Designation: B 944 – 06

Standard Specification for

Copper-Beryllium Welded Heat Exchanger and Condenser
Tube (UNS No. C17510)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 944; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope E 1004 Practice for Determining Electrical Conductivity

1.1 This specification establishes the requirements for Using the Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Method
copper-beryllium alloy UNS No. C17510 welded tube in 3. Terminology
straight lengths.
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be 3.1 For definitions of terms related to copper and copper
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are alloys, refer to Terminology B 846.
mathematical conversions to SI units, which are provided for 4. Ordering Information
information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.1 Include the following information when placing orders
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the for product under this specification, as applicable:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.1.2 Copper Alloy UNS No. designation,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.1.3 Temper (Section 7),
4.1.4 Dimensions, diameter, and wall thickness (Section
2. Referenced Documents 12). For tube or pipe, specify either OD/wall, ID/wall, or
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 OD/ID,
B 153 Test Method for Expansion (Pin Test) of Copper and 4.1.5 Minimum wall thickness or average (nominal) wall
Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tubing thickness,
B 194 Specification for Copper-Beryllium Alloy Plate, 4.1.6 Tube length, specific or random, and
Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar 4.1.7 Quantity—Total weight or total length or number of
B 601 Classification for Temper Designations for Copper pieces of each size.
and Copper Alloys—Wrought and Cast 4.2 The following options are available and should be
B 846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys specified at the time of placing of the order when required:
E 8 Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials 4.2.1 Hydrostatic test,
E 18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness and Rockwell 4.2.2 Pneumatic test,
Superficial Hardness of Metallic Materials 4.2.3 Weld bead conditioning, and
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to 4.2.4 Certification.
Determine Conformance with Specifications 5. Materials and Manufacture
E 243 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Exami-
nation of Copper and Copper-Alloy Tubes 5.1 Materials—The material of manufacture shall be sheet
E 255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for or strip of UNS Alloy No. C17510 of such purity and
the Determination of Chemical Composition soundness to be suitable for processing into the products
prescribed herein.
5.2 Manufacture—The product shall be manufactured from
1
cold rolled strip which is subsequently formed and welded by
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper
and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.04 on Pipe an automatic welding process without the addition of filler
and Tube. metal.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2006. Published February 2006.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 6. Chemical Composition
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 6.1 Material shall conform to the chemical composition
the ASTM website. requirements in Table 1 for Copper Alloy UNS No. C17510.

