The pros and cons of using copper and galvanised steel plumbing tubes

Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd is a company that does our best to provide clients with a series of specialist tubing services. This includes tube swaging, bending, and more. We offer our skills and expertise to a wide array of industries, catering for many different applications.

If you are unfamiliar with swaging, we are happy to advise you. This is a rotary swaging procedure. With it we can create regular forms or circular concentric reductions. Examples include octagonal, hexagonal, and squares.

Material choice is critical in plumbing

Tube swagingTubing is necessary for all sorts of work, with plumbing being one of the most common examples. You need to think carefully about the material you use here though. This is because it can have an impact on water quality as well as the longevity of the infrastructure.

In the early 20th century, plumbing began entering our homes. Here, materials like copper, terra-cotta, cast iron, and galvanised steel were used. Lead tubing was another option up until World War II.

These days, there are all kinds of plumbing tubes available. Some are made from newer substances while others are classics. There are advantages and disadvantages you need to think about with all these materials when choosing your tube.

What we are going to do is talk about some of these options here. Your home plumbing’s integrity plays a critical part in your quality of life. Therefore, you have to make a well-informed choice.

Copper tubing

We will start with copper tubes. This material is a traditional one in the world of plumbing. Even today, it is popular. There are two options here; flexible and rigid tube.

The positives of copper include its longevity. The tube can last for five decades if you look after it properly. It is also a durable material that is not vulnerable to corrosion. It is safe too since bacteria will not thrive on it.

As for the disadvantages, the tubes can be expensive. Also, they are not considered to be green, meaning that there is an environmental cost. If you require tube swaging for your products, please contact us.

Galvanised steel tubing

This was once the material of choice for residential plumbing. Even today, it is still what countless people would think of when discussing the tubes.

The zinc layer that coats the tube is meant to stop rusting. As a result, they can have good resistance to corrosion. Despite being strong, the tubes are not popular these days.

One of the disadvantages to using the steel is the short lifespan. They last between 20 and 50 years. If you compare to other materials, this isn’t too impressive.

Lead contamination is another potential issue. If your tubes suffer from corrosion, the lead will leach into the water, making it unsafe to drink. There can also be trouble with clogging as minerals build up with time.

Come to us for help with tube swaging

At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we are known for providing outstanding results with all of our services. Whenever you need specialist tubing, we can help you to get it. Our expertise allows us to work with many different types of metal tube. It also means we can deliver first rate results every time.

Our team is also happy to advise you about tube swaging and other services if you have any queries. So, if we can be of assistance to you, please let us know.