Which One Is Better for Welding and Brazing?
C122 is the clear choice.
Here's why. C110 contains a small amount of oxygen-about 0.02% to 0.04%-left over from the refining process. When you heat C110 in an atmosphere that contains hydrogen (which is common in welding and brazing), the oxygen and hydrogen react inside the metal. They form water vapor, which expands and creates tiny cracks throughout the material. This is called hydrogen embrittlement. The joint might look fine on the outside, but the copper has lost its strength and ductility underneath.
C122 has no oxygen. During production, phosphorus is added to remove every trace of oxygen. The result is a copper that can be welded, brazed, and soldered without any risk of embrittlement. That's why C122 is the standard for plumbing pipes, refrigeration lines, gas distribution systems, and any copper that will be joined by heat.
Which One Conducts Electricity Better?
C110 wins here.
C110 is electrolytic tough pitch copper, and it delivers the highest electrical conductivity of any commercially pure copper-100% to 101% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). That means it conducts electricity as well as or better than the theoretical standard for pure copper. It's the industry standard for power cables, busbars, transformer windings, and motor components.
C122 is still a good conductor-much better than aluminum or steel-but it typically runs at 85% to 95% IACS. The phosphorus added to remove oxygen creates a small disruption in the copper crystal lattice, which increases electrical resistance. For most electrical applications, that drop is too significant to accept.
Can I Use Them for the Same Applications?
C110 and C122 serve completely different markets.
| Application | C110 | C122 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical wire and cable | ✓ Standard | ✗ Not suitable |
| Busbars and switchgear | ✓ Standard | ✗ Not suitable |
| Plumbing pipes | ✗ Not recommended | ✓ Standard |
| Refrigeration tubing | ✗ Not recommended | ✓ Standard |
| Gas distribution lines | ✗ Not recommended | ✓ Standard |
| Heat exchanger tubes | Limited use | ✓ Standard |
| Transformer windings | ✓ Standard | ✗ Not suitable |
You'll rarely find them competing for the same job. C110 is for moving electrons. C122 is for moving water, refrigerant, or gas. Trying to substitute one for the other usually leads to performance problems or fabrication failures.
Does the Oxygen Content Really Matter?
Yes-more than almost anything else about these two grades.
The oxygen in C110 isn't a defect. It's a deliberate part of the electrolytic refining process, and it actually contributes to the grade's excellent electrical conductivity. But that same oxygen becomes a serious liability when the copper is heated.
Think of it this way: C110 is perfect for applications that stay cold-like electrical wires in a building. But if you need to heat it, bend it repeatedly under stress, or join it with welding or brazing, the oxygen becomes a weakness.
C122 is processed specifically to eliminate oxygen. The phosphorus deoxidation step adds a small cost and slightly reduces conductivity, but it transforms the copper into a material that can handle heat, pressure, and joining without internal damage.
How Do I Know Which One to Specify?
If you're still unsure, ask yourself these three questions:
1. Will the copper be welded or brazed?
Yes → Choose C122
No → Continue to question 2
2. Is maximum electrical conductivity critical?
Yes → Choose C110
No → Continue to question 3
3. What is the product form?
Tube, pipe, or fitting → Choose C122
Wire, busbar, or electrical component → Choose C110
In most projects, the choice becomes obvious once you know the application.
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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