United Pipe & Steel
Copper Tube Type K Hard 20' Lengths
- SKU:
- CTK-20
- Availability:
- Usually Ships Same Day
- Weight:
- 0.00 LBS
- Note:
- Sold by the Foot (20' Increments)
- Shipping Notice:
- LTL Only
Description
Type K Hard Copper Tube – 20' Lengths
Type K Hard Copper Tube in 20-foot straight lengths provides heavy-wall copper construction for demanding plumbing, mechanical, commercial, industrial, and underground piping applications. Type K has the thickest wall of the commonly used Type K, L, and M copper tube classifications, providing excellent durability, corrosion resistance, and long service life.
Select the required nominal tube size from the product options above. Each selected variation determines the GetPipe.com SKU, online selling price, shipping weight, cost, and other size-specific product information.
Product Highlights
- Type K hard-drawn copper tube
- Rigid 20-foot straight lengths
- Heavy-wall copper construction
- Thickest wall among commonly used Type K, L, and M copper tube
- Excellent corrosion resistance and long service life
- Suitable for demanding pressure and service applications when properly specified
- Commonly used in water service, commercial plumbing, mechanical, fire-protection, and specialty piping systems
- Suitable for above-ground and underground applications when permitted by applicable codes and project specifications
- Compatible with approved soldered, brazed, press, flared, and mechanical joining methods as applicable
- Available in multiple nominal copper tube sizes
Technical Specifications
| Material | Copper |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Type K Hard Copper Tube |
| Temper | Hard / Drawn |
| Length | 20 Feet |
| Tube Classification | Type K |
| Wall Construction | Heavy Wall |
| Applicable Standard | ASTM B88 |
| Joining Methods | Approved Soldered, Brazed, Press, Flared, or Mechanical Joint as Applicable |
| Common Applications | Water Service, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fire Protection, HVAC, Specialty and Industrial Piping |
| Installation | Above Ground or Underground When Approved for the Application |
| Nominal Sizes | Varies by Selected Size |
| Sold By | 20-Foot Length |
What Is Type K Copper Tube?
Type K is the heaviest-wall classification among the commonly used Type K, Type L, and Type M copper tube products. Its increased wall thickness provides additional mechanical strength and durability for applications where a heavier copper tube is required.
Hard-drawn Type K tubing is supplied as rigid straight tube rather than a flexible coil, making it well suited for long, straight piping runs and installations where alignment and structural rigidity are important.
Type K vs. Type L vs. Type M Copper Tube
Type K
- Heaviest wall of the three common copper tube types
- Designed for demanding service applications
- Commonly selected for water-service and underground work
- Provides maximum wall thickness for a given nominal size
Type L
- Medium-wall copper tube
- Commonly used in plumbing and mechanical systems
- Widely used for commercial and residential applications
- Lighter wall than Type K
Type M
- Lightest wall of the three common types
- Frequently used in approved residential plumbing applications
- Lower copper content than Type K or Type L
- Use only where permitted by code and project requirements
Why Choose a 20-Foot Length?
Twenty-foot straight lengths are commonly selected for larger commercial, industrial, mechanical, and water-service projects because they allow longer continuous runs with fewer joints than shorter straight lengths.
Using longer tube lengths can reduce fitting count, joint preparation, installation time, and the number of potential connection points in a piping system. Confirm transportation, handling, storage, and jobsite access before ordering 20-foot material.
Why Choose Type K Copper?
Heavy-Wall Durability
- Greater wall thickness than Type L and Type M
- Excellent resistance to normal mechanical handling
- Long service life when properly selected and installed
- Well suited for demanding commercial and industrial environments
Long-Run Installation
- 20-foot lengths reduce intermediate joints
- Ideal for long straight piping runs
- Useful for commercial and industrial distribution systems
- Can improve installation efficiency on larger projects
Common Applications
Plumbing & Water Service
- Domestic water-service piping
- Commercial plumbing systems
- Building water distribution
- Underground service lines when approved
- Mechanical-room piping
- Large-building distribution runs
Mechanical & Specialty Systems
- HVAC piping systems
- Fire-protection piping where approved
- Solar thermal piping
- Fuel-oil piping where permitted
- Natural-gas systems where permitted by code
- Industrial and specialty copper piping installations
Joining Type K Copper Tube
Type K hard copper tube can be joined using several approved methods depending on tube size, system pressure, service media, project specifications, and applicable codes.
- Soldered joints: commonly used for many plumbing applications where permitted.
