Copper Pipe

[OtaCustes]

I am not sure whether this is true or not but have heard rumours that copper pipe comes in two varieties - cheap stuff which flattens out when you bend it and good quality pipe.

Could someone conform whether this is indeed the case or not and what to steer clear of, please?

Surely if it has a BS mark it should be reputable, shouldn't it?

Thanks

 

[Burnerman]

The problem with copper - of any section - is that it work hardens when it is worked. So, if you are bending it, produce the bend in one movement if you can....several workings may cause it to fracture.
To soften it again, it needs to be annealed. This involves heating it up to red heat (which can be awkward as its red anyway) and then quenching in cold water. Its important to wash out any oxides (if its pipe here) before installation.
Personally I've found all the stuff in the usual sheds perfectly ok.
John

 

[Charnwood]

Table X copper, called half hard, is what most people would call 'normal' copper. It can be bent, using either a bending machine, or a bending spring, without any bother.

System tube, sometimes called Lite or Litex, is thinner, classed as hard, and should not be bent. This is generally used with cripmed fittings; XPress, Mapress etc.