ASTM B251/B251M-17

Standard Specification for General Requirements for Wrought Seamless Copper and Copper-Alloy Tube

ABSTRACT
This specification covers a group of general requirements for wrought seamless copper and copper alloy tube. The material shall be produced by either hot or cold working operations, or both, and shall be finished, unless otherwise specified, by such cold working and annealing or heat treatment as necessary to meet the properties specified. Dimensional requirements such as wall thickness are specified. The sampling requirements including lot size, portion size, and selection of sample pieces are given. Requirements for chemical analysis, and tension, microscopical examination, Rockwell hardness, grain size, expansion (pin), mercurous nitrate, and electrical resistivity tests are detailed. The material shall conform to the prescribed chemical composition, hardness, electrical resistivity, tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and grain size.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a group of general requirements common to several wrought product specifications. Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order, or in an individual specification, these general requirements shall apply to copper and copper-alloy tube supplied under Specifications B68/B68M, B75/B75M, B135/B135M, B466/B466M, B643 and B743.  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.3 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-2017
• ICS: 77.150.30 - Copper products
• Technical Committee: B05 - Copper and Copper Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B05.04 - Pipe and Tube

Relations

• Refers: ASTM B193-16 - Standard Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2016
• Refers: ASTM B466/B466M-18 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper-Nickel Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM E18-18 - Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM B68/B68M-19 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube, Bright Annealed
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM B846-19 - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM B846-19a - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM B170-99(2015) - Standard Specification for Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper—Refinery Shapes
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM B75/B75M-19 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-15 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2015
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-16 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2016
• Refers: ASTM B643-12(2016) - Standard Specification for Copper-Beryllium Alloy Seamless Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2016
• Refers: ASTM E18-17 - Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2017
• Refers: ASTM B135/B135M-17 - Standard Specification for Seamless Brass Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Refers: ASTM B428-09(2018) - Standard Test Method for Angle of Twist in Rectangular and Square Copper and Copper Alloy Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM B643-18 - Standard Specification for Copper-Beryllium Alloy Seamless Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM B937-18 - Standard Specification for Copper-Beryllium Seamless Tube (UNS Nos. C17500 and C17510)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B1018-21 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper-Iron Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Field Service
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B1017-21 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper-Iron Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B950-22 - Standard Guide for Editorial Procedures and Form of Product Specifications for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B75/B75M-20 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Referred By: ASTM F1387-23 - Standard Specification for Performance of Piping and Tubing Mechanically Attached Fittings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B360-20 - Standard Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Capillary Tube for Restrictor Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017

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:B251/B251M −17
Standard Specification for
General Requirements for Wrought Seamless Copper and
1
Copper-Alloy Tube
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B251/B251M; 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.
1. Scope* B154 Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper
Alloys
1.1 This specification covers a group of general require-
B170 Specification for Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper—
ments common to several wrought product specifications.
Refinery Shapes
Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order, or in an
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
individual specification, these general requirements shall apply
Materials
to copper and copper-alloy tube supplied under Specifications
B428 Test Method for Angle of Twist in Rectangular and
B68/B68M, B75/B75M, B135/B135M, B466/B466M, B643
Square Copper and Copper Alloy Tube
and B743.
B466/B466M Specification for Seamless Copper-Nickel
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Pipe and Tube
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
B643 Specification for Copper-Beryllium Alloy Seamless
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
Tube
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
B743 Specification for Seamless Copper Tube in Coils
used independently of the other, and values from the two
B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
systems shall not be combined.
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor- E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
terials
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
terials
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Determine Conformance with Specifications
E53 Test Method for Determination of Copper in Unalloyed
2. Referenced Documents
Copper by Gravimetry
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on date E62 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper and
3
CopperAlloys (Photometric Methods) (Withdrawn 2010)
of material purchase form a part of this specification to the
extent referenced herein: E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
E255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for
2
2.2 ASTM Standards:
the Determination of Chemical Composition
B68/B68M Specification for Seamless Copper Tube, Bright
E478 Test Methods for ChemicalAnalysis of CopperAlloys
Annealed
B75/B75M Specification for Seamless Copper Tube
3. Terminology
B135/B135M Specification for Seamless Brass Tube
3.1 For definitions of terms related to copper and copper
B153 Test Method for Expansion (Pin Test) of Copper and
alloys, refer to Terminology B846.
Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tubing
4. Materials and Manufacture
1
ThisspecificationisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeB05onCopper
4.1 The material shall be of such quality and purity that the
and CopperAlloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.04 on Pipe
finished product shall have the properties and characteristics
and Tube.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2017. Published November 2017. Originally
prescribed in the applicable product specification listed in
approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as B251 – 10. DOI:
Section 1.
10.1520/B0251_B0251M-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B251/B251M−17
4.2 The material shall be produced by either hot or cold 5.4 Roundness (Applicable to Specifications B75/B75M,
working operations, or both. It shall be finished, unless B135/B135M, and B466/B466M)—For drawn unannealed tube
otherwise specified, by such cold working and annealing or
instraig
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B251 − 10 B251/B251M − 17
Standard Specification for
General Requirements for Wrought Seamless Copper and
1
Copper-Alloy Tube
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B251;B251/B251M; 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*
1.1 This specification covers a group of general requirements common to several wrought product specifications. Unless
otherwise specified in the purchase order, or in an individual specification, these general requirements shall apply to copper and
copper-alloy tube supplied under Specifications B68B68/B68M, B75B75/B75M, B135B135/B135M, B466/B466M, B643 and
B743.
NOTE 1—This specification B251 is the inch-pound companion to B251M; therefore, no SI equivalents are presented in the specification.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on date of material purchase form a part of this specification to the extent
referenced herein:
2
2.2 ASTM Standards:
B68B68/B68M Specification for Seamless Copper Tube, Bright Annealed
B75B75/B75M Specification for Seamless Copper Tube
B135B135/B135M Specification for Seamless Brass Tube [Metric] B0135_B0135M
B153 Test Method for Expansion (Pin Test) of Copper and Copper-Alloy Pipe and Tubing
B154 Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
B170 Specification for Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper—Refinery Shapes
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials
B428 Test Method for Angle of Twist in Rectangular and Square Copper and Copper Alloy Tube
B466/B466M Specification for Seamless Copper-Nickel Pipe and Tube
B643 Specification for Copper-Beryllium Alloy Seamless Tube
B743 Specification for Seamless Copper Tube in Coils
B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E8E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E53 Test Method for Determination of Copper in Unalloyed Copper by Gravimetry
1
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 and
Tube.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010Oct. 1, 2017. Published November 2010November 2017. Originally approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 20022010
as B251 – 02.B251 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/B0251-10.10.1520/B0251_B0251M-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B251/B251M − 17
3
E62 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper and Copper Alloys (Photometric Methods) (Withdrawn 2010)
E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
E255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for the Determination of Chemical Composition
E478 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 average diameter (for round tubes only)—the average of the maximum and minimum outside diameters, or maximum and
minimum inside diameters, whichever is applicable, as determined at any one cross section of the tube
...