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 B 944 – 06
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements 10.2 Flattening Test Requirements—Test specimens at least
Composition, % 4 ft in length shall be flattened on different elements throughout
Element UNS No. C17510 the length remaining after specimens for the expansion and
Beryllium 0.2–0.6 metallographic tests have been taken. Each element shall be
Cobalt, max 0.3 slowly flattened by one stroke of a press. The term “flattened”
Nickel 1.4–2.2 shall be interpreted as follows: A micrometer caliper set at
Iron, max 0.10
Aluminum, max 0.20 three times the wall thickness shall pass over the tube freely
Silicon, max 0.20 throughout the flattened part except at the points where the
Copper Remainder change in element of flattening takes place. The flattened
elements shall not show cracking or rupture visible to the
unaided eye. The weld when visible or identifiable shall be
6.2 These composition limits do not preclude the presence placed in the position of maximum bend on one half of the
of other elements. By agreement between the manufacturer and flattened elements.
purchaser, limits may be established and analysis required for 10.3 Reverse Bend Test Requirements—A section 4 in. in
unnamed elements. length shall be split longitudinally 90° on each side of the weld.
6.3 For alloys in which copper is listed as “Remainder,” The sample shall then be opened and bent around a mandrel
copper is the difference between the sum of results of all with a diameter four times the wall thickness, with the mandrel
elements determined and 100 %. When all elements in Table 1 parallel to the weld and on the outside of the tube. The weld
are determined, the sum of results shall be 99.5 % min. when visible or identifiable shall be at the point of maximum
bend. There shall be no evidence of cracks, or lack of
7. Temper penetration in the weld.
7.1 The standard temper for products described in this
specification is TF00 (precipitation hardened) as defined in 11. Other Requirements
Classification B 601. 11.1 Each tube shall be subjected to an eddy-current test.
The purchaser may specify either of the tests in 11.2 or 11.3 as
8. Physical Property Requirements an alternative to the eddy-current test.
8.1 Electrical Conductivity—Product furnished to this 11.1.1 Eddy Current Test—Each tube shall be passed
specification shall conform to the electrical conductivity re- through an eddy-current testing unit adjusted to provide
quirement given in Table 2, when tested in accordance with information on the suitability of the tube for the intended
Practice E 1004. application. Testing shall follow the procedures of Practice
E 243, except as modified in 11.1.1.2.
9. Mechanical Property Requirements 11.1.1.1 The depth of the round-bottom transverse notches
9.1 Tensile Strength Requirements: and the diameters of the drilled holes in the calibrating tube
9.1.1 Product furnished under this specification shall con- used to adjust the sensitivity of the test unit are shown in Table
form to the tensile requirements prescribed in Table 2, when 3 and Table 4 respectively.
tested in accordance with Test Methods E 8. 11.1.1.2 The discontinuities used to calibrate the test system
9.2 When specified in the contract or purchase order, the may be placed in the strip from which the tube will be
product shall conform to the Rockwell hardness requirement manufactured. These calibration discontinuities will pass
prescribed in Table 2 when tested in accordance with Test through the continuous operations of forming, welding, and
Method E 18. eddy-current testing. The test unit sensitivity required to detect
9.2.1 The approximate Rockwell hardness values given in the resultant discontinuities shall be equivalent to or greater
Table 2 are for general information and assistance in testing, than that required to detect the notches or drilled holes of Table
and shall not be used as a basis for product rejection. 3 and Table 4 respectively, or other calibration discontinuities
that may be used by mutual agreement between the manufac-
10. Performance Requirements turer or supplier and the purchaser. Calibration discontinuities
10.1 Expansion Test Requirements—Tube specimens se- may be on the outside tube surface, the internal tube surface, or
lected for test shall withstand an expansion of 15 % when through the tube wall and shall be spaced to provide signal
expanded in accordance with Test Method B 153. This is resolution adequate for interpretation. Each calibration discon-
defined as expansion of tube outside diameter in percent of tinuity shall be detected by the eddy-current tester.
original outside diameter. The expanded tube shall show no 11.1.1.3 Tubes that do not actuate the signaling device of
cracking or rupture visible to the unaided eye. the eddy-current tester shall be considered as conforming to the

TABLE 2 Mechanical Property and Electrical Conductivity Requirements After Precipitation Heat Treatment
Elongation in Yield Strength, ksi Rockwell Electrical
Temper Designation Tensile Strength
2 in. (50 mm), min, 0.2 % Offset Hardness Conductivity
Standard Former ksi MPa % min ksi MPa B IACS min, %

