ASTM B188-15(2023)

Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Bus Pipe and Tube

ABSTRACT
This specification covers seamless copper bus pipe and tube intended for use as electrical conductors. The material shall be manufactured by such hot-working, cold-working, and annealing processing as to produce a uniform, seamless wrought structure in the finished product. The method of manufacture shall be such that the finished material conforms to the specified temper properties. The material shall conform to the requirements for the copper UNS no. as specified. The material shall be furnished in either the O60 (soft anneal) or H80 (hard drawn) temper. The material shall conform to the maximum electrical resistivity requirements prescribed. The product shall conform to the prescribed mechanical property requirements. The product shall conform to the prescribed bend testing requirements. The test specimens of material designated as Copper UNS Nos. C10100, C10200, C10300, C10400, C10500, C10700, and C12000 shall be free of cuprous oxide. When tested, material designated as Copper UNS nos. C10100, C10200, C10300, C10400, C10500, C10700, and C12000 shall pass the embrittlement test. The product shall be passed through an eddy-current testing unit adjusted to provide information on the suitability of the product for the intended application.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
18.1 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 Calculated
or Observed Value  
Chemical composition  
nearest unit in the last right-hand place of figures
of the specified limit  
Hardness  
Electrical resistivity  
nearest unit in the last right-hand place of figures  
Electrical conductivity  
Tensile strength  
nearest ksi (5 MPa)  
Elongation: below 5 %  
nearest multiple of 0.5 %  
5 % and over  
nearest 1 %
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes the requirements for seamless copper bus pipe and tube intended for use as electrical conductors.  
1.1.1 The product shall be made from one of the following coppers, as denoted in the ordering information:2    
Copper
UNS No.2  
Previously
Used
Designation  
Type of Copper  
C10100  
OFE  
Oxygen-free, electronic    
C10200  
OF  
Oxygen-free without residual deoxidants  
C10300  
—  
Oxygen-free, extra low phosphorus  
C10400, C10500,
C10700  
OFS  
Oxygen-free, silver bearing  
C11000  
ETP  
Electrolytic tough pitch  
C11300, C11400,
C11600  
STP  
Silver-bearing tough pitch  
C12000  
DLP  
Phosphorized, low residual phosphorus  
1.2 Unless otherwise specified, any one of the above coppers may be furnished.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2023
• ICS: 77.150.30 - Copper products
• Technical Committee: B05 - Copper and Copper Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B05.04 - Pipe and Tube

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B188-15e1 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Bus Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2023
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-24 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-22 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2022
• Referred By: ASTM F68-16 - Standard Specification for Oxygen-Free Copper in Wrought Forms for Electron Devices
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: B188 − 15 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Specification for
Seamless Copper Bus Pipe and Tube
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B188; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification establishes the requirements for seam- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
less copper bus pipe and tube intended for use as electrical B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
conductors. Materials
1.1.1 The product shall be made from one of the following B428 Test Method for Angle of Twist in Rectangular and
coppers, as denoted in the ordering information: Square Copper and Copper Alloy Tube
B577 Test Methods for Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydro-
Previously
Copper
Used Type of Copper
gen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper
UNS No.
Designation
B601 Classification for Temper Designations for Copper and
Copper Alloys—Wrought and Cast
C10100 OFE Oxygen-free, electronic
C10200 OF Oxygen-free without residual deoxidants
B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
C10300 — Oxygen-free, extra low phosphorus
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
C10400, C10500, OFS Oxygen-free, silver bearing
terials
C10700
C11000 ETP Electrolytic tough pitch
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
C11300, C11400, STP Silver-bearing tough pitch
terials
C11600
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
C12000 DLP Phosphorized, low residual phosphorus
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.2 Unless otherwise specified, any one of the above cop-
E53 Test Method for Determination of Copper in Unalloyed
pers may be furnished.
Copper by Gravimetry (Withdrawn 2022)
1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
E62 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper and
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are 4
Copper Alloys (Photometric Methods) (Withdrawn 2010)
mathematical conversions to SI units, which are provided for
E243 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Examina-
information only and are not considered standard.
tion of Copper and Copper-Alloy Tubes
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
E255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
the Determination of Chemical Composition
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Unified Numbering System (UNS)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3. Terminology
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1 For definitions of terms related to copper and copper
alloys, refer to Terminology B846.
