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    ASTM B543 / B543M - 12

    Standard Specification for Welded Copper and Copper-Alloy Heat Exchanger Tube

    Active Standard ASTM B543 / B543M | Developed by Subcommittee: B05.04

    Book of Standards Volume: 02.01

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    Significance and Use

    For purposes of determining compliance with the specified limits for requirements of the properties listed in the following table, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded as indicated in accordance with the rounding method of Practice E29.

    PropertyRounded Unit for Observed or
    Calculated Value
    Chemical compositionnearest unit in the last righthand place
    of figures
    Tensile strength and yield strengthnearest ksi (Nearest 5 MPa)
    Grain size: Up to 0.055 mm, incl,
    Over 0.055 mm    		nearest multiple of 0.005 mm
    to the nearst 0.010 mm
    Expansion: Nearest 1 %

    1. Scope

    1.1 This specification established the requirements for welded tube of copper and various copper alloys up to 31/8in., inclusive, in diameter, for use in surface condensers, evaporators, heat exchangers, and general engineering applications. The following coppers or copper alloys are involved:

    Copper or
    Copper Alloy UNS No.2    		Previously Used
    Designation    		Type of Metal
    C10800A...oxygen-free, low phosphorus
    C12200A... DHP phosphorized, high
    residual phosphorus
    C19400...copper-iron alloy
    C23000...red brass
    C44300...arsenical admiralty
    C44400...antimonial admiralty
    C44500...phosphorized admiralty
    C68700...arsenical aluminum brass
    C70400...95-5 copper-nickel
    C70600...90-10 copper-nickel
    C70620...90-10 copper-nickel (Modified
    for Welding)
    C71000...80-20 copper-nickel
    C71500...70-30 copper-nickel
    C71520...70–30 copper-nickel (Modified
    for Welding)
    C71640...copper-nickel-iron-manganese
    C72200......
    ____________

    A Copper UNS Nos. C10800 and C12200 are classified in Classification B224.

    1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

    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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

    WarningMercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, in your state may be prohibited by state law. (Mercury is a definite health hazard in use and disposal. (See 12.1.1.))


    2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

    ASTM Standards

    B153 Test Method for Expansion (Pin Test) of Copper and Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tubing

    B154 Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys

    B224 Classification of Coppers

    B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys

    B858 Test Method for Ammonia Vapor Test for Determining Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper Alloys

    B900 Practice for Packaging of Copper and Copper Alloy Mill Products for U.S. Government Agencies

    B968/B968M Test Method for Flattening of Copper and Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tube

    E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens

    E8 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

    E54 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Special Brasses and Bronzes

    E62 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper and Copper Alloys (Photometric Methods)

    E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size

    E118 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper-Chromium Alloys

    E243 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Examination of Copper and Copper-Alloy Tubes

    E255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for the Determination of Chemical Composition

    E478 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys

    E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)

    ICS Code

    ICS Number Code 77.150.30 (Copper products)

    UNSPSC Code

    UNSPSC Code 40101802(Heat exchangers); 40181500(Welded copper tubes)

    Referencing This Standard
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    DOI: 10.1520/B0543_B0543M-12

    Citation Format

    ASTM B543 / B543M-12, Standard Specification for Welded Copper and Copper-Alloy Heat Exchanger Tube, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2012, www.astm.org

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