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Copper Tube Bending

For standard or bespoke tooling, Pipecraft provides expert copper tube bending services, from single components to high-volume production runs. For more information on our capabilities, please visit our tube bending page.

Why choose copper?

Copper tubing is a durable, corrosion resistant material with outstanding thermal and electrical performance. It is one of the most ductile commercial metals, making it ideal for bending and forming.

It’s valued for:

  • Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity
  • High ductility and formability for bending and forming
  • Excellent corrosion resistance
  • Easily joined by brazing and soldering
  • Naturally antimicrobial surface
  • Suitable for a wide range of operating temperatures
  • Highly sustainable, as it can be endlessly recycled

Typical applications for copper tube bending include:

  • Heating, plumbing and HVAC
  • Heat exchangers and refrigeration
  • Electrical and earthing
  • Food, beverage and brewing
  • Architectural and decorative
  • Marine

Copper tubing grades

Copper tube for heating, plumbing and refrigeration is commonly supplied as Cu-DHP (CW024A, formerly C106), which offers good formability and is readily brazed. For electrical applications, Cu-ETP (CW004A, formerly C101) is widely used for its high conductivity.

Tube supplied to BS EN 1057 is available in different tempers, designated R220 (annealed, soft), R250 (half-hard) and R290 (hard). Softer tempers are the easiest to bend, while harder tempers hold their shape better but may need annealing before tight bending. Copper work-hardens as it is formed, so complex multi-bend forms may need annealing between operations.

Copper is a thin-walled, soft material, so correct tooling and, where required, mandrel support are important to avoid kinking, flattening and ovality, especially on tight radii.

Finishing options include polishing, lacquering to maintain a bright finish, and natural or applied patinas for architectural and decorative work. As a general comparison, copper tube is heavier than steel tube of the same outside diameter and wall thickness.

To discuss your copper bending requirements, please contact us.