C12200, Phosphorus Deoxidised Copper (DHP), has been deoxidised with 0.015-0.040% phosphorus to make it weldable and brazeable without risk of hydrogen embrittlement. It is widely used as flat products and tubing, especially where joining is required.
Phosphorus significantly reduces electrical conductivity (which may go as low as 70% IACS) but also raises the softening temperature when work hardened and promotes fine grain size. C12200 has almost exactly the same mechanical properties as high purity copper alloys such as C11000, with excellent deep drawing characteristics and resistance to pitting corrosion in severe weather and water environments.
GNEE supplies C12200 in multiple forms: tube (including ASTM B111 heat exchanger tubes), sheet, strip, plate, bar, and foil.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Copper (including silver) | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|
| Content (%) | > 99.90% | 0.015 – 0.040% |
Equivalent Alloy Specifications
| Specification | Designation |
|---|---|
| UNS | C12200 |
| BSI | C106 |
| ISO | Cu-DHP |
| JIS | C1220 |
ASTM B111 Compliance for Heat Exchanger Tubes
ASTM B111 is the standard specification for Copper and Copper Alloy Seamless Condenser Tubes and Ferrule Stock. For C12200 tubes used in condensers, heat exchangers, and evaporators, ASTM B111 requires:
| Parameter | ASTM B111 Requirement for C12200 |
|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Cu ≥ 99.90%, P 0.015–0.040% |
| Temper | O61 (annealed) – required for bending & expanding |
| Tensile Strength | 30 – 45 ksi (205 – 310 MPa) |
| Yield Strength (0.5% ext.) | 10 – 15 ksi (69 – 103 MPa) |
| Elongation (in 2″ or 50mm) | ≥ 35% |
| Flattening Test | No cracks after flattening to specified distance |
| Expansion Test | No cracks after 30% expansion |
| Hydrostatic Test | Leak-free at specified pressure |
| Hydrogen Embrittlement Test | Per ASTM B577 – detection of cuprous oxide |
GNEE provides traceable mill test reports (MTR) for all C12200 tubing supplied to ASTM B111 / ASME SB111.
ASTM Product Specifications
| Standard | Title / Product Form |
|---|---|
| ASTM B111 | Copper and Copper Alloy Seamless Condenser Tubes and Ferrule Stock |
| ASTM B395 / ASME SB395 | U-Bend Seamless Heat Exchanger and Condenser Tubes |
| ASTM B359 | Seamless Condenser and Heat Exchanger Tubes With Integral Fins |
| ASTM B75 | Seamless Copper Tube (general purpose) |
| ASTM B88 | Seamless Copper Water Tube |
| ASTM B280 | Seamless Copper Tube for ACR (Air Conditioning & Refrigeration) |
| ASTM B152 | Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar |
| ASTM B187 | Copper Bar, Bus Bar, Rod and Shapes |
| ASTM B68 | Seamless Copper Tube, Bright Annealed |
| ASTM B42 | Seamless Copper Pipe, Standard Sizes |
| ASTM B306 | Copper Drainage Tube (DWV) |
| ASTM B360 | Hard Drawn Copper Capillary Tube |
| ASTM B447 | Welded Copper Tube |
| ASTM B543 | Welded Copper and Copper Alloy Heat Exchanger Tube |
| ASTM B577 | Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility) |
| ASTM B640 | Welded Copper Tube for ACR Service |
| ASTM B698 | Seamless Copper Plumbing Pipe and Tube |
| ASTM B743 | Seamless Copper Tube in Coils |
| ASTM B837 | Seamless Copper Tube for Natural Gas & LP Gas |
Available Forms
| Form | Typical Thickness / Size Range |
|---|---|
| Tube – Heat Exchanger (ASTM B111) | OD: 1/8″ – 2″, Wall: 0.005″ – 0.250″, O61 temper |
| Tube – U-Bend (ASTM B395) | Custom radii, per ASTM B111 requirements |
| Tube – Water/Plumbing (ASTM B88) | Types K, L, M; OD: 1/4″ – 8″ |
| Tube – ACR (ASTM B280) | For air conditioning & refrigeration |
| Sheet, Strip & Foil | Thickness: 0.025mm – 60mm |
| Plate & Rolled Bar | Thickness: 3.2mm – 60mm |
| Rod, Bar & Sections | As per AS1567 / ASTM B187 |
Mechanical Properties
ASTM B111 Tube (Annealed Temper – O61) – Typical
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 205 – 310 MPa (30 – 45 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.5% ext.) | 69 – 103 MPa (10 – 15 ksi) |
| Elongation | ≥ 35% |
Physical Properties
| Property | Metric Units | Imperial Units |
