Copper and Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tube
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
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 Oct. 1, 2015April 1, 2020. Published October 2015April 2020. Originally approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 20142015 as
B43-14.–15. DOI: 10.1520/B0043-15.10.1520/B0043–20.
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Specification SB-43 in Section II of that Code.
The system for copper and copper alloys (see Practice E527) is a simple expansion of the former standard designation system accomplished by the addition of a prefix
“C” and a suffix “00.” The suffix can be used to accommodate composition variations of the base alloy.
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’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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
B43 − 20
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
E478 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)
2.2 ASME Code:
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms related to copper and copper alloys, refer to Terminology B846.
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,issue;
4.1.2 Temper (see Temper section.),section);
4.1.3 Pipe size, regular or extra-strong (see Table 1),);
4.1.4 Length (see 11.3),);
4.1.5 Total Quantity—total weight or total length of each size,size; and
4.1.6 Intended application.
4.2 The following options are available but may not be included unless specified at the time of placing the order when required:
4.2.1 When product is ordered for ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Application (see 8.1),);
4.2.2 Certification, if required (see Section 20),);
4.2.3 Test report, if required (see Section 21),);
4.2.4 Hydrostatic test, if required (see 10.3),);
4.2.5 Pneumatic test, if required (see 10.4),);
4.2.6 Residual stress test, if required (Performance Requirements section),section);
4.2.6.1 Ammonia Vapor Test or Mercurous Nitrate Test,Test;
4.2.6.2 For Ammonia Vapor Test, pH value other than 10.10;
4.2.7 Inclusion of the specification number on the packaging unit (see 19.2),); and
4.2.8 If product is purchased for agencies of the U.S. Government (see the Supplementary Requirements section of this
specification) for additional requirements, if specified.
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 The material shall conform to the following chemical composition requirements:
Copper, % 84.0 to 86.0
Lead, max, % 0.05
Iron, max, % 0.05
Zinc remainder
5.1.1 Results of analysis on a product (check) sample shall conform to the composition requirements within the permitted
analytical variance specified above.
5.2 These composition limits do not preclude the presence of other elements. By agreement between the manufacturer or
supplier and purchaser, limits may be established and analysis required for unnamed elements.
5.2.1 For copper alloys in which zinc is listed as “remainder,” either copper or zinc may be taken as the difference between the
sum of results of all other elements determined and 100 %.
5.2.1.1 When all the elements in the table in 5.1 are determined, the sum of the results shall be 99.8 % minimum.
6. Temper
6.1 All pipe shall normally be furnished in the O61 (annealed) (see Classification B601) temper.
6.2 The pipe is permitted to be furnished in the H58 (drawn general purpose) temper, if agreed upon between the manufacturer
and the purchaser. (See Table 2.)
7. Grain Size for Annealed Temper
7.1 Grain size shall be the standard requirement for all product in the annealed temper.
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME International Headquarters, Two Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
www.asme.org.
B43 − 20
TABLE 1 Standard Dimensions, Weights, and Tolerances
NOTE 1—All tolerances are plus and minus except as otherwise indicated.
Nominal or
Average Outside Diameter
B
Outside Wall Tolerance, Theoretical Weight,
A
Standard
Tolerances, in. (mm)
in. (mm)
Diameter, in. (mm) Thickness, in. (mm) lb/ft (kg/m)
Pipe Size, in. All Minus
Regular
⁄8 0.405 (10.3) 0.004 (0.10) 0.062 (1.57) 0.004 (0.10) 0.253 (0.376)
