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Copper Alloy C12200 vs C14700

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C12200 and C14700 are both copper alloy grades. C14700 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200, about 4.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi). In exchange, C12200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 12% for C14700, and C14700 is harder (95 HB vs 45 HB). C12200 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous) and C14700 conducts heat better (380 W/m·K vs 339 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C14700 machines more easily (excellent vs poor) and C12200 welds better (excellent vs poor).

C12200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C14700Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C12200 vs C14700: properties

C12200C14700

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
365 MPa52.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

76 MPa11 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
12%

Reduction in Area

75%
55%

Shear Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
95 HB

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
45 J33.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
55 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
105 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)

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,067°C1,953 °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

339 W/m·K196 BTU/hr·ft·°F
380 W/m·K220 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)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °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 · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

85 % IACS
93 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.03×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.799 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)

-0.3 V
-0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

20 / 100
85 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
250%

Weldability

85 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

100 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

35%
40%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
41 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

25 kJ/m³
438 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

98.5 mm²/s
110.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

40
67

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 scaleC12200C14700

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC12200C14700
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 C14700 — frequently asked

Is C14700 stronger than C12200?

Yes. C14700 has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200 — about 4.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C12200 or C14700?

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 C14700?

C14700. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against poor (20/100) for C12200; for welding the order is C12200 first (excellent, 85/100) then C14700 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C12200 and C14700 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.