|---|---|---|
| Melting Point (Liquidus & Solidus) | 1083°C | 1981°F |
| Density @ 20°C | 8.90 g/cm³ | 0.321 lb/in³ |
| Specific Gravity | 8.90 | 8.90 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20-300°C) | 17.7 × 10⁻⁶/°C | 9.83 × 10⁻⁶/°F |
| Thermal Conductivity @ 20°C | 293 – 364 W/m·K | 169 – 211 BTU/(ft·hr·°F) |
| Thermal Capacity (Specific Heat) @ 20°C | 385 J/(kg·K) | 0.092 BTU/(lb·°F) |
| Electrical Conductivity @ 20°C | 0.41 – 0.52 ×10⁶ /cm·Ω | 70 – 90% IACS |
| Electrical Resistivity @ 20°C | 2.5 – 1.9 microhm·cm | 15 – 12 ohms (circ mil/ft) |
| Modulus of Elasticity (Tension) | 115 GPa | 17 × 10⁶ psi |
| Modulus of Rigidity (Torsion) | 44 GPa | 6.4 × 10⁶ psi |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 |
Fabrication Properties
Joining Techniques
| Technique | Suitability for C12200 |
|---|---|
| Soldering | Excellent |
| Brazing | Excellent |
| Oxy Acetylene Welding | Good |
| Gas Shielded Arc Welding (TIG/MIG) | Good |
| Coated Metal Arc Welding | Not Recommended |
| Resistance Welding – Spot | Fair |
| Resistance Welding – Seam | Fair |
Fabrication Techniques
| Technique | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Capacity for Being Cold Worked | Excellent |
| Capacity for Being Hot Worked | Good |
| Hot Working Temperature | 750 – 950 °C |
| Annealing Temperature | 250 – 650 °C |
| Stress Relieving Temperature | 200 – 250 °C |
| Machinability Rating | 20% of free cutting brass |
| Polishing/Electroplating Finish | Excellent |
Corrosion Resistance
C12200 has similar corrosion resistance to C11000, offering:
Excellent resistance to weathering
Very good resistance to many chemicals
Suitable for most waters, including underground (resists soil corrosion)
Resists non-oxidising mineral and organic acids, caustic solutions, and saline solutions
Specifically resists:
Acids: Hydrochloric, sulphuric (non-oxidising), acetic, carbolic, citric, formic, oxalic, tartaric, fatty acids; sulphurous acid and sulphite solutions.
Alkalies: Fused sodium/potassium hydroxide; concentrated and dilute caustic solutions.
Salt solutions: Aluminium chloride/sulphate, calcium chloride, copper sulphate, sodium carbonate/nitrate/sulphate, zinc sulphate.
Waters: All potable waters, many industrial and mine waters, seawater and brackish water.
Not adequate for (will corrode):
Ammonia, amines and ammonium salts
Oxidising acids (chromic, nitric) and their salts
Ferric chloride, persulphates, perchlorates
Mercury and mercury salts
Acetylene (can form explosive copper acetylide)
Typical Applications
| Industry | Applications |
|---|---|
| Heat Exchange (ASTM B111) | Condensers, evaporators, heat exchangers, stills |
| Plumbing & Water | Hot & cold water tubes, gas & heating installations, soil & waste pipes |
| Building & Construction | Storage tanks, cisterns & cylinders, rainwater goods, roofing, fascias, building facades |
| Chemical Equipment | Vats, chemical equipment, anodes for electroplating baths |
| HVAC & Refrigeration | ACR tubes (ASTM B280), evaporator coils |
FAQ
1. What is the difference between C12200 under ASTM B111 vs ASTM B75?
ASTM B111 C12200 is specifically for seamless condenser and heat exchanger tubes with additional flattening, expansion, and hydrostatic tests. ASTM B75 C12200 is the general seamless tube specification for plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical applications. For heat exchanger service, ASTM B111 is required.
2. Does C12200 comply with ASTM B111 for use in shell-and-tube heat exchangers?
Yes, C12200 is fully listed in ASTM B111. It requires ≥99.90% Cu, 0.015-0.040% P, O61 (annealed) temper, ≥35% elongation, and must pass flattening and 30% expansion tests without cracking.
3. What is the difference between C12200 and C11000 for welding under ASTM B111?
C12200 (DHP) contains phosphorus for deoxidation, making it weldable and brazeable without hydrogen embrittlement. C11000 (ETP) has higher conductivity but cannot be welded in reducing atmospheres because oxygen causes embrittlement. ASTM B111 allows C12200 but not C11000 for welded assemblies.
