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• Copper Tubing


  The tubing that carries the refrigerant to various components, considered a vital part of the refrigeration system
• Copper tubing


  • Most common material in the refrigeration piping circuit
  • Used to connect the major parts of the refrigeration system (evaporator coil, compressor, condenser coil, expansion valve)
  • Available from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch diameter
  • Ends are capped or plugged to keep inside clean and dry
  • Available in soft and hard types
• Types of copper tubing

  • Type K
  • Type L
  • Type M
• Type K copper tubing


  Used for heavy duty purpose because of its thick wall
• Type L copper tubing

  Used for interior plumbing and heating, common type used in HVAC system
• Type M copper tubing


  Used for light duty work
• Soft copper tubing


  • Used in domestic and some commercial refrigeration and air conditioning work
  • Easy to bend and flare
  • Must be supported by brackets or clamps
  • Often used with flared and soft soldering fittings
  • Sold in rolls of 1, 35, and 50 ft long
• Hard drawn copper tubing

  • Used in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning applications
  • Hard and stiff, needs few clamps to support
  • Should not be bent, use straight lengths and fittings
  • Joints should be silver brazed to eliminate leaks
• Steel tubing


  • Thin wall tubing used in refrigeration and air conditioning work
  • Size is practically the same as copper tubing
  • Connections can be made using flare joints or silver brazed joints
• Stainless steel tubing


  • Strong and very resistant to corrosion
  • Easily connected to fittings by either flaring or brazing
  • Often required in food processing, ice, oven, milk handling systems
• Plastic tubing (polyethylene)


  • Common substance used for plastic tubing
  • Safe temperature range is 100°C to 175°C
  • Not used in refrigerating mechanisms, but in cold water lines for water cooled condensers
• Flexible tubing (hose)


  • Commonly used in suction lines in many refrigeration systems and commercial air conditioning
  • Serves to prevent vibration in the mechanism
  • Required for air conditioning equipment in motor vehicles
• Aluminum tubing


  • Usually used for evaporating units in air conditioning for home and auto-mobile
  • Commonly used for evaporator (freezer) of domestic refrigerators
  • Special type of treatment for soldering or brazing is needed