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Copper Alloy C12200 vs C19500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C12200 and C19500 are both copper alloy grades. C19500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 517 MPa (75 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200, about 6.8 times as much; tensile strength follows at 552 MPa (80.1 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi). In exchange, C12200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 5% for C19500. C19500 is stiffer (131 GPa vs 117 GPa) and C12200 conducts heat better (339 W/m·K vs 200 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C19500 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.

C19500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C12200 vs C19500: properties

C12200C19500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
131 GPa19 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
48 GPa7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
135 GPa19.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
552 MPa80.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

76 MPa11 ksi
517 MPa75 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
5%

Reduction in Area

75%
—

Shear Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
165 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,030°C1,886 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,075°C1,967 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

339 W/m·K196 BTU/hr·ft·°F
200 W/m·K116 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

85 % IACS
50 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.03×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.799 µΩ·in
3.45×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.36 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.3 V
-0.27 V

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

20 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
45%

Weldability

85 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

100 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
63 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
14.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

25 kJ/m³
1,020 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

98.5 mm²/s
59.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

40
50

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 scaleC12200C19500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC12200C19500
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 C19500 — frequently asked

Is C19500 stronger than C12200?

Yes. C19500 has a typical yield strength of 517 MPa (75 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200 — about 6.8 times as much. Tensile strength is 552 MPa (80.1 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C12200 or C19500?

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 C19500?

C19500, 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 C19500 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C12200 and C19500 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.