Copper Pipes, Tubes, Coils & Fittings
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Red Brass Tubes
Product Overview
Red Brass Tubes are high-strength copper alloy tubes manufactured primarily from a copper–zinc–tin composition, offering superior corrosion resistance, excellent pressure-handling capability, and long service life in demanding fluid and steam applications. At R V Metal Corporation, our Red Brass Tubes are produced with controlled chemistry and precise dimensional tolerances to ensure reliable performance in plumbing systems, heat exchangers, marine environments, industrial condensers, and high-pressure piping networks. The addition of tin enhances dezincification resistance and mechanical strength, making red brass an ideal choice for applications involving hot water, steam, mildly aggressive fluids, and salt-bearing environments. These tubes exhibit excellent machinability, good formability, and stable performance under thermal cycling, ensuring leak-free joints and extended operational reliability across commercial, industrial, and marine installations.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Red Brass Tubes |
| Material Composition | Copper–Zinc–Tin Alloy (High Copper Content) |
| Typical Copper Content (Cu) | 84% – 88% |
| Zinc Content (Zn) | 5% – 8% |
| Tin Content (Sn) | 3% – 5% (Enhances dezincification resistance) |
| Manufacturing Process | Seamless Extrusion / Cold Drawn |
| Available Tempers | Annealed (Soft) / Half-Hard / Hard Drawn |
| Outside Diameter Range | 6 mm to 150 mm (Custom sizes available) |
| Wall Thickness Range | 0.8 mm to 10 mm |
| Standard Lengths | 3 m, 4 m, 5 m, 6 m or Cut-to-Length |
| Dimensional Tolerances | As per ASTM / EN / IS Standards |
| Surface Finish | Mill Finish / Pickled / Bright Drawn |
| Pressure Rating | Suitable for Medium to High Pressure Applications (Depends on OD & Wall) |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent resistance to dezincification, seawater & hot water corrosion |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +250°C |
| Form Supplied | Straight Lengths / Cut Pieces |
| Testing & Inspection | Eddy Current Test, Hydrostatic Test, Dimensional & Visual Inspection |
| Certification | Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1) |
| Compliance Standards | ASTM B62 / ASTM B75 / EN 12449 / IS 318 (Equivalent Grades) |
| Typical Applications | Plumbing, Marine Systems, Heat Exchangers, Steam Lines, Industrial Piping |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Symbol | Composition (% by Weight) | Functional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Cu | 84.0 – 88.0 | Primary metal; provides corrosion resistance, thermal & electrical conductivity |
| Zinc | Zn | 5.0 – 8.0 | Improves strength and machinability |
| Tin | Sn | 3.0 – 5.0 | Enhances dezincification resistance and seawater corrosion resistance |
| Lead | Pb | ≤ 2.0 | Improves machinability (controlled limit) |
| Iron | Fe | ≤ 0.30 | Grain refinement (trace) |
| Nickel | Ni | ≤ 0.50 | Improves strength and corrosion resistance |
| Aluminium | Al | ≤ 0.10 | Residual element |
| Other Elements | — | ≤ 0.20 (Total) | Controlled impurities |
UNS Codes & Grades
| UNS No. | Common Alloy Name | Alloy Type | Typical Copper (%) | Primary Standards | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C23000 | Red Brass (85/15) | Cu-Zn-Sn | 84 – 86 | ASTM B43, ASTM B135 | Plumbing tubes, condenser tubing, low-pressure steam |
| C83600 | Leaded Red Brass | Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb | 83 – 87 | ASTM B62 | Valves, fittings, pump components (limited tube usage) |
| C84400 | Red Brass Casting Alloy | Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb | 81 – 85 | ASTM B584 | Cast plumbing and industrial components |