TF00 AT 100–130 (690–895) 10 80 (550) 92–100 45

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 B 944 – 06
TABLE 3 Notch Depth TABLE 5 Wall Thickness Tolerances
Outside Diameter, in. Outside Diameter, in.
Specified Wall Specified Wall
Thickness, in. 0.625 to Over 0.750 to Over 1.250 to 0.625 to Over 1.00 to Over 2.00 to
Thickness,
0.750, incl. 1.250, incl. 2.000, incl. 1.00, incl. 2.00, incl. 3.00, incl.
in.
Over 0.017–0.032 0.005 0.006 0.007 Wall Thickness Tolerances, Plus and Minus, in.
Incl. 0.032–0.049 0.006 0.006 0.008
0.020 incl. to 0.032 0.004 0.004 0.004
Incl. 0.049–0.083 0.007 0.008 0.008
0.032 incl. to 0.035 0.004 0.004 0.005
0.035 incl. to 0.058 0.006 0.006 0.006
0.058 incl. to 0.083 0.008 0.008 0.008
TABLE 4 Diameter of Drilled Holes
Outside Diameter, Diameter of Drill
in. Drilled Holes, in. No. TABLE 6 Diameter Tolerances
0.250–1.000, incl. 0.031 68 Wall Thickness, in.
Over 1.000–1.025, incl. 0.036 64 Outside
0.020 incl. 0.032 incl. 0.035 incl. 0.058 incl.
Over 1.250–1.500, incl. 0.042 58 Diameter,
to 0.032 to 0.035 to 0.058 to 0.083
Over 1.500–1.750, incl. 0.046 56 in.
Over 1.750–2.000, incl. 0.052 55 Diameter Tolerance, Plus and Minus, in.
0.625 incl. to 0.740 0.006 0.006 0.005 0.005
0.740 incl. to 1.000 0.006 0.006 0.005 0.004
requirements of this test. Tubes causing irrelevant signals 1.000 incl. to 1.250 0.008 0.008 0.007 0.006
1.250 incl. to 1.500 0.008 0.008 0.008 0.007
because of moisture, soil, and like effects may be reconditioned 1.500 incl. to 3.000 0.008 0.008 0.008 0.008
and retested. Such tubes, when retested to the original test
parameters, shall be considered to conform if they do not cause
output signals beyond the acceptable limits. Tubes causing
irrelevant signals because of visible and identifiable handling 12.2.1 Tubes Ordered to Minimum Wall—No tube at its
marks may be retested by the hydrostatic test prescribed in thinnest point shall be less than the specified wall thickness or
11.2, or the pneumatic test prescribed in 11.3. Tubes meeting greater than the specified wall thickness plus twice the toler-
requirements of either test shall be considered to conform if the ance values shown in Table 5.
tube dimensions are within the prescribed limits, unless other- 12.2.2 Tubes Ordered to Nominal Wall—The maximum
wise agreed to by the manufacturer or supplier and the plus and minus deviation from the nominal wall at any point
purchaser. shall not exceed the values shown in Table 5.
11.2 Hydrostatic Test—When specified, each tube shall 12.3 Diameter Tolerances shall be in accordance with Table
withstand, without showing evidence of leakage, an internal 6.
hydrostatic pressure sufficient to subject the material to a fiber 12.3.1 Diameter—The outside diameter of the tubes shall
stress of 7000 psi, determined by the following equation for not vary from that specified by more than the amounts shown
thin hollow cylinders under tension. The tube need not be in Table 6 as measured by “go” and “no-go” ring gauges. If no
tested at a hydrostatic pressure of over 1000 psig unless so values are shown in the table, dimensions shall be as agreed
specified. between the Purchaser and the manufacturer or supplier.
P 5 2St/~D – 0.8t! (1) 12.4 Length Tolerances shall be in accordance with Table 7.
12.4.1 Length—The length of the tubes shall not be less
where: than that specified but may exceed the specified value by the
P = hydrostatic pressure, psig, amounts given in Table 7
t = thickness of tube wall, in., 12.5 Squareness—The departure from squareness of the end
D = outside diameter of the tube, in., and shall not exceed 0.016 in./in. of diameter.
S = allowable stress of the material, psi. 12.6 Straightness Tolerances shall be in accordance with
11.3 Pneumatic Test—When specified, each tube shall be Table 8.
subjected to an internal air pressure of 100 psig minimum 12.6.1 For lengths greater than 10 ft the maximum curvature
without showing evidence of leakage. The test method used shall not exceed 1⁄2 in. in any 10-ft portion of the total length.
shall permit easy visual detection of any leakage, such as by
having the tube under water or by the pressure-differential 13. Workmanship, Finish and Appearance
method. Any evidence of leakage shall be cause for rejection.
13.1 The product shall be free of defects, but blemishes of
12. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations a nature that do not interfere with the intended application are
12.1 Dimensions and tolerances for product described by acceptable.
this specification shall be as specified: Wall Thickness, Table 3;
Diameter, Table 4; Length, Table 5; and Straightness, Table 6.
TABLE 7 Length Tolerances
12.1.1 Tolerances on a given tube may be specified with
Specified Length, ft Tolerance, all plus, in.
respect to any two, but not all three, of the following: outside
diameter, inside diameter, wall thickness. Up to 30, incl. 0.125
Over 30–60, incl. 0.250
12.2 Wall-thickness tolerances shall be in accordance with Over 60–100, incl. 0.375
Table 5.

