ASTM B68/B68M-19

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: B68/B68M − 11 B68/B68M − 19
Standard Specification for
Seamless Copper Tube, Bright Annealed
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B68/B68M; 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*
1.1 This specification establishes the requirements for bright annealed seamless copper tube suitable for use in refrigeration, oil
lines, gasoline lines, and so forth, where tube with an interior surface essentially free from scale and dirt is required.
1.1.1 Tubes made from any of the following Copper UNS No. designations shall be supplied, unless otherwise specified in the
contract or purchase order:
Copper UNS No. Type of Copper
C10200 Oxygen-free without residual deoxidants
C10200 Oxygen-free
C10300 Oxygen-free, extra low phosphorus
C10300 Oxygen-free, (OFXLP)
C10800 Oxygen-free, low phosphorus
C10800 Oxygen-free, (OFLP)
C12000 Phosphorus deoxidized, low residual phosphorus
C12200 Phosphorus deoxidized, high residual phosphorus
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated
in each system mayare not benecessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall
be used independently of the other. Combiningother, and values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the
standard.shall not be combined.
1.3 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 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
B251B251/B251M Specification for General Requirements for Wrought Seamless Copper and Copper-Alloy Tube (Metric)
B0251_B0251M
B251M Specification for General Requirements for Wrought Seamless Copper and Copper-Alloy Tube (Metric) (Withdrawn
2017)
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
B968/B968M Test Method for Flattening of Copper and Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tube
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 Feb. 15, 2011April 1, 2019. Published March 2011April 2019. Originally approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 20022011 as
B68 – 02.B68/B68M–11. DOI: 10.1520/B0068_B0068M-11.10.1520/B0068_B0068M–19.
Refer to Practice E527 for explanation of unified numbering system (UNS).
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
B68/B68M − 19
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing 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)
E2575 Standard Test Method for Determination of Oxygen in Copper and Copper Alloys (Withdrawn 2017)
3. General Requirements
3.1 The following sections of Specification B251B251/B251M or B251Mare a part of this specification.
3.1.1 Terminology, General,General;
3.1.2 Material and Manufacture,Manufacture;
3.1.3 Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance,Appearance;
3.1.4 Significance of Numerical Limits,Limits;
3.1.5 Inspection,Inspection;
3.1.6 Rejection and Rehearing,Rehearing;
3.1.7 Certification,Certification;
3.1.8 Test Reports,Reports;
3.1.9 Packaging and Package Marking,Marking; and
3.1.10 Supplementary Requirements.
3.2 In addition, when a section with an identical title to thosethat referenced in 3.1, above, appears in this specification, such
section may contain it contains additional requirements which supersedesupplement those appearing in Specification B251B251/
B251M or B251M. In case of conflict, this specification prevails.
4. Terminology
4.1 Definitions:
4.1.1 See Terminology B846 for definitions of terms related to copper and copper alloys.
4.1.2 bright anneal, n—the surface obtained by annealing under conditions of controlled atmosphere to prevent oxidation and
to retain the original luster of the product.
4.1 For definitions of terms related to copper and copper alloys, refer to Terminology B846.
5. Ordering Information
5.1 Include the following information specified choices when placing orders for products under this specification, as applicable:
5.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue (for example, B68/B68M – 11B68/B68M – 18),);
5.1.2 Copper [Alloy] UNS copper number (for example, C10200),number designation;
5.1.3 Temper (Section 8),);
5.1.4 Dimensions, diameter, and wall thickness (Section 16),);
5.1.5 How furnished: straight lengths or coils,coils;
5.1.6 Total length, or Quantity: total weight or length or number of pieces,pieces of each size,size; and
5.1.7 Total weight, each size, and
5.1.7 When product is purchased for agencies of the U.S. Government.Intended application.
5.2 The following options are available and shall be but may not be included unless specified at the time of placing the order,
when required:
5.2.1 Electromagnetic (eddy-current) test,Heat identification or traceability details,
5.2.2 Elongation test when wall thickness is less than 0.020 in. [0.508 mm],
5.2.3 Embrittlement test,
5.2.4 Expansion test,
5.2.5 Flattening test,
5.2.6 Certification, and
5.2.7 Mill test report.
5.2.8 If product is purchased for agencies of the U.S. Government (see the Supplementary Requirements section of this
specification or Specification B251/B251M, or the general requirements section, if specified).