| C22000 | Commercial Bronze | Cu-Zn | 89 – 91 | ASTM B36 | Light-duty tubes, decorative applications |
| C31400 | Lead-Free Red Brass | Cu-Zn-Sn | 87 – 90 | ASTM B135 | Potable water, lead-free plumbing systems |
Mechanical, Physical & Fabrication Properties
| Property | Typical Value | Units | Remarks / Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 310 – 380 | MPa | Varies with temper (annealed vs hard-drawn) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | 110 – 180 | MPa | Lower values for annealed tubes |
| Elongation | 30 – 45 | % | Excellent ductility for forming & bending |
| Hardness | 70 – 100 | HB | Depends on cold work percentage |
| Density | 8.70 – 8.75 | g/cm³ | Higher than yellow brass due to tin content |
| Melting Range | 900 – 940 | °C | Suitable for brazing and soldering |
| Thermal Conductivity | 115 – 130 | W/m·K | Lower than pure copper, higher than steel |
| Electrical Conductivity | 22 – 28 | % IACS | Not recommended for electrical bus applications |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | — | High resistance to dezincification & mild seawater |
| Dezincification Resistance | High | — | Tin content improves long-term service life |
| Machinability | Good | — | Better than copper, lower than leaded brasses |
| Formability | Excellent | — | Ideal for bending, flaring, expanding |
| Weldability | Good | — | TIG & brazing preferred; pre-cleaning recommended |
| Brazing / Soldering | Excellent | — | Commonly used in plumbing & heat exchangers |
| Cold Working | Very Good | — | Can be cold drawn without cracking |
| Hot Working | Good | — | Recommended hot working range: 650–750°C |
Common Names & International Identifiers
| Region / System | Common Name | Grade / Designation | Equivalent UNS Code | Remarks / Typical Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (ASTM) | Red Brass | ASTM B135 / B36 | C23000 | 85Cu–15Zn alloy, good corrosion & dezincification resistance |
| United States (Commercial) | 85-15 Red Brass | — | C23000 | Common trade name used in plumbing & marine fittings |
| Europe (EN) | Red Brass | CuZn15 | C23000 (Equivalent) | Used for tubes, pipes, heat exchanger components |
| Germany (DIN) | Red Brass | CuZn15 | C23000 (Equivalent) | DIN standard brass with low zinc content |
| United Kingdom (BS) | Red Brass | BS CZ101 | C23000 (Closest) | Used in plumbing, valves, condenser tubes |
| India (IS) | Red Brass | IS 292 (CuZn15) | C23000 (Equivalent) | Specified for seamless brass tubes & pipes |
| Japan (JIS) | Red Brass | C2300 | C23000 | Used in industrial tubing & mechanical applications |
| ISO | Red Brass | CuZn15 | C23000 (Equivalent) | International designation for low-zinc brass |
| Marine / Plumbing Trade | Low Zinc Brass | — | C23000 | Preferred for potable water & mild marine exposure |
Standards & International Equivalents
| Country / Region | Standard | Designation | Equivalent Grade | Product Scope / Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | ASTM B135 | C23000 | Red Brass (85Cu-15Zn) | Seamless brass tubes for plumbing & general engineering |
| United States | ASTM B36 | C23000 | Red Brass | Standard for brass plate, sheet, strip & tube forms |
| Europe | EN 12449 | CuZn15 | C23000 (Equivalent) | Seamless tubes for general and precision applications |
| Europe | EN 12451 | CuZn15 | C23000 (Equivalent) | Rolled tubes and profiles |
| Germany | DIN 17660 | CuZn15 | C23000 (Equivalent) | Brass tubes for heat exchangers and condensers |
| United Kingdom | BS 2871 | CZ101 | C23000 (Closest Equivalent) | General-purpose brass tubes |
| India | IS 292 | CuZn15 | C23000 (Equivalent) | Seamless brass tubes & pipes |
| Japan | JIS H3300 | C2300 | C23000 | Brass tubes for mechanical and industrial use |
| ISO | ISO 15608 | CuZn15 | C23000 (Equivalent) | Material grouping for welding & fabrication |
