Inner Grooved Copper Tube

Inner Grooved Copper Tube or Non-Smooth Tube, is a high‑performance seamless copper tube with a smooth outer surface and a precisely formed internal thread structure. Manufactured from TP2 phosphorous deoxidized copper, it is specifically designed to enhance heat transfer efficiency in air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

 

By increasing the inner surface area and creating turbulent flow of the refrigerant, inner threaded copper tubes deliver significantly better thermal performance compared to traditional smooth‑bore tubes. They have become an essential material for high‑efficiency heat exchangers, condensers, and evaporators in modern HVACR equipment

 

 

• Execution standards: GB/T 17791-2007,ASTM B280,JIS H3300,AS/NZS 1571:1995,AS 1432,EN12735-2
• Common materials: mainly TP2 phosphorus deoxidized copper, with good thermal conductivity and processing performance.
• Specification range: The outer diameter is usually between 5-16mm, the wall thickness is 0.20-0.75mm, and the tooth height is 0.10-0.30mm.
• Production process: Electrolytic plate → Melting casting → Rolling → Pulling (3 pulls) → Pulling → Annealing (online annealing) → Internal thread forming → Horizontal rewinding and eddy current testing → Annealing → Finished product transportation

 

 

Specifications	Unit Weight (g/m)	O.D	I.D	Bottom Wall Thickness TW	Fin Groove Depth HF	Total Wall Thickness	Apex Angle	Helix Angle	Numble of Tooth
∅5.00*0.20+0.15-18°	33	5	4.3	0.2	0,15	35	40	13	40
∅7.0*0.22+0.10-16*	47	7	6.36	22	0.1	0.32	35	16	65
∅7.0*0.23+0.12-17°	47.5	7	630	23	0.12	0.35	40	17	65
∅7.00*0.25+0.10-15°	52	7	630	0.25	0.1	35	40	15	65
∅7.00*0.25+0.18-18°	57	7	6.M	0.25	0.18	43	40	13	50
∅7.00*0.25+0.22-16°	58	7	6.06	0.25	0.22	0.47	22	16	54
∅7.00*0.27+0.15-18°	60	7	6.16	0.27	0.15	0.42	53	13	60
∅7.94*0.24+0.13-18°	60.5	7.94	7.2	24	0.13	37	33	13	70
∅7.94*0.25+0.18-18°	65	7.94	7.03	0.25	0.13	0.43	40	13	50
∅7.94*0.25+0.20-18°	66	7.94	7.04	0.25	0.2	0.45	40	13	50
∅7.94*0.26+0.17-18°	66	7.94	708	0.26	0.17	43	40	13	50
∅7.94*0.28+0.20-18°	72	7.94	6.98	0.23	0,20	0.43	40	13	50
∅7.94*0.30+0.20-18°	76	7.94	6.94	0.3	0.2	50	40	13	SO
∅9.52*0.27+0.16-18°	82	9.52	8.66	0.27	0.16	0.43	30	13	70
∅9.52*0.28+0.12-15°	80	9.52	372	0.28	0.12	0.4	53	15	65
∅9.52*0.28+0.15-18°	83	9.52	8.66	0.28	0.15	0.43	53	13	60
∅9.52*0.28+0.15-25°	88	9.52	8.66	0.28	0.15	0.43	90	25	65
∅9.52*0.28+0.20-18°	85	9.52	8.56	0.23	0.2	0.43	25	13	55
∅9.52*0.28+0.20-18°	88	9.52	856	0.23	0.2	0.43	40	13	60
∅9.52*0.30+0.20-18°	90	9.52	8.52	0.3	0.2	50	30	13	60
∅9.52*0.30+0.20-18°	94	9.52	8.52	0.3	0.2	0.5	53	13	60
∅9.52*0.34+0.15-25°	104	9.52	8.54	0.34	0.15	0.49	90	25	65
∅9.52*0.40+0.25-18°	123	9.52	322	0.4	0.25	0.65	40	13	60
∅12.00*0.36+0.25-18°	140	12	10.78	0.36	0.25	0.61	40	18	70
∅12.70*0.35+0.25-18°	155	1Z/0	11.5	0.35	25	0.6	53	13	70
∅12.70*0.40+0.25-18°	170	12.7	11.4	0.4	0.25	0.65	53	13	70
∅12.70*0.50+0.25-18°	201	12.7	11.2	0.5	0.25	0.75	53	13	75
∅12.75*0.36+0.21/0.25-20°	150	12.75	11.53	0.36	0.25	0.61	48	20	70

 

 

• High dimensional accuracy – Precision manufacturing ensures tight tolerances for reliable system assembly and consistent heat transfer performance.
• High heat dissipation performance – The internal groove structure increases inner surface area and promotes turbulent flow, significantly enhancing thermal efficiency.
• High cleanliness – Thoroughly cleaned interior eliminates residual oil and debris, ensuring compatibility with refrigerant systems and preventing clogging or contamination.
• Lightweight – Optimized wall thickness and reduced material usage lower overall system weight without compromising mechanical strength.

