Figure 1: Micrographs of Hailing and Great Lakes copper pipes at 100x magnification (longitudinal view).
Comparative Analysis of Copper Pipes
In this study, copper pipe samples from two suppliers were submitted to CMH Met Labs for a comparative analysis. The purpose was to evaluate chemical composition, hardness, and microstructure, ensuring both materials meets the necessary metallurgical standards.
Chemical Analysis
The chemical composition of both samples was tested. Results indicated that both Hailing and Great Lakes pipes consisted of high-purity copper (over 99.7%), with only trace amounts of other elements such as zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and phosphorus (P). The values across both suppliers were comparable, suggesting consistent material quality.
Hardness Testing
Surface hardness was evaluated using the Rockwell 15N scale. Results showed minimal variation between the two suppliers: Hailing samples measured around 49–50 HR15N, while Great Lakes samples measured between 50–52 HR15N. These results indicate that both materials possess nearly identical hardness.
Microstructural Analysis
Samples were cut, mounted, and polished for optical microscopy. Both Hailing and Great Lakes copper pipes displayed typical microstructures expected of high-quality copper. Micrographs at various magnifications (100x, 200x, and 400x) revealed no significant differences between the two sources. Cross-sectional images further confirmed the similarity in grain structure.
Conclusion
The comparative analysis demonstrated that copper pipes from both suppliers exhibit nearly identical chemical composition, hardness, and microstructure. This confirms that both suppliers provide copper materials of equivalent metallurgical quality, suitable for use in applications requiring consistency and reliability.
Figures:
Figure 2: Micrographs of Hailing and Great Lakes copper pipes at 200x magnification (longitudinal view).
Figure 3: Micrographs of Hailing and Great Lakes copper pipes at 400x magnification (longitudinal view).
Figure 4: Cross-sectional micrographs of Hailing and Great Lakes copper pipes at 100 x magnifications.
Figure 5: Cross-sectional micrographs of Hailing and Great Lakes copper pipes at 200 x magnifications.
Figure 6: Cross-sectional micrographs of Hailing and Great Lakes copper pipes at 400 x magnifications.