Copper Alloy Cu-DLP
UNS C12000 · EN CW023A
Cu-DLP (CW023A) is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper with low residual phosphorus, giving 92 % IACS electrical conductivity and 350 W/m·K thermal conductivity while remaining free of the hydrogen embrittlement risk of tough-pitch copper.
Reference datasheet — Cu-DLP 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 R220 condition
Cu-DLP tempers and conditions
Cu-DLP is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard. R220 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Hot-worked/extruded stock supplied without a guaranteed strength level; for re-drawing, forging or remelt-free stock. | 70 | 215 | 45 | 45 HB | 93 % IACS |
Annealed (soft), Rm ≥ 200 MPa | Fully soft strip/sheet for deep drawing, spinning and tight bending where maximum ductility is needed. | 70 | 220 | 48 | 45 HB | 93 % IACS |
Hardness-specified soft temper, 40–65 HV | Ordered to a Vickers hardness band instead of tensile strength; soft equivalent of R200 for pressing/drawing lines. | 70 | 220 | 45 | 47 HB | 92 % IACS |
R220Default Annealed / soft, Rm ≥ 220 MPa | Standard soft condition for heat-exchanger and plumbing tube and general sheet — bends and expands easily and brazes without embrittlement. | 100 | 235 | 42 | 52 HB | 92 % IACS |
Hardness-specified temper, 55–80 HV | Hardness-controlled equivalent of R220 for tube and strip bought on hardness specification. | 110 | 240 | 38 | 62 HB | 92 % IACS |
Half hard tube, Rm ≥ 250 MPa | Half-hard drawn tube for pressure lines that must still take moderate bending on site. | 190 | 275 | 30 | 85 HB | 91 % IACS |
Quarter hard, Rm ≥ 240 MPa | Lightly cold-worked strip/sheet balancing modest strength with retained bending ability. | 200 | 265 | 14 | 80 HB | 91 % IACS |
Hardness-specified temper, 75–100 HV | Quarter/half-hard hardness band matching R240–R250 for stamped and formed components. | 200 | 270 | 14 | 84 HB | 91 % IACS |
Hard, Rm ≥ 290 MPa | Hard-drawn tube/sheet for rigid pressure lines, busbar-type stiffness and press-fit parts; little further forming possible. | 280 | 320 | 6 | 95 HB | 90 % IACS |
Hardness-specified hard temper, 90–110 HV | Hard hardness band equivalent to R290 where the customer's incoming check is a hardness test. | 280 | 320 | 6 | 95 HB | 90 % IACS |
Extra hard / hard drawn, Rm ≥ 360 MPa | Highest cold-worked strength level for thin strip and small-diameter drawn tube/rod where stiffness and wear resistance dominate. | 340 | 380 | 4 | 110 HB | 89 % IACS |
Hardness-specified extra-hard temper, ≥110 HV | Extra-hard hardness band corresponding to R360 strip and drawn wire/rod. | 340 | 380 | 4 | 110 HB | 89 % IACS |
What is Cu-DLP?
Cu-DLP (CW023A) is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper with low residual phosphorus, giving 92 % IACS electrical conductivity and 350 W/m·K thermal conductivity while remaining free of the hydrogen embrittlement risk of tough-pitch copper. It is supplied as tube, strip and rod in annealed to hard tempers (R200 through H110), with 235 MPa tensile strength, 100 MPa yield, 42 % elongation and 52 HB in the default condition and formability rated 95. Machinability is low at 30, and service is limited to about 200 °C. Cu-DHP is the alternative when brazeability matters more than conductivity. Cu-DLP 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). Cu-DLP has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 87% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is Cu-DLP used for?
- refrigeration tubing
- heat exchanger tube
- electrical conductors
- brazed assemblies
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 92 % IACS, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 350 W/m·K (202.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 42%, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 100 MPa (14.5 ksi), worse than 87% of copper alloy grades
Cu-DLP properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cu-DLP-R220; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
Cu-DLP 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
Cu-DLP has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 87% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
Cu-DLP is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 350 W/m·K (202.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Cu-DLP conducts electricity at 92 % IACS, better than 89% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Cu-DLP takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
Cu-DLP's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (95/100).
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. Cu-DLP is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Cu-DLP
Is Cu-DLP easy to machine?
Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp high-rake tools, high speed, generous cutting fluid, and avoid dwell to prevent built-up edge.
Can Cu-DLP be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded with Cu-Si or deoxidised Cu filler; large preheat needed because of the high thermal conductivity — low P content means no hydrogen embrittlement risk on brazing.
Can Cu-DLP be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in R200/R220 — deep drawing, spinning, tube expansion and tight bends; interanneal at 400–600 °C after heavy reductions.
Cu-DLP 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 deoxidising phosphorus — low band gives the high conductivity vs Cu-DHP | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Agcounted as copper | — | |
| Bi | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 | |
| CuCu + Ag ≥ 99.90 % including P (EN 1976 / EN 13599 family) | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on Cu-DLP?
Not anodisable; polishes to a bright finish and is easily tin, nickel or silver plated — protect with lacquer or benzotriazole to delay tarnishing.
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).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy Cu-DLP in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does Cu-DLP cost?
Cu-DLP 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.
Cu-DLP — frequently asked
What is Cu-DLP used for?
Cu-DLP is typically used for refrigeration tubing, heat exchanger tube, electrical conductors and brazed assemblies. In short: higher conductivity than Cu-DHP; brazeable without hydrogen embrittlement; excellent cold formability.
What is the yield strength of Cu-DLP?
Cu-DLP has a typical yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 87% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is Cu-DLP easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp high-rake tools, high speed, generous cutting fluid, and avoid dwell to prevent built-up edge.
Can Cu-DLP be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded with Cu-Si or deoxidised Cu filler; large preheat needed because of the high thermal conductivity — low P content means no hydrogen embrittlement risk on brazing.
What surface finishes work on Cu-DLP?
Not anodisable; polishes to a bright finish and is easily tin, nickel or silver plated — protect with lacquer or benzotriazole to delay tarnishing.
Can Cu-DLP be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in R200/R220 — deep drawing, spinning, tube expansion and tight bends; interanneal at 400–600 °C after heavy reductions.
What is the maximum service temperature of Cu-DLP?
Cu-DLP 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 Cu-DLP-R220 and Cu-DLP-R360?
R220 is the default condition — standard soft condition for heat-exchanger and plumbing tube and general sheet — bends and expands easily and brazes without embrittlement. R360: highest cold-worked strength level for thin strip and small-diameter drawn tube/rod where stiffness and wear resistance dominate. Yield strength is 100 MPa in R220 versus 340 MPa in R360.
How much does Cu-DLP cost?
Cu-DLP 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
- EN 1652 — Copper and copper alloys: plate, sheet, strip and circles for general purposes — CEN (1997)
- EN 1057 — Seamless round copper tubes for water and gas — CEN (2010)
- EN 13601 — Copper rod, bar and wire for general electrical purposes — CEN (2021)
- EN 1976 — Cast unwrought copper products (Cu-DLP designation CW023A) — CEN (2012)
- GB/T 5231 — (TP1 equivalent) — SAC (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA / copper.org alloy data for phosphorus-deoxidised coppers (C12000) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- Wieland / KME Cu-DLP (CW023A) product data — Wieland-Werke AG; KME (2022)
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.