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
B68/B68M − 19
6. Materials and Manufacture
6.1 Materials:
6.1.1 The material of manufacture shall be billets, bars, or tube of the Copper UNS No.Copper Alloy UNS Nos. C10200,
C10300, C10800, C12000, or C12200 and shall be of such purity and soundness as to be suitable for processing into the tubular
products described.described herein.
6.1.2 When specified in the contract or purchase order that heat identification or traceability is required, the purchaser shall
specify the details desired.
NOTE 1—Due to the discontinuous nature of the processing of castings into wrought products, it is not always practical to identify a specific casting
analysis with a specific quantity of finished material.
6.2 Manufacture:
6.2.1 The tube shall be manufactured by such hot- or cold-working hot working, cold working, and annealing processes as to
produce a homogeneous uniform wrought structure in the finished product. The tube shall be cold drawn to the finished diameter
and wall thickness, and shall be bright annealed to meet the specified temper.
6.2.2 The tube shall be cold drawn to the finished size and subsequently bright annealed to meet the temper properties specified.
7. Chemical Composition
7.1 The material shall conform to the chemical composition requirements prescribed in Table 1 for the specified copper [alloy]
UNS No. designation specified in the ordering information.
7.1.1 Results of analysis on a product (check) sample shall conform to the composition requirements within the permitted
analytical variance specified in Table 1.
7.2 These composition limits do not preclude the presence of other elements. By agreement between the manufacturer and the
purchaser, limits may be established and analysis required for unnamed elements.
8. Temper
8.1 The tube shall be furnished in either of two annealed tempers as follows:standard tempers for product described in this
specification are as follows
Annealed (O) Temper Designation
O50 (Light annealed)
O60 (Soft annealed)
8.1.1 Tempers are defined in Classification B601.
9. Grain Size
9.1 Tube in the tempers O50 (light annealed) and O60 (soft annealed) shall conform to the requirements of Table 2.
9.2 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 2 when determined in accordance
with Test Methods E112.
10. Mechanical Property Requirements
10.1 Tensile Strength:
10.1.1 The tube Product furnished under this specification shall have a minimum tensile strength of 30 ksi (210 MPa)[210 MPa]
when tested in accordance with Test Methods E8/E8M.
10.2 Elongation:
10.2.1 The tensile elongation of the tube shall be a minimum 40 % (2-in. Product having a wall thickness of 0.020 in. [0.508
mm] or greater shall have an elongation of 40 % minimum (2 in. or 50 mm gagegauge length) when tested in accordance with Test
Methods E8/E8M.
TABLE 1 Chemical Composition
Composition, %
Element Copper UNS No.
A
C10200 C10300 C10800 C12000 C12200
B
Copper, min 99.95 . . 99.90 99.9
B
Copper . 99.95 99.95 . .
+ phosphorus, min
Phosphorus . 0.001–0.005 0.005–0.012 0.004–0.012 0.015–0.040
A
Oxygen in C10200 shall be 10 ppm max. in accordance with Test Method E2575.
B
Silver counting as copper.
B68/B68M − 19
TABLE 2 Average Grain Size Requirements
Temper Grain Size, mm
O50 0.015 to 0.040
O60 0.040, min
10.2.2 When specified in the contract or purchase order, the elongation requirement for product having a wall thickness less than
0.020 in. [0.508 mm] shall be negotiated between the supplier and purchaser.
11. Performance Requirements
11.1 Expansion Test:
11.1.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order, the outside diameter of the tube furnished annealed tube shall be
capable of being expanded expansion as follows when tested in accordance with Test Method B153.
