What is C12000 copper?
Low-Phosphorus Deoxidized Copper DLPC12000 (ASTM B124/B124M: C12000) is a high-performance copper alloy treated by precise control of phosphorus content for deoxidation. Its core lies in the "Low Phosphorus" concept: the phosphorus (P) content is strictly controlled within the narrow range of 0.015% – 0.040%. This design effectively balances the dual roles of phosphorus:
Effective Deoxidation: Phosphorus reacts with oxygen in molten copper to form P₂O₅ gas, which escapes, reducing oxygen content to a very low level (typically ≤ 0.005%) and completely eliminating the risk of "hydrogen embrittlement."
Optimized Performance: Compared to higher-phosphorus deoxidized copper (e.g., Cu-DHP / C12200), the lower residual phosphorus content significantly enhances the material's electrical conductivity (soft state ≥ 98.0% IACS) and thermal conductivity, while retaining the excellent hot workability, weldability, and certain corrosion resistance brought by phosphorus. DLPC12000 is an ideal choice for engineering applications requiring balanced comprehensive properties-especially hot workability, weldability, electrical conductivity, and freedom from hydrogen embrittlement-such as heat exchangers, water pipe systems, and architectural materials.
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Material Characteristics
No Hydrogen Embrittlement (O ≤ 0.005%): Core advantage! Ensures no embrittlement during welding, high-temperature use, or in reducing atmospheres, providing safety and reliability.
Good Electrical and Thermal Conductivity (soft state ≥ 98.0% IACS): Significantly better than high-phosphorus deoxidized copper (DHP/C12200), meeting the conductivity and thermal requirements of most engineering applications.
Excellent Hot Workability: The presence of phosphorus significantly improves hot ductility, making it especially suitable for hot extrusion forming (particularly for tubes) with high yield rates.
Good Cold Workability (soft state): Annealed soft state offers good plasticity (A ≥ 45%), allowing operations such as bending, flaring, and flanging.
Excellent Brazing and Fusion Weldability:
Brazing: Good wetting with various hard brazing alloys (silver-based, copper-phosphorus-based) and soft solders (tin-lead, lead-free tin-based), making it a common base material for brazing applications.
Fusion Welding: Suitable for oxyacetylene welding, TIG (GTAW), MIG (GMAW), plasma welding, and resistance welding (spot welding, seam welding), with good weldability.
Good Corrosion Resistance:
Resistant to atmospheric, freshwater, non-oxidizing acid (e.g., phosphoric acid, acetic acid), and salt spray corrosion.
Erosion-corrosion resistance is superior to pure copper.
Stable performance in hot water environments (water quality should be noted).
Certain Antimicrobial Properties (inherent property of copper).
Good Low-Temperature Toughness.