- Brazed joints: commonly selected where higher joint strength, temperature, or specialty service requires brazing.
- Press connections: may be used with compatible copper press fittings and approved press systems.
- Flared connections: may be used where compatible with the application and fitting system.
- Mechanical connections: may be used with approved copper-compatible mechanical fittings.
Installation Guidance
- Confirm the required nominal copper tube size before ordering.
- Verify that Type K is appropriate for the intended service and applicable code requirements.
- Plan for the handling, storage, and transportation of 20-foot straight lengths.
- Inspect the tubing for shipping or handling damage before installation.
- Cut tubing square using an approved copper tubing cutter or saw.
- Remove internal and external burrs before assembling joints.
- Clean and prepare joining surfaces according to the selected fitting and joining method.
- Use compatible copper fittings sized for the selected tube.
- Support straight tubing according to applicable code and engineering requirements.
- Protect underground installations as required by local code, soil conditions, and project specifications.
- Use approved solder, brazing alloy, flux, press tools, purge gas, or mechanical joining procedures as applicable.
- Pressure-test and inspect the completed piping system before placing it into service.
- Installation should be completed by qualified personnel familiar with copper piping systems.
Product Resources
Review available manufacturer and copper-tube technical resources before ordering or installation.
Need Help Selecting Type K Copper Tube?
Our industrial PVF specialists can help confirm tube type, nominal size, wall classification, joining method, application requirements, and product availability before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Type K copper tube?
Type K is a heavy-wall copper tube classification manufactured with a thicker wall than Type L and Type M copper tube of the same nominal size.
Is Type K the thickest common copper tube type?
Yes. Among commonly used Type K, Type L, and Type M copper tube, Type K has the thickest wall.
What does hard copper tube mean?
Hard copper tube is rigid, straight tubing supplied in fixed lengths. It differs from soft copper tube, which is annealed and commonly supplied in coils.
How long is each piece?
Each piece in this product family is supplied as one 20-foot straight length.
Is this product sold by the foot?
No. This product is sold as a complete 20-foot stick. The displayed product price applies to the selected 20-foot length.
Why choose a 20-foot length?
A 20-foot length provides longer continuous piping runs with fewer joints, making it well suited for larger commercial, industrial, and mechanical projects.
Can Type K copper tube be used underground?
Type K copper is commonly selected for underground water-service and similar applications. Always confirm local code, soil conditions, system requirements, and project specifications before installation.
Can Type K copper tube be used above ground?
Yes. Type K hard copper tube may be used in approved above-ground plumbing, mechanical, commercial, and industrial piping systems.
What is the difference between Type K and Type L copper?
Type K has a thicker wall than Type L for the same nominal copper tube size. Type K is commonly chosen where additional wall thickness or more demanding service conditions are required.
What is the difference between Type K and Type M copper?
Type K has a substantially heavier wall than Type M. Type M is a lighter-wall product generally used only in applications where its wall thickness is permitted by applicable code.
Can this tubing be soldered?
Yes, when soldering is permitted for the application and performed using compatible fittings, materials, preparation methods, and applicable code requirements.
Can this tubing be brazed?
Yes. Type K copper tube may be brazed using approved fittings, brazing alloys, purge procedures, and installation practices appropriate for the system.
Can press fittings be used with Type K copper?
Compatible copper press fittings may be used when the press fitting manufacturer approves the tubing size, tube type, service media, pressure, and application.
Does Type K copper meet ASTM B88?
Type K water tube is manufactured to applicable ASTM B88 dimensional and material requirements. Confirm manufacturer documentation when project-specific certification is required.
Can Type K copper be used for natural gas?
Copper tubing may be permitted for certain fuel-gas applications depending on local codes, gas composition, joining method, and project requirements. Confirm approval before installation.
Important Ordering Notes
- Select the exact nominal copper tube size required for the piping system.
- This product is Type K hard-drawn copper tube.
- Each variation is supplied as one 20-foot straight length.
- The product is sold by the 20-foot stick, not by individual foot.
- The selected variation determines the SKU, price, shipping weight, and cost.
- Type K has a heavier wall than Type L and Type M copper tube.
- Confirm the correct tube type before ordering because copper tube classifications are not interchangeable in every application.
- Plan for freight, handling, and jobsite access associated with 20-foot material.
- Confirm the required joining method and fitting compatibility before installation.
- Verify pressure, temperature, service media, local code, and project requirements.
- Underground installations should comply with applicable code and site-specific requirements.
- Installation should be completed by qualified personnel.
