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Copper Alloy C10100 vs C1220

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10100 and C1220 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 69 MPa — strength does not separate them. C10100 conducts heat better (391 W/m·K vs 339 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C1220 welds better (80 vs 70 out of 100) and C1220 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C10100 (specialty, $$$$$).

C1220Choose it when it will be welded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C10100 vs C1220: properties

C10100C1220

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
225 MPa32.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

69 MPa10 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 117 GPa17 Msi · Shear Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 140 GPa20.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 45% · Reduction in Area 75% · Shear Strength 152 MPa22 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 76 MPa11 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 45 HB · Hardness, Vickers 50 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,065°C1,949 °F

Same in both: Density 8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,083°C1,981 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

391 W/m·K226 BTU/hr·ft·°F
339 W/m·K196 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.7 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F
17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-253°C-423 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

101 % IACS
85 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.672 µΩ·in
2.03×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.799 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.24 V
-0.22 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
68 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

18 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
98 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
100 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
40 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

5%
35%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
25 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

20 kJ/m³
21 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

113.6 mm²/s
98.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
37

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 13.1 MN·m/kg

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every copper alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

501002005001,0007.588.599.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleC10100C1220

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10100C1220
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
Chrome PlatingYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Tin PlatingYes—

They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C10100 vs C1220 — frequently asked

What is the difference between C10100 and C1220?

Copper Alloy C10100 and C1220 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 69 MPa — strength does not separate them. C10100 conducts heat better (391 W/m·K vs 339 W/m·K).

Which is cheaper, C10100 or C1220?

C1220 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C10100 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, C10100 or C1220?

C1220, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 18/100 for C10100; for welding the order is C1220 first (very good, 80/100) then C10100 (very good, 70/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10100 and C1220 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.