ASTM B280-23 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Field Service — specification that establishes material, manufacture, temper, dimensional, and cleanliness/test requirements for seamless copper tube used for field connection, repair, and alteration of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

Abstract

This ASTM specification (B280-23) covers seamless copper tubing produced from UNS C10200, C12000, or C12200 intended for use in field service for air conditioning and refrigeration systems. It defines acceptable alloys, manufacturing and tempering practices (cold draw, anneal options for coils), end‑closure/packaging, and the required mechanical and cleanliness/eddy‑current tests and acceptance criteria for field service tubing.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: October 1, 2023.
• Publisher: ASTM International (Committee B05 on Copper and Copper Alloys).
• ICS / categories: 23.040.15 (Non‑ferrous metal pipes).
• Edition / version: ASTM B280‑23 (current edition designation: “‑23”).
• Number of pages: 9 pages (commercial publications list 9 pages for the B280‑23 edition).

Scope

Specifies requirements for seamless copper tube (UNS C10200, C12000, or C12200) used for connection, repairs, or alterations of field air conditioning and refrigeration units. Includes requirements for raw material condition and composition, manufacturing (seamless, cold‑drawn to finished size and wall thickness), tempering/annealing procedures for coiled and straight lengths, closure/packaging of ends, dimensional tolerances, mechanical property limits, and cleanliness/eddy‑current and other acceptance tests needed for field service tubing.

Key topics and requirements

• Permitted copper alloys: UNS C10200, C12000, C12200 (options for oxygen‑free and phosphorus‑deoxidized variants).
• Manufacture: seamless construction; cold drawing to final size and wall thickness; specified anneal practices for coiled (bright anneal and dehydration) and straight (cleaned) lengths.
• Temper designations and bending/fabrication guidance for field use (soft/annealed vs. hard/drawn conditions).
• Dimensional tolerances (outside diameter, wall thickness) and length/coiling specifications suitable for field service.
• Mechanical property and microstructure checks (tensile/elongation, grain size where specified).
• Cleanliness and defect inspection requirements including eddy‑current (electrical) and visual/acceptance criteria for internal cleanliness and defects.
• Marking, end closure (capped/plugged/crimped), packaging and dehydration requirements for coils to prevent contamination.
• Acceptance and rejection criteria for lots based on the specified tests.

Typical use and users

Used by HVAC and refrigeration contractors, field service technicians, equipment manufacturers, wholesalers/distributors of HVAC tubing, quality and inspection engineers, and standards/specification writers who need tubing for on‑site repair and connection of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Manufacturers and suppliers specify B280 tubing for ACR (air conditioning/refrigeration) applications.

Related standards

Related documents and references commonly used with B280 include ASME/ANSI standards for fittings and joints (for example ASME B16.22 for brazed fittings), and ASTM documents referenced for joining and fluxes such as ASTM B828 (practice for capillary joints by soldering) and ASTM B813 (liquid and paste fluxes for soldering). B280‑23 replaces earlier editions of B280 (the 2020 edition / B280‑20).

Keywords

seamless copper tube; ACR tube; refrigeration tube; air conditioning tube; UNS C10200; UNS C12000; UNS C12200; field service tubing; cold‑drawn copper; eddy‑current test.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM B280‑23 is the ASTM International standard specification that defines material, manufacturing, dimensional, temper, testing, and acceptance requirements for seamless copper tubing intended for field connection, repair, or alteration of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers seamless copper tube made from specified UNS copper alloys (C10200, C12000, C12200), including requirements for production (cold drawing, annealing as applicable), cleanliness/eddy‑current testing, mechanical properties, marking, and packaging appropriate for field service use.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: HVAC/refrigeration contractors and field service technicians, tubing manufacturers and distributors, equipment OEMs, and inspection/quality personnel working in refrigeration and air conditioning applications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The B280‑23 edition (effective October 1, 2023) is the current published edition and supersedes the prior B280‑20 edition. Check ASTM’s catalog for any later revisions after 2023.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: B280 is maintained by ASTM Committee B05 (Copper and Copper Alloys) and is often used alongside other ASTM or ASME standards addressing copper tube fittings, soldering/brazing practices, and fluxes; it is one of several ASTM documents that cover copper tubing and joining practices.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Seamless copper tube, ACR tube, refrigeration tube, UNS C10200, C12000, C12200, field service, cold‑drawn, eddy‑current, annealed, HVAC.