Copper Alloy C12000-M20
Finish state
UNS C12000 · EN CW023A, Cu-DLP · JIS C1201 · GB TP1, TP2
M20 = as hot rolled
Mill hot-rolled plate/bar with no further processing; cheapest heavy-section form for bus bars and machined blanks.
Values for the M20 condition
Other C12000 tempers and conditions
C12000 is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at C12000.
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 |
M20This page 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-M20?
C12000-M20 is C12000 supplied in the M20 condition — mill hot-rolled plate/bar with no further processing; cheapest heavy-section form for bus bars and machined blanks. C12000-M20 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi). C12000-M20 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). O60 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; M20 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 95 % IACS, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, 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
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C12000-M20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C12000-M20; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C12000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C12000-M20 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-M20 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
Thermal6
C12000-M20 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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-M20 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-M20 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-M20's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C12000-M20
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.
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.
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) | — |
C12000-M20 — frequently asked
What is C12000-M20 used for?
C12000-M20 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-M20?
C12000-M20 has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is C12000-M20 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-M20 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-M20?
Not anodisable — polish and lacquer, or tin/nickel/silver plate for contacts; benzotriazole or chromate passivation slows tarnish and patina formation.
Can C12000-M20 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-M20?
C12000-M20 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.