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Copper pipe in inches. Types of copper pipes

When designating products, for example, a copper pipe with a diameter of 8 mm, one of the main parameters of pipes is meant - the outer diameter. Many properties of the future pipeline (working pressure, length, etc.) depend on this indicator. It is necessary to be able to operate with such quantities as inches and millimeters, since according to GOST, they are the main meters of this parameter. The digital equivalent of the values of parameters such as length and diameter is often used in formulas for various calculations.

To date, the following diameters of copper pipes can be distinguished, which, one way or another, appear in the tables:

External;
Interior;
Nominal.

The very need for comparison tables with diameters arose due to various standards in Russia and Europe (All products related to copper pipes:). Since most pipe manufacturers are foreign, inches are used in the specifications, while in our territory they operate with mm values, see below.

Ø, inch	Outer diameter + wall thickness, mm
1/4	6.35+0.76
3/8	9.52+0.81
1/2	12.7+0.81
5/8	15.9+0.90
3/4	19.05+0.89
7/8	22.23+1.14
1	25.4+1.14
1 1/8	28.58+1.27
1 3/8	34.93+1.40
1 5/8	41.27+1.53
2 1/8	53.98+1.78
2 5/8	66.68+2.03
3 1/8	79.39+2.30
3 5/8	92.08+2.54
4 1/8	104.74+2.80

Copper pipe: diameter 15

The most popular, durable and relatively inexpensive copper pipe, diameter 15 mm - 20 mm (or ½ and ¾) is used in Europe and the Russian Federation as the basis for heat exchange networks of the following closed systems:

Heating system;
Refrigeration unit;
Solar battery;
Split system.

Another common size, the designation of which uses a copper pipe 5/8, the diameter in mm is 16. In addition, there are general concepts, such as nominal bore and wall thickness. It is important to know the conditional passage when buying fittings connecting individual sections of the pipeline (also measured in mm and inches). Perhaps you want the same.

Table of copper pipe diameters

Next comparison table will help when you compare the diameters of copper pipes for air conditioners, the table is also given for larger sizes used in heating and cooling.

The company "Regional House of Metal" supplies such products as a copper tube with a diameter of 6 mm or more, in any batch from warehouses in St. Petersburg. If you are interested in, say, copper pipes for air conditioners, then you. We will promptly collect the order according to your technical requirements and deliver it to any point in the Russian Federation with our transport, please contact us, we are always in touch!

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Thermal insulation

This type of product, like the rest, when installed on outdoors or in an unheated room require insulation or thermal insulation.

For these purposes, special heaters are used in the form of a casing made of polyurethane foam, which are sold for pipes with different sections.

On the construction market, you can find a large number of various copper products, so the choice must be approached thoroughly.

Please note that all heating must consist of components made of the same type of copper. Pipes with a cross section of up to 22 mm are sold in coils and can be given any shape already at the installation site, which is very convenient

As for samples of larger diameter, they are already sold in segments 3-5 meters long.

If we consider installation technologies, we can safely say that copper pipes are truly universal. In most cases, using the same pipe, you can choose from several connection methods and even use third-party fittings. Depending on the tasks set, you can perform:

welding;
mechanical assembly (pressing, compression connection, clamping with self-locking fittings);
soldering (hard or soft solder).

Pipes with a diameter of 100 mm or more with a wall thickness of more than 1.5 mm are usually welded. Mechanical assembly has some limitations: not suitable for areas that are in monoliths, or hidden in building structures, such fittings are relatively expensive. In domestic heating systems, low-temperature soft soldering is most often used, which requires special capillary fittings (preferably the material of the same grade as the pipe).

One of the options for mechanical assembly. To fix the connection, press tongs are used.

Note! The use of hard solder involves heating the metal to 6000 or more, so the copper in the joint zone is “annealed”. High-temperature capillary soldering is relevant for pipes with a diameter of 22 mm or more, for example, if you need to get a heavy-duty fixation, or, for example, if the coolant during operation will warm up over 170 degrees

Preparation for capillary soldering

A pipe of the required size is cut with a special tool.
From the outside, a chamfer is removed from the end of the workpiece, which further reduces the hydraulic resistance in the connection zone.
An abrasive sponge, which does not contain metal fibers, cleans the oxide film on the outer surface of the pipe and inside the fitting.
A flux paste is applied and distributed over the entire contact area with a brush (flux is not necessary for hard soldering).
The fitting is put on the pipe until it stops (preferably with a little scrolling).
Flux is removed from the surface with a rag.

Brazing Copper Pipe

The connection zone is heated until the flux begins to melt. The burner nozzle must be evenly moved around the neck.
The filler wire (solder) is smoothly guided along the edge of the joint. If the pipe is horizontal, then starting from the bottom.
The solder will begin to melt and “wet” the surfaces, due to the capillary effect, it will flow into the cavity between the walls of the parts to be joined.
The assembled assembly must cool naturally, without the use of water.

With high-quality soldering, the solder completely fills the gap, a clean, neat joint is obtained.

As you can see, solid capital investments for heating from copper pipes will not be in vain. Homeowners who are able and willing to use copper piping benefit from reliable and durable wiring with better performance. That is why there are so many fans of this technology among professionals.

Manufacturing methods and technologies

There are 2 main manufacturing technologies that ultimately affect the operational characteristics of the pipeline, its scope, as well as the cost of the pipes themselves and fittings for them:

Rolling production.
Welding production.

Upon completion, the pipes can be chrome plated, painted and coated with a polyethylene or PVC sheath.

rolling production

The rolling (seamless) method is considered the most common and provides maximum pipe strength. The essence of the technology is to give the copper billet (sleeve) the desired configuration due to the "cold" run through the rotating rolls of a special tube-rolling machine.

Welded production

Welded pipes are made from copper sheet, wound onto a blank of the pressing shaft of the desired size and shape and welded with an inert gas at the junction. After welding, the pipe is rolled on calibrating rolls, which level it and eliminate the longitudinal deformation of the weld.

Scope and limitations of use

Rolled copper pipes are used in various communication systems for domestic and industrial purposes.

Water pipes. Traditionally used in the arrangement of water supply for various purposes. The characteristics of copper and an extensive range of rolled pipes allow you to equip highways of different capacities and footage.

Sanitary copper is neutral to the low concentration of chlorine contained in drinking water (the norm is not more than 0.5 mg / l). Copper piping has proven itself in storm drains and sewerage systems

Heating network. A double effect is achieved. On the one hand, the durability of operation due to corrosion resistance, on the other hand, the protection of the system from unregulated temperature fluctuations of the coolant. The use of a copper pipeline with an insulating sheath is justified in "warm floor" systems.

Gas pipeline. The convenience of rolled copper lies in the tightness of the line. When transporting gas, there is no oxidation and galvanic corrosion. The reliability of pressed joints and adhesions increases the safety of the gas pipeline in areas with seismic activity.

Fuel system. Due to the neutrality, copper fittings are used in networks for pumping fuel oil - there is no risk of ignition, the formation of a static charge.

Copper tubes are used in gas water heater heat exchangers, hydraulic and braking systems of vehicles and aircraft, refrigerator cooling circuits and climate systems

Nuances and limitations of application:

The limiting velocity of liquid transportation in the water supply system is 2 m/s. Compliance with the recommendation will extend the life of the "plastic" line.
Copper is a soft metal and constant contact with a medium filled with solid particles can lead to “washout” of the walls. To prevent the formation of erosion, it is desirable to provide preliminary cleaning of water from foreign suspensions. It is enough to install a coarse (mechanical) filter.
On the inner walls of the copper line at favorable conditions an oxide film appears - the coating does not impair the quality of water and protects the metal from wear. Requirements for the formation of patina: acidity of the water flow pH - 6-9, hardness - 1.42-3.42 mg / l. With other parameters, cyclic destruction and restoration of the film occurs due to the consumption of metal.
Do not use lead solder for the installation of drinking water supply - the metal and its compounds are toxic. The substance is able to accumulate in the body, exerting a gradual detrimental effect on various organs.

