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: Rheocast Company, Copper Development Association, North American Die Casting Association, Wieland
Aluminum A380
A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.
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
Product Design for Die Casting, Table 4.1: Die Casting Alloys Material Properties ComparisonNorth American Die Casting Associationarchived copyAluminum A380 · Poisson's ratio: typical, as-cast, separately die cast specimens
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 A380 stronger than Copper C12200?
Aluminum A380 is stronger: its yield strength is 160 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C12200 (2.32x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or Copper C12200?
Aluminum A380 is lighter: 2,713 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 71 GPa for Aluminum A380, so the same part in Copper C12200 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or Copper C12200?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum A380 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 A380
Copper C12200
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
2x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.57x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.79x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
7.64x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
5.77x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
5.02x 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 A380 or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 stretches further before it breaks: 45% elongation at break against 3.5% for Aluminum A380.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum A380 or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 conducts heat better: 339 W/m·K against 96.2 W/m·K for Aluminum A380.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C12200 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 21.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum A380.