Copper Alloy C12200 · temper · default condition
Copper Alloy C12200-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other C12200 tempers.
Default stock condition for tube, sheet and coil that must be bent, flared or deep drawn on site.
What is C12200-O?
C12200-O is C12200 in the O temper — default stock condition for tube, sheet and coil that must be bent, flared or deep drawn on site. C12200-O has a yield strength of 76 MPa (11 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 90% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C12200-O 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).
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 85% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 85 % IACS, better than 85% 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 90% of copper alloy grades
C12200-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for C12200-O — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C12200 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C12200-O 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-O has a yield strength of 76 MPa (11 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 90% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C12200-O 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 85% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C12200-O conducts electricity at 85 % IACS, better than 85% 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-O 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-O'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.
Other C12200 tempers and conditions
C12200 is also supplied in 14 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C12200 overview.
- ODefaultDefault stock condition for tube, sheet and coil that must be bent, flared or deep drawn on site.76 MPa yield · 45 HB
- H08Maximum cold-worked strength for spring strip and gasket seals; essentially no bend formability.345 MPa yield · 105 HB
- H10Heaviest standard cold-rolled temper of DHP copper strip — maximum strength and springback, very low ductility.335 MPa yield · 110 HB
- H04Choose when maximum as-supplied strength and stiffness matter more than bending, e.g. hard-drawn bar, busbar and rigid tube.310 MPa yield · 95 HB
- H58Standard rigid plumbing/ACR tube temper (ASTM B88 Type K/L/M drawn, B280); pick for straight lengths joined by brazing or soldering.275 MPa yield · 85 HB
- H03Cold-rolled/drawn DHP copper worked to ~30% reduction, strength between half-hard and full-hard with limited remaining ductility.265 MPa yield · 95 HB
- H02Common structural/strip temper: usable 90° bending with roughly triple the annealed yield strength.255 MPa yield · 80 HB
- H00Slight stiffening with nearly full formability — used for gaskets, roofing and deep-drawn parts needing handling rigidity.195 MPa yield · 60 HB
- M20Mill temper of hot-rolled DHP copper plate/bar; soft, fully ductile condition with essentially annealed properties.75 MPa yield · 45 HB
- O25Hot-rolled DHP copper plate given a full anneal — coarse-grain soft condition with maximum ductility and formability.70 MPa yield · 42 HB
Working with C12200-O
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.
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.
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) | — |
C12200-O — frequently asked
What is C12200-O used for?
C12200-O 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-O?
C12200-O has a typical yield strength of 76 MPa (11 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 90% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 15 listed tempers.
Is C12200-O 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-O 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-O?
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-O 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-O?
C12200-O 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C12200-O?
Yes — C12200-O is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.