Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources3 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, Copper Development Association, Wieland
Aluminum 3003-O
3003-O (annealed) aluminium-manganese alloy, the heat-exchanger tube and brazing alloy, Kaiser Aluminum Tube & Pipe Alloy 3003 Technical Data (Rev. 05/06), typical properties; specific heat from the NIST cryogenic 3003-F fit at 293 K.
Copper C12200
C12200 phosphorus-deoxidized copper (DHP, the air-conditioning and refrigeration tube copper), tube annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 0.065 in. wall, copper.org typical values
1
Alloy 3003 Tube & Pipe Technical Data, Rev. 05/06Kaiser Aluminumarchived copyAluminum 3003-O · Yield strength: typical, O, 0.0625 in specimenAluminum 3003-O · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, OAluminum 3003-O · Elongation at break: typical, O, in 4DAluminum 3003-O · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum 3003-O · Density: nominal, 20 °CAluminum 3003-O · Thermal conductivity: typical, O, 20 °CAluminum 3003-O · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum 3003-O · Melting point: melting range
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C12200 Alloy (copper.org)Copper Development Associationarchived copyCopper C12200 · Yield strength: typical, 0.5% extension under load, 0.065 in. tubeCopper C12200 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, 0.065 in. tubeCopper C12200 · Elongation at break: typical, 0.065 in. tubeCopper C12200 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalCopper C12200 · Density: nominalCopper C12200 · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °CCopper C12200 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CCopper C12200 · Specific heat: typical, 20 °CCopper C12200 · Melting point: liquidus
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Wieland-K19 (Cu-DHP, C12200) Data SheetWielandarchived copyCopper C12200 · Poisson's ratio: reference value at room temperature (Wieland-K19 = Cu-DHP = C12200, rolled products)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Aluminum 3003-O stronger than Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 is stronger: its yield strength is 69 MPa against 40 MPa for Aluminum 3003-O (1.73x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 3003-O or Copper C12200?
Aluminum 3003-O is lighter: 2,730 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 3003-O or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 3003-O, so the same part in Copper C12200 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 3003-O or Copper C12200?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 3003-O is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 3003-O
Copper C12200
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
1.93x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.51x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.74x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.9x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.28x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
2.49x heavier
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which is more ductile, Aluminum 3003-O or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 stretches further before it breaks: 45% elongation at break against 30% for Aluminum 3003-O.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 3003-O or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 conducts heat better: 339 W/m·K against 193 W/m·K for Aluminum 3003-O.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C12200 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 23.2 µm/m·K for Aluminum 3003-O.