ASTM B88M-99 - 10.9.1999
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers Copper UNS No. C12200 seamless copper water tube suitable for general plumbing, and similar applications for the conveyance of fluids, and commonly used with solder, flared, or compression-type fittings. The type of copper water tube suitable for any particular application is determined by the internal or external fluid pressure, by the installation and service conditions, and by local requirements. Means of joining or bending are also factors that affect the selection of the type of tube to be used.

Note 1-Annealed tube is suitable for use with flared or compression fittings, and with solder-type fittings, provided rounding and sizing of the tube ends is performed where needed. Note 2-Drawn temper tube is suitable for use with solder-type fittings. Types A and B tube, in the drawn temper, are suitable for use with certain types and sizes of compression fittings. Note 3-This specification is the metric companion of Specification B88.

1.2 The assembly of copper plumbing or fire sprinkler systems by soldering is described in Practice B828.

1.3 Solders for joining copper potable water or fire sprinkler systems are covered by Specification B32. The requirements for acceptable fluxes for these systems are covered by Specification B813.

1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 15, of this specification: 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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

E8/E8M-25

Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials

E527-23

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

E29-22

Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

E53-07

Standard Test Method for Determination of Copper in Unalloyed Copper by Gravimetry

E62-89(1996)

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

E112-25e1

Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size (Includes all amendments and changes 9/9/2026).

E243-24

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

B846-24

Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys

B900-16(2022)

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

B32-20

Standard Specification for Solder Metal

B88-22

Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Water Tube

B153-22

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

B577-24

Standard Test Methods for Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper

B601-24

Standard Classification for Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys—Wrought and Cast

B813-24

Standard Specification for Water Flushable Liquid and Paste Fluxes for Soldering of Copper and Copper Alloy Tube

B828-23

Standard Practice for Making Capillary Joints by Soldering of Copper and Copper Alloy Tube and Fittings

E255-23

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

E18-25

Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials