Copper Alloy C1201-OL (Light-drawn)
Temper
JIS C1201 · UNS C12000 · EN CR023A, Cu-DLP · GB TP2
Tube temper giving straight, dimensionally stable lengths that can still be bent by hand tools.
Values for the OL condition
Other C1201 tempers and conditions
C1201 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at C1201.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Choose for deep drawing, bending, tube expanding and maximum conductivity. | 69 | 230 | 45 | 45 HB | 93 % IACS |
OLThis page Light-drawn | Tube temper giving straight, dimensionally stable lengths that can still be bent by hand tools. | 150 | 250 | 35 | 60 HB | 92 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Mild cold work for parts needing more stiffness than soft copper but still moderate bending. | 200 | 270 | 28 | 75 HB | 92 % IACS |
Half hard | Most common sheet/plate condition for busbar covers, gaskets and formed parts needing rigidity. | 250 | 295 | 16 | 90 HB | 92 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Intermediate step where hard temper is too brittle for a final light bend. | 285 | 320 | 10 | 100 HB | 91 % IACS |
Hardened | Maximum strength and straightness for hard-drawn tube, busbar and stamped contacts; little remaining ductility. | 310 | 345 | 8 | 105 HB | 91 % IACS |
Extra hard | Heavily rolled strip for flat springs and shielding gaskets where max hardness matters more than bending. | 350 | 385 | 4 | 118 HB | 90 % IACS |
What is C1201-OL?
C1201-OL is C1201 in the OL temper — tube temper giving straight, dimensionally stable lengths that can still be bent by hand tools. C1201-OL has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 69% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C1201-OL 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). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; OL is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 355 W/m·K (205.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 92 % IACS, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 83% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
C1201-OL properties
Typical room-temperature values for C1201-OL; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C1201 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C1201-OL 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).
Mechanical12
C1201-OL has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 69% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C1201-OL is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 355 W/m·K (205.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C1201-OL conducts electricity at 92 % IACS, better than 89% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C1201-OL takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C1201-OL's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C1201-OL
Is C1201 easy to machine?
Gummy with long stringy chips — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; rate ~20% of AISI 1212, prefer 1/2H or harder temper for better chip break.
Can C1201 be welded?
Phosphorus deoxidation removes hydrogen embrittlement risk, so GTAW/GMAW, oxy-fuel and resistance welding all work; preheat 200–400 °C on heavy sections due to high thermal conductivity.
Can C1201 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O temper (deep draw, tube expansion, flaring); interstage anneal at 400–600 °C when total reduction exceeds ~60%.
What surface finishes work on C1201?
Polishes to a bright finish but tarnishes quickly — protect with benzotriazole passivation, clear lacquer, tin or nickel plating; not anodizable.
C1201 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Plow residual phosphorus (DLP) — key difference vs C1220/TP1 | 0 – 0.02 | 0.01 |
| CuCu + Ag, including residual phosphorus | ≥ 99.9 (balance) | — |
C1201-OL — frequently asked
What is C1201-OL used for?
C1201-OL is typically used for electrical fittings and terminals, heat exchanger tube and components, busbar and conductive strip, brazed refrigeration assemblies, drawn and formed tube fittings and roofing and architectural sheet. In short: higher conductivity than C1220; deoxidized, no hydrogen embrittlement; 93 % IACS with brazeability.
What is the yield strength of C1201-OL?
C1201-OL has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 69% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C1201-OL easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades). Gummy with long stringy chips — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; rate ~20% of AISI 1212, prefer 1/2H or harder temper for better chip break.
Can C1201-OL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Phosphorus deoxidation removes hydrogen embrittlement risk, so GTAW/GMAW, oxy-fuel and resistance welding all work; preheat 200–400 °C on heavy sections due to high thermal conductivity.
What surface finishes work on C1201-OL?
Polishes to a bright finish but tarnishes quickly — protect with benzotriazole passivation, clear lacquer, tin or nickel plating; not anodizable.
Can C1201-OL be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O temper (deep draw, tube expansion, flaring); interstage anneal at 400–600 °C when total reduction exceeds ~60%.
What is the maximum service temperature of C1201-OL?
C1201-OL is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C1201-O and C1201-EH?
O is the default condition — choose for deep drawing, bending, tube expanding and maximum conductivity. EH: heavily rolled strip for flat springs and shielding gaskets where max hardness matters more than bending. Yield strength is 69 MPa in O versus 350 MPa in EH.
Sources
- JIS H3100 Copper and copper alloy sheets, plates and strips — JSA (2018)
- JIS H3300 Copper and copper alloy seamless pipes and tubes — JSA (2018)
- ASTM B152 / B75 (UNS C12000) — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA alloy datasheet C12000 (DLP copper) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.