Copper Brake Lines Vs Steel Brake Lines, are there any major differences?

Copper Brake Lines and steel Brake Lines, this difference will prove that these two metals in brake lines do not share many differences. Most of all, both of them are quite the same in performance and functionalities. So, searching for the major difference will disappoint the readers.

Both of them will withstand extreme heat and pressure. Also, they are resistant to rust and debris of a similar range. However, the copper is somewhat better in performance. In case one is looking for more, they better read the whole article.

Steel Brake Lines

Copper Brake Lines Vs Steel Brake Lines

Counting the most important safety procedure of any vehicle, the brake lines will be at the top. From the fundamental responsibility to saving the car from a harmful collision on the road, the brake lines will be responsible for many happening in the car braking system. So, one will have to take care of the break line from the time of buying to its lifetime.

Usually, the brake lines are simple thick wires made out of different metals like copper or steel. They are directly connected to the braking system of the vehicle and are responsible for overall performance. This will allow the drivers to turn pedal pressure power to stop the car.

Everyone knows that the brake fluid in the breaks helps create the hydraulic pressure to stop the car. Here is the major responsibility of the brake lines. Specifically, the brake fluids are stored in the master cylinder. While drivers take any break, the fluids travel to brake calipers from the master cylinder via the brake lines. So, the lines are for transferring the fluid from one place to another.

The unlucky thing is that the brake lines are not forever, they will get damaged and require a replacement. Since they are connected to fluid and pressure, they are likely to get damaged quite soon. Moreover, one will have to keep eye on the brake lines. Because if they don’t, the brake lines will leak the fluid. That means one will not get enough braking power to stop the car when it is necessary.

If one does not know how to find or understand that the brake lines are at fault, they should learn them from below.

Symptoms of bad brake lines

  • -Leaking of brake fluids
  • -The brake light  is ON
  • -one can push the break to the ground
  • -there is no pressure when one pushes for the brake.
  • -Visible damage.

If one is facing such an issue, they will have to replace the brake lines. For that, they will have to choose which material they should pick. Among many options, people mostly prefer copper or steel. So, let’s see what type of differences they share to select any of the ones.

Copper Break Line

Steel Break Line

The brake lines will never get rusty.

Even on the last day of the service, those lines will not get rusty.

More reliable than the steel brake lines

Extremely reliable.

Extremely resistant to metallic debris

More resistant to any kind of debris like metal debris. 

It will withstand extreme pressure and heat more than any metal.

The lines will not swell under pressure and extreme heat.

It will improve the braking distance as well as the confidence of the driver.

It will not improve the braking distance yet improve the confidence of the driver.

Easier to install the lines

Little hard to install the lines

It will cost around $60 or a little more or less

It will cost around $50 or a little more or less

Table: technical differences between copper and steel

Material

Ultimate Tensile Strength 1000 psi
(MPa)

Yield Strength
0.5% Ext. under Load
1000 psi

Elongation
% in 2 in.

Fatigue Strength

Burst Pressure
1000 psi
(MPa)

Steel

48-55 or 0.330-0.380

28-34 or 0.190-0.235

30-40

30 or 0.210

19.5 or 0.135

Phosphorus
deoxidized Copper

32-38 or 0.220-0.265

10-14 or 0.070-0.100

45-60

10 or 0.070

12 or 0.083

Copper Nickel

48-54 or 0.330-0.370

16-22 or 0.110-0.150

40-55

15 or  0.100

19 or 0.130

These are all the information regarding the differences one was looking for. Specifically, both the metal is perfect for tremendous braking performance. Both are durable resisting rust, high pressure, and heat. However, the copper will be somewhat better or a bit better than the stainless steel. Overall, one can go any of these two options without worrying since both of them provide excellent performance.

Copper Brake Line

What are the break lines made of Copper?

There are plenty of options for the copper brake line. Below one will get the information on it and can choose one of them according to the vehicle specifications.

Part Number

Description

Length

3300CN

3/16" O.D. x 25' Coiled Tubing

25'

3300CN-100

3/16" O.D. x 100' Coiled Tubing

100'

3300CN-50

3/16" O.D. x 50' Coiled Tubing

50'

3400CN

1/4" O.D. x 25' Coiled Tubing

25'

3400CN-100

1/4" O.D. x 100' Coiled Tubing

100'

3400CN-50

1/4" O.D. x 50' Coiled Tubing

50'

3500CN

5/16" O .D. x 25' Coiled Tubing

25'

3600CN

3/8" O .D. x 25' Coiled Tubing

25'

3800CN

1/2" O.D. x 25' Coiled Tubing

25'

4308CN

3/16" I Metric Thread Standard Flare 10MM -1.0MM

8"

4312CN

12"

4320CN

20"

4330CN

30"

4340CN

40"

4351CN

51"

4360CN

60"

4372CN

72"

5308CN

3/16" I US Thread Bubble Flare- 3/8" X 24

8"

5312CN

12"

5320CN

20"

5330CN

30"

5340CN

40"

5351CN

5360CN

51"

60"

5372CN

72"

6308CN

3/16" I Metric Thread Bubble Flare 10-1.0MM

8"

6312CN

12"

6320CN

20"

6330CN

30"

6340CN

40"

6351CN

51"

6360CN

60"

6372CN

72"

308CN

3/16" Inv. Flare

8"

312CN

12"

320CN

20"

330CN

30"

340CN

40"

351CN

51"

360CN

60"

372CN

72"

408CN

1/4" Inv. Flare

8"

412CN

12"

420CN

20"

430CN

30"

440CN

40"

451CN

51"

460CN

60"

472CN

72"

508CN

5/16" Inv. Flare

8"

512CN

3/8" Inv. Flare

12"

520CN

20"

530CN

30"

540CN

40"

551CN

51"

560CN

60"

572CN

72"

8"

612CN

12"

620CN

20"

630CN

30"

640CN

40"

651CN

51"

660CN

60"

672CN

72"

Because of many things both of them share major differences which is not. The performance of the brake lines made out of copper and steel is almost similar.

However, the copper brake line will provide little benefit over the stainless steel. This one will be more durable and a little more performative. If one of those differences matters for any specific owner then they should go for that.

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