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 B 944 – 06
TABLE 8 Straightness Tolerances an additional specimen either from the same sample piece or
Length, ft
Maximum Curvature from a new sample piece shall be allowed.
(Depth of Arc) in. 15.3.3 If the results of the test on one of the specimens fail
Over 3–6, incl ⁄
3 16
to meet the specified requirements, two additional specimens
Over 6–8, incl ⁄
5 16

Over 8–10, incl 12 ⁄

shall be taken from different sample pieces and tested. The
results of the test on both of these specimens shall meet the
specified requirements. Failure of more than one specimen to
meet the specified requirements for a particular property shall
14. Sampling be cause for rejection of the entire lot.
14.1 The lot size, portion size, and selection of sample 16. Specimen Preparation
pieces shall be as follows.
14.1.1 Lot Size—300 tubes or 15 000 ft or a fraction of 16.1 Chemical Analysis—Preparation of the analytical test
either, whichever is less. specimen shall be the responsibility of the reporting laboratory
14.1.2 Portion Size—Sample pieces from two individual (see Practice E 255).
lengths of finished product. 16.2 Tensile Test—The test specimen shall be of the full
14.2 Samples taken for the purpose of tests prescribed in the section of the tube and shall conform to the requirements of the
specification shall be selected in a manner that will represent section titled Specimens for Pipe and Tube in Test Methods
correctly the material furnished and avoid needless destruction E 8.
of finished material when samples representative of the mate- 16.3 Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Test—Specimen
rial are available from other sources. preparation shall be in accordance with Practice E 243.

17. Test Methods

15. Number of Tests and Retests
17.1 Chemical composition shall, in cases of disagreement,
15.1 Tests:
be determined in accordance with the applicable method in
15.1.1 Chemical Analysis—The manufacturer shall have the
Annex A1 of Specification B 194.
option of determining conformance to chemical composition as
17.2 Tension Tests:
follows: Conformance shall be determined by analyzing
17.2.1 Tensile specimens shall normally be tested as shown
samples taken at the time the castings are poured or samples
in Fig 11 of Test Methods E 8. Tension test specimens shall be
taken from the semi-finished product. If the manufacturer
of the full section of the tube unless the limitations of the
determines the chemical composition of the material during the
testing machine preclude the use of such specimen. Determi-
course of manufacture, he shall not be required to sample and
nation of cross sectional area shall be determined by using the
analyze the finished product. The number of samples taken for
weight of the tube as described in Test Methods E 8.
determination of chemical composition shall be as follows:
17.2.2 Whenever different tension test results are obtained
15.1.1.1 When samples are taken at the time the castings are
from both full-size and from machined test specimens, the
poured, at least one sample shall be taken for each group of
results obtained from full-size test specimens shall be used to
castings poured simultaneously from the same source of
determine conformance to the requirements of this specifica-
molten metal.
tion.
15.1.1.2 When samples are taken from the semi-finished
17.2.3 Tension test results on product within the scope of
product, a sample shall be taken to represent each 10 000 lb or
this specification are not seriously affected by variations in
fraction thereof, except that not more than one sample shall be
speed of testing. A considerable range of testing speed is
required per piece.
permissible: however, the rate of stressing to the yield strength
15.1.1.3 Due to the discontinuous nature of the processing
shall not exceed 100 ksi/min (690 MPa/min). Above the yield
of castings into wrought products, it is not practical to identify
strength, the movement per minute of the testing-machine head
specific casting analysis with a specific quantity of finished
under load should not exceed 0.5 in./in. (0.5 mm/mm) of gage
material.
length (or distance between grips for full-section specimens).
15.1.1.4 In the event that heat identification or traceability is
required, the purchaser shall specify the details desired. 18. Significance of Numerical Limits
15.2 Other Tests—For other tests, unless otherwise pro-
vided in the product specification, test specimens shall be taken 18.1 For purpose of determining compliance with the speci-
from two of the sample pieces selected in accordance with fied limits for requirements of the properties listed in Table 9,
14.1.2.
15.3 Retests: TABLE 9 Rounding Units
15.3.1 If any test specimen shows defective machining or Rounded Unit for Observed
develops flaws, it shall be discarded and another specimen Property
or Calculated Value
substituted. Chemical composition, hardness, Nearest unit in the last right-hand place
15.3.2 If the percentage elongation of any tension test and electrical conductivity of figures of the specified limit
specimen is less than that specified and any part of the fracture Tensile strength Nearest ksi (nearest 5 MPa)
Yield strength Nearest ksi (nearest 5 MPa)
is outside the middle two thirds of the gage length or in a Elongation and expansion Nearest 1 %
punched or scribed mark within the reduced section, a retest on

