Buying Guide

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1. Soldering Clearance (between the outside of the tube and the
inside diameter of the solder cup) and the Depth of the Solder
Cup (into which the tube is inserted).
Chart 1 – Soldering Clearance and Solder Cup Depth
Nominal Maximum Minimum Maximum Depth of
Size I.D. of O.D. of Clearance Solder Cup
of Fitting Fitting Tube for Soldering
(Inches) Inch (mm) Inch (mm) Inch (mm) Inch (mm)
1/4 0.381 (9.66) 0.374 (9.50) 0.007 (0.18) 0.31 (7.9)
3/8 0.506 (12.85) 0.499 (12.67) 0.007 (0.18) 0.38 (9.7)
1/2 0.631 (16.03) 0.622 (15.80) 0.009 (0.23) 0.50 (12.7)
5/8 0.756 (19.20) 0.749 (19.02) 0.007 (0.18) 0.62 (15.7)
3/4 0.881 (22.38) 0.872 (22.20) 0.009 (0.23) 0.75 (19.1)
1 1.132 (28.75) 1.123 (28.54) 0.009 (0.23) 0.91 (23.1)
1 1/4 1.382 (35.10) 1.373 (34.88) 0.009 (0.23) 0.97 (24.6)
1 1/2 1.633 (41.48) 1.623 (41.22) 0.010 (0.25) 1.09 (27.7)
2 2.133 (54.18) 2.123 (53.92) 0.010 (0.25) 1.34
(34.0)
2 1/2 2.633 (66.88) 2.623 (66.62) 0.010 (0.25) 1.47
(37.3)
3 3.133 (79.58) 3.123 (79.32) 0.010 (0.25) 1.66
(42.2)
3 1/2 3.633 (92.28) 3.623 (92.02) 0.010 (0.25) 1.91 (48.5)
4 4.133 (104.98) 4.123 (104.72) 0.010 (0.25) 2.16 (54.9)
5 5.133 (130.38) 5.123 (130.12) 0.010 (0.25) 2.66
(67.6)
6 6.133 (155.78) 6.123 (155.52) 0.010 (0.25) 3.09 (78.5)
The National Bureau of Standards Report BMS58, “Strength of Soft-Soldered Joints in
Copper Tubing,” reporting on tests conducted with
3
/
4
-inch tubing and fitting, says “When the
clearance is greater than 0.010 inch (0.25 mm), there is difficulty in filling the joint properly.”
2. Depth of Solder Penetration drastically affects the breaking
load of the joint. When there is too great a soldering clearance,
there is no capillary flow to assure complete solder penetration.
As shown in the chart below, the holding power of the
3
/4-inch
joint is directly proportional to the depth of solder penetration.
For example: If you get only one-third penetration, you get
approximately one-third the strength needed to assure complete
satisfaction.
Chart 2 – Type K
3
/
4
" Tubing
SOLDER JOINT SPECIFICATION
Copper Tube Fittings continued
HOW TO BE SURE OF PROPER TOLERANCES
It is apparent that all of the scientific apparatus used to test tube
and fittings, according to the dimensions indicated in Chart 1,
would be impractical to use on the job. It is therefore essential that
you install tube and fittings manufactured by companies known to
be dedicated to the highest quality control standards. Should you
encounter a condition where there is difficulty in filling the joint
properly, NIBCO will analyze the trouble without charge. Just send
six inches of the tube, along with the fitting and our technicians will
provide you with an authoritative report.
Solder penetration of one-third
the cup depth — breaking load,
approximately 2,100 lb. (955 kg)
Solder penetration of the entire
cup depth — breaking load
approximately 7,000 lb. (3175 kg)
U.S. customary units in this document are the standard; the metric units are provided for
reference only. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents.