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Copper Alloy C11300 vs C12200

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C11300 and C12200 are both copper alloy grades. C11300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200, about 4.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi). In exchange, C12200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 6% for C11300, and C11300 is harder (100 HB vs 45 HB). C11300 conducts heat better (388 W/m·K vs 339 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C11300 machines more easily (32 vs 20 out of 100) and C12200 welds better (excellent vs fair).

C11300Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C12200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

C11300 vs C12200: properties

C11300C12200

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

345 MPa50 ksi
235 MPa34.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
76 MPa11 ksi

Elongation at Break

6%
45%

Reduction in Area

55%
75%

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

115 MPa16.7 ksi
76 MPa11 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

100 HB
45 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

58 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

108 HV
—

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,065°C1,949 °F
1,083°C1,981 °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

388 W/m·K224 BTU/hr·ft·°F
339 W/m·K196 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Min Service Temperature

-250°C-418 °F
-200°C-328 °F

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 · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

98 % IACS
85 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.76×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.693 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)

-0.22 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

32 / 100
20 / 100

Weldability

35 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
98 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
100 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

39 kN·m/kg
26 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

411 kJ/m³
25 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

112.7 mm²/s
98.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

67
40

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 scaleC12200C11300

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC11300C12200
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.

C11300 vs C12200 — frequently asked

Is C11300 stronger than C12200?

Yes. C11300 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200 — about 4.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C11300 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, C11300 or C12200?

C11300, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 20/100 for C12200; for welding the order is C12200 first (excellent, 85/100) then C11300 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C11300 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.