In many parts of the country, a heater is not just a luxury but a necessity. Can you imagine taking a morning shower in the winter without warm water? Of course, a heater is a significant investment for most households, which is why water heater companies design their products for longevity. And when it comes to hot water distribution lines, a high-quality brass tube is often the go-to option for most manufacturers.
Standing Up to the Heat
What makes brass tubing particularly adept at handling hot water? This all boils down to a scientific concept called the Arrhenius Equation. Simply put, this equation states that the higher the temperature in a system, the faster the rate of corrosion will be. More specifically, every 10°C increase in temperature will double the corrosion rate of a given metal. As such, steel pipes are often worn out much faster if used in hot water distribution lines.
Fortunately, copper–the main component of brass alloy–sits low on the reactivity series of the Periodic Table. As such, it is not as prone to corrosion as other metals are, making it especially suited for hot water plumbing. Furthermore, it does not lend a red hue to water like older steel pipes tend to do.
However, it’s not just heating where brass tubes shine. Thanks to brass’ machinability, it can easily be turned into various shapes, making it suitable for other hot-water applications such as hose bibcoks, backflow preventers, valves, and pressure control apparatuses.
Choosing the Correct Brass Tubes
If you want to use brass tubes for your own hot water distribution, there are a couple of considerations to keep in mind before making a purchase. To begin with, brass tubes come in a wide variety of lengths and diameters. As such, be sure to take accurate measurements first before placing an order. Luckily, many brass suppliers can manufacture custom tube sizes, making it easier to find the suitable tube for whatever project you want to accomplish. Furthermore, they also carry square brass tubing among other shapes, giving you even more flexibility.
Next, pay attention as well to the kind of brass tubes available on the market. Remember, brass is not a single product but an umbrella term describing a wide range of alloys. Just a few example of brass variants are red brass, admiralty brass, and high brass. Do your research first to identify which kind of brass best fits for your needs.
And lastly, be sure to transact only with trusted suppliers such as Rotax Metals. These companies have a solid track record of delivering high-quality tubes, so you can get the best value for your money.
Sources:
What Is Brass Tubing And What Are Its Common Uses?, selfgrowth.com
Why Your Builder Chose Solid Brass Plumbing Fixtures, copper.com
Using brass pipes for plumbing, plumbing-basics.com
