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Copper Alloy C1220 vs Cu-ETP1

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C1220 and Cu-ETP1 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 70 MPa — strength does not separate them. C1220 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for Cu-ETP1. Cu-ETP1 conducts heat better (394 W/m·K vs 339 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C1220 welds better (very good vs fair).

C1220Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

C1220 vs Cu-ETP1: properties

C1220Cu-ETP1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

225 MPa32.6 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
40%

Reduction in Area

75%
70%

Shear Strength

152 MPa22 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
75 MPa10.9 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) 70 MPa10.2 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 60 J44.3 ft·lbf · Hardness, Brinell 45 HB · Hardness, Vickers 50 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.93 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Same in both: 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

339 W/m·K196 BTU/hr·ft·°F
394 W/m·K228 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-250°C-418 °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

85 % IACS
101.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.03×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.799 µΩ·in
1.7×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.669 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.22 V
-0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

68 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

80 / 100
50 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
95 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

100 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

70 / 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
53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
10%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Thermal Diffusivity

98.5 mm²/s
114.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

37
44

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 25 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 13.1 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 21 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 scaleCu-ETP1C1220

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC1220Cu-ETP1
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C1220 vs Cu-ETP1 — frequently asked

What is the difference between C1220 and Cu-ETP1?

Copper Alloy C1220 and Cu-ETP1 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 70 MPa — strength does not separate them. C1220 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for Cu-ETP1.

Which is cheaper, C1220 or Cu-ETP1?

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, C1220 or Cu-ETP1?

Cu-ETP1, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for C1220; for welding the order is C1220 first (very good, 80/100) then Cu-ETP1 (fair, 50/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C1220 and Cu-ETP1 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.