Copper Alloy C12000
UNS C12000 · EN CW023A, Cu-DLP · JIS C1201 · GB TP1, TP2
C12000 (Cu-DLP, CW023A) is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper with low residual phosphorus, holding 95 % IACS conductivity and 345 W/m·K while welding and brazing far better than tough-pitch copper.
Reference datasheet — C12000 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the O60 condition
C12000 tempers and conditions
C12000 is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard. O60 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 13 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
O60Default Soft annealed | Most stocked condition for tube and sheet: maximum formability, bendability and conductivity for coils, pipe bending and deep drawing. | 70 | 225 | 45 | 45 HB | 95 % IACS |
Hot rolled and annealed | Heavy plate/bus bar condition supplied soft after hot rolling; pick when thickness prevents cold-rolled tempers. | 76 | 220 | 45 | 45 HB | 95 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Mill hot-rolled plate/bar with no further processing; cheapest heavy-section form for bus bars and machined blanks. | 90 | 235 | 40 | 50 HB | 95 % IACS |
1/8 hard | Slightly stiffened sheet/strip that still deep-draws and bends tightly; used for roofing, gaskets and formed electrical parts. | 170 | 250 | 30 | 60 HB | 94 % IACS |
Light drawn | Light-drawn tube temper: enough strength for straight lengths yet still bendable and flareable for plumbing/HVAC lines. | 200 | 260 | 25 | 70 HB | 94 % IACS |
Quarter hard | General-purpose light temper: better flatness and handling stiffness than annealed while retaining good bendability. | 205 | 265 | 25 | 70 HB | 94 % IACS |
Half hard | Workhorse strength temper for bus bars, terminals and stamped parts needing moderate forming plus rigidity. | 250 | 290 | 14 | 85 HB | 94 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Higher-strength strip for flat springs, contacts and clamps where only mild forming is required. | 275 | 310 | 10 | 90 HB | 93 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Standard hard-drawn condition for rigid straight tube, rod and wire; brazes readily but must be re-annealed before tight bending. | 290 | 330 | 10 | 95 HB | 93 % IACS |
Full hard | Standard hard temper for rigid bus bar, rod and strip; best strength/conductivity balance without further work. | 305 | 330 | 6 | 95 HB | 93 % IACS |
Extra hard | Heavily cold-worked strip/wire for stiff, low-deflection parts; forming must be limited to gentle radii. | 330 | 350 | 4 | 100 HB | 93 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring-tempered strip/wire for conductive springs, contacts and clips where elastic limit matters most. | 345 | 365 | 4 | 105 HB | 93 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength available in this grade; for thin conductive springs and contact blades, essentially non-formable. | 360 | 380 | 3 | 110 HB | 92 % IACS |
What is C12000?
C12000 (Cu-DLP, CW023A) is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper with low residual phosphorus, holding 95 % IACS conductivity and 345 W/m·K while welding and brazing far better than tough-pitch copper. Annealed tube, strip and sheet run 225 MPa tensile, 70 MPa yield, 45 % elongation and 45 HB with a 98 formability rating, which suits drawn tube, heat exchangers and roofing to about 250 °C. Strength is low and machinability is only about 20 % of AISI 1212, so it is not a turned-part material. C12200 (DHP) is the common higher-phosphorus alternative for plumbing tube; C10800 gives higher conductivity with similar weldability. C12000 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F). C12000 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
What is C12000 used for?
- welded/brazed tubing
- heat exchangers
- roofing
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 98/100, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 95 % IACS, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 345 W/m·K (199.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
C12000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C12000-O60; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C12000 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Mechanical13
C12000 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
Thermal6
C12000 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 345 W/m·K (199.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C12000 conducts electricity at 95 % IACS, better than 91% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C12000 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C12000's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (98/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the copper alloy family
Yield strength against density for every copper alloy grade FabDigit runs. C12000 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C12000
Is C12000 easy to machine?
Gummy and stringy — rating only ~20 % of AISI 1212; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, or switch to a free-machining copper for turned parts.
Can C12000 be welded?
Low residual phosphorus makes it far less hydrogen-embrittlement prone than ETP copper: GTAW/GMAW with ERCu, preheat 200–500 °C on heavy sections; brazing and soldering are excellent.
Can C12000 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O60/H00 (deep draw, spin, bend to tight radii); interanneal 400–600 °C after ~50 % reduction; hard tempers need generous bend radii.
C12000 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Presidual deoxidiser; low level preserves conductivity | 0 – 0.01 | 0.01 |
| CuCu + Ag, min 99.90 % per ASTM B152 / GB/T 5231 TP1 | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C12000?
Not anodisable — polish and lacquer, or tin/nickel/silver plate for contacts; benzotriazole or chromate passivation slows tarnish and patina formation.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on copper alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C12000 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does C12000 cost?
C12000 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C12000 — frequently asked
What is C12000 used for?
C12000 is typically used for welded/brazed tubing, heat exchangers and roofing. In short: best-forming weldable copper; weldable alternative to ETP; 95 % IACS tube grade.
What is the yield strength of C12000?
C12000 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is C12000 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and stringy — rating only ~20 % of AISI 1212; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, or switch to a free-machining copper for turned parts.
Can C12000 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Low residual phosphorus makes it far less hydrogen-embrittlement prone than ETP copper: GTAW/GMAW with ERCu, preheat 200–500 °C on heavy sections; brazing and soldering are excellent.
What surface finishes work on C12000?
Not anodisable — polish and lacquer, or tin/nickel/silver plate for contacts; benzotriazole or chromate passivation slows tarnish and patina formation.
Can C12000 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O60/H00 (deep draw, spin, bend to tight radii); interanneal 400–600 °C after ~50 % reduction; hard tempers need generous bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of C12000?
C12000 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C12000-O60 and C12000-H10?
O60 is the default condition — most stocked condition for tube and sheet: maximum formability, bendability and conductivity for coils, pipe bending and deep drawing. H10: maximum cold-worked strength available in this grade; for thin conductive springs and contact blades, essentially non-formable. Yield strength is 70 MPa in O60 versus 360 MPa in H10.
How much does C12000 cost?
C12000 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM B152/B152M Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B75/B75M Seamless Copper Tube — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B601 Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy C12000 (Cu-DLP) datasheet — Copper Development Association / copper.org (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1652 / EN 12449 Cu-DLP (CW023A) — CEN (2012)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.