Chemical composition
| Chemical composition | |||||
| Cu+Ag | Sn | Zn | Pb | Ni | Fe |
| ≥99.90 | ≤0.002 | ≤0.005 | ≤0.005 | ≤0.005 | ≤0.01 |
| Sb | S | As | Bi | O | P |
| ≤0.002 | ≤0.005 | ≤0.002 | ≤0.002 | ≤0.01 | 0.005～0.012 |
Mechanical properties
| Mechanical properties | |||||
| σb (MPa) | δ10 (%) | hardness | |||
| 245～345 | ≥8 | 75～120HV | |||
FAQ
| Can C12000 be used in oxygen service or medical gas systems? Yes, after proper cleaning and degreasing, C12000 tubes are widely used in medical gas (oxygen, nitrous oxide) and high-purity gas systems due to their cleanliness and non-permeability. |
| How does phosphorus affect conductivity in C12000? The low residual phosphorus slightly reduces electrical conductivity (~85% IACS) compared to pure C11000 (~101% IACS), but it remains excellent for most thermal and electrical applications. |
| Is C12000 susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC)? Copper alloys are generally less prone to SCC than brasses, but in environments with ammonia, amines, or nitrites, SCC can occur. Proper design and avoiding sustained tensile stress in such environments are recommended. |
| What's the maximum continuous service temperature for C12000? Typically up to about 150–200°C (302–392°F) for long-term service. Short-term exposure can go higher, but annealing and softening will occur above ~250°C (482°F). |
| How should C12000 tubes be stored to prevent oxidation? Store in a dry, covered area. For long-term storage or in humid climates, sealed plastic wrapping or nitrogen purging is recommended to prevent surface tarnishing. |
| Can C12000 be bent easily? Yes, especially in the annealed temper. For hard temper tubes, bending may require a mechanical bender to avoid kinking or cracking. |
| What is the difference between TP1 (C12000) and TP2 (C12200) copper? TP1 (C12000) and TP2 (C12200) are both phosphorus-deoxidized coppers, but they differ in residual phosphorus content: TP1 (C12000): Low residual phosphorus (0.004–0.012%). Designed for applications requiring high conductivity and good weldability, such as heat exchangers and electrical components. TP2 (C12200): Higher phosphorus content (0.015–0.040%). Offers improved weldability and brazability due to better deoxidation, but has slightly lower electrical conductivity (~80% IACS). Commonly used in plumbing, HVAC, and piping systems where welding/brazing is critical. Key takeaway: TP1 prioritizes conductivity, while TP2 prioritizes weldability and brazing performance. |
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Dimensional Range Table
| Product Category | Standard / Grade | Typical Sizes (Outer Diameter) | Wall Thickness | Available Forms | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seamless Copper Tube | ASTM B68, B75, B88, B280, B819, EN1057, etc. | 3 mm ~ 300 mm (1/8" ~ 12") |
Light gauge to Schedule K (Customizable per standard) |
Straight Lengths, Coils | Plumbing, HVAC, Medical Gas, Industrial Pipelines |
| Capillary Tube | ASTM B360 | 0.5 mm ~ 12 mm (0.02" ~ 1/2") |
Ultra-thin walls (As per drawing) |
Straight Lengths, Coils | Instrumentation, Refrigeration, Heat Exchangers |
| Copper Pipe for Plumbing | ASTM B88 (Type K, L, M) | 6 mm ~ 254 mm (1/4" ~ 10") |
Type M (thin), L (standard), K (thick) | Straight Lengths (20ft), Coils | Potable Water Systems, Heating, Cooling |
| ACR Tube (Refrigeration) | ASTM B280 | 6.35 mm ~ 158.8 mm (1/4" ~ 6-1/8") |
ACR standard wall | Straight Lengths, Bundled Coils | Refrigeration, Air Conditioning |
| Medical Gas Copper Tube | ASTM B819, ISO 7396-1 | 6 mm ~ 108 mm (1/4" ~ 4-1/4") |
Cleaned & degreased Oxygen service grade |
Straight Lengths, Capped Ends | Oxygen, Medical Air, Vacuum Systems |
| Large Diameter Copper Pipe | Custom Drawn | Up to 457 mm (18") | Heavy wall, custom schedules | Straight Lengths (custom cut) | Industrial Process Lines, Marine, Specialty Applications |
Our factory
Our production facility is a modern, vertically integrated copper products factory equipped with state-of-the-art extrusion, drawing, annealing, and cleaning production lines. We specialize in producing seamless copper tubes of various sizes, from capillary tubes to large-diameter industrial pipes, all conforming to international standards such as ASTM, EN, and DIN. The factory strictly adheres to a quality management system (ISO 9001 certified) and utilizes advanced testing equipment, including spectrometers, hydrostatic testing machines, and oxygen pipeline cleanliness testing systems. With an annual production capacity exceeding 15,000 tons, we have a reliable supply record in industries such as HVAC, piping, medical gases, and shipbuilding, and are committed to providing high-precision, fully traceable, and on-time delivered products.
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