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 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
and Tube.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2023. Published October 2023. Originally
ε1 3
approved in 1944. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as B188 – 15 . DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/B0188-15R23. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
The UNS system for copper and copper alloys (see Practice E527) is a simple Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
expansion of the former standard designation system accomplished by the addition the ASTM website.
of a prefix “C” and a suffix “00.” The suffix can be used to accommodate The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
composition variations of the base alloy. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B188 − 15 (2023)
3.2.1 bus pipe or tube—a high conductivity copper tubular 5. Materials and Manufacture
product used as an electrical conductor.
5.1 Material:
4. Ordering Information 5.1.1 The material of manufacture shall be cast billet of one
of the UNS copper alloy numbers included in the scope, and as
4.1 Include the following specified choices when placing
so specified in the contract or purchase order, and shall be of
orders for product under this specification, as applicable:
such purity and soundness as to be suitable for processing into
4.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue,
lengths of pipe or tube for the intended application.
4.1.2 Copper UNS designation (1.1.1 and 1.2),
4.1.3 Temper (Section 7),
5.2 Manufacture:
4.1.4 Dimensions and form (Section 12),
5.2.1 The product shall be manufactured by such hot-
4.1.5 Length (Section 12),
working, cold-working, and annealing processes as to produce
4.1.6 Quantity–total weight or total length or number of
a uniform, wrought, seamless structure in the finished product.
pieces of each size (Table 1),
5.2.2 The method of manufacture shall be hot or cold
4.2 The following options are available but may not be
working to the finished size, and subsequent annealing when
included unless specified at the time of placing the order when
required to meet the temper properties specified (see 7.1).
required:
4.2.1 Bend test (Section 10),
6. Chemical Composition
4.2.2 Hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility test (Section
10),
6.1 The material shall conform to the chemical composition
4.2.3 Microscopical examination (Section 10),
requirements in Table 2 for the copper UNS No. designation
4.2.4 Tension testing (Section 9),
specified in the ordering information.
4.2.5 Eddy-current test (Section 11),
6.2 These composition limits do not preclude the presence
4.2.6 Certification (Section 21),
of other elements. By agreement between the manufacturer or
4.2.7 Test report (Section 22), and
supplier and purchaser, limits may be established and analysis
4.2.8 If the specification number is required to be shown on
the packaging (23.2). required for unnamed elements.
A
TABLE 1 Dimensions and Weights of Copper Pipe, Nominal or Standard Pipe Sizes
Dimensions, in. (mm)
Nominal or Standard Cross-Sectional Area of Theoretical Weight, lb/ft
2 2
Pipe Size, in. Wall, in. (mm ) (kg/m)
Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Wall Thickness
Regular
⁄4 0.540(13.7) 0.376(9.55) 0.082(2.08) 0.118(0.761) 0.457(0.680)
⁄8 0.675(17.1) 0.495(12.6) 0.090(2.29) 0.165(1.06) 0.641(0.954)
⁄2 0.840(21.3) 0.626(15.9) 0.107(2.72) 0.246(1.59) 0.955(1.42)
⁄4 1.050(26.7) 0.822(20.9) 0.114(2.90) 0.335(2.16) 1.30(1.93)
