FabDigitFabDigit

Copper Alloy C12200 vs C14300

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C12200 and C14300 are both copper alloy grades. C14300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200, about 4.0 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 8% for C14300, and C14300 is harder (90 HB vs 45 HB). On the shop floor, C14300 machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100) and C12200 welds better (excellent vs fair).

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

C14300Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C12200 vs C14300: properties

C12200C14300

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
345 MPa50 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

76 MPa11 ksi
305 MPa44.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
8%

Reduction in Area

75%
—

Shear Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
205 MPa29.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
130 MPa18.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
90 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
50 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
95 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.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,076°C1,969 °F

Same in both: 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
350 W/m·K202 BTU/hr·ft·°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 · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

85 % IACS
90 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.03×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.799 µΩ·in
1.92×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.756 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.3 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

20 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

85 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

100 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Castability

—
45 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

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

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

35%
30%

Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
39 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
13.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

25 kJ/m³
398 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

98.5 mm²/s
102.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

40
61

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 scaleC12200C14300

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC12200C14300
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
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.

C12200 vs C14300 — frequently asked

Is C14300 stronger than C12200?

Yes. C14300 has a typical yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200 — about 4.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C12200 or C14300?

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, C12200 or C14300?

C14300, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for C12200; for welding the order is C12200 first (excellent, 85/100) then C14300 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C12200 and C14300 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.