Copper C12200 vs. Plastic TPU

Compare Copper C12200 vs. Plastic TPU strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Mechanical	Copper C12200	Plastic TPU
Yield strength	69MPa1	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	221MPa1	23.7MPa2
Flexural strength	not sourced	4.1MPa2
Elongation at break	45%1	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	117GPa11,749x stiffer	0.067GPa2
Density	8,941kg/m³1	1,220kg/m³27.33x lighter
Strength to weight	7.72kN·m/kg	19.4kN·m/kg2.52x higher
Stiffness to weight	13.1MN·m/kg239x higher	0.0549MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.343	not sourced
Shear modulus	43.7GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	122GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	3,621m/s15.4x faster	234m/s

Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight

Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight

Thermal	Copper C12200	Plastic TPU
Thermal conductivity	339W/m·K1	not sourced
Thermal expansion	16.9µm/m·K1	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	84.5µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	385J/kg·K1	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	98.5mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	7,799W/m	not sourced
Melting point	liquidus1,083°C1866 °C higher	217°C2
Max service temperature	not sourced	HDT 0.455 MPa50.3°C2

Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight

Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated

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Sources3 documents: Copper Development Association, UltiMaker, Wieland

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 TPU: Ultimaker TPU 95A, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 29, 2022.

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
2
Ultimaker TPU 95A Technical Data Sheet, v5.00UltiMakerarchived copyPlastic TPU · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, stress at breakPlastic TPU · Flexural strength: typicalPlastic TPU · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalPlastic TPU · Density: typicalPlastic TPU · Melting point: typicalPlastic TPU · Max service temperature: HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
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)

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.

Plastic TPU is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Mechanical

Is Copper C12200 stronger than Plastic TPU?

Copper C12200 is stronger: its yield strength is 69 MPa against tensile strength 23.7 MPa for Plastic TPU (2.91x).

Which is lighter, Copper C12200 or Plastic TPU?

Plastic TPU is lighter: 1,220 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.

Which is stiffer, Copper C12200 or Plastic TPU?

Copper C12200 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 0.067 GPa for Plastic TPU, so the same part in Copper C12200 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C12200 or Plastic TPU?

For the same stiffness or strength: Copper C12200 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic TPU is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Copper C12200	Plastic TPU
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	239x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	5.71x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.64x heavier
Strong rod or tie	2.52x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	3.59x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	4.3x 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).