Jul 22, 2019

Two proposed ASTM International standards aim to help manufacturers more easily use seamless copper-iron tubes in air conditioning and refrigeration (ACR) systems that use carbon dioxide. Supermarkets, cold storage facilities, ice rinks, mobile A/C systems and more could benefit, according to members of the copper and copper alloys committee (B05). 

According to member Florian Hudelmaier, copper-iron tubes (known as C19400) are already widely used in Europe and are becoming more prevalent in North America.

“Systems made of C19400 tubes have excellent processing properties and help save material resources and make ACR systems more economical and lighter,” says Hudelmaier, head of engineered products at Caro-Prometa. “Installers, contractors, and manufacturers of high-pressure ACR systems could benefit from these standards which will include information needed for specifying, designing, and using seamless C19400 tubes.”

This effort aims to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13 on climate change because carbon dioxide is a natural refrigerant with a very high “volumetrical cooling capacity,” according to Hudelmaier.  This, in turn, supports the design of efficient and sustainable ACR solutions with potentially low global warming impact, he adds.  

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards, including two work items related to this effort (WK67970 and WK67971). Become a member of ASTM. The next meeting of the copper committee is October 21-23 in Houston, Texas, USA.

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals Supported: