FabDigitFabDigit

Copper Alloy C11000 vs C1201

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C11000 and C1201 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 69 MPa — strength does not separate them. C11000 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C1201 welds better (very good vs fair).

C11000Choose it when the part sees heat.

C1201Choose it when it will be welded.

C11000 vs C1201: properties

C11000C1201

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

221 MPa32.1 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Shear Strength

152 MPa22 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

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 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 69 MPa10 ksi · Elongation at Break 45% · Reduction in Area 75% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 76 MPa11 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 45 HB · Hardness, Vickers 50 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,065°C1,949 °F · 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
360 W/m·K208 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
200°C392 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

101 % IACS
93 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.673 µΩ·in
1.85×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.728 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.32 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

60 / 100
68 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

35 / 100
75 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
95 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

92 / 100
95 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Polishability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
40%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

25 kN·m/kg
26 kN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

113.6 mm²/s
104.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

43
40

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 13.1 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 20 kJ/m³

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 scaleC11000C1201

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC11000C1201
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
3D printingYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ 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.

C11000 vs C1201 — frequently asked

What is the difference between C11000 and C1201?

Copper Alloy C11000 and C1201 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 69 MPa — strength does not separate them. C11000 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous).

Which is cheaper, C11000 or C1201?

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, C11000 or C1201?

C1201, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for C11000; for welding the order is C1201 first (very good, 75/100) then C11000 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C11000 and C1201 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.