Has anybody every had any issues using copper?
I made quite a few pipes on various cars and never had any issues but in the last couple of years even people like Practical Classics magazine seem to have a downer on it.
One local garage will only use kunifer yet one of the biggest motorfactors locally rarely sell it.
One of the things I've read is about it fatiguing and becoming brittle.
Has anybody every had any issues using copper?
I made quite a few pipes on various cars and never had any issues but in the last couple of years even people like Practical Classics magazine seem to have a downer on it.
One local garage will only use kunifer yet one of the biggest motorfactors locally rarely sell it.
One of the things I've read is about it fatiguing and becoming brittle.
I've said this before and I'm sure the dis believers will be along shortly, there are cases of the copper pipe fracturing, usually directly behind the flare, there are no reports of kunifer failing I have heard of, it doesn't go brittle for sure.
Copper brake pipe is illegal to use in the USA because of failure.
I'm pretty sure Volvo were the first manufacturer to fit it as standard, I would of thought they would know what they were doing
At the end of the day it's properties far exceed steel or copper and its virtually the same price, why wouldn't you use it ???
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Now I've read my post again it is confusing, it was the copper I was talking about with it going brittle not kunifer.
I wasn't aware of copper brake pipe being banned in the USA.
It's certainly got me thinking.
I've said this before and I'm sure the dis believers will be along shortly, there are cases of the copper pipe fracturing, usually directly behind the flare, there are no reports of kunifer failing I have heard of, it doesn't go brittle for sure.
Copper brake pipe is illegal to use in the USA because of failure.
I'm pretty sure Volvo were the first manufacturer to fit it as standard, I would of thought they would know what they were doing
At the end of the day it's properties far exceed steel or copper and its virtually the same price, why wouldn't you use it ???
.
Hello Langy,
pre war, copper was commonly used on British production cars. I've also used it myself on many of my cars with no problems using the recommended installation procedure. As far as I was aware Kunifer was not available when I started using copper, so it was not a question of saving money.
I notice the coil shown is 22 gauge wheras the Automec tubing I use is 20 gauge and it's BS number is different to the picture also.
I wonder if the Americans banned it because there is no visible means of checking if it is the correct specification, or were there cases of failures due to incorrect installation procedures?
Yes Kunifer is probably a better choice nowadays but copper is not as bad as it is painted?
PS I just looked at the Automec website and they sell copper and copper nickel, I'm not familiar with the latter?
Alec