Docking of copper communications with a pipeline made of brass and plastic is acceptable. When combining copper pipes with steel and aluminum elements, the joining sequence must be followed.

Connection rule: sections of other metals should be placed in front of copper pipes in the direction of circulation of the coolant. In reverse order, electrochemical corrosion occurs

What is important to know about pipe parameters

Length and diameter are simple parameters expressed in digital terms to make it easier to measure and enter values into formulas. But in reality, there are several parameters for measuring the thickness of pipes, and accuracy is needed everywhere.

This is interesting! The discrepancies in measurements arose due to the introduction of copper pipes into European building technologies from the middle of the 20th century. Then in our territory the main standard was determined in millimeters - for iron products, which are widely used even today. Domestic apartment buildings are equipped mainly with steel plumbing.

In Europe, private households with copper communications are more popular. They are the most durable, resistant to corrosion, but with a high cost.. Seamless copper products are gradually reclaiming their market segment, they are also produced in accordance with GOST. They are used not only for plumbing communications, but also to ensure the work of:

split systems;
solar panels;
refrigeration units;
autonomous heating;
parts for mechanical engineering.

Pipes of different sections are used for different segments of the pipeline, and it is important to know which diameter is suitable for a particular purpose.

Soldering copper water pipes

This is a more reliable method, however, for its implementation it is necessary to have certain skills and comply with safety requirements.

Soldering is the most time-consuming method of joining copper pipes.

Soldering involves the following steps:

Use a pipe cutter or a hacksaw to cut the required piece of pipe.
Remove the thermal insulation at its end, if any.
Remove the formed burrs.
Using sandpaper, remove the oxide film from the soldering site.
Sand the fitting.
Remove the dust that has appeared on the parts with a dry rag.
Apply flux to the surface of the pipe. Then the solder will spread evenly.
Insert the end of the pipe into the fitting so that the remaining gap between the parts does not exceed 0.4 mm.
Take a gas burner for soldering copper pipes and warm up the place of the future connection. You can also do this with a blowtorch. Move the flame along the joint evenly, avoiding overheating of any pipe section.
Insert the solder into the gap created by inserting the copper pipe into the fitting and solder the seam.
After installing the plumbing, so that particles of flux do not remain in the system, wash it well.

It is impossible to ignore one trend regarding copper pipes. It consists in the fact that the owners of elite country cottages or premium apartments in modern new buildings use these products not only for water supply pipelines, but also in drainage systems. Wastewater

Indeed, in housing of this category, everything should be of the highest standard, even sewerage. Moreover, the characteristics of copper pipes allow this to be done without compromising the quality of the operation of such a system.

If desired, a drainage system can also be mounted from copper pipes

If you plan to use these products to connect various household plumbing to the wastewater drainage system, when buying copper pipes and installing them, be guided by the data from table No. 2, which indicates the parameters for connecting household appliances that consume water to the drainage system.

table 2

note! Replacing an existing cast-iron sewer riser with a copper one is not economically feasible. We are talking about such pipe products as bends, chrome-plated faucet connections, elbows, etc.

The possibility of different angles allows you to minimize the number of joints. This factor is not only a guarantee of reliability, but also improves the appearance of engineering communications. To perform this procedure, you will need a special pipe bender that can be operated without preheating the pipe. A heated pipe should be bent using springs. This technology preserves the cross section of the workpiece.

Any owner wants to have reliable and smoothly functioning communications in his house. And if you want to decorate your home with a stylish decorative element, which at the same time performs the function of a full-fledged water supply system, opt for a copper water pipe.

Size chart

Main sections and translation methodology

As we noted above, most often the pipe section is indicated in fractions of an English inch. It is difficult only at first glance, because, having figured it out, you can literally translate these values \u200b\u200bfrom the summer, selecting a part in accordance with the task.

Wall thickness is also an important parameter.

The calculations are quite simple:

So, the value of one inch is approximately 25 mm (actually 25.4 mm, but such accuracy is needed only in very rare cases).
Now, to find out, for example, the diameter in mm of a copper pipe is 1 4 inches, we multiply 25 by 1/4. As a result, we get a value of 6.25 mm.

Advice! In this way, only an approximate value can be obtained, since deviations are usually due to different wall thicknesses for different sizes. However, this accuracy is enough for domestic needs.

Half inch spigot with fitting

A complete table of copper pipe diameters is given below:

Section, inches	Outer diameter, mm	Wall thickness, mm
1/4	6,4	0,6
3/8	9,5	0,7
1/2	12,7	0,9
5/8	15,9	1,02
3/4	19,05	1,02
7/8	22,2	1,1
1 1/8	28,6	1,3
1 3/8	35,0	1,4
2 1/8	54	1,78
2 5/8	66,7	2,03
3 1/8	79,4	2,5
4 1/8	104,7	2,8

Note! Sometimes the marking of the pipe does not indicate inches, but the cross section and wall thickness in millimeters. For example, a 6x1 copper pipe has a diameter of 6 mm and a wall of 1 mm

Product with a section of 6 mm with a millimeter wall

Product weight

Knowing these data, it is quite easy to calculate the mass of a running meter to calculate the load on the supporting structures:

M \u003d (D - S) * S * 3.14 * p / 1000, where

M- specific gravity pipes (kg / m.pog).
S is the wall thickness, mm.
P is the density of copper, 8.9 g/cm3.

Therefore, if we have a copper pipe 1 1 8, then:

M \u003d (28.6 - 1.3) * 1.3 * 3.14 * 8.9 / 1000 \u003d 752 g / m.

As in the case of the cross section, the figures are quite approximate, but they are quite enough to assess the situation.

The use of pipes of different diameters

The range of application of copper products is quite wide:

Copper pipe 10 mm or less is used for mounting internal heat exchangers in heating and air conditioning systems. The small diameter of such pipes ensures maximum efficiency of the functioning of such devices due to good energy transfer.
Products from 10 to 25 mm are used for the installation of water pipes. Copper pipe 1 2 inches is one of the most commonly used in the arrangement of the water supply system. The same goes for 3/4 inch pieces.

Use in the manufacture of convectors

Varieties up to 40-45 mm are used for drain systems. Despite the relatively small diameter, they provide efficient drainage due to high permeability.
Copper pipe 3 8, as well as thicker varieties, are also well suited for heating systems. The high heat resistance of the material, together with the excellent thermal conductivity of thin walls, allows you to heat the room with minimal energy consumption.
The thickest branches from the water-carrying line, as well as decorative and protective elements, for example, casings for semi-open wiring.

Material characteristics

General properties and production method

Copper pipes are a material that has been used for arranging communications for a long time. This was facilitated by the relative ease of metal processing, as well as good performance. This combination of qualities has led to the fact that copper is actively used today - albeit not on such a scale as steel, cast iron or technological polymers.

To date, there are two methods for the production of pipes.

Seamless pipes, which are of the highest quality, and therefore very in demand, do this:

Copper bar is taken as raw material. Usually, it contains not only copper, but also various additives that improve the performance of the finished product.
Next, the bar is heated, after which a hollow sleeve with sufficiently thick walls is formed from it on a piercing mill.
After that, the sleeve is sent to rolling mill, where round rollers process its surface, thinning the walls and passing the part through a calibrating die. The result is, for example, a copper pipe 1 4 inches - depending on which section was set in the machine settings and which workpiece was used.

