ASTM B111/B111M specifies seamless tube and ferrule stock manufactured from copper and various copper alloys for:
Specified Standard Edition: ASTM B111/B111M-24
Standard Title: Standard Specification for Copper and Copper-Alloy Seamless Condenser Tubes and Ferrule Stock
The standard covers copper and copper-alloy seamless tubes up to 3⅛ in. [80 mm] outside diameter, inclusive.
Material should be ordered by the applicable UNS alloy designation, because ASTM B111 covers multiple copper-alloy systems with different chemistry, mechanical properties and service characteristics.
ASTM B111 includes a broad range of copper and copper alloys. Commonly specified alloys for condenser and heat exchanger procurement include:
| UNS Alloy | Alloy Name | Description & Typical Selection |
|---|---|---|
| C44300 | Admiralty Brass | Copper-zinc-tin alloy used for condenser and heat exchanger tubing; commonly selected for freshwater and compatible cooling-water applications |
| C68700 | Aluminum Brass | Copper-zinc-aluminum alloy used extensively in condensers and heat exchangers, with improved resistance in many cooling-water environments compared with conventional brass tubing |
| C70600 | 90/10 Copper-Nickel | Approximately 90Cu-10Ni alloy with controlled iron additions, widely specified for condenser, heat exchanger and cooling-water systems |
| C71500 | 70/30 Copper-Nickel | Approximately 70Cu-30Ni alloy used for more demanding condenser, marine and cooling-water applications where higher nickel-content tubing is specified |
ASTM B111 also covers other copper and copper-alloy designations, including:
Additional alloys covered by the applicable edition should be confirmed against ASTM B111/B111M requirements at the enquiry stage.
For procurement, the UNS designation should always be stated rather than ordering simply as “ASTM B111 copper alloy tube.”
ASTM B111 tubes can be supplied in specified temper conditions, including:
The required temper affects mechanical properties and tube fabrication characteristics. The applicable temper should therefore be stated in the purchase order.
Ferrule stock has its own applicable annealing requirements under the standard.
ASTM B111 includes multiple copper and copper-alloy systems, each with its own chemical-composition limits.
Principal alloy systems include:
Chemical composition should be verified against the exact UNS alloy number specified in the purchase order.
A single generic chemistry table should not be applied to the entire ASTM B111 product family.
Mechanical-property requirements depend on:
ASTM B111 specifies tensile and expansion requirements according to the applicable material and temper.
The complete material and product condition should be stated during purchasing:
ASTM B111 + UNS Alloy + Temper + Dimensions
Mechanical properties are verified against that ordered condition.
| Parameter | Standard Scope |
|---|---|
| Product | Seamless Tube and Ferrule Stock |
| Maximum Outside Diameter | 80 mm [3⅛ in.], inclusive |
Actual available wall thicknesses and lengths depend on:
The ASTM standard scope and FYN manufacturing capability should be confirmed separately for each alloy.
ASTM B111 includes alloy- and condition-specific inspection and testing requirements.
Applicable tests include:
The exact test program depends on the alloy, temper and ordered requirements.
Eddy-current testing is an important integrity test for ASTM B111 condenser and heat exchanger tubing.
It is used to identify discontinuities in finished tubes without destructive testing.
Any project-specific acceptance criteria or additional NDT requirements should be stated during the enquiry stage.
Tube integrity can also be verified by the applicable hydrostatic or pneumatic testing requirements.
The required test method should be specified according to:
Additional project testing should be identified before production.
Residual stress is particularly relevant to certain copper-alloy condenser tubes.
ASTM B111 includes residual-stress testing requirements for applicable materials and conditions.
Some alloys and product conditions can also require or benefit from stress-relieving treatment following straightening.
The exact requirement should be determined from the ordered UNS alloy and temper.
Both C70600 and C71500 are copper-nickel alloys commonly encountered in condenser and heat exchanger service.
| Comparison | C70600 | C71500 |
|---|---|---|
| Alloy Type | 90/10 Copper-Nickel | 70/30 Copper-Nickel |
| Nominal Alloy Description | Approximately 90Cu-10Ni | Approximately 70Cu-30Ni |
| Selection Considerations | Widely used where 90/10 copper-nickel provides the required balance of corrosion performance, heat-transfer characteristics and project economics | Higher nickel content; commonly considered for more demanding corrosion-service requirements |
Final selection should consider:
Material selection should follow the condenser or heat exchanger design specification rather than nickel content alone.
| UNS Alloy | Alloy Name |
|---|---|
| C44300 | Admiralty Brass |
| C68700 | Aluminum Brass |
Both alloys are used in heat-transfer equipment, but they have different alloy chemistry and corrosion behavior.
