Copper is a versatile material that can be used in many different configurations and for this reason it is a proven solution for a wide range of applications: from refrigeration and air conditioning to heating, as well as for the distribution of water, gas and other fluids.
The reasons behind this widespread use lie in the properties of the material itself. Copper combines high thermal conductivity with good corrosion resistance, it keeps its mechanical properties over a wide temperature range and it is impermeable to gases and light. It also suits the main jointing techniques used on site, from brazing to mechanical fittings, and it can be fully recycled at the end of the service life of the system. These are the features that explain why, decades after its introduction in residential and industrial installations, copper is still specified across very different sectors.
To meet the different project and application needs, Tecra Srl offers a wide range of copper tubes, available in different conditions, formats and configurations: hard-drawn or annealed, in coils or in rods, bare, coated or pre-insulated, designed for different applications such as HVAC, refrigeration, heating, plumbing systems and industrial applications.
Each category includes specific solutions for different fields of use and system types.
Air conditioning and refrigeration
For air conditioning and refrigeration systems, we offer ACR Cu-DHP CW024A copper tubes, annealed in coils (more malleable) or hard-drawn in rods, manufactured in accordance with EN 12735-1, which is the reference standard in this field.
EN 12735-1 sets out dimensions, tolerances and characteristics of tubes intended for refrigeration and air conditioning circuits, including supply conditions and internal cleanliness. It is a separate reference from EN 1057, which covers instead tubes used for water and gas in building services: two standards answering different application needs, and it is important not to mix them up at the specification stage.
Among the different possible applications, Tecra tubes are used for:
- Split-system air conditioning;
- VRV, VRF and Multisplit systems;
- Chillers;
- Food refrigeration equipment;
- Refrigerated counters;
- Cooling coils;
- Drinking water dispensers;
- Ice-cream and coffee machines.
A particularly important aspect in these applications is the cleanliness of the internal surface of the tube: the ACR range has a clean, bright and dry internal surface, with the ends sealed by caps, and is therefore ideally suited to this use.
The reason lies in the way the circuit works. In refrigeration systems the refrigerant flows together with the compressor oil, and any residue left inside the tube, from moisture to dust and processing oils, is likely to end up in circulation. The consequences range from clogging of the filter drier and of the expansion devices to compressor damage, with downtime and maintenance work whose cost goes well beyond the price of the tube itself. The caps at both ends are there to preserve this condition from the warehouse to the site, which is why it is good practice to remove them only when installation begins.
Heating
On the other hand, for heating systems, we offer seamless copper tubes, pre-insulated with a closed-cell polyethylene foam sheath.
Seamless, annealed Cu-DHP copper tubes comply with the dimensional and mechanical requirements of EN 1057.
Pre-insulated tube is particularly suitable for water pipelines and for concealed heating systems. It is a solution that therefore combines the characteristics of copper tube with the convenience of a pipe that already comes insulated.
The polyethylene foam sheath actually performs a double function. It limits heat losses along the run of the pipe and, at the same time, it protects the copper from direct contact with the screed and with cement-based materials, allowing the tube to follow its thermal expansion without stressing the surrounding structures. The closed-cell structure also helps to limit surface condensation. From a practical point of view, using an already coated tube shortens installation times, since it removes the on-site insulation stage and the risk of leaving sections uncovered.
Plumbing and drinking water
For this field we offer annealed copper tubes in coils and hard-drawn copper tubes in rods.
These products are made of Cu-DHP copper and are intended for systems distributing water, air, gas and fluids in general, with characteristics and dimensions complying with EN 1057.
For plumbing applications and drinking water distribution, annealed copper tube coated with a white stellar PVC sheath is also available, a solution designed to protect the pipe and widely used in residential and industrial construction.
The range also includes tubes coated with smooth PVC, yellow PVC and yellow stellar PE, intended for different applications, including industrial systems, plumbing and household gas distribution.
Coatings, it should be said, do not serve a protective purpose alone. The stellar sheath, with its grooved internal surface, creates an air gap between tube and coating that leaves the copper the room it needs to expand and makes it easier to pull the tube out if work is required later on. Colour, in turn, works as an immediate identification code on site and helps to tell water lines from gas lines, reducing the margin for error during installation and maintenance.
Annealed or hard-drawn: how to choose
Once the application has been defined, the next step is to distinguish between annealed and hard-drawn tube.
Annealed tube, thanks to the heat treatment, is more malleable and can be bent more easily. It is therefore particularly suitable where the installation calls for flexibility and the ability to follow intricate routes.
Hard-drawn tube, on the other hand, usually supplied in rods, is more rigid.
The choice between the two conditions also has practical consequences on the supply format and on the work carried out on site. Annealed tube in coils makes it possible to cover long runs with fewer joints, an advantage both in installation time and in system reliability, since every joint remains a point to keep under control. Hard-drawn tube in rods suits exposed installations instead, where alignment and geometry are an aesthetic as well as a functional requirement, and main distribution lines. It is worth remembering that bending annealed tube still calls for proper tooling, in order to avoid ovalisation and narrowing of the section, which would affect the flow rate of the circuit.
How to choose the most suitable copper tube
Beyond the distinction between annealed and hard-drawn, product selection usually comes down to a few recurring criteria:
- The application and the fluid carried, which determine the reference standard and the supply condition;
- The outside diameter and the wall thickness, related to flow rate and working pressure;
- The format, coil or rod, depending on the length of the runs and on the room available on site;
- The presence and the type of coating, according to the installation environment and to the need for thermal insulation or mechanical protection;
- The availability of compatible fittings and accessories, so that the system can be completed without turning to different suppliers.
The way the material is handled also affects the final result. Coils and rods should be stored in a dry place, away from dust, with the caps in position until the moment of use, while cutting should be carried out with a pipe cutter and followed by careful deburring, so that chips and burrs do not end up inside the circuit.
The advantage of Tecra lies in being able to draw on a complete range through a single point of contact, able to answer different application needs. It is a diversified offer for anyone looking not only for a tube, but for the most suitable solution for their application, simplifying the choice of the product and meeting the needs of designers, installers and industry operators.
Our portfolio includes:
- Annealed and hard-drawn copper tubes;
- Tubes in coils and in rods;
- Bare copper tubes;
- PVC-coated copper tubes;
- PE-coated copper tubes;
- Pre-insulated tubes for heating;
- Specific tubes for air conditioning and refrigeration.
An extensive range, backed by the possibility of supplying copper and brass fittings and joints to complete the system.
Discover our complete range and contact our team to identify the configuration best suited to your project.