When you choose aluminium from Hydro, it's strong, light, durable and climate efficient, making you part of a smarter and more sustainable future. Our climate strategy is to cut our CO2 emissions 30% by 2030. Our aluminium can help you meet your goals, too.
Energy
Hydro has been at the forefront of the energy transition since 1905, transforming industries and societies with renewable energy. Today, we are pioneering the green aluminium transition through renewables and new energy solutions.
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About Hydro
Hydro is a leading aluminium and renewable energy company that builds businesses and partnerships for a more sustainable future. We have 32,000 employees in more than 140 locations and 42 countries.
Hydro supplies all-aluminium suction and liquid line sets for HVAC/R systems, engineered as a direct alternative to copper. Switching to aluminium lowers weight per metre and reduces exposure to copper price volatility, while insulation and coating options are matched to your installation environment.
Aluminium is roughly a third the density of copper, so an aluminium line set weighs significantly less than a copper equivalent of the same dimensions. Fabrication cost per kilogram is higher for aluminium, but not per metre, so the net material cost is typically lower and less exposed to copper price swings. Aluminium is also fully recyclable at end of life.
Hydro offers suction lines with insulation, and liquid lines with or without insulation. This insulation is M1 flame-retardant and can be supplied with meter marking. You can also order your lines with polyamide Hycot coating, the most robust solution on the market.
HyLife® aluminium lines: corrosion performance without the guesswork
HyLife® aluminium lines are engineered with alloys developed specifically for HVAC/R environments and validated through accelerated salt-spray corrosion testing (SWAAT, ASTM G85). Unlike copper, aluminium is immune to formicary corrosion – a failure mode estimated to cause around 10% of all-copper evaporator coil failures. For added protection in demanding environments, lines are available with a Hycot™ polyamide or polyethylene coating. The same corrosion advantage applies wherever aluminium replaces copper elsewhere in the system, including in fin and tube heat exchangers and micro-channel heat exchangers.
Insulation and coating options
Hydro supplies suction lines with insulation, and liquid lines with or without insulation, so you can match the configuration to your system design. Insulation is M1 flame-retardant and supplied with meter marking. For added protection against physical and corrosion attack, lines are available with a Hycot™ polyamide or polyethylene coating – well suited to connecting-line applications.
Line set specifications and standards
Size
Outer diameter
1/4"
6.36 mm
5/16"
7.94 mm
3/8"
9.52 mm
1/2"
12.70 mm
5/8"
15.87 mm
3/4"
19.05 mm
Custom
Available on request
Installing your aluminium line sets
Aluminium line sets install differently to copper and reward the right technique. Use a dedicated aluminium tool set (or clean tools thoroughly after use on copper), swage rather than expand the tube end, and protect any connection to a dissimilar metal with a heat-shrink sleeve to prevent galvanic corrosion. Aluminium is softer than copper and needs less torque at mechanical connections. Store aluminium lines separately from other metals and keep them dry, and avoid installation environments with a pH below 4 or above 10. Download our full installation guidelines for step-by-step instructions.
Frequently asked questions
A line set is the pair of insulated copper or aluminium tubes – a suction line and a liquid line – that carry refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units of an air-conditioning or refrigeration system.
Aluminium weighs significantly less than copper at the same dimensions, typically costs less per metre, and is immune to formicary corrosion, a failure mode that affects copper lines.
Suction lines are supplied insulated, and liquid lines are available with or without insulation. Insulation is M1 flame-retardant and meter-marked.
Yes, using the correct method (brazing, flare connection, or a mechanical coupling such as Lokring®) and a heat-shrink sleeve at the joint to prevent galvanic corrosion. See our installation guidelines for details.
Standard outer diameters from 1/4″ (6.36 mm) to 3/4″ (19.05 mm), with custom dimensions available on request.
