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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Sources6 documents: Copper Development Association, American Institute of Steel Construction, bauforumstahl (ArcelorMittal), Wieland, Ovako
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
Steel
Generic structural steel, cited as ASTM A992 (the current US structural grade): ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards.
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
Updating Standard Shape Material Properties Database for Design and ReliabilityAmerican Institute of Steel Constructionarchived copySteel · Yield strength: typical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISCSteel · Ultimate tensile strength: typical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey)Steel · Elongation at break: typical: mean of 24,847 A992 mill-test elongations, web and flange (1998 SSPC mill data), as reported by AISC
3
ANSI/AISC 360-16 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, with CommentaryAmerican Institute of Steel Constructionarchived copySteel · Young's modulus (stiffness): design value (AISC 360-16)Steel · Poisson's ratio: design value (AISC 360-16 Commentary)
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Environmental Product Declaration: Structural Steel Sections and Merchant Bars (2023)bauforumstahl (ArcelorMittal)archived copySteel · Density: nominal (constructional data)Steel · Thermal conductivity: nominal at 20 °CSteel · Thermal expansion: nominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated)
5
Wieland-K19 (Cu-DHP, C12200) Data SheetWielandarchived copyCopper C12200 · Poisson's ratio: reference value at room temperature (Wieland-K19 = Cu-DHP = C12200, rolled products)
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S275JR Steel GradeOvakoSteel · Specific heat: base material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C
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 Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C12200 (5.58x).
Which is lighter, Copper C12200 or Steel?
Steel is lighter: 7,850 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.
Which is stiffer, Copper C12200 or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 117 GPa for Copper C12200, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C12200 or Steel?
For the same stiffness or strength: Steel 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
Copper C12200
Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
1.94x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
49% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
36% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
6.36x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
3.58x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
2.69x 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).
Which is more ductile, Copper C12200 or Steel?
Copper C12200 stretches further before it breaks: 45% elongation at break against 24.2% for Steel.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Copper C12200 or Steel?
Copper C12200 conducts heat better: 339 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 16.9 µm/m·K for Copper C12200.