4
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 B 944 – 06
an observed or calculated value shall be rounded as indicated, has been sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance with this
in accordance with the rounding method of Practice E 29. specification and has met the requirements.
21.2 When material is specified to meet the requirements of
19. Inspection ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, the certification
19.1 The manufacturer shall inspect and make the necessary requirements are mandatory.
tests to verify that the tubes furnished conform to the specifi-
cation requirements. 22. Mill Test Report
19.2 If in addition, the purchaser elects to perform the 22.1 When specified on the purchase order the manufacturer
inspection, the manufacturer shall afford the inspector all shall furnish to the purchaser a test report showing results of
reasonable facilities without charge to satisfy the purchaser that tests required by the specification.
the tubes are being furnished in accordance with this specifi-
cation. 23. Packaging and Package Marking
23.1 The material shall be separated by size, composition,
20. Rejection and Rehearing and temper, and prepared for shipment in such a manner as to
20.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of ensure acceptance by common carrier for transportation and to
this specification shall be subject to rejection. Rejection shall afford protection from the normal hazards of transportation.
be reported to the manufacturer or supplier promptly and in 23.2 Each shipping unit shall be legibly marked with the
writing. In case of dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the purchase order number, alloy designation, temper, size, shape,
manufacturer or supplier shall have the option to make claim gross and net weight, and name of supplier. The specification
for a rehearing. number shall be shown, when specified.
21. Certification 24. Keywords
21.1 When specified on the purchase order the manufacturer 24.1 condenser; copper; copper alloy; copper-beryllium;
shall furnish to the purchaser a certificate stating that each lot evaporator; heat exchanger; tube; welded; UNS No. C17510

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specified by the purchaser in the
inquiry, contract, or order, for agencies of the U.S. government.

S1. Referenced Documents requirements specified. Except as otherwise specified in the

S1.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on date contract or purchase order, the manufacturer shall use his own
of material purchase form a part of this specification to the or any other suitable facilities for the performance of the
extent referenced herein. inspection and test requirements unless disapproved by the
S1.1.1 Federal Standards:3 purchaser at the time the order is placed. The purchaser shall
Fed. Std. No. 102 Preservation, Packaging, and Packing have the right to perform any of the inspections or tests set
Levels forth when such inspections and tests are deemed necessary to
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies) assure that the material conforms to prescribed requirements.
Fed. Std. No. 185 Identification Marking of Copper and S3. Identification Marking
Copper-Base Alloy Mill Products
S1.1.2 Military Standard:3 S3.1 All material shall be properly marked for identification
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 185 except that the ASTM
S1.1.3 Military Specification:3 specification number and the alloy number shall be used.
MIL-C-3993 Packaging of Copper and Copper-Base Alloy S4. Preparation for Delivery
Mill Products
S4.1 Preservation, Packaging, Packing:
S2. Quality Assurance S4.1.1 Military Agencies—The material shall be separated
S2.1 Responsibility for Inspection—Unless otherwise speci- by size, composition, grade or class and shall be preserved and
fied in the contract or purchase order, the manufacturer is packaged, Level A or C, packed Level A, B, or C as specified
responsible for the performance of all inspection and test in the contract or purchase order, in accordance with the
arrangements MIL-C-3993.
S4.1.2 Civil Agencies—The requirements of Fed. Std. No.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, 102 shall be referenced for definitions of the various levels of
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098. packaging protection.

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 B 944 – 06
S4.2 Marking: S4.2.2 Civil Agencies—In addition to any special marking
S4.2.1 Military Agencies—In addition to any special mark- required by the contract or purchase order, marking for the
ing required by the contract or purchase order, marking for the shipment shall be in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123.
shipment shall be in accordance with MIL-STD-129.

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of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

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