What is TP1/C12000 copper?
Pure copper has high purity, but it easily absorbs oxygen during smelting and casting, leading to "hydrogen slag" during subsequent high-temperature processing (such as welding). This occurs when cuprous oxide in the copper reacts with hydrogen to generate water vapor, causing grain boundary cracks and severely affecting the material's mechanical properties and airtightness.
To solve this problem, trace amounts of phosphorus (P) are added during smelting as a deoxidizer. Phosphorus has a stronger affinity for oxygen than copper, preferentially reacting with oxygen to form compounds such as phosphorus pentoxide, thus removing oxygen from the molten copper. TP1 is such a phosphorus-deoxidized copper. According to national standards, the phosphorus content of TP1 is typically between 0.004% and 0.012%. This small addition brings significant benefits: it not only eliminates the risk of hydrogen slag but also slightly improves the material's strength and hardness while essentially maintaining the excellent electrical and thermal conductivity of pure copper.
Performance Comparison with Other Pipe Materials
*Comparison with Stainless Steel Pipe: Stainless steel pipe (such as 304 stainless steel) is renowned for its excellent strength and corrosion resistance, especially in chloride environments. However, the thermal conductivity of stainless steel is far inferior to that of copper (the thermal conductivity of copper is approximately 20 times that of stainless steel). In applications requiring efficient heat transfer, such as heat exchangers and air conditioning piping, TP1 copper pipe is a superior choice. Copper pipe is easy to bend and shape, and convenient to install, while stainless steel pipe is more difficult to process and requires specialized tools. In terms of cost, TP1 copper pipe is often more competitive for conventional applications.
*Comparison with Ordinary Copper Pipe (T2): T2 is another common type of copper, belonging to oxygen-containing copper. It does not contain deoxidizers such as phosphorus, so its electrical and thermal conductivity are theoretically slightly higher than TP1, and closer to pure copper. However, as mentioned earlier, T2 copper pipe carries the risk of hydrogen embrittlement and is not suitable for brazing in reducing atmospheres or high-temperature applications. Hebei TP1 copper pipes, due to their phosphorus deoxidation properties, offer more stable and reliable welding performance, making them particularly suitable for refrigeration system piping installations requiring extensive welding operations.
*Comparison with plastic pipes (such as PPR pipes): Plastic pipes are widely used in water supply, offering advantages such as corrosion resistance, low cost, and easy installation. However, their temperature and pressure resistance are limited, they age with long-term use, and they are completely non-conductive and non-thermal. In specific industrial applications requiring heat conduction (such as underfloor heating manifold connections) or shielding against electromagnetic interference, the metallic properties of TP1 copper pipes are irreplaceable by plastic pipes. Copper pipes also possess natural antibacterial properties, a significant advantage for their use in drinking water piping.
Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ASTM / UNS | C12000 |
| EN | Cu-DHP |
| DIN | CW024A |
| JIS | C1220 |
| ISO | Cu-DHP |
ASTM B88 UNS C12000 Chemical Composition
| Element | Composition (%) |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | ≥ 99.90 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.015 – 0.040 |
| Other Elements | ≤ 0.05 |
UNS C12000 Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 210 – 250 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 70 – 95 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 40% |
| Hardness | 40 – 85 HB |
UNS C12000 Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.94 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | ~1083°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 330 – 340 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~85 – 90% IACS |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 16.5 µm/m·°C |
Applications
Plumbing and potable water distribution
HVAC and air-conditioning systems
Refrigeration and condenser tubing
Medical gas and oxygen pipelines
Heat exchangers and industrial piping
Fire sprinkler and pressure systems
Inquire about C12000 Pricing & Samples
Our product range
| Product Category | Key Product Forms | Common Standards (Examples) | Typical Applications / Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Rods & Bars | Round Rods, Square Bars, Hexagonal Bars | ASTM B187, C11000, C10200; EN 12163-66; JIS H3250 | Electrical conductors, machined parts, connectors, hardware. Available in various tempers (soft, hard). |
| Copper Tubes & Pipes | Seamless Tubes, Straight Lengths, Coils (for flexible tubes) | ASTM B75, B280, B88; EN 12735; JIS H3300 | Plumbing, HVAC/R, heat exchangers, medical gas lines, hydraulic systems. |
| Copper Plates & Sheets | Plates (>6mm thickness), Sheets (<6mm thickness) | ASTM B152, C11000; EN 1652; JIS H3100 | Architectural cladding, industrial fabrication, grounding plates, chemical processing. |
| Copper Strips & Foils | Strips, Rolls, Precision Foils | ASTM B272, C11000; EN 1652; JIS H3100 | Electrical contacts, transformers, shielding, gaskets, decorative inlays. |
| Copper Wires | Bare Copper Wire, Stranded Wire, Busbars | ASTM B1, B3, B187; EN 13601; JIS H3260 | Windings, cables, busbars, fasteners, welding electrodes. |
Our factory
We are a specialized manufacturer of premium copper products, including rods, tubes, plates, bars, wires, and strips. Our factory strictly adheres to international standards such as ASTM, EN, JIS, and GB, ensuring material compliance for global markets. Equipped with modern production lines-including continuous casting for rods, cold drawing machines for tubes, and precision rolling mills for strips-we maintain tight control over dimensions and tolerances. Every batch undergoes rigorous in-house testing using spectrometers for chemical composition, tensile testers for mechanical properties, and eddy current testers for defect detection. Our dedicated quality lab guarantees traceable, reliable products for electrical, automotive, and engineering applications worldwide.
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