Photo finished products immediately after leaving the rental device

Note! In the manufacture of parts with large diameters, reheating of the sleeve is possible to facilitate rolling. Naturally, in this case, the cost of manufacturing the part increases.

Much less often produce products of a welded type. In this case, a strip of metal is taken as a workpiece, which is folded into a tube around the matrix. certain size. The edges of the strip are welded, and the seam is cleaned.

Further processing largely determines the properties of the material:

More durable, but at the same time more rigid and less convenient for installation are unannealed pipes. After manufacturing, they are not subjected to heat treatment, due to which they remain unchanged. internal structure metal.
If, after the production of the workpiece, they undergo an annealing procedure, then the internal crystal lattice of copper is partially modified. On the one hand, this leads to a slight loss of strength and a decrease in the melting point, but on the other hand, the product becomes flexible, which greatly simplifies installation.

Note! Annealed 5″-8″ copper pipe (and sometimes larger gauge parts) can be supplied in large coils. Unannealed varieties are almost always supplied by the piece, as attempting to bend them can result in irreversible deformation.

Annealed product in a coil

Advantages

For copper products, this situation is extremely unlikely.

Among the advantages of copper pipes are the following:

Firstly, the material is practically not subject to corrosion.. Even with prolonged contact with a liquid under fairly harsh conditions (temperature changes, salinity, the presence of carbon dioxide), only a patina (a characteristic green coating) may appear. This plaque does not affect the operational properties of the structure.

Note! Experts do not recommend cleaning off the patina from areas hidden from our view: it is chemically inert, and therefore acts as an additional protective layer. Naturally, such instruction is informal, but it is very effective.

Another plus is the smooth inner surface.. No growths are formed inside (as, for example, in cast iron or steel products), and therefore even a fairly thin 8 mm copper pipe retains its permeability throughout the entire service life.

Such a system is very reliable, but to assemble it, you will have to try.

The advantages include high ductility with good heat resistance. It is for this reason that copper is used in various heat exchangers: the material is guaranteed not to melt (even the thinnest wall can withstand up to + 2500C without signs of deformation), and flexibility allows you to design a rather complex wiring.
Finally, a wide range of. You can pick up a part for almost any task, since the list of available diameters is calculated in more than a dozen values.

If we talk about the minuses, then the most significant for us will be high price. Neither copper heating pipes nor copper plumbing can be called budget solutions.

However, good performance, together with an attractive appearance, compensate for this shortcoming. Therefore, if possible, pay once, and no longer think about the functioning of the system.

Tools for the job

When working with copper pipes, special tools are used.

Pipe cutters

They are necessary in order to cut pipes of the required length. By the way, this tool is effective not only for working with copper pipes, it copes well with plastic, steel and metal-plastic. The pipe cutter provides a strict perpendicularity of the cut and the required end quality. The tool is optimal when working with gaseous or other flammable materials, because such a tool does not have a spark that can cause a fire. It is very convenient that the pipe cutter works without the use of electric current, this makes it effective for use in remote areas where there is no widespread electrification.

For copper pipes, two types of pipe cutters are used.

Steel telescopic with a bracket-like body - on one side of this tool there is a cutting roller, and on the other - an axis carriage with several guides. At the moment of rotation of the handle, the carriage begins to advance and thereby clamps the pipe. After the pipe cutter rotates completely around the helical axis, an incision is made, and if at this moment the pressure on the handle is increased, the pipe section is cut off completely.
With a ratchet mechanism - purely visually, such a pipe cutter looks like scissors, and one of them is made in the form of a C-shaped notch, and the other side is cutting. To make an incision in the pipe, it is necessary to close the handle.

Pipe Expander

Everyone knows that the pipeline is an extensive network, which consists of pipes of different sizes, which is why when installing the system, the use of a pipe expander is an urgent need - without it it is impossible to connect individual elements using couplings or fittings. The product can be manual or electric, the first is optimal for small-scale work, and the second for installing complex systems.

The pipe expander is used in order to make the connection using fittings as convenient as possible. It must be borne in mind that for certain options for pipes of different diameters, a separate expander should be used, however, there is no need to purchase several pipe expanders, it is quite enough to stock several heads of different sizes.

pipe bender

As the name suggests, pipe benders are used to bend pipes.

The tool can be mechanical or manual.

Mechanical pipe bender is made in the form hydraulic press. Such options are optimal when work is done in large volumes, since they provide more powerful force than manual models. constituent elements pipe bender-press are a hydraulic cylinder, a frame, a pump, rollers for fixing the pipe, interchangeable nozzles of different sizes and control knobs. In order to reduce the possibility of overheating, a special relay is mounted. Such a press is mounted on a solid base. Its weight, depending on the working power, can vary from 29 to 129 kg. The pipe bender is widely used both in industry and in everyday life.

But for small jobs it is also suitable manual tool, it allows you to bend pipes 90 degrees. This option is optimal for working in cramped conditions, as well as at height.

Press tongs

This tool is made of steel and is used for clamping press fittings. The principle of operation here is simple: the contour clamps the fitting, and other zones form recesses

When buying this tool, it is very important to focus on the markings, which serve as proof of conformity. existing systems quality. By the way, the product may have different crimp profiles, however, this in no way affects the strength and reliability of fixation.

In addition, to work with pipes of all types made of copper, you will need a clamp, as well as a soldering iron and a trimmer.

Fittings for connecting copper pipelines

Copper fittings - shaped elements, through which individual sections of the pipeline are joined together. Copper pipe fittings are available in the following configurations:

parallel couplings;
tees;
squares (at 45 and 90 degrees);
crosses.

Varieties of copper fittings

The above copper fittings can be one-dimensional - for connecting pipes of the same diameter, or transitional - for connecting pipeline sections of different sizes.

Solder fittings

Connecting products intended for joining by soldering are called capillary. Their inner walls are covered thin layer tin solder - molten solder fills the gap between the walls of the connected products and, after hardening, firmly adheres them to each other.

We note the Sanha fittings for high-quality solder products. This company produces copper fittings of all common sizes according to German quality standards from CW024A grade alloy. Connections are able to withstand pressure in the range of 16-40 bar and an operating temperature of 110 degrees.

The technology for connecting copper pipelines by soldering is quite simple in execution:

The mating surfaces of the pipes and fittings are cleaned of contaminants, degreased and processed with fine-grained sandpaper.
A layer of low-temperature flux up to 1 mm thick is applied to the pipe walls.
The connecting elements are joined together, after which the junction is heated with a hot air gun or gas burner up to a temperature of 4000 for 10-15 seconds.
The cooling time of the joint is expected, after which the flux residues are cleaned with rags.

Scheme for soldering copper pipes

It is necessary to carry out soldering in a ventilated room, since during the melting of solder and flux, gases harmful to the body are released.

Collet connections

Collet, they are also compression fittings for copper pipes, perform a serviced connection to be dismantled. All push-in fittings are classified into two groups:

"A" - for products made of solid and semi-solid copper;
"B" - for soft copper pipes.

They differ in that class "B" fittings have an internal sleeve - a fitting, on which the connected sections of the pipeline are mounted. The fitting acts as a support element that prevents deformation of the copper walls during crimping.

Compression copper fitting

Connection mounting technology:

A union nut and a split ring are put on the pipe.
The ring is placed at a distance of 1 cm from the cut.
The pipe is pushed onto the fitting nipple.
The union nut is hand-tightened until it stops, after which it is tightened with an adjustable or open-end wrench.

