ASTM B543/B543M-12

ASTM B543/B543M-12 - 1.4.2012

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.

Property Rounded Unit for Observed or
Calculated Value

Chemical composition nearest unit in the last righthand place
of figures

Tensile strength and yield strength nearest 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

C10800^A
...
oxygen-free, low phosphorus

C12200^A
...
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

E54-80(1996)	Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Special Brasses and Bronzes (Withdrawn 2002)
B224-16(2022)	Standard Classification of Coppers
B154-16(2022)	Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
B153-22	Standard Test Method for Expansion (Pin Test) of Copper and Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tubing
E29-22	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E8-04	Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E3-26	Standard Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E527-23	Standard Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)
E255-23	Standard Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for the Determination of Chemical Composition
E478-24	Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
E243-24	Standard Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Examination of Copper and Copper-Alloy Tubes
E118-89(1996)	Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper-Chromium Alloys
E112-25e1	Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size (Includes all amendments and changes 9/9/2026).
E62-89(1996)	Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper and Copper Alloys (Photometric Methods)
B968/B968M-16(2022)	Standard Test Method for Flattening of Copper and Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tube
B900-16(2022)	Standard Practice for Packaging of Copper and Copper Alloy Mill Products for U.S. Government Agencies
B858-06(2024)	Standard Test Method for Ammonia Vapor Test for Determining Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper Alloys
B846-24	Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
E53-07	Standard Test Method for Determination of Copper in Unalloyed Copper by Gravimetry