⁄4 0.540 (13.7) 0.004 (0.10) 0.082 (2.08) 0.005 (0.13) 0.447 (0.665)
⁄8 0.675 (17.1) 0.005 (0.13) 0.090 (2.29) 0.005 (0.13) 0.627 (0.933)
⁄2 0.840 (21.3) 0.005 (0.13) 0.107 (2.72) 0.006 (0.15) 0.934 (1.39)
⁄4 1.050 (26.7) 0.006 (0.15) 0.114 (2.90) 0.006 (0.15) 1.27 (1.89)
1 1.315 (33.4) 0.006 (0.15) 0.126 (3.20) 0.007 (0.18) 1.78 (2.65)
1 ⁄4 1.660 (42.2) 0.006 (0.15) 0.146 (3.71) 0.008 (0.20) 2.63 (3.91)
1 ⁄2 1.900 (48.3) 0.006 (0.15) 0.150 (3.81) 0.008 (0.20) 3.13 (4.66)
2 2.375 (60.3) 0.008 (0.20) 0.156 (3.96) 0.009 (0.23) 4.12 (6.13)
2 ⁄2 2.875 (73.0) 0.008 (0.20) 0.187 (4.75) 0.010 (0.25) 5.99 (8.91)
3 3.500 (88.9) 0.010 (0.25) 0.219 (5.56) 0.012 (0.30) 8.56 (12.7)
3 ⁄2 4.000 (102) 0.010 (0.25) 0.250 (6.35) 0.013 (0.33) 11.2 (16.7)
4 4.500 (114) 0.012 (0.30) 0.250 (6.35) 0.014 (0.36) 12.7 (18.9)
5 5.562 (141) 0.014 (0.36) 0.250 (6.35) 0.014 (0.36) 15.8 (23.5)
6 6.625 (168) 0.016 (0.41) 0.250 (6.35) 0.014 (0.36) 19.0 (28.3)
8 8.625 (219) 0.020 (0.51) 0.312 (7.92) 0.022 (0.56) 30.9 (46.0)
10 10.750 (273) 0.022 (0.56) 0.365 (9.27) 0.030 (0.76) 45.2 (67.3)
12 12.750 (324) 0.024 (0.61) 0.375 (9.52) 0.030 (0.76) 55.3 (82.3)
Extra Strong
⁄8 0.405 (10.3) 0.004 (0.10) 0.100 (2.54) 0.006 (0.15) 0.363 (0.540)
⁄4 0.540 (13.7) 0.004 (0.10) 0.123 (3.12) 0.007 (0.18) 0.611 (0.909)
⁄8 0.675 (17.1) 0.005 (0.13) 0.127 (3.23) 0.007 (0.18) 0.829 (1.23)
⁄2 0.840 (21.3) 0.005 (0.13) 0.149 (3.78) 0.008 (0.20) 1.23 (1.83)
⁄4 1.050 (26.7) 0.006 (0.15) 0.157 (3.99) 0.009 (0.23) 1.67 (2.48)
1 1.315 (33.4) 0.006 (0.15) 0.182 (4.62) 0.010 (0.25) 2.46 (3.66)
1 ⁄4 1.660 (42.2) 0.006 (0.15) 0.194 (4.93) 0.010 (0.25) 3.39 (5.04)
1 ⁄2 1.900 (48.3) 0.006 (0.15) 0.203 (5.16) 0.011 (0.28) 4.10 (6.10)
2 2.375 (60.3) 0.008 (0.20) 0.221 (5.61) 0.012 (0.30) 5.67 (8.44)
2 ⁄2 2.875 (73.0) 0.008 (0.20) 0.280 (7.11) 0.015 (0.38) 8.66 (12.9)
3 3.500 (88.9) 0.010 (0.25) 0.304 (7.72) 0.016 (0.41) 11.6 (17.3)
3 ⁄2 4.000 (102) 0.010 (0.25) 0.321 (8.15) 0.017 (0.43) 14.1 (21.0)
4 4.500 (114) 0.012 (0.30) 0.341 (8.66) 0.018 (0.46) 16.9 (25.1)
5 5.562 (141) 0.014 (0.36) 0.375 (9.52) 0.019 (0.48) 23.2 (34.5)
6 6.625 (168) 0.016 (0.41) 0.437 (11.1) 0.027 (0.69) 32.2 (47.9)
8 8.625 (219) 0.020 (0.51) 0.500 (12.7) 0.035 (0.89) 48.4 (72.0)
10 10.750 (273) 0.022 (0.56) 0.500 (12.7) 0.040 (1.0) 61.1 (90.9)
A
The average outside diameter of a tube is the average of the maximum and minimum outside diameters as determined at any one cross section of the pipe.
B
Maximum deviation at any one point.
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements
Tensile
Temper Designation
A
Strength, Elongation in
Yield Strength
min. ksi (MPa)
min. 2-in. min. %
Code Name
ksi (MPa)
O61 Annealed 40.0 (275) 12.0 (85) 35
H58 Drawn general 44.0 (300) 18.0 (125) . . .
purpose
A
At 0.5 % extension under load.
7.2 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 7.3 when determined in accordance with
Test Methods E112.
7.3 In the O61 (annealed) temper, the degree of annealing shall be sufficient to produce complete recrystallization with an
average grain size not in excess of 0.050 mm.
B43 − 20
7.2 The surface of the test specimen for grain size determination shall approximate a radial longitudinal section and shall be
prepared and examined in accordance with Test Methods E112.
8. Mechanical Property Requirements
8.1 Product in the O61 (annealed) temper when specified to meet the requirements of the furnished under this specification shall
conform to the tensile, yield, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codeand elongation requirements (where only, shall haverequired)
prescribed in Table 2tensile properties as prescribed in, when tested in accordance Table 2with Test Methods E8/E8M.
8.2 All H58 (drawn general purpose) product shall have the tensile properties as prescribed in Table 2.
9. Performance Requirements
9.1 Expansion Test:
9.1.1 Specimens in the O61 (annealed) temper shall withstand an expansion of 25 % of the outside diameter when expanded
in accordance with Test Method B153. The expanded pipe shall show no cracking or rupture visible to the unaided eye. Pipe
ordered in the drawn (H) condition is not subject to this test.