Press connection

for copper pipes consist of a body, a fitting and a crimp sleeve. Their installation takes a minimum of time - the connecting sections of the pipeline are inserted into the seat on the fitting, after which the sleeve is crimped using press tongs. This tool can be rented at a plumbing store or bought, prices start at 3 thousand rubles.

Press fitting installation

Such a connection is maintenance-free, unlike a collet joint, you cannot dismantle it without violating the integrity of the fitting. In the event of leakage, it is necessary to replace the connecting element. Note that press fittings are the most reliable and durable, their service life reaches 30 years.

Fittings for copper pipe products

For laying copper pipelines, crimp or solder type fittings are used. The first type of connecting elements, as a rule, is made of brass. The tightness of such a joint is ensured by the presence of a compression ring inside the fitting, which is tightened wrench. A compression fitting is used to connect pipes of different diameters at the place where the pipeline is laid, provided that there is access to check the tightness (details: "").

Such parts are usually used, if necessary, to lay a line designed for operation when the working medium moves through it under low pressure. At the same time, during the operation of the pipeline, it is necessary to periodically monitor the condition of the fittings.

The connection process is carried out in the following sequence:

The fitting is disassembled into its component parts.
The clamp nut and ferrule are placed on the pipe.
The end of the pipe, on which there is a ring and a nut, is inserted into the fitting.
The nut is fixed to the stop, and the conical ring must be inserted into the conical part without distortion.
The nut is tightened with a wrench by 0.5-1.25 turns - which depends on the diameter of the pipe used.

When doing the work, the main thing is not to overdo it, because with too much force, the wall of the pipe products can be damaged.

The above type of connection cannot be called perfect - compression fittings often leak, so their condition should be constantly monitored.

Their advantages and disadvantages

If copper is so good, why is it that buyers in the construction market are more likely to purchase plastic and metal products to create plumbing and heating systems?

The main misconceptions by which buyers refuse to purchase them include:

comparative high cost of materials;
installation complexity (requires soldering joints).

However, these pipes have a number of advantages:

high quality material;
has a high coefficient of thermal conductivity (it applies specifically to non-insulated samples);
ease of expansion;
does not corrode and does not react to temperature changes;
good for soldering;
withstands high pressure;
are reliable with their plasticity.
when buying non-insulated pipes, it can be noted that their price is lower than plastic or steel samples of the same diameter;
welding for the connection is not expensive;
it is possible to make wiring of any kind due to the wide variety of copper fittings;
heating can last more than 50 years without repair;
plastic material at high pressures can be deformed without breaks;
can work effectively at temperatures up to + 250°C.

Therefore, it is quite justified that the price of copper products is correspondingly high. Apart from pricing policy consumers avoid using such pipes and fittings because they are worried about the complexity and correctness of their installation (soldering).

According to buyers, it is very difficult to independently solder copper heating systems without certain skills. How to solder correctly, see the video tutorials below

Strengths and weaknesses of copper plumbing

Copper pipes are similar to their closest competitors (steel communications) in terms of strength and temperature characteristics. However, copper is preferred due to its unique properties.

Corrosion resistance. Perhaps the main argument in favor of copper plumbing is immunity to rust. This property explains the duration of uninterrupted operation of engineering networks and minimizes the negative impact on plumbing fixtures.

Unlike steel products, copper fittings are less material-intensive - there is no need to install pipes with an overestimated wall thickness in reserve in case of corrosive processes

Plastic . This quality explains a number of significant operational advantages of a copper pipeline:

material flexibility in processing - pipes can be bent to create complex backbone networks using hand tools;
retention of a given shape - soft polymer products cannot boast of this property;
the possibility of using connecting fittings;
increased resistance to water hammer - an indicator of destructive pressure allows you not to be afraid for the integrity of the system during "jumps" of water pressure;
probability of deformations without mechanical destruction;
temperature jumps do not cause changes in linear parameters;
withstand freeze / thaw cycles while maintaining integrity.

Surface smoothness. An archival argument in favor of copper plumbing. The high homogeneity of the material provides a perfectly even coating, which reduces the molecular bonds of the metal, which means that the formation of salts and oxides is reduced.

The minimum coefficient of friction makes it possible to use smaller diameter copper pipes in water supply networks than steel or plastic pipes. Deposits do not accumulate on the inner walls, which means throughput does not worsen over time

Resistance to chemicals. Copper is not destroyed by interaction with saline solutions, formalion and dilute non-oxidizing acids. When in contact with chlorine, it does not form oxides dangerous to humans.

Bactericidal. Copper alloy has an antibacterial property - circulating through pipes, water is partially disinfected. An additional plus is that colonies of microorganisms do not multiply on the walls.

Immunity to UV rays. Copper does not lose its characteristics under the influence of UV radiation, which cannot be said about communications from thermoplastic polymers.

The presence of a copper circuit in the bathroom is an exclusive element of decor and a sure sign of prosperity at home. The metal pipeline is unpretentious in care and does not require regular painting.

Along with good strength indicators, copper alloy pipes are somewhat lighter in weight than steel counterparts. This facilitates their transportation and installation. The indisputable advantage of a copper pipeline is the possibility of repeated use.

The disadvantages of copper plumbing include:

High price. When compared with the cost of analogues, copper products lose. The arrangement of a network of "yellow" metal will cost several times more than the installation of a plastic or steel backbone.
The complexity of installation. Technologies for joining copper fittings (assembly on fittings or soldering) are quite complex processes that require work skills.
Acid intolerance. It is impossible to use copper pipes for transporting an acidic medium with a pH level of more than 9. Water with this indicator is unsuitable for drinking.
Thermal conductivity. The parameter is 1.7 times greater than that of aluminum products and is almost six times higher than the thermal conductivity of steel. When transporting a hot medium, the pipe heats up - heat losses increase, there is a risk of burns. In cold water systems, condensate forms on the pipeline.

You can solve the problem by using a coating of polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. The outer sleeve prevents condensation, "cools" the surface, maintains the temperature of the transported medium and reduces noise.

Due to the presence of air channels, polyethylene insulation somewhat reduces the level of temperature deformation of the pipe - such material is best used in areas with a small number of connections. Foamed "shell" (soft polyurethane foam, synthetic rubber) suitable for heating and DHW networks

Additional disadvantages of using copper rolled products are electrical conductivity, as well as incompatibility with aluminum and steel elements of the water supply system. To prevent the risk of electric shock during the installation phase, care must be taken to properly ground the equipment.

2 Advantages of copper pipes over plastic pipes

Plumbing copper pipe despite being very long history of its existence, successfully competes with modern products - plastic and metal-plastic products for plumbing. In many respects, it is noticeably superior to them:

Copper is impervious to foul-smelling, harmful substances and even oxygen.
Copper pipe, unlike plastic, is not subject to the damaging effects of chlorine, which is contained in tap water. More chlorine-resistant plastic pipes are supplied exclusively to the US market, where water is chlorinated in a similar way to Russia. Such products cost no less than copper. In Europe, the requirements for chlorine content are much lower, so plastic for low-chlorinated water that meets the European standard is common on the domestic market.
Chlorine, being a strong oxidizing agent, contributes to the formation of a patina on the inner surface of the copper pipe - a durable, thin protective layer. Due to this, the service life of the pipeline is significantly extended.
UV resistant. Plastic evaporates when exposed to sunlight.
Insignificant, lower than that of plastic pipes, the roughness coefficient, which allows, under the same conditions, to use copper products of a smaller diameter. This is possible, among other things, due to the absence of overgrowing of the walls with colonies of microorganisms and corrosion products.
Handles long-term heat loads much better.
According to studies, plastic pipelines have the least reliable fittings and joints. For copper, on the contrary, these elements of the system are the most reliable.
The quality of copper is almost stable and the same for different manufacturers, which is not typical for plastic products (there are many counterfeit products of dubious quality on the consumer market).
It is characterized by antibacterial properties (pathogenic flora is suppressed). In plastic pipes, low-molecular organic matter is released, the walls become overgrown with biofilm over time.
It has a very long service life: it does not deteriorate, does not age, retains its original strength. Copper pipes and fittings are used without replacement for as long as the building itself. Plastic products, with existing technologies, cannot yet occupy the niche of durable and high-quality pipelines.

