Copper Alloy C12200 vs C17000
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C12200 and C17000 are both copper alloy grades. C17000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200, about 13 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,140 MPa (165 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi). In exchange, C12200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 6% for C17000, and C17000 is harder (340 HB vs 45 HB). C17000 is lighter (8.41 g/cm³ vs 8.94 g/cm³ for C12200) and C17000 is stiffer (131 GPa vs 117 GPa). On the shop floor, C17000 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and C12200 welds better (excellent vs fair).
C12200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
C17000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
C12200 vs C17000: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 70 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C12200 | C17000 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C12200 vs C17000 — frequently asked
Is C17000 stronger than C12200?
Yes. C17000 has a typical yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200 — about 13 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,140 MPa (165 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C12200 or C17000?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 C17000?
C17000. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (20/100) for C12200; for welding the order is C12200 first (excellent, 85/100) then C17000 (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C12200 and C17000 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.