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Copper Alloy C12200 vs C19400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C12200 and C19400 are both copper alloy grades. C19400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200, about 4.9 times as much; tensile strength follows at 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi). In exchange, C12200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 10% for C19400, and C19400 is harder (115 HB vs 45 HB). C12200 conducts heat better (339 W/m·K vs 260 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C19400 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.

C19400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C12200 vs C19400: properties

C12200C19400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
121 GPa17.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
46 GPa6.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
130 GPa18.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

76 MPa11 ksi
370 MPa53.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
10%

Reduction in Area

75%
—

Shear Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
265 MPa38.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
115 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
63 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
120 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,080°C1,976 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,090°C1,994 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

339 W/m·K196 BTU/hr·ft·°F
260 W/m·K150 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°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 · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

85 % IACS
65 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.03×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.799 µΩ·in
2.65×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.04 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
58 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

20 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

85 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

100 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
40 / 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 Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
47 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
13.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

25 kJ/m³
566 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

98.5 mm²/s
75.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

40
55

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 scaleC12200C19400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC12200C19400
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 C19400 — frequently asked

Is C19400 stronger than C12200?

Yes. C19400 has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200 — about 4.9 times as much. Tensile strength is 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C12200 or C19400?

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 C19400?

C19400, 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 C19400 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C12200 and C19400 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.