Outside Diameter, in. (mm) Expansion, %
Outside Diameter, in. [mm] Expansion, %
⁄4 (19) and under 40
⁄4 [19.1] and under 40
over ⁄4 (19) 30
over ⁄4 [19.1] 30
11.1.1.1 The expanded tube shall show no cracks or ruptures seen through visual inspection without the use of special
equipment or enhancement excepting the use of corrective lenses.cracking or other defects visible to the unaided eye.
11.1.2 A flattening test is an optional alternative to the expansion test for annealed tube over 4 in. (100 mm)[100 mm] in
diameter.
11.2 Flattening Test:
11.2.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order, the tube shall be capable of being flattened a flattening test in
accordance with the test method described in Test Method B968/B968M.
12. Microscopical Examination
12.1 Samples of Copper UNS Nos. C10200, C10300, and C12000 shall be free of cuprous oxide as determined by Procedure
A of Test Methods B577. When Copper UNS Nos. C10800 or C12200 are supplied, examination is not required. In case of a
dispute, a referee method shall be used in accordance with Procedure C of Test Methods B577.
13. Hydrogen Embrittlement
13.1 Samples of Copper UNS Nos. C10200, C12000, and C12200 shall be capable of passing the embrittlement test of
Procedure B of Test Methods B577. The actual performance of this test is not mandatory under the terms of this specification unless
definitely specified in the ordering information. In case of a dispute, a referee method shall be used in accordance with Procedure
C of Test Methods B577.
14. Nondestructive Testing
14.1 Upon agreement between the manufacturer and the purchaser, each tube up to 3 ⁄8 in. (80 mm)[80 mm] in outside diameter
shall be subjected to electromagnetic (eddy-current) test. For this test, the tube shall be examined in the final drawn or annealed
temper, before coiling or in straight lengths.
14.2 Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Test:
14.2.1 When examined in accordance with Practice E243, tubes that do not actuate the signaling device of the testing unit shall
be considered as conforming to the requirements of the test.
15. Purchases for U.S. Government Agencies
15.1 When the contract or purchase order stipulates the purchase is for an agency of the U.S. Government, the tubes furnished
shall conform to the conditions specified in the Supplementary Requirements of Specification B251B251/B251M or B251M.
16. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
16.1 The dimensions and tolerances for product covered by this specification shall be as specified in the following tables and
related paragraphs of Specification B251B251/B251M or B251M:
16.1.1 Wall Thickness Tolerance—Table 1.
16.1.2 Diameter Tolerances—Table 3.
16.1.3 Length Tolerances—Tables 5 and 6.
16.1.4 Squareness of Cut—Refer to Squareness of Cut section 5.6.
16.2 Coils, Length Tolerances—Refer to Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5 of this specification.
B68/B68M − 19
TABLE 3 Coil Length Tolerances (Specific Lengths)
Tolerances, in., All Plus, for Nominal
Tube Outside Diameter, in. Lengths in Feet
Up to 50, incl Over 50 to 100, incl
Up to 2, incl 12 24
Tube Outside Diameter, mm Tolerances, mm, All Plus, for Nominal Lengths,
mm
Up to 15 000, Incl. Over 15 000 to 30 000,
incl.
Up to 50, incl 300 610
TABLE 4 Coil Length Tolerances (Mill Lengths)
(Applicable only full-length pieces)
Tube Outside Tolerances, %, for Nominal Lengths in Feet
Diameter, in. Up to 100, incl Over 100 to 2000, incl
A A
Up to 1, incl 5 or 2 ft, whichever is 10
greater
A
Over 1 to 2, incl 5 or 2 ft, whichever is No tolerances
greater
established
A
Expressed to the nearest 1 ft.
Tube Out-
Tolerances, %, for Nominal Lengths, mm
side
Up to 30 000, Over 30 000 to
Diameter,
incl 600 000, incl
mm
A A
Up to 25, 5 or 600 mm, 10
whichever is
incl
greater
A
Over 25 to 5 or 600 mm, No tolerances
whichever is
50, incl established
greater
A
Expressed to the nearest 300 mm.
TABLE 5 Coil Schedule of Mill Lengths with Ends
Shortes
...