This British Standard is the first revision in metric terms of one of a series for copper and copper alloy in various wrought forms, the preparation of which was authorized by the Non-ferrous Metals Industry Standards Committee. Others in the series are:
BS 2870. Rolled copper and copper alloys, sheet, strip and foil.
BS 2872. Copper and copper alloys. Forging stock and forgings.
BS 2873. Copper and copper alloys. Wire.
BS 2874. Copper and copper alloys. Rods and sections (other than forging stock).
BS 2875. Copper and copper alloys. Plate.
In preparing this metric revision of BS 2871 it was decided to produce it in three parts, thereby eliminating the large section of particular applications which forms Part 3 of the 1957 edition. Further reduction in size has been effected by the tabulation of mechanical properties and test requirements.
This Part 1 provides for copper tubes primarily for water, and also for gas and sanitation applications, suitable for connection by capillary or compression fittings (metric sizes), or other appropriate methods, and covers requirements similar to those previous1y covered by the following individual standards, which have now been withdrawn.
BS 659. Light gauge copper tubes (light drawn).
BS 1386. Copper tubes to be buried underground.
BS 3931. Hard-drawn thin wall copper tubes.
Since these tubes are intended to be suitable for use with fittings they are standardized on the basis of outside 'diameter. The sizes quoted have been agreed by the appropriate ISO Technical Committee and will be specified in ISO/R 274J 'Copper alloy tubes " which is being revised at present. The tolerances on outside diameter ih ISO/R 274 are greater than those specified in this standard arid adhered to for many years in the appropriate British Standards. Tighter tolerances on outside diameter have therefore been specified in this standard, thereby producing better fitting joints.
In order to ensure there is no difficulty -in assembling tubes and fittings taking full advantage of the greater ISO tolerances, the maximum permitted outside diameter. is the same, consequently the minimum outside diameter is slightly larger in this standard.
The opportunity has been taken to relate the pressure suitability of the tubes to their actual strength and not to the relatively low available domestic water pressures previously quoted. To avoid confusion with the tables of sizes previously given in individual standards, completely different letters (i.e. W, X, Y and Z) have been quoted herein.
Throughout this standard and the others in the series a unified system of symbols has been used to designate the alloy and suffix letters have been used to indicate the temper or condition of heat treatment in which the materials are available.
