Copper Alloy C12200
UNS C12200 · ASTM B280, B88 · EN Cu-DHP, CW024A · JIS C1220 · GB TU2, TP2
C12200 is phosphorus-deoxidized high-residual-phosphorus (DHP) copper: nominally 99.9 % Cu with 0.015–0.040 % P left in solution to scavenge oxygen.
Values for the O condition
C12200 tempers and conditions
C12200 is supplied in 15 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 15 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled and annealed | Hot-rolled DHP copper plate given a full anneal — coarse-grain soft condition with maximum ductility and formability. | 70 | 220 | 45 | 42 HB | 85 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Mill temper of hot-rolled DHP copper plate/bar; soft, fully ductile condition with essentially annealed properties. | 75 | 225 | 45 | 45 HB | 85 % IACS |
ODefault Annealed | Default stock condition for tube, sheet and coil that must be bent, flared or deep drawn on site. | 76 | 235 | 45 | 45 HB | 85 % IACS |
Light anneal | Fine-grain soft temper for tube/strip needing soft forming but a smoother, less orange-peel surface than full anneal. | 95 | 245 | 42 | 50 HB | 85 % IACS |
Eighth Hard | Slight stiffening with nearly full formability — used for gaskets, roofing and deep-drawn parts needing handling rigidity. | 195 | 260 | 30 | 60 HB | 84 % IACS |
Light drawn tube | Light-drawn tube temper (ASTM B75/B68 class) that still bends readily but ships straighter and stiffer than annealed coil. | 200 | 260 | 25 | 65 HB | 84 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Balanced temper for moderate bending plus a useful strength gain in strip and plate work. | 220 | 275 | 25 | 70 HB | 84 % IACS |
Half hard | Common structural/strip temper: usable 90° bending with roughly triple the annealed yield strength. | 255 | 295 | 14 | 80 HB | 84 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Cold-rolled/drawn DHP copper worked to ~30% reduction, strength between half-hard and full-hard with limited remaining ductility. | 265 | 300 | 10 | 95 HB | 84 % IACS |
Drawn, general purpose | Standard rigid plumbing/ACR tube temper (ASTM B88 Type K/L/M drawn, B280); pick for straight lengths joined by brazing or soldering. | 275 | 305 | 12 | 85 HB | 83 % IACS |
Full hard | Choose when maximum as-supplied strength and stiffness matter more than bending, e.g. hard-drawn bar, busbar and rigid tube. | 310 | 345 | 8 | 95 HB | 83 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Fully hard-drawn tube for high-pressure lines and structural/handrail use where no field bending is required. | 315 | 345 | 8 | 95 HB | 83 % IACS |
Extra hard | Heavily cold-worked strip for flat springs, contacts and wear faces where forming is minimal. | 330 | 365 | 6 | 100 HB | 83 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Heaviest standard cold-rolled temper of DHP copper strip — maximum strength and springback, very low ductility. | 335 | 365 | 4 | 110 HB | 83 % IACS |
Spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for spring strip and gasket seals; essentially no bend formability. | 345 | 380 | 5 | 105 HB | 82 % IACS |
What is C12200?
C12200 is phosphorus-deoxidized high-residual-phosphorus (DHP) copper: nominally 99.9 % Cu with 0.015–0.040 % P left in solution to scavenge oxygen. Removing oxygen makes it immune to hydrogen embrittlement, so it brazes, welds and torch-joins far better than ETP copper — hence its dominance in water, refrigeration, medical-gas and heat-exchanger tube. The trade-off is that residual phosphorus depresses conductivity to about 85 % IACS, so it is not the choice for high-current electrical conductors (use C11000/C10100 instead); strength is also low and it softens above roughly 200 °C. C12200 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,083°C (1,981 °F). C12200 has a yield strength of 76 MPa (11 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 91% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C12200 used for?
- Plumbing and potable-water tubing
- Heat exchanger and refrigeration coils
- Medical gas lines
- Brazed heat sinks and cold plates
- Roofing, flashing and formed sheet parts
- Gaskets and sealing washers
- Fabricated tanks and vessel liners
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 98/100, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 339 W/m·K (195.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 85 % IACS, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 76 MPa (11 ksi), worse than 91% of copper alloy grades
C12200 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C12200-O; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C12200 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,083°C (1,981 °F).
Mechanical11
C12200 has a yield strength of 76 MPa (11 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 91% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C12200 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 339 W/m·K (195.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C12200 conducts electricity at 85 % IACS, better than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C12200 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
C12200's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability excellent (85/100); 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. C12200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C12200
Is C12200 easy to machine?
Gummy and stringy at ~20 % of AISI 1212 — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, and prefer H02/H04 temper over annealed for better chip break.
Can C12200 be welded?
Best-welding copper grade: GTAW/GMAW with ERCu or ERCuSi-A, preheat 200–500 °C on heavy sections because of the huge thermal conductivity; no hydrogen embrittlement since it is deoxidized.
Can C12200 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O temper (deep draw, flare, bend to 1T); interstage anneal 400–600 °C after ~60 % reduction, hot work 750–950 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C12200. Every C12200 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair20 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.5 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 220 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 6× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better98 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better85 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C12200 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 deoxidizer; sets the ~85 % IACS conductivity | 0.02 – 0.04 | 0.03 |
| CuCu + Ag, min 99.90 % per ASTM B75/B152; balance | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C12200?
Not anodizable — solders and brazes exceptionally well (BCuP self-fluxing on copper), takes bright polish, tin/nickel/silver plating, or chemical patina/lacquer to control natural oxidation.
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).
Passivation
Plating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C12200 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does C12200 cost?
C12200 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 59% 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.
C12200 — frequently asked
What is C12200 used for?
C12200 is typically used for plumbing and potable-water tubing, heat exchanger and refrigeration coils, medical gas lines, brazed heat sinks and cold plates, roofing, flashing and formed sheet parts and gaskets and sealing washers. In short: general purpose soft copper.
What is the yield strength of C12200?
C12200 has a typical yield strength of 76 MPa (11 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 91% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 15 listed tempers.
Is C12200 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and stringy at ~20 % of AISI 1212 — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, and prefer H02/H04 temper over annealed for better chip break.
Can C12200 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Best-welding copper grade: GTAW/GMAW with ERCu or ERCuSi-A, preheat 200–500 °C on heavy sections because of the huge thermal conductivity; no hydrogen embrittlement since it is deoxidized.
What surface finishes work on C12200?
Not anodizable — solders and brazes exceptionally well (BCuP self-fluxing on copper), takes bright polish, tin/nickel/silver plating, or chemical patina/lacquer to control natural oxidation.
Can C12200 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O temper (deep draw, flare, bend to 1T); interstage anneal 400–600 °C after ~60 % reduction, hot work 750–950 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of C12200?
C12200 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 C12200-O and C12200-H08?
O is the default condition — default stock condition for tube, sheet and coil that must be bent, flared or deep drawn on site. H08: maximum cold-worked strength for spring strip and gasket seals; essentially no bend formability. Yield strength is 76 MPa in O versus 345 MPa in H08.
How much does C12200 cost?
C12200 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 59% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C12200?
Yes — C12200 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B75/B75M Seamless Copper Tube — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B88 Seamless Copper Water Tube — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B152/B152M Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy Database — C12200 (DHP copper) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 1527 / GB/T 17791 TP2 — SAC (2017)
- EN 12449 / EN 1652 Cu-DHP (CW024A) — CEN (2016)
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.