Characteristics of copper

Copper (Cu, cuprum) is recognizable by its golden-pink hue, which, under the influence of carbon dioxide and moisture, first acquires an intense yellow-red color, and eventually becomes covered with a film (patina) with a greenish-blue tint.

On a note! Patina not only gives copper products the look of a noble, aristocratic antiquity, but also performs a protective function. Therefore, it is not recommended to clean it.

The main physical and chemical characteristics of copper:

High thermal conductivity.
malleability and plasticity.
Melting point - 1083⁰С.
Not susceptible to corrosion.
High coefficient of electrical conductivity (2nd place among metals) and low electrical resistance.
Inert against most substances, fungi, mold, virus and various bacteria.
Resistance to ultraviolet radiation.

Installation of copper heating pipes

When assembling the pipeline, two types of connections are used: using fittings and welding. Through collapsible or press fittings, pipes are joined with heating appliances. Installation is also possible for connecting / branching pipes, but welding is more often used for these purposes. When using annealed pipes in the right places, they can be bent, reducing the number of joints. For bending use a special device - pipe bender, which allows you to get different angles without reducing the lumen of the pipe and without impairing the patency of the system. It is almost impossible to bend copper pipes by hand: although the material is plastic, it is impossible to bend it manually without reducing the clearance. So it is better not to use this method.

To bend a copper pipe use special equipment- you can’t do this with your hands, as the pipe clearance decreases and circulation worsens

For installation compression fittings no special equipment is required: the pipe is inserted into the corresponding groove until it stops, and then it is twisted with a nut, pressing the pipe material against the fitting body. For a snug fit, two keys may be needed - tighten until completely sealed. This is all the required equipment. But the specificity of crimp connections is such that constant monitoring of tightness is required: from time to time they begin to “drip”. Therefore, such connections cannot be walled up.

Installation press fittings takes place with the help of special press machines. They are not cheap (including rent). But the connection is tight and reliable, but one-piece.

It is considered more versatile and reliable capillary soldering. In this way, sections of pipes of the same diameter can be connected directly: one of the ends to be welded is flared - the diameter is slightly increased so that the pipes can be inserted one into the other. To do this, use a special device. The junction is cleaned with a metal brush or special sponges (commercially available). Loan surfaces to be joined are treated with flux - special composition, which improves the "adhesion" of the metal to the solder. Processed pipes are inserted one into the other. The gap between them should be minimal - fractions of a millimeter. Then the connection is heated using a welded torch. When the material is heated to the melting temperature of the solder, it is brought into the flame and the existing gaps are poured with the molten composition. After the seam is filled, it is cooled. You can just leave it in the air until it cools, or you can lower it into water. In principle, the process is not very complicated, but it requires experience, skill and meticulous execution: both the flaring and the filling process itself require precision and accuracy. According to this de scheme, connections are soldered with special copper fittings for soldering.

The process of soldering a copper pipe and the same fitting is well demonstrated in this video, but it is intended to be used in a plumbing system, and therefore tin was used as solder. For heating, other compositions are used that have a melting point of at least 115 ° C. The rest of the process is the same.

1 Copper pipes for water supply technological features and advantages

First of all, copper pipes for plumbing are attractive for their durability. Solid products with a diameter of 12 mm, having a wall thickness of only 1 mm, are designed for a working pressure of 100 bar at a temperature of 250 °C. Copper pipeline on fittings, assembled by hard soldering, withstands maximum loads of more than 500 atm and temperatures up to 600 °C. Many materials become brittle as the temperature drops. Copper is an exception - the strength and ductility of this metal increase with decreasing temperature.

This property ensures the admissibility of repeated freezing and thawing of copper pipes (depending on the hardness of the products up to 3 times). Even if an accident occurs, it is only in one place, unlike steel pipelines, in which the impulse spreads throughout the pipe. Therefore, the elimination of the consequences of freezing copper products is not difficult, and the steel system must be completely replaced.

Copper pipes are easy to machine and very technologically advanced in any part of the installation: when passing holes, bending around corners and other obstacles, installing equipment, mounting a branch on an already finished pipeline. For all work, a simple mechanized and manual tool is needed.

Copper systems are universal - fittings and pipes of the same standard are used for all types of utilities. This ensures the use of a single installation method and the same equipment. The most common and most reliable method of joining copper pipes is capillary soldering. The soldering width, even with small diameters, is not less than 7 mm and gives the mounting strength higher than that of known connection methods, including any type of welding.

During the tests, there was always a break in the body of the pipe, and the tightness of the joints, including the serviced ones, was never broken. Capillary soldering allows quick and easy assembly. Its advantages are especially evident when compared to welding, which requires greater precision and care when working with plastic pipes, or bulky equipment in the case of steel systems.

In addition to connections of high durability and reliability (pressing, soldering, welding), there are also those that do not require special skills and tools - using fittings for quick installation in case of accidents, as well as in non-pressure systems (self-locking, compression, and so on). This provides efficiency and flexibility in the work of the installer. Threading copper pipes is prohibited, but combination fittings allow for a simple transition to threading by pressing or soldering.

Due to the plasticity of copper, it is possible, using a mechanized or manual expander, to connect pipes by capillary soldering without the use of fittings. This makes it possible (in some cases significantly) to reduce the cost of the system during its installation. The fitting way of connection provides the guaranteed stability of parameters and reliability of system.

It is permissible to embed a copper pipeline in walls and floors, if products are used in insulation, corrugated pipe, shell, where thermal expansion is provided due to fluctuations in the temperature of the supplied water, or mounted in a box. Serviced connections must not be monolithic without providing access to them. When laid open, copper pipes are very aesthetically pleasing, can be painted, but require an arrangement that prevents the risk of accidental damage.

Copper plumbing systems

Copper is a ductile and durable metal that does not corrode and is also resistant to lime scale and microbial growth. The strength and ease of processing made it the most popular among other metals.

Coiled copper pipe

copper piping

According to the standards, copper pipes have thin walls, which makes them easy to bend. For cutting and bending, special tools are used that do not crush the pipe and allow you to get a smooth cut without nicks. Due to the special resistance to high temperatures, it is advisable to use copper pipes and fittings for hot water supply.

This metal has a very high thermal conductivity, due to which the tube is very hot on the outside. Such communications must be covered with a casing or mounted in special boxes. At the same time, the water pipe looks very aesthetically pleasing and is used by many as a stylish element of the interior.

Fittings for copper pipelines

For copper pipes, various types of fittings, including brass ones, can be used. There are several types of fastening of connecting elements, the choice of material from which they are made depends on this.

If fittings with pipes are connected by welding, then it is obvious that both must be made of the same material. For installation work you will need special equipment, solder, flux and certain skills.

Solder connection

Crimp systems assume that the fittings are made of a sufficiently ductile material, which is copper. In addition, due to the same coefficients of thermal expansion, the formation of leaks and cracks is excluded.

