Copper Pipes, Tubes, Coils & Fittings
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Automotive Brake Tubings
Product Overview
Automotive Brake Tubings supplied by R V Metal Corporation are precision-engineered copper and copper-alloy tubes specifically designed for hydraulic brake and clutch systems in passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, tractors, and industrial automobiles. These tubes are manufactured with tight dimensional tolerances, excellent surface finish, and consistent wall thickness to ensure leak-free performance under high hydraulic pressure and dynamic vibration conditions. Known for superior corrosion resistance, formability, and fatigue strength, automotive brake tubings offer reliable performance in aggressive environments such as moisture, road salts, oils, and temperature fluctuations. Available in straight lengths and coils, these tubings are suitable for flaring, bending, and brazing operations, meeting stringent OEM and international automotive standards for safety-critical brake applications.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Automotive Brake & Clutch Tubing |
| Base Material | Copper / Copper-Nickel Alloy (CuNi 90/10) |
| UNS Grades | C12200 (DHP Copper), C70600 (CuNi 90/10) |
| Manufacturing Process | Seamless Cold Drawn |
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 3.0 mm to 12.7 mm (1/8″ to 1/2″) |
| Wall Thickness | 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm (as per pressure requirement) |
| Length Form | Straight Lengths / Coiled Tubes |
| Temper Condition | Annealed (Soft / O60) |
| Working Pressure | Up to 10,000 psi (depending on OD & wall thickness) |
| Burst Pressure | ≥ 4 × Working Pressure |
| Operating Temperature | -50°C to +200°C |
| Surface Finish | Clean, Smooth, Oil-Free Internal Bore |
| Formability | Excellent – Suitable for Bending & Double Flaring |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent resistance to moisture, road salts & brake fluids |
| Compatibility | DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1 Brake Fluids |
| Quality Testing | Eddy Current Test, Hydrostatic Test, Dimensional Inspection |
| Applicable Standards | SAE J1047, ASTM B88, ASTM B466, ISO 4038 |
| Typical Applications | Automotive Brake Lines, Clutch Lines, Hydraulic Control Lines |
Chemical Composition
| Element | DHP Copper (C12200) % | Copper Nickel 90/10 (C70600) % |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 99.90 min | 88.6 – 90.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | — | 9.0 – 11.0 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.015 – 0.040 | — |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.05 max | 1.0 – 1.8 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.5 – 1.0 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.05 max | 0.5 max |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.05 max | 0.02 max |
| Impurities (Total) | 0.10 max | 0.50 max |
UNS Codes & Grades
| Material Type | UNS Code | Common Grade / Designation | International Equivalents | Typical Use in Brake Tubing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus Deoxidized Copper | C12200 | DHP Copper | EN CW024A, IS 191 (Cu-DHP), ASTM B75 | Low-pressure brake & clutch lines, excellent flaring and bendability |
| Copper Nickel Alloy 90/10 | C70600 | CuNi 90/10 | EN CW352H, ASTM B466, DIN 86019 | High-end automotive brake lines, corrosion & fatigue resistant |
| Copper Nickel Alloy 70/30 | C71500 | CuNi 70/30 | EN CW354H, ASTM B466 | Extreme-duty brake and hydraulic tubing (commercial & marine vehicles) |
| Low Carbon Steel (Copper Coated) | — | Bundy Tube / PVF Coated | SAE J527, SAE J356 | OEM automotive brake tubing with external corrosion protection |
| Stainless Steel | S30400 / S31600 | AISI 304 / 316 | ASTM A269, EN 10217 | Performance & motorsport brake lines |
Mechanical, Physical & Fabrication Properties