1 1.315(33.4) 1.063(27.0) 0.126(3.20) 0.471(3.04) 1.82(2.71)
1 ⁄4 1.660(42.2) 1.368(34.7) 0.146(3.71) 0.694(4.48) 2.69(4.00)
1 ⁄2 1.900(48.3) 1.600(40.6) 0.150(3.81) 0.825(5.32) 3.20(4.76)
2 2.375(60.3) 2.063(52.4) 0.156(3.96) 1.09(7.03) 4.22(6.28)
2 ⁄2 2.875(73.0) 2.501(63.5) 0.187(4.75) 1.58(10.2) 6.12(9.11)
3 3.500(88.9) 3.062(77.8) 0.219(5.56) 2.26(14.6) 8.75(13.0)
3 ⁄2 4.000 (102) 3.500(88.9) 0.250(6.35) 2.95(19.0) 11.4(17.0)
4 4.500 (114) 4.000 (102) 0.250(6.35) 3.34(21.5) 12.9(19.2)
5 5.562 (141) 5.062 (129) 0.250(6.35) 4.17(26.9) 16.2(24.1)
6 6.625 (168) 6.125 (156) 0.250(6.35) 5.01(32.3) 19.4(28.9)
8 8.625 (219) 8.001 (203) 0.312(7.92) 8.15(52.6) 31.6(47.0)
10 10.750 (273) 10.020 (255) 0.365(9.27) 11.9(76.8) 46.2(68.7)
12 12.750 (324) 12.000 (305) 0.375(9.52) 14.6(94.2) 56.5(84.1)
Extra Strong
⁄4 0.540(13.7) 0.294(7.47) 0.123(3.12) 0.161(1.04) 0.625(0.930)
⁄8 0.675(17.1) 0.421(10.7) 0.127(3.23) 0.219(1.41) 0.847(1.26)
⁄2 0.840(21.3) 0.542(13.8) 0.149(3.78) 0.323(2.08) 1.25(1.86)
⁄4 1.050(26.7) 0.736(18.7) 0.157(3.99) 0.440(2.84) 1.71(2.54)
1 1.315(33.4) 0.951(24.2) 0.182(4.62) 0.648(4.18) 2.51(3.73)
1 ⁄4 1.660(42.2) 1.272(32.3) 0.194(4.93) 0.893(5.76) 3.46(5.15)
1 ⁄2 1.900(48.3) 1.494(37.9) 0.203(5.16) 1.08(6.97) 4.19(6.23)
2 2.375(60.3) 1.933(49.1) 0.221(5.61) 1.50(9.68) 5.80(8.63)
2 ⁄2 2.875(73.0) 2.315(58.8) 0.280(7.11) 2.28(14.7) 8.85(13.2)
3 3.500(88.9) 2.892(73.6) 0.304(7.72) 3.05(19.7) 11.8(17.6)
3 ⁄2 4.000 (102) 3.358(85.3) 0.321(8.15) 3.71(23.9) 14.4(21.4)
4 4.500 (114) 3.818(97.0) 0.341(8.66) 4.46(28.8) 17.3(25.7)
5 5.562 (141) 4.812 (122) 0.375(9.52) 6.11(39.4) 23.7(35.3)
6 6.625 (168) 5.751 (146) 0.437(11.1) 8.50(54.8) 32.9(49.0)
8 8.625 (219) 7.625 (194) 0.500(12.7) 12.8(82.6) 49.5(73.7)
10 10.750 (273) 9.750 (248) 0.500(12.7) 16.1(104) 62.4(92.9)
A 2
1 in. = 1 270 000 cmil.
B188 − 15 (2023)
TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements
NOTE 1—If the type of silver-bearing copper is not specified (that is, whether tough-pitch, phosphorized, or oxygen-free) any one of the three types
may be supplied at the option of the manufacturer.
Composition, %
Element Copper UNS No.
A B B B C C C
C10100 C10200 C10300 C10400 C10500 C10700 C11000 C11300 C11400 C11600 C12000
D E
Copper (incl silver), min 99.99 99.95 99.95 99.95 99.95 99.95 99.90 99.90 99.90 99.90 99.90
A
Phosphorus . 0.001– . . . . . . . 0.004–
0.005 0.012
Oxygen, max. 0.0005 0.0010 . 0.0010 0.0010 0.0010 . . . . .
A F F F F F F
Silver . . 8 10 25 . 8 10 25 .
A
Impurity maximums in ppm of C10100 shall be: antimony 4, arsenic 5, bismuth 1.0, cadmium 1, iron 10, lead 5, manganese 0.5, nickel 10, phosphorus 3, selenium 3,
silver 25, sulfur 15, tellurium 2, tin 2, and zinc 1.
B
C10400, C01500, and C10700 are oxygen-free coppers with the addition of a specified amount of silver. The compositions of these alloys are equivalent to C10200 plus
the intentional addition of silver.
C
C11300, C11400, C11500, and C11600 are electrolytic tough-pitch copper with silver additions. The compositions of these alloys are equivalent to C11000 plus the
intentional addition of silver.
D
Copper shall be determined by difference between “impurity total” and 100 %.
E
Copper (includes silver) + phosphorus, min.
F
Values are minimum silver in troy ounces per avoirdupois ton (1 oz/ton is equivalent to 0.0034 %).
7. Temper 9. Mechanical Property Requirements
7.1 The standard tempers for products described in this
9.1 Product furnished under this specification shall conform
specification are given in Table 3 as defined in Classification
to the tensile and hardness property requirements prescribed in
B601.
Table 3.