| Marine / Plumbing Codes | WRAS / NSF* | CuZn15-based alloys | C23000* | Used where potable water & corrosion resistance are required |
Applications
| Industry / Sector | Application Area | Why Red Brass (Cu-Zn Alloy) Is Used | Typical Product Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing & Sanitary | Hot & cold water distribution lines | Excellent corrosion resistance, low dezincification risk, potable-water compatibility | Seamless straight tubes |
| HVAC & Building Services | Condenser & heat transfer tubing | Good thermal conductivity and resistance to scaling | Straight lengths / custom cut tubes |
| Marine & Coastal Installations | Sea-water piping, cooling lines | Superior resistance to salt-water corrosion compared to common brass | Heavy wall tubes |
| Power Plants | Auxiliary cooling & condenser systems | Stable mechanical strength at elevated temperatures | Seamless tubes |
| Sugar & Process Industries | Heat exchangers & juice heaters | Resistant to mildly acidic process fluids | Custom length tubes |
| Oil & Gas (Low-pressure) | Instrumentation & utility lines | Non-sparking material with good machinability | Precision tubes |
| Automotive | Radiator & fluid transfer tubes | High vibration resistance and formability | Bent and straight tubes |
| Electrical & Electronics | Grounding sleeves & protective conduits | Good electrical conductivity with mechanical robustness | Drawn tubes |
| Industrial Machinery | Bushings, sleeves & spacers | Wear resistance and excellent machinability | Thick wall tubes |
| Architectural & Decorative | Handrails, trims & exposed pipework | Attractive reddish-gold appearance with polishable surface | Polished tubes |
Standard Red Brass Tubes Dimensional Chart
| Nominal Size (Inch) | Outside Diameter (mm) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Inside Diameter (mm) | Theoretical Weight (kg/m) | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4" | 6.35 | 0.9 | 4.55 | 0.14 | Straight / Cut Length |
| 3/8" | 9.53 | 1.0 | 7.53 | 0.24 | Straight / Cut Length |
| 1/2" | 12.70 | 1.2 | 10.30 | 0.40 | Straight / Cut Length |
| 3/4" | 19.05 | 1.6 | 15.85 | 0.83 | Straight Length |
| 1" | 25.40 | 2.0 | 21.40 | 1.44 | Straight Length |
| 1-1/4" | 31.75 | 2.3 | 27.15 | 2.10 | Straight Length |
| 1-1/2" | 38.10 | 2.6 | 32.90 | 2.90 | Straight Length |
| 2" | 50.80 | 3.2 | 44.40 | 4.80 | Straight Length |
| 2-1/2" | 63.50 | 3.8 | 55.90 | 7.20 | Straight Length |
| 3" | 76.20 | 4.0 | 68.20 | 9.40 | Straight Length |
| Outside Diameter (mm) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Inside Diameter (mm) | Max Working Pressure (bar) | Approx. Burst Pressure (bar) | Recommended Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.7 | 1.2 | 10.3 | 40 | 150 | Low-pressure plumbing, decorative lines |
| 19.05 | 1.6 | 15.85 | 55 | 190 | Water distribution, marine auxiliary lines |
| 25.40 | 2.0 | 21.40 | 70 | 240 | Plumbing risers, heat exchanger connections |
| 31.75 | 2.3 | 27.15 | 75 | 260 | Marine cooling, industrial fluid lines |
| 38.10 | 2.6 | 32.90 | 85 | 290 | Process piping, condenser lines |
| 50.80 | 3.2 | 44.40 | 90 | 310 | Marine & industrial heat exchangers |
| 63.50 | 3.8 | 55.90 | 95 | 330 | High-flow cooling & brine systems |
| 76.20 | 4.0 | 68.20 | 100 | 350 | Heavy-duty industrial circulation |
Important Engineering Notes:
- Working pressure values are calculated using conservative allowable stress with a safety factor ≥ 3.
- Burst pressure is approximate and must never be used for system design.
- Annealed tubes have lower pressure ratings than hard-drawn tubes of the same dimensions.
- Temperature above 60 °C reduces allowable pressure — consult derating charts.
- Final system design must comply with ASTM / EN / IS piping codes.
