Normalizing Copper Tube?

Normalizing Copper Tube?

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  • #817708
    Bo’sun
    Participant
      @bosun58570

      Having annealed and then manipulated some 5/32″ copper tube, is it possible to normalize/re-harden it?

      #817712
      not done it yet
      Participant
        @notdoneityet

        Hammer or bend it a few times?

        #817717
        SillyOldDuffer
        Moderator
          @sillyoldduffer

          Probably not by heat treatment.  As NDIY says, Copper work-hardens, but having to hammer and bend a finished item is usually bad news.

          Dave

          #817718
          Dave Halford
          Participant
            @davehalford22513

            Given you have manipulated it then those areas at least are harder.

            #817725
            Andrew Crow
            Participant
              @andrewcrow91475

              <p style=”text-align: left;”>Give it time and it will age harden naturally.</p>
              Andy

              #817726
              Macolm
              Participant
                @macolm

                After fully annealing copper, it does harden slightly over time, as you can appreciate if you subsequently try to further bend it – it has to be annealed again. But it never gets back to “hard drawn” state.

                #817734
                Nigel Graham 2
                Participant
                  @nigelgraham2

                  I am not sure why you need re-harden it. It would make it slightly tougher than in its annealed state but not stronger, and as others have pointed out the forming and age will bring it back nearer to its original state.

                  #817745
                  noel shelley
                  Participant
                    @noelshelley55608

                    I’m with Nigel. WHY ? Noel.

                    #817749
                    Bill Phinn
                    Participant
                      @billphinn90025

                      Manipulating it after annealing it may have work hardened it to some degree already. If you need to harden it further you can rub it repeatedly with a jeweller’s burnisher.

                      I can see a case for hardening annealed copper tube if the tube is carrying gas or water in any place where it might be vulnerable to forces that could push the tube out of its wanted position.

                      Plumbing joints in copper that have been brazed are a little more vulnerable to being pushed out of position in this way than soft-soldered joints.

                      #817755
                      Bo’sun
                      Participant
                        @bosun58570
                        On Nigel Graham 2 Said:

                        I am not sure why you need re-harden it. It would make it slightly tougher than in its annealed state but not stronger, and as others have pointed out the forming and age will bring it back nearer to its original state.

                        The tube is around 150mm long and vulnerable to getting distorted when assembling.  Looks like I’ll have to be extra careful.

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