Copper Alloy C18200
UNS C18200 · ASTM B624 · EN CuCr1, CW105C · JIS C1820
C18200 is a chromium copper (0.6–1.2 % Cr) that precipitation hardens by solution treatment plus ageing, or cold work plus ageing, reaching 450–520 MPa tensile, 430 MPa yield, about 75 HRB (140 HB) and 18 % elongation while keeping roughly 80 % IACS and 324 W/m·K.
Values for the H condition
C18200 tempers and conditions
C18200 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. H is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated | Pick when heavy cold forming, deep drawing or machining of complex shapes is needed before a final aging cycle. | 96 | 234 | 40 | 55 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, full hard | Cold-worked strength without the aging step; choose when conductivity is secondary and a later age-hardening cycle will follow. | 360 | 400 | 12 | 120 HB | 45 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Best choice for large sections, forgings and mould inserts where uniform properties and high conductivity matter more than peak strength. | 372 | 448 | 22 | 120 HB | 82 % IACS |
TD01 and precipitation hardened | Moderate cold work plus aging: good balance of formed-part strength and conductivity in strip/rod. | 400 | 476 | 20 | 130 HB | 82 % IACS |
Cold worked and stress-relieved rod/wire | Drawn and stress-relieved condition for straight, dimensionally stable rod and wire where full aging response is not specified. | 410 | 470 | 14 | 130 HB | 78 % IACS |
TD02 and precipitation hardened | Half-hard + aged temper for switch arms, holders and contact supports needing spring-like stiffness with high conductivity. | 427 | 496 | 18 | 140 HB | 82 % IACS |
HDefault Hardened | Standard stocked condition for electrode bar and rod: ~75–80 HRB with ≥80% IACS. | 430 | 500 | 18 | 140 HB | 82 % IACS |
TD04 and precipitation hardened | Highest strength/hardness combination for resistance-welding electrodes, shanks and heavy-duty conductors. | 448 | 517 | 16 | 145 HB | 81 % IACS |
What is C18200?
C18200 is a chromium copper (0.6–1.2 % Cr) that precipitation hardens by solution treatment plus ageing, or cold work plus ageing, reaching 450–520 MPa tensile, 430 MPa yield, about 75 HRB (140 HB) and 18 % elongation while keeping roughly 80 % IACS and 324 W/m·K. Supplied as rod, bar, plate and forged blanks to ASTM B624 (CuCr1, CW105C) for RWMA Class 2 resistance-welding electrodes, electrode holders, switch contact arms, continuous-casting mould parts, injection-mould inserts and high-current conductors, with far better softening resistance than pure copper. Fusion welding is poor, machinability is only fair, and service above about 400 °C over-ages and softens the alloy. C18200 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,070°C (1,958 °F). C18200 has a yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — stronger than 84% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C18200 used for?
- Resistance spot-welding electrodes (RWMA Class 2)
- Electrode holders and shanks
- Switch and breaker contact arms
- Continuous-casting mould components
- Injection mould inserts
- High-current bus conductors
- Electrical switch parts
Advantages
- High service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 324 W/m·K (187.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 82 % IACS, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 430 MPa (62.4 ksi), better than 84% of copper alloy grades
C18200 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C18200-H; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C18200 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,070°C (1,958 °F).
Mechanical12
C18200 has a yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — stronger than 84% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C18200 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 324 W/m·K (187.2 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
C18200 conducts electricity at 82 % IACS, better than 85% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C18200 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C18200's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. C18200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C18200
Is C18200 easy to machine?
Machine in the aged (TH/TF) condition with sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed and generous coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge when solution treated.
Can C18200 be welded?
Fusion welding is poor — Cr oxide films and hot cracking; prefer brazing, silver soldering or mechanical/threaded joints, and re-age locally softened zones.
Can C18200 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend or upset in TB00 (soft) condition then age 450–500 °C for 2–4 h; cold formability drops sharply once aged.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C18200. Every C18200 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair40 / 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 | Better35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better30 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C18200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Crprimary precipitation-hardening addition | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.5 % (Ag countable as Cu) | ≥ 98.6 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C18200?
Not anodizable; use bright turning/polishing, chemical bright dip, or nickel/silver/tin plating for contact surfaces and tarnish resistance.
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 C18200 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B624
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CuCr1CW105C
- JIS
- C1820
- Trade names
- Chromium Copper
- Similar grades
- C1921QCr0.5
How much does C18200 cost?
C18200 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 98% 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.
C18200 — frequently asked
What is C18200 used for?
C18200 is typically used for resistance spot-welding electrodes (RWMA Class 2), electrode holders and shanks, switch and breaker contact arms, continuous-casting mould components, injection mould inserts and high-current bus conductors. In short: high-temp conductivity.
What is the yield strength of C18200?
C18200 has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — stronger than 84% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C18200 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 57% of copper alloy grades). Machine in the aged (TH/TF) condition with sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed and generous coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge when solution treated.
Can C18200 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is poor — Cr oxide films and hot cracking; prefer brazing, silver soldering or mechanical/threaded joints, and re-age locally softened zones.
What surface finishes work on C18200?
Not anodizable; use bright turning/polishing, chemical bright dip, or nickel/silver/tin plating for contact surfaces and tarnish resistance.
Can C18200 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend or upset in TB00 (soft) condition then age 450–500 °C for 2–4 h; cold formability drops sharply once aged.
What is the maximum service temperature of C18200?
C18200 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C18200-H and C18200-TB00?
H is the default condition — standard stocked condition for electrode bar and rod: ~75–80 HRB with ≥80% IACS. TB00: pick when heavy cold forming, deep drawing or machining of complex shapes is needed before a final aging cycle. Yield strength is 430 MPa in H versus 96 MPa in TB00.
How much does C18200 cost?
C18200 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 98% 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 C18200?
Yes — C18200 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 B224 — Standard Classification of Coppers — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- RWMA Bulletin 16 — Resistance Welding Electrode Classification (Class 2) — AWS/RWMA (2017)
- UNS C18200 alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.