Crimp fittings

Popular collet fasteners, which are equally successfully used in both metal-plastic and copper pipelines, are present in brass fittings. Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper, in which nickel, lead, iron and other alloying additives are added for strength, while the percentage of copper is at least 60%. Whereas welded and crimped connections require only a smooth tube cut, a push-in connection requires an external thread. This assumes that the wall thickness of the copper pipe will be higher.

Collet fitting device

Threaded fittings are the easiest option in terms of installation. Fittings can be made of both copper and brass, there are no special instructions here.

Elbow with female thread

Pro et contra

Now let's try to evaluate copper against the background of competing solutions.

Advantages

Huge service life. I already wrote that the 50 - 70 years promised by the manufacturers for once is a pessimistic assessment of the durability of the material. In practice, changing copper plumbing, assembled on soldered fittings, will only be necessary when changing the layout of the house.

Water hammer resistance. The destructive pressure of more than 200 atmospheres allows you not to be afraid of the unpredictability of water supply parameters. For comparison, polypropylene and metal-plastic are already torn at 15 - 25 kgf / cm2 (primarily in hot water).

Consequences of water hammer on metal-plastic.

Temperature resistance. Even if a careless locksmith does not switch the hot water supply to return water at the peak of cold weather, you can not be afraid of overheating of the water supply: the maximum 150 C for the heating main is absolutely safe for copper.

Environmental friendliness. Copper has a bactericidal effect and does not release harmful substances into the water.

Plasticity at negative temperatures. It allows the water supply to withstand several cycles of freezing and thawing without destruction. Steel VGP pipes in such cases are torn along the longitudinal weld.

Corrosion resistance, no deposits on the walls of the water supply. Anyone who has at least once opened the old cold water supply system, made of steel pipes, must have noticed how narrowed their clearance is.

Typical condition of a cold water steel pipe.

Flaws

Alas, they could not do without:

Copper does not like acidic environments. It cannot be used to supply water with a pH above 9;

Such water is still unsuitable for use as drinking water.

Copper forms galvanic couples with aluminum and, to a lesser extent, steel. When metals are connected in one circuit, a constant weak current occurs between them, ion migration, which significantly reduces the life of the water supply system;

Not required for galvanic corrosion to occur external sources current.

Copper is exceptionally thermally conductive, which means rapid cooling in hot water pipes and constant on cold water pipes;
Finally, the price of a copper pipe is significantly higher than the cost of the same polypropylene or metal-plastic. I will give an excerpt from the current price list for June 2016 of one of the Russian online stores:

3 Copper and its advantages over steel

Pipes for water supply, copper and steel, are similar in temperature and strength characteristics, since both materials of manufacture are metal. Copper products have the following advantages:

They have high corrosion resistance, which, combined with the strength of the joints, provides copper pipelines with a 2–3 times longer service life than steel pipelines, with much higher operational reliability.
Steel pipes are more material-intensive, since when using them, it is necessary to provide for a margin of wall thickness for corrosion.
Cold-drawn copper products have a very smooth inner surface that is not overgrown with corrosion products - pipes with a smaller diameter than those made of steel can be used.
Fittings and connections in copper systems are tighter and more reliable than the pipes themselves. In steel - any welded joints are serviced.
Absolutely everything is used in copper pipelines existing methods connections, including the most modern ones. This provides a significant technological advantage during installation or repair.
Copper has high ductility, which allows for any machining right at the installation site, including using hand tools. No need for bulky welding equipment.

Basic quantities for measuring pipes

Experts distinguish the diameter of copper pipes:

nominal;
interior;
outer.

There are also such general concepts as "conditional passage" and "wall thickness". Without indicating the dimensions, they say that the product is “thick-walled” or “thin-walled”. All diameters of copper pipes must be indicated in their marking - in inches and millimeters.

The wall thickness of the product, the value is indicated in "mm", the parameters are related to the volume of the passing substance and its pressure. A significant indicator is the difference between the inner and outer diameter.
For high-quality docking of the line through the fittings, the conditional passage is important - the internal clearance of the product, millimeters are also used to designate it. On imported products made of non-ferrous metals, it is indicated in inches, which requires conversion to "our" values.
Inner diameter - the main indicator of pipeline patency (mm), used for calculations in formulas.
Outside diameter - important for the classification of products (large, medium and small), indicated in "mm" in all tables.
The nominal diameter is approximately the same as the “nominal diameter”, but is marked with the exact value.

Using a ruler, you can determine the size of the pipe very approximately

Attention! Approximate values are given by a tape measure or centimeter tape, exact values are given by a caliper and measuring equipment. . Today, the materials from which pipes for highways and domestic water pipes are produced are limited to a small list:

Today, the materials from which pipes for highways and domestic water pipes are produced are limited to a small list:

steel;
plastic, metal-plastic;
aluminum, copper, other light alloys.

Some sizes of copper pipes are indicated in inches, such as "inch" or "half-inch". This means that the inner diameter is expressed as 1 inch or ½ inch - about 25.4mm and 12.7mm. Specialists in laying highways pay attention to these values in order to select the dimensions for a copper pipe:

couplings;
tees;
threaded fittings.

Pipe fittings also have dimensions, they are indicated on the outside of the part

3 Disadvantages of copper pipes for heating systems

You should start with the main "disadvantage" of copper pipes - a very high cost. Indeed, copper expensive pleasure. A pipe made from it is much more expensive than products made from other materials. But it is worth noting that due to the ability to produce thin-walled, and therefore very light, copper pipes, the cost for them is not so high (the price is formed based on the weight of a unit of metal production). At the same time, if a copper pipe is 2–4 times more expensive than a polypropylene one, then copper fittings are 30–50 times cheaper than plastic ones. Due to the branching of in-house systems, the total cost of installing heating from polypropylene and copper pipes will be comparable, and in some cases copper may be a less expensive option.

In the case of metal-plastic pipes, a system of copper products, especially those connected by soldering, will always be less expensive. The advantage of copper in terms of the cost of heating will be the more tangible, the better the quality of the selected polypropylene or metal-plastic pipes. In addition, we should not forget about the high reliability and durability of copper systems, the cost of their operation, which is an order of magnitude less than that of plastic ones. And when disposing of a used copper pipeline, the funds spent on the material are returned.

The real disadvantages are:

Relatively complex installation - to perform a high-quality assembly of the system, extensive experience in soldering copper pipes is required.
It is forbidden to install elements made of steel, aluminum, zinc after copper products in the direction of the coolant flow to prevent corrosion processes in the latter.
For monolithic pipe laying inside the wall, it is necessary to use copper pipes in a plastic sheath that protects against damage and serves as a heat-insulating layer (or provide appropriate protection for existing uncoated pipes). The problem is this: building mixtures in relation to copper, they can turn out to be aggressive compounds that cause corrosion; even in the case of minimal thermal expansion of the pipe, it interacts with the solid abrasive fractions of building materials.
Restriction of the coolant flow rate - recommended up to 0.5 m/s (which is optimal for a long service life of the system).
The pipeline must be protected from non-ferrous metal thieves - attics and basements should be locked in the building, and access to copper risers should be excluded.
Due to the high thermal conductivity, sections of the heating system located outside the heated premises should be insulated with plastic casings in order to reduce heat loss.

Despite the shortcomings, copper pipes are a versatile and most suitable product for transporting coolant. The heating systems assembled from them are highly efficient and reliable. Copper pipes are a great alternative to plastic and steel products.

Types of copper pipes

There are two large groups of copper pipes: thick-walled and thin-walled. Pipes included in the first group have increased strength characteristics. They are produced by seamless and welded methods.

