Mechanical Behavior of Internally Pressurized Copper Tube for New HVACR Applications

Abstract

This paper reviews and simplifies basic theory to predict plastic strain and burst pressure of internally pressurized, thin-walled copper tube for (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration applications. Predictions are based upon material stress–strain data obtained from basic tensile tests. A series of pressure tests was performed at 635 to 1500 psi (4.38–10.34 MPa), and until burst, on tubes ranging from 0.625 in. (15.87 mm) to 2.125 in. (53.97 mm) in diameter. A Voce type equation is shown to provide superior correlation to tensile and instability data, such that accurate projections can be made. An assessment of the classical power-law (Ludwik–Hollomon) equation is also presented, and it did not simultaneously correlate well with stress–strain data and satisfy the Considère instability criterion in uni-axial tension. Nevertheless, its use still led to reasonably accurate burst pressure predictions due to the strain range over which it was applied. Property variation (with respect to tube size) and anisotropy were observed in the transverse and axial tube directions for 1.125 in. (28.6 mm) and 2.125 in. (54.0 mm) diameter tube. Thus, the importance of representative and accurate material data in the transverse (hoop) direction is emphasized.