 

 

Inner Grooved Copper Tube manufactured by our company can be applied in the heat exchanger industry of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, and are suitable for the trend of thin-walled, small-diameter, new tooth shaped new products.The application in air conditioning systems is driven by several key advantages:

• Superior thermal conductivity

Internally threaded copper pipes offer excellent thermal conductivity, allowing the refrigerant to quickly transfer heat throughout the entire pipeline system and thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner. The internal thread design increases the surface area of the pipe, which further enhances thermal conductivity.

• Excellent corrosion resistance

The refrigerants used in air conditioning systems are often corrosive. Internally threaded copper pipes effectively resist this corrosion, extending the service life of the unit. In addition, the pipe surface receives special treatment to further improve its corrosion resistance.

• Efficient refrigerant transmission

The fine thread design inside the pipe increases fluid turbulence, which promotes better mixing and flow of the refrigerant. This improves the efficiency of refrigerant transmission through the pipeline, helping the air conditioning system distribute hot and cold air more evenly and thereby enhancing user comfort.

• Excellent workability

Internally threaded copper pipes possess good plasticity and weldability, making them easy to process and install. During air conditioner manufacturing, connections using these pipes are convenient and reliable, reducing installation difficulty and cost. Moreover, copper pipes have good recyclability, which supports environmental protection and sustainable development.

 

 

• Main applications: Widely used in heat exchange components such as air conditioning condensers, evaporators, water heaters, and automotive air conditioners.
• Small tube diameter trend: The industry is developing towards 5mm small tube diameter, replacing traditional 7mm copper tubes, which can reduce the use of copper materials by 50% and lower costs by 30% -40%.
• Complex tooth profile design: adopting thin and high teeth, dual rotation and other complex tooth profiles to further optimize heat transfer efficiency and adapt to new refrigerants.
• Intelligent manufacturing: Production processes are developing towards digitization and integrated processing to reduce energy consumption and improve yield. ‌‌

 

Q1: What is an inner grooved copper tube?

A: An inner grooved copper tube is a seamless copper tube with spiral grooves or teeth machined on its inner wall while the outer wall remains smooth.

 

Q2: How much does an Inner Grooved Copper Tube improve heat transfer over a smooth pipe?

A:Compared to a smooth tube of the same diameter and wall thickness, an Inner Grooved Copper Tube increases inner surface area by 65–100% and typically improves heat exchange efficiency by 20–30%. In some designs, the heat transfer coefficient can be 1.5 to 3 times higher.

 

Q3: What are the most common outer diameters used?

A:The most widely used diameters are 9.52 mm and 7.0 mm. Other common sizes include 12.7 mm, 7.94 mm, 6.35 mm, and 5.0 mm.

 

Q4: Can Inner Grooved Copper Tube be used for both condensers and evaporators?

A:Yes. For evaporators, a smaller helix angle is generally preferred; for condensers, a larger helix angle offers better performance. The thread design can be optimized for each specific function.

 

Q5: What refrigerants are compatible?

A:Inner Grooved Copper Tube are compatible with traditional refrigerants (R22, R134a) and modern high‑pressure alternatives (R410A, R32). The enhanced strength of the tube makes it particularly suitable for R410A systems, which operate at about 1.6 times the pressure of R22

 

Q6:Why Inner Grooved Copper Tubes Are Used in Air Conditioning Systems

A:Inner Grooved Copper Tubes are preferred in air conditioning applications because of their superior thermal conductivity, good corrosion resistance, efficient refrigerant transmission, and excellent workability. These characteristics make internally threaded copper pipes an ideal material for air conditioner manufacturing, helping to improve both cooling efficiency and service life.

 

Q7: Can inner grooved copper tubes be used with high‑pressure refrigerants like R410A?

A: Yes. TP2 inner grooved tubes are designed with enhanced strength and are particularly suitable for R410A systems (which operate at about 1.6 times the pressure of R22). However, always verify the burst pressure rating for your specific size.

 

Q9: How does the price compare to smooth copper tubes?

A: Due to the more complex manufacturing process (groove forming dies and precision drawing), inner grooved tubes typically cost more per unit length than smooth tubes of the same diameter. However, because they allow thinner walls and smaller heat exchangers, the overall system cost may be competitive.

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