Pipes of the second group have found application in the shipbuilding and automotive industries, aviation, i.e. where communication systems need to be lightweight and strong. The cross section of copper pipes can be either round or rectangular, square. In heating systems, profile pipes, as a rule, are not used.

For thick-walled pipes, the cross section is round, the wall thickness varies in the range of 0.8 - 10 mm. Different grades of copper are used in their production: M1, MP3, MP1 and others. The numerical index here indicates the degree of purity of the alloy. This does not affect the characteristics of the pipe itself. Thin-walled pipes have a wall thickness of 0.15 to 0.7 mm.

Regulatory requirements

As expected, all production and installation processes are strictly regulated by state standards.

Production

For the production of pipe fittings, copper alloys are used, the copper content of which is determined by Russian GOST 617-2006 (instead of GOST 617-90), R 52318-2005, 859-2001, 11383-75 and the European quality standard EN 1057, and, as a rule, never less than 99.5%. There are the following grades of copper:

M1. The content of copper in combination with silver is 99.9%. Almost absolute purity of the alloy provides the best indicators of ductility, strength, thermal and electrical conductivity of the material. Mark M1 is recommended for heating circuits (max t of the working medium - 250⁰С), as well as cryogenic installations.
M2. The content of copper and silver is 99.7%.
M3. - the so-called technical copper, made as a result of secondary remelting or fire and electrolytic refining. The content of copper and silver is 99.5%. Rolled metal grade M3 is characterized by good strength and affordable cost.

A decrease in the proportion of copper and an increase in the proportion of alloyed elements (nickel, tin, iron, lead, arsenic, etc.) primarily affect the electrical conductivity coefficient, significantly reducing it. At the same time, the strength index remains practically unchanged.

Quality control standards are defined by GOST 24231-80 and 6507-90.

Except chemical composition the regulations stipulate a number specifications, in accordance with which copper pipe fittings are produced:

Lack of delaminations, cracks, rust and burrs on the ends.
The inner surface of the pipes must be smooth and not have bulges that prevent the carrier current. The allowable number of recesses and their size is strictly limited: no more than 2 per linear meter and up to 0.25 mm, respectively.
Correspondence of diameters to the established standard sizes.
Accompaniment of each party (bay) technical documentation and marking.

The marking is deciphered as follows:

Manufacturing technology:

D - Cold-formed rolling.
G - Pressed.

Cross section shape:

KR (K) - Round.
PP - Rectangular.
PC - Square.
ON - Oval.

Production accuracy:

P - increased accuracy.
N - within the norm.
K is the accuracy of the wall thickness.
And - the reference accuracy of the diameter.
B - accuracy in length.
O - curvature accuracy.
P - the norm for stretching.
H - Vickers hardness.

plasticity type:

M / L - soft.
P / F - semi-solid.
T / H - solid.

Length designations:

ND - off-gauge pipeline.
MD / KD - measuring pipeline.
BT - bay.

Coil winding shape designation:

BU - ordered.
BS - spiral.

An example of decoding the marking is shown below in the photo:

Installation

Installation and operation standards are set out in SP 40-108-2004:

The connection of copper communications with pipelines made of steel and aluminum is carried out in a strictly defined sequence: in front of the copper sections in the direction of movement of the carrier. Failure to comply with this principle leads to the effect of electrochemical corrosion. With regard to brass and plastic pipes, there are no special restrictions.
The maximum allowable speed of the carrier in the circuit is 2 m/s.
The water hardness index should be in the range from 1.42 to 3.1 mg-eq / l. Other indicators deplete copper resources.

Important! Special requirements are imposed on the degree of purification of the transported liquid. The presence of solid particles in the composition reduces the service life of the pipeline, because

soft metal under their influence is abraded. To prevent this problem, a mechanical filter is installed at the inlet.

Despite everything, copper pipes have been and remain one of the most sought-after materials for the construction of pipelines. for various purposes, along with metal, plastic and other types of products. According to GOST, a copper pipe can be used in many sectors of the economy, which is mainly due to the characteristics of copper itself, as well as the technology of seamless production of pipes.

This article will give general characteristics copper pipes, their properties and some installation features are announced.

Characteristics of copper pipes

Copper pipes do not react and are almost completely impervious to working fluids various types and in particular for oils, fats, herbicides, insecticides, bacteria, viruses and other substances.

As for chlorine, which may be contained in tap water, not only does it not destroy copper, but it also contributes to the formation of a protective oxidizing layer, which gives the pipe even greater strength and durability.

Like plastic pipes, copper products are good because they are practically not subject to growths on the inner surface of various organic and inorganic substances - limescale, etc. According to GOST, a copper pipe is able to successfully operate in a wide temperature range (-200 ... +250 degrees), while showing high resistance to temperature extremes and having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

A copper pipe 1/4 inch in diameter, along with products of other sizes, is quite plastic. Thanks to this, the level of safety becomes higher: copper pipes do not lose their integrity and tightness when water freezes in them.

Unlike copper, they are not afraid of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and commercially available copper pipe paint is more applicable to make the pipeline suitable for environmental conditions. appearance than for protection.

In addition, to increase the attractiveness of the appearance of copper pipes with a specific color, today a special chrome-plated copper pipe is produced.

Pipes of this type have an insignificant roughness coefficient, which is lower in comparison with metal pipes and even polymer pipes, and this, under the same conditions, allows the use of a copper pipe of a smaller diameter.

In the production of pipes and fittings, as a rule, phosphorodeoxoxidized copper containing Cu + Ag > 99.90% and phosphorus (residual content) 0.015-0.040% is used. This grade of copper CU-DPH according to DIN 1412 is easy to weld and solder, has enhanced anti-corrosion properties and does not lose physical properties(plasticity, hardness, etc.) under conditions of long-term operation.

Copper pipes - GOST 617-19 melt at a temperature of 1083 degrees. All this determines the service life of copper fittings and pipes, which is 50-80 years.

In dry air conditions, such pipes practically do not oxidize, but if moisture appears and carbon dioxide, a green film may form on the metal surface.

Among other things, unlike steel and cast iron pipes, the weight of copper pipes is very small, which also greatly simplifies the laying of pipelines of this type.

The mass or simply the weight of a copper pipe, if necessary, can be calculated by the formula:

Q = (D - S) * S * π * γ / 1000
where Q is the mass per linear meter of the pipe;
D is its outer diameter in millimeters;
S is the wall thickness also in mm;
π is a constant, equal to 3.14;
γ is the density of copper, equal to 8.9 kg/l.

For example, the weight of a copper 12/1 pipe 1 m long will be just over 300 grams.

Applications of copper pipelines

The areas of use of copper pipes are very numerous.

Most often, such pipes are used in the following systems:

in heating pipelines;
in water supply systems (both hot and cold);
in pipelines transporting gas or compressed air;
in freon supply systems in refrigeration equipment;
in hydraulic systems for oil supply;
in fuel pipelines;
in condensate removal systems;
when connecting technological equipment;
in air conditioning systems and others.

Types of copper pipes

Varieties of pipes according to the method of manufacture

Not only the cross-sections and sizes of copper pipes are different.

In domestic systems, as a rule, two types of copper pipes are used:

annealed;
unannealed.

Annealed products are subjected to annealing (special heat treatment), as a result of which the pipes become soft. At the same time, the strength qualities of pipes deteriorate slightly, while the installation of copper components becomes much simpler.

The supply of annealed copper pipes is carried out in lengths of several tens of meters (usually 2-50 m), rolled into coils. Pipes of the unannealed type are sold in the form of straight segments from one to several meters, usually 5 m in length.

