Handbook

4. BENDING
Because of its exceptional formability, copper can
be formed as desired at the job site. Copper tube,
properly bent, will not collapse on the outside of the
bend and will not buckle on the inside of the bend.
Tests demonstrate that the bursting strength of a
bent copper tube can actually be greater than it was
before bending.
Because copper is readily formed, expansion loops
and other bends necessary in an assembly are
quickly and simply made if the proper method and
equipment are used. Simple hand tools employing
mandrels, dies, forms and llers, or power-operated
bending machines can be used.
Both annealed tube and hard drawn tube can be
bent with the appropriate hand benders. The proper
size of bender for each size tube must be used. For
a guide to typical bend radii, see Table 4.1.
The procedure for bending copper tube with a lever-
type hand bender is illustrated in Figure 4.1 below.
TABLE 4.1. Bending Guide for
Copper Tube
Nominal
Standard
Size, in
Tube Type Temper
Minimum
Bend,
Radius*, in
¼ K,L Annealed ¾
⅜ K,L Annealed 1½
K,L,M Drawn 1¾
½ K,L Annealed 2¼
K,L,M Drawn 2½
¾ K,L Annealed 3
K,L Drawn 3
1 K,L Annealed 4
1¼ K,L Annealed 9
* The radii stated are the minimums for mechanical bending equipment
only.
Bending Copper Tube
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applications/plumbing/cth/cth_4bend_gencon.html.
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CDA Publication A4015-14/20: Copper Tube Handbook
4. BENDING