Selection should consider cooling-water quality, operating conditions, existing equipment metallurgy and project material specification.
ASTM B111 products are reviewed separately from FYN’s carbon and alloy steel tube manufacturing range.
For copper-alloy enquiries, available capability is confirmed according to:
| Review Parameter | Required Information |
|---|---|
| Material | UNS alloy designation |
| Outside Diameter | Required outside diameter |
| Wall Thickness | Required wall thickness |
| Length | Required tube length |
| Temper | Required temper condition |
| Quantity | Required order quantity |
| Testing | Required test methods and acceptance criteria |
| Product Form | Straight tube or ferrule stock |
| Documentation | According to project specification |
| Third-Party Inspection | Subject to order requirements |
| Custom Requirements | Subject to alloy and technical review |
| MOQ | According to alloy, dimensions and production requirements |
The dimensional capability of FYN carbon and alloy steel tubes does not automatically apply to ASTM B111 copper-alloy products.
Available straight-tube, temper, testing and inspection capability will be confirmed against the specific RFQ.
ASTM B111 seamless copper and copper-alloy tubes are primarily used in heat-transfer equipment.
For steam and process condensers where the selected copper alloy is compatible with the cooling-water conditions.
C70600, C71500 and other specified copper alloys can be used in power-generation condenser systems according to the equipment design and cooling-water chemistry.
For heat exchanger tube bundles requiring copper or copper-alloy tubing for heat-transfer and corrosion-performance requirements.
For evaporator equipment where the specified copper alloy is compatible with the process medium and operating conditions.
Copper-nickel alloys such as C70600 and C71500 are commonly specified for applicable marine cooling-water heat exchangers and condensers.
For condenser and heat exchanger retubing projects where the existing equipment specification identifies an ASTM B111 UNS alloy.
For replacement projects, material should not be selected solely by matching tube dimensions. Existing alloy, cooling-water chemistry, tube-sheet metallurgy and operating history should also be reviewed.
Available documentation should be confirmed according to the selected alloy and project requirements and can include:
Required documentation should be specified during the RFQ stage.
Typical export packing can include:
Packing should prevent mechanical damage, contamination and deformation during handling and transportation.
Production lead time depends on alloy, temper, dimensions, quantity and inspection requirements.
For quotation, please specify:
ASTM B111/B111M + UNS Alloy + OD × Wall Thickness × Length + Temper + Quantity
| Required Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM B111/B111M |
| UNS Alloy | For example, C44300 / C68700 / C70600 / C71500 |
| Product Form | Straight tube or ferrule stock |
| Outside Diameter | Required outside diameter |
| Wall Thickness | Required wall thickness |
| Length | Required tube length |
| Temper | Required temper condition |
| Quantity | Required order quantity |
| Application | Condenser / Heat Exchanger / Evaporator |
| Cooling Medium | Applicable cooling medium |
| Dimensional Tolerances | If specified |
| Eddy-Current Testing | Required testing and acceptance criteria |
| Pressure Testing | Hydrostatic / pneumatic test requirements |
| Residual Stress | Applicable residual-stress requirements |
| Additional Inspection | Any additional inspection requirements |
| Tube Ends | Required tube-end condition |
| Documentation | Inspection documentation requirements |
| Third-Party Inspection | If required |
| Delivery | Delivery destination |
For condenser retubing projects, please also provide the existing MTC, tube specification, tube-sheet information or equipment drawing, where available.
For an accurate quotation, please send your required UNS alloy, outside diameter, wall thickness, length, temper and quantity.
Example:
ASTM B111 C70600 — 25.4 × 1.24 × 6000 mm — Annealed — 1,000 pcs
For condenser and heat exchanger projects, please also provide:
Cooling Medium + Operating Conditions + Tube-Sheet Material + Testing Requirements
For retubing projects, send the existing MTC, tube sample specification or equipment drawing for material verification.
