Engineering ToolBox - Resources, Tools and Basic Information for Engineering and Design of Technical Applications!

ASTM B88 - Seamless Copper Water Tubes - Dimensions

Water and gas copper tubes according ASTM B88 - type K, L and M - imperial units.

Dimensions of copper tubes according ASTM B88 Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Water Tube can be found in the tables below.

copper tubes

ASTM B88 - Seamless Copper Water Tubes - Dimensions - Type K
Nominal Size
(inches)		Actual Outside Diameter
(inches)
Tolerance on Outside Diameter
(inches)
Wall Thickness
(inches)
Weight
(lb/ft)
Annealed1)Drawn2)NominalTolerance
1/4 3/8 0.375 0.002 0.001 0.035 0.0035 0.133
3/8 1/2 0.500 0.0025 0.001 0.049 0.005 0.269
1/2 5/8 0.625 0.0025 0.001 0.049 0.005 0.344
5/8 3/4 0.750 0.0025 0.001 0.049 0.005 0.418
3/4 7/8 0.875 0.003 0.001 0.065 0.006 0.641
1 1 1/8 1.125 0.0035 0.0015 0.065 0.006 0.837
1 1/4 1 3/8 1.375 0.004 0.0015 0.065 0.006 1.04
1 1/2 1 5/8 1.625 0.0045 0.002 0.072 0.007 1.36
2 2 1/8 2.125 0.005 0.002 0.083 0.008 2.06
2 1/2 2 5/8 2.625 0.005 0.002 0.095 0.010 2.92
3 3 1/8 3.125 0.005 0.002 0.109 0.011 4.00
3 1/2 3 5/8 3.625 0.005 0.002 0.120 0.012 5.12
4 4 1/8 4.125 0.005 0.002 0.134 0.013 6.51
5 5 1/8 5.125 0.005 0.002 0.160 0.016 9.67
6 6 1/8 6.125 0.005 0.002 0.192 0.019 13.87

Copper tubes of type K are thick walled, much thicker than type L and M and are used for domestic water-, service and distribution-, fire protection-, solar-, fuel and oil-, HVAC-, compressed air-, oxygen-, LPG gas-, snow melting-, steam- and vacuum-systems.

For all sizes - outside diameter is 1/8 inch larger than the standard size designation.

Be careful with copper tubes and natural gas. Due to odor additives, moisture content and type of solders used the tubes may crack. Copper tubes is not allowed by code in the US for natural gas distribution.

Copper tubes of type K can be used sweat, flared and compression fittings. Available in hard and soft types.

ASTM B88 - Seamless Copper Water Tubes - Dimensions - Type L
Nominal Size
(inches)		Actual Outside Diameter
(inches)
Tolerance on Outside Diameter
(inches)
Wall Thickness
(inches)
Weight
(lb/ft)
Annealed1)Drawn2)NominalTolerance
1/4 3/8 0.375 0.002 0.001 0.030 0.003 0.126
3/8 1/2 0.500 0.0025 0.001 0.035 0.004 0.198
1/2 5/8 0.625 0.0025 0.001 0.040 0.004 0.285
5/8 3/4 0.750 0.0025 0.001 0.042 0.004 0.362
3/4 7/8 0.875 0.003 0.001 0.045 0.004 0.455
1 1 1/8 1.125 0.0035 0.0015 0.050 0.005 0.655
1 1/4 1 3/8 1.375 0.004 0.0015 0.055 0.006 0.884
1 1/2 1 5/8 1.625 0.0045 0.002 0.060 0.006 1.14
2 2 1/8 2.125 0.005 0.002 0.070 0.007 1.75
2 1/2 2 5/8 2.625 0.005 0.002 0.080 0.008 2.48
3 3 1/8 3.125 0.005 0.002 0.090 0.009 3.33
3 1/2 3 5/8 3.625 0.005 0.002 0.100 0.010 4.29
4 4 1/8 4.125 0.005 0.002 0.114 0.011 5.38
5 5 1/8 5.125 0.005 0.002 0.125 0.012 7.61
6 6 1/8 6.125 0.005 0.002 0.140 0.014 10.20

Standard copper tubes of type L are used for interior above ground plumbing - domestic water-, service and distribution-, fire protection-, solar-, fuel and oil-, HVAC-, compressed air-, LPG gas-, snow melting- and vacuum-systems.

