SPECIFICATION RT 1142- ISSUE 4 Page 3
4.3.1 Dimensions and Longitudinal Change
Three 6-inch (150-mm) specimens of tubing, as supplied, shall be measured for length to an accuracy of ±
1/32 inch (± 1 mm), and inside diameter in accordance with ASTM D 2671. The specimens then shall be
conditioned for 5 minutes in a 175 ± 2°C (347 ± 4°F) oven, removed from the oven, cooled to 23 ± 3°C (73
± 5°F), remeasured for length and inside diameter, and inspected for wall thickness in accordance with
ASTM D 2671. The longitudinal change shall be calculated as follows:
C =
L
1
- L
0
L
0
x 100
Where: C = Longitudinal Change [percent]
L
0
= Length Before Conditioning [inches (mm)]
L
1
= Length After Conditioning [inches (mm)]
4.3.2 Tensile Strength and Ultimate Elongation
Three specimens shall be tested for tensile strength and ultimate elongation in accordance with ASTM D
2671 using 1-inch (25-mm) bench marks and a jaw separation speed of 20 ± 2 inches
(500 ± 50 mm) per minute. For sizes 10/6 and smaller, the specimens shall be full sections of tubing and the
initial jaw separation shall be 1 inch (25 mm). For sizes larger than 10/6, the specimens shall be 1/8-inch
(3.2-mm) wide strips cut from the tubing and the initial jaw separation shall be 2 inches (50 mm). The
specimens shall be obtained by cutting the tubing wall along its entire length, flattening the piece, and
applying the strip die with its long dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing.
4.3.3 Low-Temperature Flexibility
Three 12-inch (300-mm) specimens of tubing and a mandrel selected in accordance with Table 2 shall be
conditioned for 4 hours at -75 ± 2°C (-103 ± 4°F). While at this same temperature, the specimens then shall
be wrapped around the mandrel for not less than 360 degrees in approximately 2 seconds. The specimens
then shall be visually examined for evidence of cracking.
4.3.4 Corrosion
Three specimens shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D 2671, Procedure B. The specimens shall be
slid over a straight, clean, unplated, uninsulated, solid copper conductor. For sizes 10/6 and smaller, a single
copper conductor shall be used; for sizes 15/9 and larger, several copper conductors shall be used, each
conductor being AWG 18 [0.0403 in. (1.024 mm)] or smaller. The specimens, on conductors, shall be
conditioned for not less than 24 hours in a humidity chamber at 90 to 95 percent relative humidity and 25 ±
3°C (77 ± 5°F) oven, cooled to room temperature, visually examined, and tested for elongation. The tubing
shall not be brittle, glazed, cracked, severely discolored, or otherwise deteriorated by direct contact with
copper. The copper shall not be pitted or blackened. Darkening of the copper due to normal air oxidation
shall be disregarded.
