Copper Alloy C1020 vs C12200
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C1020 and C12200 are both copper alloy grades. C12200 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 76 MPa (11 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C1020, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) vs 221 MPa (32.1 ksi). C12200 is harder — 45 HB against 40 HB for C1020 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C1020 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous) and C1020 conducts heat better (391 W/m·K vs 339 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C12200 welds better (excellent vs very good).
C1020Choose it when the part sees heat.
C12200Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
C1020 vs C12200: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: 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% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 76 MPa11 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,083°C1,981 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,083°C1,981 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Formability (cold) 98 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C1020 | C12200 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C1020 vs C12200 — frequently asked
Is C12200 stronger than C1020?
Yes. C12200 has a typical yield strength of 76 MPa (11 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C1020 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) vs 221 MPa (32.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C1020 or C12200?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, C1020 or C12200?
C1020, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 20/100 for C12200; for welding the order is C12200 first (excellent, 85/100) then C1020 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C1020 and C12200 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.