Copper Tube Buying Guide: C12200 (DHP) vs C10200 — How to Specify Copper Tube for HVAC, Refrigeration, and Plumbing
Copper tube — phosphorus-deoxidized C12200 for brazed HVAC and refrigeration circuits, oxygen-free C10200 where conductivity and hydrogen-embrittlement resistance matter — is specified by temper as much as by alloy. Soft coils bend around obstacles; hard-drawn lengths hold pressure hangers straight. Order the wrong temper and installers fight every joint — or the tube sags and traps oil in refrigeration lines.
This guide compares the alloys, tempers, wall types (K/L/M), standards, and a complete RFQ checklist.
C12200 vs C10200
| Alloy | Key trait | Use |
|---|---|---|
| C12200 (DHP) | Phosphorus-deoxidized, braze-safe | HVAC/R, plumbing, general tube — the default |
| C10200 (OF) | Oxygen-free, highest conductivity | Electrical, vacuum, hydrogen-atmosphere brazing |
| C12000 (DLP) | Low phosphorus | Heat exchangers, condensers |
Temper Guide: Soft vs Hard
| Temper | Form | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Annealed (O60), soft | Coils (pancake/LWC) | Bend by hand; long runs with few joints |
| Drawn (H58), hard | Straight lengths | Hangers, risers, exposed runs that must stay straight |
| Light-annealed | Straight lengths | Bendable sticks for tight mechanical rooms |
Wall Types K / L / M (Plumbing)
| Type | Wall | Use |
|---|---|---|
| K | Thickest | Underground, high-pressure, commercial risers |
| L | Medium | General interior plumbing — the default |
| M | Thinnest | Low-pressure residential, budget runs |
Standards Buyers Quote
- ASTM B88: seamless copper water tube — quote type K/L/M plus temper.
- ASTM B280: air-conditioning and refrigeration tube — cleaned, dried, and capped (ACR).
- EN 12735 / EN 1057: European refrigeration and plumbing tube references.
- ACR cleanliness: nitrogen-charged caps for refrigeration — confirm before shipment, not after.
Common Applications
- HVAC refrigerant lines, condensers, and evaporators.
- Potable water, medical gas, and solar thermal plumbing.
- Heat exchangers and chilled-water coils.
- Electrical bus and earthing (C10200/C11000).
RFQ Checklist
- Alloy: C12200 / C10200 / C12000
- Standard: B88 (K/L/M) or B280 (ACR)
- Size: OD x wall x length/coil; temper: soft coil or hard length
- Ends: capped (ACR), plain, or threaded
- Quantity, mill certs, destination / Incoterm
FAQ
K, L, or M for my plumbing? L as the default; K underground or high-rise risers; M only for low-pressure budget work.
Coil or straight lengths? Coils for bends and long pulls; hard lengths for straight, supported runs.
Why did my ACR joints leak? Usually moisture or oil inside non-ACR tube, or overheated joints without nitrogen purge — specify B280 ACR-cleaned tube.
Why Source Copper Tube from Yihang Metal
Yihang Metal supplies copper tube in C12200, C10200, and C12000 to ASTM B88 and B280, in soft coils and hard-drawn lengths with ACR cleaning, nitrogen caps, and export packing, each lot certified for chemistry and eddy-current testing. Standard sizes typically ship in 25–35 days.
Ready to specify your copper tube? Send us the alloy, standard, OD x wall, temper, and quantity, and we will confirm mill availability and lead time with a fixed-price quote and test certificate. Email [email protected] or use the quote form on this page — our team replies within one business day.