| Property Category | Property | Typical Values / Characteristics | Relevance to Automotive Brake Tubing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Properties | Tensile Strength | 210 – 360 MPa (grade & temper dependent) | Ensures tubing withstands hydraulic brake pressure without rupture |
| Yield Strength | 70 – 200 MPa | Controls elastic deformation under repeated braking cycles | |
| Elongation | 25 – 45 % | Critical for flaring, bending, and vibration resistance | |
| Fatigue Resistance | Excellent (Cu & Cu-Ni alloys) | Prevents cracking under pulsating brake pressure | |
| Hardness | HV 40 – 120 (Annealed to Half-Hard) | Balance between formability and pressure holding capability | |
| Physical Properties | Density | 8.9 g/cm³ (Copper & Cu-Ni alloys) | Consistent weight for predictable routing and mounting |
| Thermal Conductivity | 50 – 390 W/m·K | Efficient heat dissipation from braking system | |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +200 °C | Maintains integrity under extreme driving conditions | |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent (Cu-Ni & coated copper) | Resists road salt, moisture, and brake fluid exposure | |
| Permeability | Zero gas / fluid permeability | Ensures zero brake fluid loss over service life | |
| Fabrication Properties | Bendability | Excellent (tight radius bending without kinking) | Allows complex routing in vehicle chassis |
| Flare Formability | SAE / ISO double flare compatible | Leak-proof joints at brake fittings | |
| Weldability | Good (grade dependent) | Supports joint fabrication where required | |
| Machinability | Good to Excellent | Precision cutting and end forming without burrs | |
| Surface Finish | Smooth, defect-free ID & OD | Prevents turbulence, pressure drop, and seal damage |
Common Names & International Identifiers
| Common / Trade Name | Material / Alloy Description | UNS Designation | EN / DIN Equivalent | ISO / JIS Equivalent | Typical Usage in Brake Systems |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Copper Brake Tube | Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper (ETP) | C11000 | EN CW004A | JIS C1100 | Low-pressure legacy brake lines (non-OEM recommended) |
| Phosphorus Deoxidized Copper Tube | Deoxidized High Phosphorus Copper (DHP) | C12200 | EN CW024A | JIS C1220 | Formable brake lines, corrosion-resistant systems |
| Copper-Nickel Brake Tube | Copper Nickel Alloy 90/10 | C70600 | EN CW352H | ISO CuNi10Fe1Mn | Premium OEM brake & fuel lines (marine-grade durability) |
| Copper-Nickel Brake Tube | Copper Nickel Alloy 70/30 | C71500 | EN CW354H | ISO CuNi30Mn1Fe | Heavy-duty & commercial vehicle brake systems |
| Bundy Tube | Double-wall low carbon steel (copper coated) | — | EN 10305-3 | JIS G4051 | Mass-produced automotive brake lines (OEM standard) |
| PVF Coated Copper Tube | Plastic coated Cu / Cu-Ni tube | Varies | OEM Specific | OEM Specific | Enhanced corrosion & stone-chip resistance |
| Kunifer Brake Pipe | Copper-Nickel-Iron Alloy | C70600 | EN CW352H | ISO CuNi10Fe1Mn | European OEM & retrofit brake systems |
Standards & International Equivalents
| Standard Body | Standard Number | Material / Tube Type Covered | Alloy / Grade Reference | Primary Application | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAE (USA) | SAE J1650 | Copper-Nickel Brake Tubing | CuNi 90/10 (C70600) | Automotive hydraulic brake lines | Widely accepted OEM & aftermarket standard |
| SAE (USA) | SAE J527 | Low Carbon Steel / Bundy Tube | Double-wall steel | OEM automotive brake & fuel lines | Common for mass-production vehicles |
| ASTM | ASTM B466 | Copper-Nickel Tubes | C70600 / C71500 | Brake, fuel & hydraulic lines | Marine-grade corrosion resistance |
| ASTM | ASTM B75 | Seamless Copper Tubes | C12200 (DHP) | Low-pressure brake & hydraulic systems | Good formability, moderate fatigue life |
