Copper Alloy C1220-H (Hardened)
Heat-treated state
JIS C1220 · UNS C12200 · EN CR024A, Cu-DHP · GB TP1
Hard-drawn straight tube and hard sheet — highest pressure rating and stiffness for plumbing, medical gas and pressure lines; bend only with fittings.
Values for the H condition
Other C1220 tempers and conditions
C1220 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at C1220.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Fully annealed soft coil tube, sheet and strip — maximum ductility for bending, flaring, expanding and deep drawing. | 70 | 225 | 45 | 45 HB | 85 % IACS |
Light drawn / light-annealed | Light-drawn straight tube keeping most annealed ductility but with better straightness and dent resistance — common for air-conditioning and refrigerant lines. | 160 | 260 | 45 | 60 HB | 85 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Mild cold work for sheet/strip needing more spring-back control than O while still allowing moderate bending. | 190 | 270 | 25 | 72 HB | 84 % IACS |
Half hard | Half-hard sheet, strip and tube — good compromise of strength and residual formability for pressed and roll-formed parts. | 250 | 305 | 15 | 40 HRB | 84 % IACS |
HThis page Hardened | Hard-drawn straight tube and hard sheet — highest pressure rating and stiffness for plumbing, medical gas and pressure lines; bend only with fittings. | 300 | 345 | 10 | 55 HRB | 84 % IACS |
Extra hard | Extra-hard strip/tube for maximum strength and spring-back where no further forming is required. | 350 | 390 | 5 | 115 HB | 83 % IACS |
What is C1220-H?
C1220-H is C1220 heat treated to H — hard-drawn straight tube and hard sheet — highest pressure rating and stiffness for plumbing, medical gas and pressure lines; bend only with fittings. C1220-H has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 61% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C1220-H 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; H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 335 W/m·K (193.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 84 % IACS, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C1220-H properties
Typical room-temperature values for C1220-H; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C1220 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C1220-H 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
C1220-H has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 61% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C1220-H is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 335 W/m·K (193.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C1220-H conducts electricity at 84 % IACS, better than 85% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C1220-H takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
C1220-H's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C1220-H
Is C1220 easy to machine?
Gummy and stringy (≈20 % of AISI 1212) — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip breakers; half-hard/hard tempers cut cleaner than annealed.
Can C1220 be welded?
Deoxidised so no hydrogen embrittlement: GTAW/GMAW with ERCu or ERCuSi-A, preheat 200–400 °C on heavy sections due to the high thermal conductivity.
Can C1220 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/OL — bending, flaring, expanding, deep drawing; interstage anneal at 400–600 °C when cold work exceeds ~50 %.
What surface finishes work on C1220?
Solders and brazes exceptionally well (phosphorus self-fluxes on copper); polish, tin/nickel plate or apply benzotriazole/lacquer to control tarnish — anodising is not applicable.
C1220 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 — sets the ~85 % IACS conductivity | 0.02 – 0.04 | 0.03 |
| CuCu + Ag counted together; P included in the Cu figure per JIS | ≥ 99.9 (balance) | — |
C1220-H — frequently asked
What is C1220-H used for?
C1220-H is typically used for refrigerant tubing, plumbing pipe and brazed heat exchangers. In short: standard HVAC copper tube; braze- and weld-safe copper; outstanding cold formability.
What is the yield strength of C1220-H?
C1220-H has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 61% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C1220-H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and stringy (≈20 % of AISI 1212) — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip breakers; half-hard/hard tempers cut cleaner than annealed.
Can C1220-H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Deoxidised so no hydrogen embrittlement: GTAW/GMAW with ERCu or ERCuSi-A, preheat 200–400 °C on heavy sections due to the high thermal conductivity.
What surface finishes work on C1220-H?
Solders and brazes exceptionally well (phosphorus self-fluxes on copper); polish, tin/nickel plate or apply benzotriazole/lacquer to control tarnish — anodising is not applicable.
Can C1220-H be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/OL — bending, flaring, expanding, deep drawing; interstage anneal at 400–600 °C when cold work exceeds ~50 %.
What is the maximum service temperature of C1220-H?
C1220-H 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 C1220-O and C1220-EH?
O is the default condition — fully annealed soft coil tube, sheet and strip — maximum ductility for bending, flaring, expanding and deep drawing. EH: extra-hard strip/tube for maximum strength and spring-back where no further forming is required. Yield strength is 70 MPa in O versus 350 MPa in EH.
Sources
- JIS H3300 Copper and copper alloy seamless pipes and tubes — JSA (2018)
- JIS H3100 Copper and copper alloy sheets, plates and strips — JSA (2018)
- ASTM B88 / B280 (C12200 water and ACR tube) — ASTM (2020)
- CDA Alloy C12200 (Cu-DHP) property datasheet — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion of Copper and Copper Alloys — ASM International (2005)
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.