NiCopp vs. Steel: Why Pre-Bent Brake, Fuel, and Transmission Lines Are Best

It makes sense to invest in the best when it comes to brake, fuel, and transmission lines. These systems are critical to safe operation, so material composition matters. Let's take a closer look at an automotive line material called NiCopp - a nickel-copper alloy that's been around since the '70s and see how it stacks up against steel.

It sounds great on paper: corrosion-proof, easy to bend, DOT-approved for hydraulic brake systems and bends 50% easier than steel tubing. But when it comes to long-term durability, hassle-free installation, and protecting your undercarriage, we're here to tell you why pre-bent steel lines are still the superior choice.

Easy To Bend, Easy To Break

NiCopp is an alloy - about 88% copper - which is why it's so easy to work with. But that softness is also its biggest vulnerability.

• Impact Resistance is Zero: If you drive a truck, Jeep, or anything that sees snow, ice, or gravel, think about this: NiCopp is so soft that hitting a rock or a chunk of ice could easily crimp or even break the line. That's a massive deal, and it's a huge risk for any off-road vehicle or daily driver in a cold climate. On the contrary, high-strength steel lines are built to take a hit.
• The Installation Stress Test: If you accidentally tug too roughly on a NiCopp line during installation, you can deform it. If you over-torque a fitting or need to detach and re-attach something, the NiCopp can stretch out. That means you have to cut the flared end off and start fresh. NiCopp simply doesn't tolerate mistakes.

The hardness of steel is a huge benefit at connection points. Steel creates a precise, repeatable flare that holds its shape against the intense pressure and torque of the fitting. The softness of Nickel-Copper means there's a higher risk of crushing or deforming the flared end if torqued incorrectly, leading to a potential leak path down the road. Our steel lines provide a more stable platform for the fitting to seat against.

NiCopp is similar in cost to our pre-bent steel lines, but when you factor in the time, frustration, and risk of having to scrap a botched bend or flare, the NiCopp is much more costly.

The Pre-Bent Advantage

The most time consuming part of a line replacement is the forming and routing of the replacement lines. That's where you'll see the biggest difference between LinesToGo lines and what NiCopp lines offer - the prep and placement work. Our lines are already bent for you, and the routing matches OE fitment exactly. NiCopp is typically sold in rolls or coils. You have to bend, shape, cut, and flare every single foot of line yourself.

• Costly Guesswork: Bending, cutting and routing your own lines is a guessing game - and with a material like NiCopp that leaves no room for mistakes, that's a recipe for disaster. Our lines are pre-bent and CNC-formed to match the original equipment (OE) route of your vehicle. No guessing on routing, and a direct, bolt-in installation.
• A Better Look: Hand-bent NiCopp lines won't have the same clean, professional look as a factory-quality pre-bent stainless steel line. If you care about a tidy look and clean undercarriage, the difference is night and day.
• Faster and Easier: You can spend a whole day fighting a coil of soft NiCopp tubing before you get it right. With pre-bent lines, you've got one less thing to figure out on install - always a good thing.

Corrosion Protection

The main selling point for NiCopp is that it's touted as practically corrosion proof. While it does resist corrosion well, you have to look at the whole picture.

• Our 304L Stainless or Galfan-coated steel lines are so tough and corrosion resistant they'll often outlast the vehicle they're mounted on, even in the harshest rust-belt environments. In warm weather climates, regular steel brake lines are incredibly corrosion resistant and will last decades.
• Yes, NiCopp also resists corrosive elements really well. But when you consider salty winter roads or the like, in light of how fragile NiCopp is, and that cold weather and chunks of ice go hand-in-hand, don't count on NiCopp for the long haul.

Pressure And Pedal Feel

Both Nickel-Copper and steel lines meet DOT requirements, but high-grade stainless steel brake lines far exceed those standards. Your braking system. for instance, operates under immense pressures (often over 1,000 PSI during hard stops). Steel’s inherent rigidity gives you a massive safety margin against sudden pressure spikes or failure.

Again, here's where NiCopp's softer copper alloy composition causes concern. NiCopp is more susceptible to stretching under extreme hydraulic force. Being more pliable than steel, this softness can also translate to minute micro-expansion within the line, resulting in a slightly spongier or less immediate pedal feel over time.

Steel Lines From LinesToGo

We may be a bit biased, but we would recommend steel over NiCopp every time. Steel lines offer the best of both worlds. LinesToGo steel lines offer the ultimate resistance to corrosion while maintaining the structural integrity and impact resistance that copper alloy can't provide. When you choose LinesToGo lines you get strength, precision, durability, and an easier install.

Every line has OE end forms and fittings and is pre-bent, ready to bolt-on. Browse our selection of brake lines, fuel lines, engine oil cooler lines, rack and pinion lines, and more. Give our experts a call at (855) 781-5992 or contact us online to order your replacement lines today!