7.1.1 Soft Anneal—O60.
9.1.1 Tension testing for tensile and elongation information
7.1.2 Hard Drawn—H80.
need not be performed except when specified by the purchaser
at the time of placing the order (see 4.2.4).
8. Electrical Resistivity Requirements
9.1.2 The tension test shall be used to resolve cases of
8.1 The product furnished shall conform to the maximum
dispute.
electrical resistivity requirements prescribed in Table 3 when
tested in accordance with Test Method B193.
A
TABLE 3 Mechanical and Electrical Properties
B
Electrical Resistivity max at 20°C (68°F),
Tensile Strength
Ω·g/m
Temper Designation
B
ksi (MPa)
Copper UNS No.
C10200,
Rockwell
C10400,
Elongation Bend Test Hardness (F
C10500,
Classification and Size in 2 in. (51 Angle of Scale) 60-kg
C10700, 1
mm), min, % Bend,° Load ⁄16-in.
Code Name min max C10100 C11000, C10300 C12000
Ball
C11300,
C11400,
and
C11600
O60 Soft All types, all sizes . 37 (255) 25 180 0.15176 0.15328 0.15614 0.17031 50 max
Anneal
H80 Hard Rectangular or square:
Drawn
up to 6-in. (152-mm) major out- 35 (240) . 8 . 0.15585 0.15737 0.15940 0.17418 75 min
side dimension, incl up to ⁄16-
in. (4.8-mm) wall thickness,
incl
over ⁄16 -in. (4.8-mm) wall thick- 33 (230) . 15 . 0.15521 0.15673 0.15940 0.17418 65 min
ness
over 6-in. (152-mm) major out- 32 (220) . 20 . 0.15425 0.15577 0.15940 0.17418 65 min
side dimension
Round (pipe and tube):
up to 4-in. (102-mm) 40 (275) . 3 90 0.15713 0.15865 0.15940 0.17418 80 min
outside diameter, incl
over 4-in. (102-mm) outside diam- 38 (260) . 6 . 0.15585 0.15737 0.15940 0.17418 75 min
eter
A
See 6.1.
B
See Appendix X2.
B188 − 15 (2023)
10. Performance Requirements the product are still within prescribed limits and the product is
suitable for its intended application.
10.1 Bend Test Requirements:
10.1.1 The product shall conform to the bend testing re-
12. Dimensions, Weights, and Permissible Variations
quirements prescribed in Table 3.
12.1 General—For the purpose of determining conformance
10.1.2 Bend testing need not be performed except when
with the dimensional requirements given in this specification,
specified by the purchaser at the time of placing the order (see
any measured value outside the specified limiting values for
4.2.1).
any dimension may be cause for rejection.
10.2 Microscopical Examination:
12.2 Dimensions and Weights—The dimensions and
10.2.1 The test specimens of material designated as Copper
weights for nominal or standard copper pipe of various outside
UNS Nos. C10100, C10200, C10300, C10400, C10500,
diameters shall be as prescribed in Table 1.
C10700, and C12000 shall be free of cuprous oxide as
12.3 Weight Tolerances—The weight of the nominal or
determined by Procedure A of Test Methods B577. In case of
standard pipe shall not vary from the theoretical weight per
a dispute, a referee method in accordance with Procedure C
foot prescribed in Table 1 by more than the following:
shall be used.
Nominal or Standard Pipe Size, in. Weight Tolerance, %
10.2.2 The test need not be performed except when speci-
fied at the time of placing the order (see 4.2.3).
6 and under 5
Over 6 to 8, incl 7
10.3 Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility Test:
Over 8 8
10.3.1 When tested, material designated as Copper UNS
12.4 Thickness Tolerances—The wall thickness of nominal
Nos. C10100, C10200, C10300, C10400, C10500, C10700,
or standard pipe at any point shall not be less than that
and C12000 shall pass the embrittlement test of Procedure B of
prescribed in Table 1 by more than the following:
Test Methods B577. The actual performance of this test is not
A
Nominal or Standard Pipe Size, in. Thickness Tolerance, %
mandatory under the terms of this specification unless specified
in the ordering information (see 4.2.2). In case of dispute, a
6 and under 5
Over 6 to 8, incl. 7
referee method in accordance with Procedure C of Test
Over 8 8
Methods B577 shall be employed.
A
Expressed to the nearest 0.001 in. (0.025 mm).
11. Other Requirements
12.5
...