Copper Alloy C18200 · precip hard
Copper Alloy C18200-TF00
Properties of the TF00 condition, compared with the other C18200 tempers.
Best choice for large sections, forgings and mould inserts where uniform properties and high conductivity matter more than peak strength.
What is C18200-TF00?
C18200-TF00 is C18200 in the TF00 condition — best choice for large sections, forgings and mould inserts where uniform properties and high conductivity matter more than peak strength. C18200-TF00 has a yield strength of 372 MPa (54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) — stronger than 75% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C18200-TF00 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,070°C (1,958 °F). H is the default condition FabDigit quotes; TF00 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 324 W/m·K (187.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 82 % IACS, better than 83% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 372 MPa (54 ksi), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
C18200-TF00 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C18200-TF00 — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C18200 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C18200-TF00 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,070°C (1,958 °F).
Mechanical12
C18200-TF00 has a yield strength of 372 MPa (54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) — stronger than 75% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C18200-TF00 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 324 W/m·K (187.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C18200-TF00 conducts electricity at 82 % IACS, better than 83% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C18200-TF00 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C18200-TF00's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 58% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C18200 tempers and conditions
C18200 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C18200 overview.
- HDefaultStandard stocked condition for electrode bar and rod: ~75–80 HRB with ≥80% IACS.430 MPa yield · 140 HB
- TH04Highest strength/hardness combination for resistance-welding electrodes, shanks and heavy-duty conductors.448 MPa yield · 145 HB
- TF00Best choice for large sections, forgings and mould inserts where uniform properties and high conductivity matter more than peak strength.372 MPa yield · 120 HB
- TD04Cold-worked strength without the aging step; choose when conductivity is secondary and a later age-hardening cycle will follow.360 MPa yield · 68 HRB
- TB00Pick when heavy cold forming, deep drawing or machining of complex shapes is needed before a final aging cycle.96 MPa yield · 55 HB
Working with C18200-TF00
Is C18200 easy to machine?
Machine in the aged (TH/TF) condition with sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed and generous coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge when solution treated.
Can C18200 be welded?
Fusion welding is poor — Cr oxide films and hot cracking; prefer brazing, silver soldering or mechanical/threaded joints, and re-age locally softened zones.
Can C18200 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend or upset in TB00 (soft) condition then age 450–500 °C for 2–4 h; cold formability drops sharply once aged.
What surface finishes work on C18200?
Not anodizable; use bright turning/polishing, chemical bright dip, or nickel/silver/tin plating for contact surfaces and tarnish resistance.
C18200 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Crprimary precipitation-hardening addition | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.5 % (Ag countable as Cu) | ≥ 98.6 (balance) | — |
C18200-TF00 — frequently asked
What is C18200-TF00 used for?
C18200-TF00 is typically used for resistance spot-welding electrodes (RWMA Class 2), electrode holders and shanks, switch and breaker contact arms, continuous-casting mould components, injection mould inserts and high-current bus conductors. In short: high-temp conductivity.
What is the yield strength of C18200-TF00?
C18200-TF00 has a typical yield strength of 372 MPa (54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) — stronger than 75% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C18200-TF00 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 58% of copper alloy grades). Machine in the aged (TH/TF) condition with sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed and generous coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge when solution treated.
Can C18200-TF00 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is poor — Cr oxide films and hot cracking; prefer brazing, silver soldering or mechanical/threaded joints, and re-age locally softened zones.
What surface finishes work on C18200-TF00?
Not anodizable; use bright turning/polishing, chemical bright dip, or nickel/silver/tin plating for contact surfaces and tarnish resistance.
Can C18200-TF00 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend or upset in TB00 (soft) condition then age 450–500 °C for 2–4 h; cold formability drops sharply once aged.
What is the maximum service temperature of C18200-TF00?
C18200-TF00 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C18200-H and C18200-TB00?
H is the default condition — standard stocked condition for electrode bar and rod: ~75–80 HRB with ≥80% IACS. TB00: pick when heavy cold forming, deep drawing or machining of complex shapes is needed before a final aging cycle. Yield strength is 430 MPa in H versus 96 MPa in TB00.
Can FabDigit make parts in C18200-TF00?
Yes — C18200-TF00 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B224 — Standard Classification of Coppers — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- RWMA Bulletin 16 — Resistance Welding Electrode Classification (Class 2) — AWS/RWMA (2017)
- UNS C18200 alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.