Copper Alloy C22000 · finish state
Copper Alloy C22000-M20
Properties of the M20 condition, compared with the other C22000 tempers.
Mill temper of hot-rolled plate and bar; essentially recrystallized soft condition with low strength and high ductility.
What is C22000-M20?
C22000-M20 is C22000 supplied in the M20 condition — mill temper of hot-rolled plate and bar; essentially recrystallized soft condition with low strength and high ductility. C22000-M20 has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi). C22000-M20 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,020°C (1,868 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; M20 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 83% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 189 W/m·K (109.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 85 MPa (12.3 ksi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C22000-M20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C22000-M20 — 34 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C22000 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C22000-M20 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,020°C (1,868 °F).
Mechanical11
C22000-M20 has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
Thermal6
C22000-M20 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 189 W/m·K (109.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C22000-M20 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 74% 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 C22000-M20 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C22000-M20's machinability is poor (26/100, worse than 80% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (55/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C22000 tempers and conditions
C22000 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C22000 overview.
- ODefaultPick for deep drawing, spinning, stamping of complex decorative parts and for maximum ductility.83 MPa yield · 48 HB
- H08Spring strip/wire temper for contacts and light springs where color and solderability matter.420 MPa yield · 77 HRB
- H06For flat parts needing higher strength than full hard with essentially no forming.390 MPa yield · 74 HRB
- H04Choose for flat springs, clips and parts needing stiffness with only simple bends.350 MPa yield · 130 HB
- H03Cold-rolled to roughly 29% reduction, giving strength between half-hard and full-hard with limited remaining bend ductility.310 MPa yield · 115 HB
- H02General-purpose stock temper: balances bendability with useful strength for hardware and nameplates.280 MPa yield · 105 HB
- H01Use when moderate forming is still required but annealed material is too soft/limp.215 MPa yield · 45 HRB
- M20Mill temper of hot-rolled plate and bar; essentially recrystallized soft condition with low strength and high ductility.85 MPa yield · 52 HB
Working with C22000-M20
Is C22000 easy to machine?
Gummy single-phase alpha brass (≈20% of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; expect long stringy chips.
Can C22000 be welded?
Best joined by brazing or soldering; resistance and GTAW/GMAW welding are fair with matched or silicon-bronze filler, oxyacetylene welding is not recommended due to zinc fume loss.
Can C22000 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — deep draws, spinning and severe bends in O temper; interanneal ~425–650 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts (~275 °C) to avoid ammonia SCC.
What surface finishes work on C22000?
Takes a bright gilding-gold polish; commonly lacquered, clear-coated, chemically patinated, or electroplated with Ni/Cr/Au — anodizing does not apply.
C22000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.8 | 89 – 91 | 90 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | balance | — |
C22000-M20 — frequently asked
What is C22000-M20 used for?
C22000-M20 is typically used for jewelry components, decorative metalwork and trim, badges and nameplates, builders' hardware, electrical terminals and contacts and flexible metal hose. In short: ductile commercial bronze.
What is the yield strength of C22000-M20?
C22000-M20 has a typical yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C22000-M20 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (26/100, worse than 80% of copper alloy grades). Gummy single-phase alpha brass (≈20% of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; expect long stringy chips.
Can C22000-M20 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Best joined by brazing or soldering; resistance and GTAW/GMAW welding are fair with matched or silicon-bronze filler, oxyacetylene welding is not recommended due to zinc fume loss.
What surface finishes work on C22000-M20?
Takes a bright gilding-gold polish; commonly lacquered, clear-coated, chemically patinated, or electroplated with Ni/Cr/Au — anodizing does not apply.
Can C22000-M20 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — deep draws, spinning and severe bends in O temper; interanneal ~425–650 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts (~275 °C) to avoid ammonia SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C22000-M20?
C22000-M20 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C22000-O and C22000-H10?
O is the default condition — pick for deep drawing, spinning, stamping of complex decorative parts and for maximum ductility. H10: maximum cold-worked strength available in thin strip; only flat or very gentle radii. Yield strength is 83 MPa in O versus 450 MPa in H10.
Can FabDigit make parts in C22000-M20?
Yes — C22000-M20 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 B36/B36M Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B134/B134M Brass Wire — ASTM International (2015)
- CDA Alloy Database — C22000 Commercial Bronze 90% — 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.