Copper Alloy C72200
UNS C72200
C72200 is a 90/10-type wrought copper-nickel from the C70000–C79999 family, modified with chromium to raise strength and resistance to impingement and erosion-corrosion compared with standard C70600.
Reference datasheet — C72200 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the O61 condition
C72200 tempers and conditions
C72200 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. O61 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As hot rolled | Mill hot-worked plate, bar or extruded tube shell; lowest strength, used where further forming or full annealing follows. | 140 | 360 | 35 | 74 HB | — |
O61Default Annealed | Standard condition for seawater condenser and heat-exchanger tube, tube-sheet cladding and deep-drawn parts; maximum ductility and best corrosion behaviour. | 150 | 385 | 40 | 78 HB | 5.5 % IACS |
Light drawn | Lightly drawn tube temper giving straighter, stiffer condenser tubing than annealed while keeping enough ductility for roller expansion into tube sheets. | 275 | 415 | 25 | 100 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Mild cold-worked strip/sheet when moderate stiffness is needed but forming and bending are still required. | 340 | 450 | 20 | 115 HB | — |
Half hard | General-purpose cold-rolled temper for sheet parts, ferrules and fittings needing higher yield with some bend capability. | 415 | 495 | 12 | 140 HB | — |
Full hard | High-strength flat product or drawn rod/tube for pressure and structural marine parts where forming is limited to gentle bends. | 500 | 550 | 8 | 160 HB | — |
Extra hard | Heavily cold-worked strip for flat springs, clips and wear surfaces where only very light forming is done. | 540 | 585 | 5 | 175 HB | — |
Spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for corrosion-resistant springs, diaphragms and contacts in marine or chemical atmospheres. | 570 | 620 | 4 | 190 HB | — |
What is C72200?
C72200 is a 90/10-type wrought copper-nickel from the C70000–C79999 family, modified with chromium to raise strength and resistance to impingement and erosion-corrosion compared with standard C70600. It is chosen for higher-velocity seawater service and is stocked as tube, pipe, sheet and plate in tempers from O61 through H08, with 150 MPa yield, 385 MPa tensile and 40% elongation in the default condition. Corrosion resistance is high and service temperature reaches 320 °C, but machinability is poor (score 30) and electrical conductivity is only 5.5% IACS with 34 W/m·K thermal conductivity. Where flow velocities are lower, C70600 is the nearest and cheaper alternative. C72200 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,130°C (2,066 °F). C72200 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) — weaker than 69% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 145 GPa (21 Msi).
What is C72200 used for?
- seawater piping
- power plant condenser tubes
- high-velocity flow components
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Stiff — 145 GPa (21 Msi), better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 320°C (608 °F), better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 5.5 % IACS, worse than 95% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 6.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C72200 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C72200-O61; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C72200 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,130°C (2,066 °F).
Mechanical14
C72200 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) — weaker than 69% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 145 GPa (21 Msi).
Thermal6
C72200 is rated for continuous service to 320°C (608 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 15.7 µm/m·K (8.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C72200 conducts electricity at 5.5 % IACS, worse than 95% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C72200 takes about 92 MJ of energy and emits 6.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 94% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C72200's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. C72200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C72200
Is C72200 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening like all Cu-Ni: rating ≈20 % of AISI 1212 — use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant to avoid rubbing.
Can C72200 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 70/30 Cu-Ni (ERCuNi) filler; keep interpass low, no preheat, avoid sulphur/lead/oil contamination and use full penetration to prevent crevices.
Can C72200 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O61 (deep drawing, tube bending, roller expansion); interanneal near 700–800 °C, hot work 850–1000 °C, and never hot work in sulphur-bearing atmospheres.
C72200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NiNi + Co | 15 – 18 | 16.5 |
| Crkey addition for impingement resistance | 0.3 – 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Fe | 0.5 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.5 | |
| C | ≤ 0.05 | |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Curemainder, ~81–84 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C72200?
Not anodisable; pickle in sulphuric/hydrogen-peroxide type baths, then leave bare for seawater (protective oxide film) or apply tin, nickel or silver plating for electrical/joining surfaces.
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).
How much does C72200 cost?
C72200 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
C72200 — frequently asked
What is C72200 used for?
C72200 is typically used for seawater piping, power plant condenser tubes and high-velocity flow components. In short: chromium-strengthened 90/10 Cu-Ni; high-velocity seawater grade; stronger than C70600.
What is the yield strength of C72200?
C72200 has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) — weaker than 69% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C72200 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and work-hardening like all Cu-Ni: rating ≈20 % of AISI 1212 — use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant to avoid rubbing.
Can C72200 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 70/30 Cu-Ni (ERCuNi) filler; keep interpass low, no preheat, avoid sulphur/lead/oil contamination and use full penetration to prevent crevices.
What surface finishes work on C72200?
Not anodisable; pickle in sulphuric/hydrogen-peroxide type baths, then leave bare for seawater (protective oxide film) or apply tin, nickel or silver plating for electrical/joining surfaces.
Can C72200 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O61 (deep drawing, tube bending, roller expansion); interanneal near 700–800 °C, hot work 850–1000 °C, and never hot work in sulphur-bearing atmospheres.
What is the maximum service temperature of C72200?
C72200 is rated for continuous use to about 320°C (608 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C72200-O61 and C72200-H08?
O61 is the default condition — standard condition for seawater condenser and heat-exchanger tube, tube-sheet cladding and deep-drawn parts; maximum ductility and best corrosion behaviour. H08: maximum cold-worked strength for corrosion-resistant springs, diaphragms and contacts in marine or chemical atmospheres. Yield strength is 150 MPa in O61 versus 570 MPa in H08.
How much does C72200 cost?
C72200 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sources
- ASTM B111/B111M — Copper and Copper-Alloy Seamless Condenser Tubes — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B466/B466M — Seamless Copper-Nickel Pipe and Tube — ASTM International (2020)
- CDA Alloy Database — C72200 Copper-Nickel-Chromium — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Copper-Nickel Alloys: Properties and Applications in Seawater Systems — Nickel Institute / CDA (2018)
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.