Copper Pipe Temper

Temper describes the strength and hardness of the copper tube. Drawn temper copper tube is often referred to as "hard" tube and annealed as "soft" tube.

Hard temper copper tube

Copper tube in the hard temper condition is usually joined by soldering or brazing, using capillary fittings or by welding.

Soft temper copper tube

Copper tube in the soft temper can be joined by the same techniques and is also commonly joined by the use of flare-type and compression fittings. It is also possible to expand the end of one tube so that it can be joined to another by soldering or brazing without a capillary fitting -- a procedure that can be efficient and economical in many installations.

Tube in both the ard and soft tempers can also be joined by a variety of "mechanical" joints that can be assembled without the use of the heat source required for soldering and brazing.

Copper tube tempers by standard