Copper tubes of type L can be used with sweat, compression and flare fittings. Available in hard and soft types.

ASTM B88 - Seamless Copper Water Tubes - Dimensions - Type M
Nominal Size
(inches)		Actual Outside Diameter
(inches)
Tolerance on Outside Diameter
(inches)
Wall Thickness
(inches)
Weight
(lb/ft)
Annealed1)Drawn2)NominalTolerance
1/4 3/8 0.375 0.002 0.001 0.106
3/8 1/2 0.500 0.0025 0.001 0.025 0.002 0.144
1/2 5/8 0.625 0.0025 0.001 0.028 0.003 0.203
5/8 3/4 0.750 0.0025 0.001 0.263
3/4 7/8 0.875 0.003 0.001 0.032 0.003 0.328
1 1 1/8 1.125 0.0035 0.0015 0.035 0.004 0.464
1 1/4 1 3/8 1.375 0.004 0.0015 0.042 0.004 0.681
1 1/2 1 5/8 1.625 0.0045 0.002 0.049 0.005 0.94
2 2 1/8 2.125 0.005 0.002 0.058 0.006 1.46
2 1/2 2 5/8 2.625 0.005 0.002 0.065 0.006 2.03
3 3 1/8 3.125 0.005 0.002 0.072 0.007 2.68
3 1/2 3 5/8 3.625 0.005 0.002 0.083 0.008 3.58
4 4 1/8 4.125 0.005 0.002 0.095 0.010 4.66
5 5 1/8 5.125 0.005 0.002 0.109 0.011 6.66
6 6 1/8 6.125 0.005 0.002 0.122 0.012 8.91

Copper tubes of type M are used for interior domestic water-, service and distribution-, fire protection-, solar-, fuel and oil-, HVAC-,  snow melting- and vacuum-systems. Wall thickness less than type K and L.

Copper tubes type M are normally used with flare fittings. Available in soft and hard types.

  • 1 in (inch) = 25.4 mm

1) Annealed tube is suitable for use with flared or compression fittings, and with solder-type fittings, provided rounding and sizing of the tube ends is performed where needed.

2) Drawn temper tube is suitable for use with solder-type fittings. Types A and B tube, in the drawn temper, are suitable for use with certain types and sizes of compression fittings. The standard length for drawn tubes are 20 ft (6.096 m).

The B88 specification covers seamless copper water tube suitable for general plumbing, similar applications for the conveyance of fluids, and commonly used with solder, flared, or compression-type fittings. The type of copper water tube suitable for any particular application is determined by the internal or external fluid pressure, by the installation and service conditions, and by local requirements. Means of joining or bending are also factors that affect the selection of the type of tube to be used.

This specification is the imperial companion of Specification B 88M.

Related Topics

Related Documents

Search

Search is the most efficient way to navigate the Engineering ToolBox.

Engineering ToolBox - SketchUp Extension - Online 3D modeling!

3D Engineering ToolBox Extension to SketchUp - add parametric components to your SketchUp model

Add standard and customized parametric components - like flange beams, lumbers, piping, stairs and more - to your Sketchup model with the Engineering ToolBox - SketchUp Extension - enabled for use with older versions of the amazing SketchUp Make and the newer "up to date" SketchUp Pro . Add the Engineering ToolBox extension to your SketchUp Make/Pro from the Extension Warehouse !

Translate this Page

Translate this page to Your Own Language .

About the Engineering ToolBox!

Privacy Policy

We don't collect information from our users. More about

We use a third-party to provide monetization technologies for our site. You can review their privacy and cookie policy here.

You can change your privacy settings by clicking the following button: .

Citation

This page can be cited as

  • The Engineering ToolBox (2004). ASTM B88 - Seamless Copper Water Tubes - Dimensions. [online] Available at: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/astm-copper-tubes-d_779.html [Accessed Day Month Year].

Modify the access date according your visit.

3D Engineering ToolBox - draw and model technical applications! 2D Engineering ToolBox - create and share online diagram drawing templates! Engineering ToolBox Apps - mobile online and offline engineering applications!

Unit Converter

















































4.10.13

.