4. What temper of C12200 is required under ASTM B111 for U-bend condensers?
O61 (annealed) is the only temper permitted under ASTM B111 and ASME SB395 for U-bend tubes. Annealed tubes can be bent to 1.5x-2x tube OD and expanded into tube sheets without cracking. Hard drawn (H80) is not allowed.
5. What is the equivalent European standard for C12200 under EN 12451?
Cu-DHP (EN CW024A) under EN 12451 is the direct European equivalent to ASTM B111 C12200 for seamless heat exchanger tubes. Chemical and mechanical requirements are nearly identical.
6. What is the maximum operating temperature for C12200 in ASTM B111 service?
C12200 can be used continuously up to ~200-300°C (392-572°F) in heat exchanger service. Above 300°C, creep and oxidation accelerate. The annealing temperature is 250-650°C – prolonged exposure above 250°C will soften the material.
7. What is the difference between C12200 and C14200 for heat exchanger applications?
C12200 (Cu-DHP) contains 0.015-0.040% phosphorus – standard for most heat exchangers. C14200 (arsenical copper) contains 0.15-0.50% arsenic for improved corrosion resistance in ammoniacal environments (e.g., some refinery condensers). For most water and steam applications, C12200 is sufficient.
8. What is the yield strength requirement for C12200 under ASTM B111?
ASTM B111 specifies a yield strength of 10–15 ksi (69–103 MPa) for C12200 in the O61 temper (0.5% extension under load). This ensures the tube can be expanded into tube sheets without yielding excessively.
9. Is C12200 suitable for seawater heat exchangers under ASTM B111?
C12200 has adequate corrosion resistance for seawater (it resists brackish water and seawater). However, for long-term seawater service with higher flow velocities, C70600 (90/10 copper-nickel) is preferred due to better resistance to erosion-corrosion and biofouling.
10. What is ASTM B577 and why is it important for C12200?
ASTM B577 is the standard test method for Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper. For C12200, passing this test confirms that the material has been properly deoxidized and will not suffer hydrogen embrittlement during welding or brazing. GNEE can provide B577 test results upon request.
11. How can I get a certified mill test report for C12200 to ASTM B111 from GNEE?
GNEE provides traceable mill test reports (MTR) for all C12200 tubing supplied to ASTM B111 / ASME SB111. The MTR includes: chemical analysis, tensile results (yield/ultimate/elongation), flattening and expansion test results, hydrostatic test pressure, heat number, and optional ASTM B577 hydrogen embrittlement test results. Contact GNEE sales with your size, temper (O61), and quantity requirements.
Product Range – Copper Products
| Category | Common Shapes / Types | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Tube | Straight pipe, Coiled tube, Capillary tube, Inner grooved tube | Air conditioning, refrigeration, heat exchangers, plumbing |
| Copper Sheet / Plate | Flat sheet, coiled strip (thick plate: >6mm, thin sheet: 0.2–6mm) | Roofing, industrial panels, transformers, gaskets |
| Copper Rod / Bar | Round bar, hexagonal bar, square bar, busbar | Electrical components, machining parts, grounding bars |
| Copper Wire | Round wire, flat wire, tinned wire, bare copper wire | Cables, winding wires, jewelry, mesh, electrical conductors |
| Copper Strip | Narrow coiled strip (thickness 0.1–3mm, width ≤600mm) | Battery connectors, shielding tape, flexible connections |
Our factory
Our factory is equipped with integrated production lines for copper tubes, sheets, rods, wires, and strips, featuring advanced extrusion, rolling, drawing, and annealing machinery. We utilize precision equipment such as continuous casting and rolling lines, high-speed wire drawing machines, and hydraulic presses to ensure consistent dimensions and surface quality. For quality control, we have an in-house testing center equipped with spectrometers, tensile testers, hardness testers, eddy current flaw detectors, and metallographic microscopes, enabling us to monitor material composition, mechanical properties, and surface defects at every stage of production.
Our copper product packaging
Our copper products are carefully packed using strong wooden cases, moisture-proof paper, plastic caps for tube/pipe ends, and steel strapping to ensure protection during long-distance sea or air freight.
Each layer is separated with foam or plastic spacers to prevent scratching and deformation, while standard export seaworthy packaging meets ISPM-15 requirements. Clear product labels (grade, size, quantity, heat number) are attached to each bundle or coil, and additional anti-tarnish paper is added for high-humidity destinations to guarantee that the copper tubes, sheets, rods, wires, and strips arrive in perfect condition at your warehouse.
