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: Copper Development Association, LyondellBasell, Wieland, INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA
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
Plastic HDPE
LyondellBasell Hostalen 23050 B high density polyethylene, typical ISO values
1
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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Hostalen 23050 B Product DataLyondellBasellPlastic HDPE · Yield strength: typical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527Plastic HDPE · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527Plastic HDPE · Density: typical, ISO 1183
3
Wieland-K19 (Cu-DHP, C12200) Data SheetWielandarchived copyCopper C12200 · Poisson's ratio: reference value at room temperature (Wieland-K19 = Cu-DHP = C12200, rolled products)
4
Typical Engineering Properties of High Density PolyethyleneINEOS Olefins & Polymers USAarchived copyPlastic HDPE · Poisson's ratio: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)Plastic HDPE · Thermal conductivity: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)Plastic HDPE · Thermal expansion: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)Plastic HDPE · Specific heat: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
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 Copper C12200 stronger than Plastic HDPE?
Copper C12200 is stronger: its yield strength is 69 MPa against 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (2.88x).
Which is lighter, Copper C12200 or Plastic HDPE?
Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.
Which is stiffer, Copper C12200 or Plastic HDPE?
Copper C12200 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in Copper C12200 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C12200 or Plastic HDPE?
For the same stiffness or strength: Copper C12200 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending); Plastic HDPE is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Copper C12200
Plastic HDPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
13.8x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
21% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
1.86x heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
3.27x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
4.65x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
5.55x heavier
lighter
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).
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Copper C12200 or Plastic HDPE?
Copper C12200 conducts heat better: 339 W/m·K against 0.445 W/m·K for Plastic HDPE.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C12200 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.