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Overview

Introduction

Modern technology has drawn on the unique combination of properties of copper and copper alloys in the form of tube and pipe products. Copper tube is used extensively to convey potable water in buildings and homes. Copper alloys are selected to convey many diverse fluids for the oil, chemical, process and marine industries. Copper tube’s second largest application is in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems; its fastest-growing use in is fire sprinkler systems and fuel gas distribution systems in residential and office buildings. Copper is used for plumbing tube principally because of its corrosion resistance, machinability and high level of heat transfer.

Chief tube applications for copper in the transportation industry are for automotive and truck radiators, air-conditioning systems and hydraulic lines. In marine service, copper and copper alloy tube and pipe are used to carry potable water, seawater and other fluids, but the chief application is alloy tube bundles for condensers and auxiliary heat exchangers. The food and beverage industries also use copper to carry process fluids for beer, spirits, cane sugar refining and other food processing operations.

Overview Topics List

For additional information, please check out the topics listed below:

MAKING COPPER TUBE

HOW COPPER IS PRODUCED

COPPER/ALLOY TUBE and PIPE

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

DIY Video Podcasts

Video screenshot Soldering Preparation

View More Videos

Building & Architecture News

Building and Architecture News thumbnail

October '11: The Fall issue focuses on the benefits of copper at healthcare institutions. Read about a new copper HVAC system that makes AC systems more energy efficient; a medical campus that relies on copper for their state-of-the-art information network; copper trends in building and construction projects; how copper provides shielding for MRI systems to improve accuracy, and the importance of copper to ensure cleanliness, reliability and efficiency in medical gas systems.

Read More News

Highlights

Learn about copper's 50-year warranty program

50-year warranty seal

CDA Tube, Pipe and Fittings Council members:


Industry News: Selection of recent copper tube, pipe and fittings industry developments, technology advances, etc to keep you up to date.


The entire Copper Tube Handbook can be downloaded in pdf format [6 Mb].

The Copper Tube Handbook