Thread: Burst rating for 1/2 black pipe??.

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when pricing the copper remember that there are 2 grades---i think m and l---one of them is thicker than the other(and stronger)

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

when pricing the copper remember that there are 2 grades---i think m and l---one of them is thicker than the other(and stronger)

Jerry - Actually there are three - K, L and M. If you need more then M, the cheapest then you really have some pressure:

1/2 actual OD=5/8, for drawn = 9840 psig for K, 7765 psig for L, 6135 psig for M (see page 28 of the ref below)

More info then you could want here: http://www.copper.org/publications/p...e_handbook.pdf

Seems you have gotten all of the empirical evidence you asked for, and then some, plus a bunch of opinions and advice; so, I guess I might as well add mine in as well.

From what you described, and considering that you are going to do it piece-meal, and leave it behind when you leave, "black pipe" would probably be the easiest and least expensive way to go. I wonder just how much "black pipe" I installed in shops and plants over the years; as far as I know, no leaks or failures, and most systems ran at 175 psi, +/-. Copper makes a nice system and is easy to work with, but pricey for a system that you plan on leaving behind. The "Garage Pack" system is nice, too, but also costly.

As to quick disconnect fittings, if you mix brands or materials, you will most likely have "hissers". If this is a problem, use the same brand on all of your stuff, and only use brass with brass, or steel with steel. If you are prone to leaving your system pressurized all the time, a "hisser" will cause your compressor to run more often. I always turn my master regulator to 0 psi, and close the valve right downstream from it, and turn off the compressor before I close up the shop. The last shop I worked in before retiring, one of the guys left the compressor on and the system pressurized with a hose connected over the weekend, and we came in to a smoky shop on Monday; the hose had burst and the compressor overheated and burned up.