According to the shape of the section, in addition to the classical form, there are also copper pipes of rectangular section. Such products are usually intended for the production of stator winding conductors. electrical machines, which are cooled by the liquid method.

Rectangular copper pipes, due to their non-standard shape, are difficult to manufacture, which is why their cost is higher compared to conventional pipes.

Dimensions and designations of copper pipes

Copper pipe - 1/2 inch, as well as products of other diameters of the inch system, in the modern interpretation are increasingly measured in millimeters.

So, pipes with diameters from 10 to 22 mm for water supply systems, from 32 to 42 mm for drain systems are in tangible demand today.

In addition, a new standard designation for pipe sizes has come into use: if earlier 1/4 copper pipe was identified only by the outer diameter (1/4 inch), now a fractional designation, for example, 12/14 describes the pipe diameters - external and internal - in millimeters.

Officially, according to GOST, copper pipes are indicated fractionally, where the numerator indicates the outer diameter of the pipe in millimeters, and the denominator indicates the wall thickness. Pipe 14/1 is a pipe with an outer diameter of 14 mm, an inner diameter of 13 mm, and a wall thickness of 1 mm.

Marking of the following type NF ZZZ 07 RUSSIA 12 x 1 A 617-19 A will mean the following: ZZZ - manufacturer's indication, 07 - manufacturer's number, RUSSIA - country of origin, 12 x 1 - outer diameter and wall thickness of the pipe, 617-19 - copper pipes GOST.

Features of installation of copper pipes

Before mounting copper pipes, perform the required measurements and cutting into components. The cut of the pipe must certainly be even, for which a special pipe cutter should be used.

Copper pipe connection methods

Threads are not applied to copper pipes.

The pipes are connected in two ways:

method ;
pressing.

The most common, due to its efficiency, is the capillary soldering method. Soldering ensures reliability and complete tightness pipe connections. Copper square pipe, as a rule, is connected in this way.

Capillary soldering is usually performed using sockets and fittings. This method pipeline devices are successfully used when the operation of the pipe is planned at high temperatures.

The press connection is made using various types of fittings, including self-locking and compression fittings. In addition, special flanges and screed clamps can be used. The pressing method is applicable in cases where the impact on the pipeline of an open flame is excluded.

Fittings for connecting copper pipes

Copper pipes are interconnected by means of compression and solder fittings.

Crimp type fittings are usually made of brass. This element provides tightness of fastening due to the ferrule located inside the fitting. The ring is tightened with a connecting nut manually or with a wrench.

A 1/2 copper pipe or a product of a different diameter can be connected with a compression fitting at the pipeline installation site, where there is always access to checking the tightness of the connection. Such fittings usually connect pipelines designed for operation under low pressure, while the fittings require periodic inspection and tightening.

The technology for connecting a fitting to a copper pipe is as follows:

The fitting must be disassembled into components.
A clamping nut and a ferrule are put on the pipe.
The end of the pipe with the ferrule and nut is inserted into the fitting.
The nut is tightened to the stop by hand, while the cone-shaped ring should enter the conical part of the fitting without distortion.
Next, the nut is tightened with a wrench by 0.5-1.25 turns, depending on the diameter of the copper pipe.

With excessively strong tightening with a ferrule, you can simply cut through the pipe wall. No need to overdo it.

It should be remembered that such a connection is not a standard of reliability. It is the compression fittings that are prone to leaks more often than others. For this reason, constant monitoring of the integrity of such connections will be required.

Connecting copper pipes with pipes made of other materials

Copper pipe 3/8, as well as products of other diameters, in pipelines of hot and cold water supply can be connected to a pipe made of brass, steel, plastic without the risk of corrosion.

As for the connection with galvanized steel, both the profile and the round pipe are afraid of such combinations. The reason for this is the occurrence of active electrolytic processes that occur between zinc and copper.

Pipes of this type can only be connected using brass fittings, while the water flow must be carried out from zinc to copper, and nothing else.

Products of various diameters, such as 3/8 copper pipe, are very effective in terms of their durability. Having picked up modern copper pipes for a domestic pipeline, you will surely be satisfied with your choice.

Copper pipes are used in the construction of pipelines. They are a serious competitor to metal and plastic products. In accordance with GOST, copper pipes are used in hydraulic and refrigeration equipment, for transporting gas and compressed air, in hydraulic and refrigeration systems. This is due to the characteristics of copper: strength, resistance to corrosion and chlorine, impermeability to working fluids, including oils and fats.

What is the difference between copper pipes

The characteristics and type of pipes are determined by the scope of application. They differ in cross section and size, dozens of other characteristics.

Kind of copper. In household equipment, pipes from the following varieties of copper are used:

Unlike those who did not heat treatment annealed pipes are stronger and easier to install.

Section. In addition to the standard square section, copper pipes are made rectangular and flat-oval. Due to the non-standard shape, products with a rectangular section are more difficult to manufacture. They are used in the manufacture of stator winding conductors for liquid-cooled electrical machines.

Appointment. The scope of application determines the characteristics of copper pipes. They are used in the following areas:

in systems of water supply, heating, gas transportation;
in domestic and industrial air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers;
in heat pumps, solar systems, heat exchangers;
in radar equipment;
in the production of textile printing rollers, molds, induction coils.

Manufacturing materials, standards. Pipes are manufactured in accordance with Russian standards - GOST, TU - and foreign - EN, ASTM. Copper alloys of various grades are used for production, including those alloyed with other materials (zinc, tin, aluminum, etc.) and oxygen-free alloys containing phosphorus. Copper of different degrees of hardness is used, which determines the purpose of copper pipes:

Soft. Are used in systems of "beam" distribution.
Semi-solid. To change the geometry of such pipes, a pipe bender is used.
Solid. They are used in highways with increased requirements for strength.

Type of insulation. Copper pipes are insulated different types. Some of them are supplied without insulation, others with insulation made from the following materials:

PVC. Such insulation is resistant to mechanical and chemical stress. Prevents the occurrence of corrosion processes.
Foamed polyurethane. Thermal insulation is applied at the factory. They are used on copper pipes intended for pipelines with high requirements for heat saving.
PE (polyethylene sheath). It is used on copper pipes intended for systems of drinking water supply, heating.

Mounting method. Copper pipes are connected in different ways. Sometimes socket capillary soldering is used for this, in which the ends of the pipes are preheated. Most often, fittings made of bronze and brass are used for installation. Connections are of the following types:

self-fixing;
threaded;
flange compression.

All of them have different fittings. standard sizes suitable for all kinds of copper pipes.

Dimensions and diameter of copper pipes

The greatest demand is for pipes with a diameter of 10-22 mm - they are used in water supply systems. Pipes with a diameter of 32-42 mm are used in drain systems.

Usually the diameter of copper pipes is indicated fractionally, for example, 14/1. In accordance with GOST, this designation determines the outer diameter of copper pipes and the wall thickness in millimeters. Pipes 14/1 have an outer diameter of 14 mm, an inner diameter of 13 mm, and a wall thickness of 1 mm.

Supply of copper pipes

For whatever purposes you need copper pipes, you can order them at UMMC-OTsM. Pipes are manufactured at the Maidanpek (Serbia) and Kolchugtsvetmet (Kolchugino) factories, they comply with international standards and are used in household and industrial equipment, including water supply, heating, air conditioning, etc.

Delivery is carried out in batches of at least 300 kg. Due to the presence of warehouses in three cities of Russia (Kolchugino, Kirov, Revda), it is possible Express delivery products.