Copper brake pipes

[pmdavies]

Hi again

Found some damage on one of the rear brake pipes that run from the diff across to the wheel cylinder. In the box of bits acquired with the vehicle I’ve found an unused one. Giving it a light rub with emery cloth it appears to be made of copper. However the damaged one on the car is more of a golden (brass) colour, definitely not a pure copper colour.

Do they make brake pipes out of copper? What’s worrying me is that in theory someone could have made one with a flaring kit using ordinary copper pipe and I’m worried it might not be strong enough to withstand the high pressures. It’s not been used either so someone made it and didn’t use it.

Any brake pipe experts out there?!

Pete

[eastona]

IIRC brake pipes should be made from CUNIFER, copper, nickel and steel??? alloy.

It's not so much a lack of pure strength that makes copper pipes fail. Generally they don't like vibration, so become subject to fatigue failure.

a copper one will work, but in the medium to long term, copper's poor fatigue resistance will make it susceptible to cracking.

HTH

Andrew

[jonathon]

If its standard high grade copper brake pipe you will not have a problem.

[bmcecosse]

Not for a while maybe! Unless the copper was heat treated after the ends were made - it may eventually crack (it 'work hardens') just where the end was made off - I had one come away in my hand on the car just after I bought it! Not something I would take a chance with. Sounds like your original pipe is Kunifer - much better, no fatigue related problems and no rot either. Slightly more diffiucult to make off the new ends though!

[jonathon]

Depends on what you call'a while'. I'm sure that the specialist brake companies would not sell the copper pipe if it was short lived or required heat treating after a flare has been made. If, as I say you use high grade copper you will not have a problem, but if you wish to go Kunifer its your choice.