| EN (Europe) | EN 12449 | Copper & Copper Alloy Tubes | CW024A / CW352H | Brake & fuel systems | European OEM benchmark |
| EN (Europe) | EN 10305-3 | Precision Steel Tubes (E235) | Bundy-type steel | Automotive brake lines | Mandatory for many EU OEMs |
| DIN (Germany) | DIN 2391 / DIN 2393 | Precision Tubes | CuNi / Steel | Automotive hydraulic lines | Legacy but still referenced |
| ISO | ISO 4038 | Copper-Nickel Tubes | CuNi10Fe1Mn | Brake & hydraulic tubing | International harmonized standard |
| JIS (Japan) | JIS H3300 | Copper & Copper Alloy Tubes | C1220 / CuNi | Automotive brake & fuel systems | Japanese OEM compliance |
| IS (India) | IS 191 / IS 549 | Copper Tubes | DHP Copper | Automotive & industrial tubing | Limited OEM acceptance |
| OEM Specific | VW / BMW / Daimler Specs | CuNi + PVF Coated Tubes | C70600 | Passenger & luxury vehicles | Strict OD, wall & flare tolerances |
Applications
| Application Area | Vehicle / System Type | Preferred Material / Alloy | Operating Conditions | Key Performance Requirement | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic Brake Lines | Passenger Cars | CuNi 90/10 (C70600) | High pressure, cyclic load | Fatigue resistance & corrosion resistance | OEM and aftermarket standard |
| Brake Pipe Routing | SUVs & MPVs | CuNi 90/10 / PVF Coated Steel | Road debris, moisture, salt | External corrosion protection | Ideal for underbody routing |
| ABS / ESP Systems | Modern Passenger Vehicles | CuNi 90/10 | High-frequency pressure pulses | Dimensional stability & flare integrity | Critical safety application |
| Commercial Vehicle Brakes | Trucks & Buses | CuNi 90/10 / Steel Bundy Tube | Heavy load, long duty cycles | High burst pressure & durability | CuNi preferred for corrosion-prone regions |
| Off-Road & Construction Vehicles | Earthmovers, Tractors | CuNi 90/10 | Mud, water, abrasive environment | Superior corrosion & vibration resistance | Long service life with minimal maintenance |
| Electric Vehicles (EV) | Battery EV & Hybrid Vehicles | CuNi 90/10 | Regenerative braking cycles | Consistent hydraulic response | Compatible with modern brake fluids |
| Restoration & Classic Cars | Vintage & Collector Vehicles | CuNi 90/10 | Long-term storage, low usage | No internal corrosion over time | Preferred replacement for steel lines |
| Two-Wheelers & ATVs | Motorcycles & Quad Bikes | Copper / CuNi Alloy | Compact routing, vibration | Ease of bending & flare sealing | Used in hydraulic brake circuits |
| Brake System Retrofits | Aftermarket Upgrades | CuNi 90/10 | Custom routing & fittings | Formability without cracking | Ideal for custom-length installations |
| Marine & Coastal Vehicles | Dockside & Port Vehicles | CuNi 90/10 | Salt-laden atmosphere | Exceptional seawater corrosion resistance | Marine-grade brake tubing solution |
Standard Automotive Brake Tubings Dimensional Chart
| Standard Automotive Brake Tubing Dimensional Chart (Commonly Supplied Sizes) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Size | OD (in) | OD (mm) | Wall (mm) | ID (mm) | Theoretical Weight (kg/m) | Theoretical Weight (lb/ft) |
| 3/16" | 0.1875 | 4.75 | 0.70 | 3.35 | 0.080 | 0.054 |
| 1/4" | 0.2500 | 6.35 | 0.80 | 4.75 | 0.125 | 0.084 |
| 5/16" | 0.3125 | 7.94 | 0.90 | 6.14 | 0.178 | 0.120 |
| 3/8" | 0.3750 | 9.52 | 1.00 | 7.52 | 0.239 | 0.161 |
| 10 mm | 0.3937 | 10.00 | 1.00 | 8.00 | 0.253 | 0.170 |
| 12 mm | 0.4724 | 12.00 | 1.20 | 9.60 | 0.364 | 0.245 |
Note:
- Weights are theoretical (calculated) and shown for typical CuNi 90/10 brake tubing density. Actual weight varies by alloy, tolerance, and surface finish/coating.
- If tubing is supplied with an external protective jacket (PVC/PVDF/PA, etc.), the shipping weight increases and should be confirmed for exact OD build-up.
- For OEM/aftermarket brake lines, confirm: flare type (DIN/ISO bubble flare vs SAE double flare), temper, and corrosion-protection requirement.
