ASTM B466 Standard Specification
ASTM B466 / B466M specifies requirements for seamless copper-nickel pipe and tube used in marine engineering, heat exchangers, condensers, desalination plants, offshore platforms, and general engineering applications
Copper-Nickel Alloys Grades(UNS)
The standard covers the following UNS designations:
- C70400
- C70600 (90/10 Cu-Ni)
- C71000
- C71500 (70/30 Cu-Ni)
- C72200
These alloys provide excellent corrosion resistance, biofouling resistance, and seawater durability
Manufacturing Requirements
- Product must be seamless
- Manufactured by hot extrusion or piercing, followed by cold working and annealing
- Finished tube shall have a uniform wrought structure suitable for pressure and heat transfer service
Chemical Composition
- Chemical composition must comply with Table 1 of the specification
- Copper is specified as remainder
- Nickel content varies by alloy (approx. 5–33%)
- Strict limits on lead, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and manganese
- Special chemistry limits apply for welding applications
| TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements | |||||||||
| Copper Alloy UNS Nos. | Copper | Nickel incl Cobalt | Lead, max | Iron | Zinc, max | Manganese | Sulfur, max | Phosphorus, max | Chromium / Other |
| C70400 | remainder | 4.8–6.2 | 0.05 | 1.3–1.7 | 1.0 | 0.30–0.8 | 0.02 | 0.02 | — |
| C70600 | remainder | 9.0–11.0 | 0.05A | 1.0–1.8 | 1.0A | 1.0 max | 0.02 | 0.02 | A |
| C71000 | remainder | 19.0–23.0 | 0.05A | 0.5–1.0 | 1.0A | 1.0 max | 0.02 | 0.02 | A |
| C71500 | remainder | 29.0–33.0 | 0.05A | 0.40–1.0 | 1.0A | 1.0 max | 0.02 | 0.02 | A |
| C72200 | remainder | 15.0–18.0 | 0.05A | 0.50–1.0 | 1.0A | 1.0 max | 0.02 | 0.02 | Cr 0.30–0.7 / A |
Temper Designations
ASTM B466 tubes are supplied in the following tempers:
- O60 – Annealed
- H55 – Light Drawn
- H80 – Hard Drawn
- HE80 – Hard Drawn & End Annealed
Each temper is selected based on required strength, formability, and stiffness
Mechanical Properties
Mechanical requirements depend on alloy and temper and include:
- Tensile strength
- Yield strength (0.5% extension under load)
- Rockwell hardness
Values are defined in Table 2 and tested according to ASTM E8 / E8M and E18
| TABLE 2 Mechanical Requirements | |||||
| Standard Temper | Former Temper | Copper Alloy UNS Nos. | Tensile Strength min ksi (MPa) | Yield Strength min ksi (MPa) | Rockwell Hardness 30T |
| O60 | Soft anneal | C70400 | 37 (255) | 12 (85) | 45 max |
| C70600 | 38 (260) | 13 (90) | 45 max | ||
| C71000 | 45 (310) | 16 (110) | 48 max | ||
| C71500 | 52 (345) | 18 (125) | 51 max | ||
| C72200 | 40 (275) | 14 (95) | 45 max | ||
| H55 | Light drawn | C70400 | 40 (275) | 30 (205) | 41–65 |
| C70600 | 45 (310) | 35 (240) | 45–70 | ||
| C72200 | 48 (330) | 42 (290) | 55–70 | ||
| H80 | Hard drawn | C70400 | 45 (310) | 35 (240) | 60 min |
| C70600 | 50 (345) | 40 (275) | 63 min | ||
| C71000 | 55 (380) | 43 (295) | 67 min | ||
| C71500 | 70 (485) | 45 (310) | 70 min | ||
| C72200 | 55 (380) | 44 (305) | 67 min | ||
Performance Testing
- Expansion Test (O60 & HE80):
Tube must withstand 30% OD expansion without cracks - Flattening Test: Alternative for large-diameter tubes
- No visible cracking permitted under unaided eye inspection
Nondestructive Testing (NDT)
One of the following is required:
- Eddy Current Test (ASTM E243) – standard method
- Hydrostatic Test – optional alternative
- Pneumatic Test – for small-diameter tubes when specified
Hydrostatic test stress level: 7000 psi (48 MPa)
Dimensional Tolerances
- Wall thickness tolerances: Table 3
- Outside / inside diameter tolerances: Table 4
- Straightness, roundness, and cut squareness per ASTM B251 / B251M
| TABLE 3 Wall Thickness Tolerances | |||||||
| Wall Thickness in [mm] | 1/32–1/8 | Over 1/8–5/8 | Over 5/8–1 | Over 1–2 | Over 2–4 | Over 4–7 | Over 7–10 |
| Up to 0.017 [0.40] | 0.0025 | 0.0015 | 0.002 | 0.0025 | — | — | — |
| 0.017–0.024 | 0.004 | 0.0025 | 0.0025 | 0.003 | — | — | — |
| 0.024–0.034 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.003 | 0.004 | 0.005 | — | — |
| 0.034–0.057 | 0.004 | 0.004 | 0.0045 | 0.0045 | 0.0065 | 0.009 | — |
| 0.057–0.082 | — | 0.0045 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.0075 | 0.010 | 0.013 |
| TABLE 4 Average Diameter Tolerances | ||
| Specified Diameter in [mm] | Tolerance Applies to | Tolerance ± in [mm] |
| Up to 1/8 [3.2] | inside diameter | 0.003 [0.076] |
| Up to 1/8 [3.2] | outside diameter | 0.0025 [0.064] |
| Over 1/8–5/8 | inside or outside | 0.0025 [0.064] |
| Over 5/8–1 | inside or outside | 0.003 [0.076] |
| Over 1–2 | inside or outside | 0.004 [0.10] |
| Over 2–3 | inside or outside | 0.005 [0.13] |
| Over 3–4 | inside or outside | 0.006 [0.15] |
| Over 4–5 | inside or outside | 0.008 [0.20] |
| Over 5–6 | inside or outside | 0.009 [0.23] |
| Over 6–8 | inside or outside | 0.010 [0.25] |
| Over 8–10 | inside or outside | 0.013 [0.33] |
Inspection & Certification
- Chemical analysis per ASTM methods
- Mechanical and NDT testing as specified
- Mill Test Certificate (MTC) available when required
- Products subject to rejection if non-conforming
ASTM B466 vs ASTM B467
| Item | ASTM B466 | ASTM B467 |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe Type | Seamless | Welded |
| Typical Diameter | Small–medium | Large |
| Application | Pressure & marine | Marine & structural |
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ASTM B466 Products
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