Copper Grades for Electrical Applications: C11000 vs C10200 vs C12200

Not all copper is the same. Different copper grades offer varying levels of purity, conductivity, and cost. Understanding these differences helps you select the right material for your electrical application.

Common Copper Grades Overview

C11000 - Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) Copper

The most widely used copper grade for electrical applications:

• Purity: 99.90% minimum copper
• Oxygen content: 0.02% - 0.06% (as Cu₂O)
• Conductivity: ≥101% IACS (annealed)
• Standards: ASTM B187, JIS H3100 C1100, BS EN CW004A

C10200 - Oxygen-Free (OF) Copper

High-purity copper with minimal oxygen content:

• Purity: 99.95% minimum copper
• Oxygen content: ≤0.001% (10 ppm)
• Conductivity: ≥101% IACS (annealed)
• Standards: ASTM B170, JIS H3100 C1020, BS EN CW008A

C12200 - Phosphorized Copper (DHP)

Deoxidized copper with phosphorus added during manufacturing:

• Purity: 99.90% minimum copper
• Phosphorus content: 0.015% - 0.040%
• Conductivity: ≥80% IACS (annealed)
• Standards: ASTM B187, JIS H3100 C1220, BS EN CW024A

Detailed Comparison

Electrical Conductivity

Grade	Conductivity (% IACS)	Relative to C11000
C10200	101%	100%
C11000	101%	100%
C12200	80-85%	~82%

Key point: C11000 and C10200 have essentially the same conductivity. C12200 has significantly lower conductivity due to phosphorus content.

Key Differences

Oxygen Content

C11000 (ETP): Contains small amounts of oxygen in the form of cuprous oxide (Cu₂O). This is fine for most electrical applications but can cause issues in certain conditions:

• Risk of hydrogen embrittlement at high temperatures
• Not recommended for brazing or welding in reducing atmospheres
• Excellent for cold working and electrical conductivity

C10200 (OF): Virtually oxygen-free, making it ideal for:

• High-temperature applications
• Brazing and welding operations
• Vacuum applications
• Where hydrogen embrittlement is a concern
• High-reliability aerospace and military applications

C12200 (DHP): Deoxidized with phosphorus, so it has no oxygen-related issues but lower conductivity:

• Excellent for plumbing and heating systems
• Good for brazing and welding
• Lower conductivity limits electrical applications
• Widely used for pipes and tubes

Mechanical Properties

Property	C11000	C10200	C12200
Tensile strength (annealed)	220 MPa	215 MPa	230 MPa
Yield strength (annealed)	69 MPa	62 MPa	75 MPa
Elongation	45%	45%	40%
Hardness (HV)	50	45	55

Cost Comparison

• C11000: Most cost-effective - lowest price per kg
• C10200: Premium pricing - ~15-30% more expensive than C11000
• C12200: Similar to or slightly higher than C11000

Application Recommendations

Use C11000 (ETP) When:

1. General electrical busbar - The standard choice for most power distribution
2. Grounding systems - Excellent conductivity at the best price
3. Switchgear and panelboards - The industry standard
4. Transformer windings - Good formability and conductivity
5. Room temperature operation - No high-temperature issues
6. Cost is a primary consideration - Best value for conductivity

This is the default choice for 90% of electrical applications.

Use C10200 (OF) When:

1. High-temperature applications - Above 200°C continuous
2. Brazing or welding required - No risk of hydrogen embrittlement
3. High-reliability applications - Aerospace, military, medical
4. Vacuum equipment - Low outgassing
5. Annealed assemblies - Where multiple heat cycles are involved
6. Corrosive environments - Better long-term stability

Use C12200 (DHP) When:

1. Plumbing and heating - The standard for copper pipe
2. Refrigeration systems - Compatible with refrigerants
3. Gas and fluid handling - Excellent for tubes and pipes
4. Brazed assemblies - Easy to join without porosity
5. Lower current electrical - Where conductivity is not critical

Not recommended for high-current electrical applications.

Performance in Busbar Applications

For copper busbar specifically:

C11000

• Best choice for busbar in most cases
• Excellent conductivity at competitive pricing
• Suitable for all normal operating temperatures (up to ~105°C)
• Widely available globally
• Most cost-effective solution

C10200

• Only necessary for special busbar applications:
  • Very high operating temperatures
  • Assembly requires extensive brazing/welding
  • High-reliability requirements justify premium cost
• Performance nearly identical to C11000 at normal temperatures

C12200

• Not recommended for busbar applications
• 15-20% lower conductivity means larger cross-section needed
• Only use if brazing/welding requirements are critical

CuMetal’s Recommendation

For copper bars and busbar applications, C11000 is our standard recommendation because:

1. It provides the best balance of performance and cost
2. It’s the global industry standard for electrical copper
3. It’s readily available in all sizes and forms
4. It meets the requirements of 95%+ of electrical applications

We offer C10200 for customers with specific high-temperature or brazing requirements. C12200 is available for plumbing and tubing applications.

Conclusion

• C11000 (ETP): The workhorse of electrical copper - start here
• C10200 (OF): Premium choice for high-temperature and special applications
• C12200 (DHP): Great for plumbing, not ideal for high-current electrical

Still unsure which copper grade is right for your application? Contact our technical team for personalized recommendations.