NOTE 1—The term “unaided eye,” as used herein, permits the use of corrective spectacles necessary to obtain normal vision.
9.1.2 As an alternative to the expansion test for pipe over 4 in. 4 in. (102 mm) in diameter in the O61 (annealed) condition, a
flattening test in accordance with Test Method B968/B968M shall be performed.
9.2 Residual Stress Test:
9.2.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order, product of the O61 (annealed) shall be tested for residual stress
according to the requirements of Test Method B154 or Test Method B858, and show no signs of cracking.
Warning—Mercury is a definite health hazard. With the Mercurous Nitrate Test, equipment for the detection and removal of
mercury vapor produced in volatilization, and the use of protective gloves is recommended.
9.2.2 When the Ammonia Vapor Test is used, the test pH value appropriate for the intended application shall be 10 unless
otherwise specified by the purchaser.
9.2.3 Residual stress test specimens shall be of the full size of the product, and tested without bending, springing, polishing or
any other preparation, except as allowed by the test method.
NOTE 2—A residual stress test provides information about the adequacy of the stress relief of the material. Tube straightening is a method of mechanical
stress relief. Stress relief annealing is a method of thermal stress relief.
10. Other Requirements
10.1 Nondestructive Testing—The material shall be tested in the final size but is permitted to be tested prior to the final anneal
or heat treatment, when these thermal treatments are required, unless otherwise agreed upon by the manufacturer or supplier and
purchaser.
1 1
10.2 Eddy-Current Test—Each piece of material from ⁄8 in. up to and including 2 ⁄2 in. nominal outside diameter or within the
capabilities of the eddy-current tester, shall be subjected to an eddy-current test. Testing shall follow the procedures of Practice
E243 except for determination of “end effect.” The material shall be passed through an eddy-current testing unit adjusted to provide
information on the suitability of the material for the intended application.
10.2.1 Notch-depth standards rounded to the nearest 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) shall be 10 % of the nominal wall thickness. The
notch depth tolerances shall be 60.0005 in. (0.013 mm). Alternatively, when a manufacturer uses speed insensitive equipment that
allows the selection of a maximum imbalance signal, a maximum imbalance signal of 0.3 % is permitted to be used.
10.2.2 Material that does not actuate the signaling device of the eddy-current test shall be considered as conforming to the
requirements of this test. Material with discontinuities indicated by the testing unit is permitted to be reexamined or retested, at
the option of the manufacturer, to determine whether the discontinuity is cause for rejection. Signals that are found to have been
caused by minor mechanical damage, soil or moisture shall not be cause for rejection of the material provided the dimensions of
the material are still within prescribed limits and the material is suitable for its intended application.
10.3 Hydrostatic Test—When specified, the material shall stand, without showing evidence of leakage, an internal hydrostatic
pressure sufficient to subject the material to a fiber stress of 6000 psi (41 MPa), determined by the following equation for thin
hollow cylinders under tension. The material need not be tested at a hydrostatic pressure of over 1000 psi (6.9 MPa) unless so
specified.
P 5 2St/~D 2 0.8t!
where:
P = hydrostatic pressure, psi (or MPa),
P = hydrostatic pressure, psi (or MPa);
t = wall thickness of the material, in. (or mm),
t = wall thickness of the material, in. (or mm);
B43 − 20
D = outside diameter of the material in. (or mm), and
D = outside diameter of the material in. (or mm); and
S = allowable stress of the material, psi (or MPa).
10.3.1 For material less than ⁄2 in. in. (12.7 mm) in outside diameter and less than 0.060 in. (1.5 mm) in wall thickness, the
test is permitted to be made at the option of the manufacturer by pneumatically testing to the requirements of 10.4.
10.4 Pneumatic Test—When specified, the material shall be subjected to an internal air pressure of 60 psi (415 kPa) minimum
for 5 s without showing evidence of leakage. The test method used shall permit easy visual detection of any leakage, such as by
having the material under water or by the pressure-differential method. Any evidence of leakage shall be cause for rejection.
11. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
11.1 For the purpose of determining conformance with the dimensional requirements prescribed in this specification, any
measured value outside the limiting values for any dimensions may be cause for rejection.
11.2 Standard Dimensions, Wall Thickness, and Diameter Tolerances—The standard dimensions, wall thickness, and diameter
tolerances shall be in accordance with Table 1.
11.3 Length and Length Tolerances—The standard length of red brass pipe is 12 ft (3.66 m) with a tolerance of 6 ⁄2 in. (13 mm).
11.4 Squareness of Cut—The departure from squareness of the end of any pipe shall not exceed the following:
Outside Diameter,
Tolerance
in. (mm)
Up to ⁄8 (15.9), incl 0.010 in. (0.25 mm)
Over ⁄8 (15.9) 0.016 in./in. (0
...