What Is the Chemical Composition of C12200?
The composition of C12200 is defined by ASTM standards, primarily ASTM B75, B88, B280, and others that cover different product forms. The requirements are straightforward: this is a high-purity copper with a small but critical addition of phosphorus.
Here is the typical composition:
| Element | Composition (by weight) |
|---|---|
| Copper (including silver) | 99.9% minimum |
| Phosphorus | 0.015% – 0.040% |
| Other elements (total) | 0.1% maximum |
In practice, most mills produce C12200 with copper content well above the minimum-often 99.95% or higher-and phosphorus carefully controlled within the specified range.
Why Is Phosphorus Added?
The addition of phosphorus serves one critical purpose: deoxidation.
During the refining of copper, a small amount of oxygen is naturally present. In most commercial copper grades, this oxygen remains in the final product. For example, C11000 (electrolytic tough pitch copper) contains 0.02% to 0.04% oxygen.
This oxygen becomes a problem when the copper is welded, brazed, or exposed to hydrogen at high temperatures. The oxygen reacts with hydrogen to form water vapor inside the metal, causing internal cracking and embrittlement-a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement.
When phosphorus is added to the molten copper, it reacts with oxygen to form phosphorus pentoxide, which floats out of the melt. The result is copper that is essentially oxygen-free and can be safely welded, brazed, and joined without risk.
The phosphorus remaining in the final material is a small residual amount-typically 0.015% to 0.040%-that ensures complete deoxidation while having minimal impact on other properties.
How Does C12200 Compare to Other Copper Grades?
| Grade | Key Composition Feature | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|
| C11000 (ETP) | 99.9% Cu, 0.02–0.04% oxygen | Electrical conductors, busbars, wires |
| C10200 (OF) | 99.95% Cu, oxygen-free | High-vacuum and high-conductivity applications |
| C12200 (DHP) | 99.9% Cu, 0.015–0.040% phosphorus | Plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, heat exchangers |
| C10100 (OFE) | 99.99% Cu, oxygen-free electronic | High-reliability electronics, cryogenics |
What Standards Cover C12200 Composition?
| Standard | Product Form | Application |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM B75 | Seamless copper tube | General purpose tube |
| ASTM B88 | Seamless copper water tube | Plumbing, water service |
| ASTM B280 | Seamless copper tube for ACR | Air conditioning and refrigeration |
| ASTM B359 | Seamless copper tube for heat exchangers | Heat exchanger and condenser tubes |
| ASTM B152 | Copper sheet, strip, plate | Flat products |
| ASTM B124 | Copper rod and bar | Forging stock, machined components |
Our product range
| Product Category | Key Specifications | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Tubes | Outer Diameter: 3–300 mm Wall Thickness: 0.5–10 mm Length: Customized Standards: ASTM B280, EN 1057, JIS H3300 |
Air conditioning, refrigeration, heat exchangers, plumbing, industrial fluid transfer |
| Copper Sheets & Plates | Thickness: 0.5–100 mm Width: up to 3000 mm Length: up to 6000 mm Standards: ASTM B152, EN 1652, GB/T 2040 |
Architectural roofing, busbars, transformer components, industrial panels, heat exchangers |
| Copper Rods & Bars | Diameter: 6–300 mm (round) Cross-section: square, hexagonal, flat Standards: ASTM B124, EN 12163, GB/T 4423 |
Electrical connectors, machining parts, switchgear, fasteners, valve stems |
| Copper Wires | Diameter: 0.1–12 mm Form: bare, tinned, stranded Standards: ASTM B3, EN 13601, IEC 60228 |
Electrical wiring, cables, grounding, automotive harnesses, transformer windings |
Our factory
Our factory is equipped with a comprehensive range of advanced production facilities dedicated to the copper processing industry. The production line includes state-of-the-art extrusion presses, precision rolling mills, high-speed drawing machines, continuous casting lines, and automated annealing furnaces, enabling us to manufacture a full spectrum of copper products-tubes, sheets, plates, rods, bars, wires, and strips-with exceptional dimensional accuracy and consistent mechanical properties. To ensure stable output and supply reliability, we operate with an annual production capacity exceeding 80000 tons and maintain a large-scale inventory system that supports just-in-time delivery. Complementing our manufacturing capabilities is a dedicated quality control center equipped with spectrometers, universal testing machines, and hardness testers, ensuring every batch meets international standards such as ASTM, EN, and GB/T. This vertically integrated production setup allows us to control quality at every stage, from raw material selection to final packaging, and to offer flexible customization in dimensions, temper, and surface finishes. With decades of technical expertise and a strong focus on continuous process improvement, we stand as a reliable, large-scale supplier serving clients across global markets.
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