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Copper Alloy C12200 vs C19700

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C12200 and C19700 are both copper alloy grades. C19700 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200, about 5.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi). In exchange, C12200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 6% for C19700. On the shop floor, C19700 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.

C19700Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C12200 vs C19700: properties

C12200C19700

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
120 GPa17.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
45 GPa6.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
138 GPa20 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

76 MPa11 ksi
385 MPa55.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
6%

Reduction in Area

75%
—

Shear Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
72 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
130 HV

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
1,075°C1,967 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,085°C1,985 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

339 W/m·K196 BTU/hr·ft·°F
320 W/m·K185 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

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 · 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
80 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.03×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.799 µΩ·in
2.16×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.85 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
58 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V

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
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

100 / 100
95 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Polishability 80 / 100

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

Typical Recycled Content

35%
30%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg

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
13.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

25 kJ/m³
618 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

98.5 mm²/s
93.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

40
63

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 scaleC12200C19700

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC12200C19700
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 C19700 — frequently asked

Is C19700 stronger than C12200?

Yes. C19700 has a typical yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) against 76 MPa (11 ksi) for C12200 — about 5.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C12200 or C19700?

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 C19700?

C19700, 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 C19700 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C12200 and C19700 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.