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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Sources4 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, Copper Development Association, U.S. Department of Defense, Wieland
Aluminum 7050-T7451
7050-T7451 plate, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet (longitudinal); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J
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
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
3
MIL-HDBK-5J, Metallic Materials and Elements for Aerospace Vehicle Structures (2003)U.S. Department of DefenseAluminum 7050-T7451 · Poisson's ratio: typical (handbook physical constant)
4
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 7050-T7451 stronger than Copper C12200?
Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stronger: its yield strength is 469 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C12200 (6.8x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Copper C12200?
Aluminum 7050-T7451 is lighter: 2,830 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 70.3 GPa for Aluminum 7050-T7451, so the same part in Copper C12200 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Copper C12200?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 7050-T7451 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 7050-T7451
Copper C12200
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
1.9x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.45x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.66x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
21.5x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
11.3x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
8.24x 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 7050-T7451 or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 stretches further before it breaks: 45% elongation at break against 11% for Aluminum 7050-T7451.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 conducts heat better: 339 W/m·K against 157 W/m·K for Aluminum 7050-T7451.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C12200 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 23.5 µm/m·K for Aluminum 7050-T7451.