Copper Alloy C22000 · temper · default condition
Copper Alloy C22000-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other C22000 tempers.
Pick for deep drawing, spinning, stamping of complex decorative parts and for maximum ductility.
What is C22000-O?
C22000-O is C22000 in the O temper — pick for deep drawing, spinning, stamping of complex decorative parts and for maximum ductility. C22000-O has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C22000-O has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,020°C (1,868 °F).
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 189 W/m·K (109.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 83 MPa (12 ksi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C22000-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for C22000-O — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C22000 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C22000-O has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,020°C (1,868 °F).
Mechanical11
C22000-O has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C22000-O is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 189 W/m·K (109.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C22000-O conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 74% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C22000-O takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C22000-O's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 66% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C22000 tempers and conditions
C22000 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C22000 overview.
- ODefaultPick for deep drawing, spinning, stamping of complex decorative parts and for maximum ductility.83 MPa yield · 48 HB
- H08Spring strip/wire temper for contacts and light springs where color and solderability matter.420 MPa yield · 77 HRB
- H06For flat parts needing higher strength than full hard with essentially no forming.390 MPa yield · 74 HRB
- H04Choose for flat springs, clips and parts needing stiffness with only simple bends.350 MPa yield · 130 HB
- H03Cold-rolled to roughly 29% reduction, giving strength between half-hard and full-hard with limited remaining bend ductility.310 MPa yield · 115 HB
- H02General-purpose stock temper: balances bendability with useful strength for hardware and nameplates.280 MPa yield · 105 HB
- H01Use when moderate forming is still required but annealed material is too soft/limp.215 MPa yield · 45 HRB
- M20Mill temper of hot-rolled plate and bar; essentially recrystallized soft condition with low strength and high ductility.85 MPa yield · 52 HB
Working with C22000-O
Is C22000 easy to machine?
Gummy single-phase alpha brass (≈20% of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; expect long stringy chips.
Can C22000 be welded?
Best joined by brazing or soldering; resistance and GTAW/GMAW welding are fair with matched or silicon-bronze filler, oxyacetylene welding is not recommended due to zinc fume loss.
Can C22000 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — deep draws, spinning and severe bends in O temper; interanneal ~425–650 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts (~275 °C) to avoid ammonia SCC.
What surface finishes work on C22000?
Takes a bright gilding-gold polish; commonly lacquered, clear-coated, chemically patinated, or electroplated with Ni/Cr/Au — anodizing does not apply.
C22000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.8 | 89 – 91 | 90 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | balance | — |
C22000-O — frequently asked
What is C22000-O used for?
C22000-O is typically used for jewelry components, decorative metalwork and trim, badges and nameplates, builders' hardware, electrical terminals and contacts and flexible metal hose. In short: ductile commercial bronze.
What is the yield strength of C22000-O?
C22000-O has a typical yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C22000-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 66% of copper alloy grades). Gummy single-phase alpha brass (≈20% of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; expect long stringy chips.
Can C22000-O be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Best joined by brazing or soldering; resistance and GTAW/GMAW welding are fair with matched or silicon-bronze filler, oxyacetylene welding is not recommended due to zinc fume loss.
What surface finishes work on C22000-O?
Takes a bright gilding-gold polish; commonly lacquered, clear-coated, chemically patinated, or electroplated with Ni/Cr/Au — anodizing does not apply.
Can C22000-O be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — deep draws, spinning and severe bends in O temper; interanneal ~425–650 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts (~275 °C) to avoid ammonia SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C22000-O?
C22000-O is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C22000-O and C22000-H10?
O is the default condition — pick for deep drawing, spinning, stamping of complex decorative parts and for maximum ductility. H10: maximum cold-worked strength available in thin strip; only flat or very gentle radii. Yield strength is 83 MPa in O versus 450 MPa in H10.
Can FabDigit make parts in C22000-O?
Yes — C22000-O 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 B36/B36M Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B134/B134M Brass Wire — ASTM International (2015)
- CDA Alloy Database — C22000 Commercial Bronze 90% — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: 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.