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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Sources4 documents: Copper Development Association, ATI, Wieland, Steel Construction Institute
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
Stainless Steel 316
ATI 316 (UNS S31600), annealed 1.0 mm sheet, ATI technical data sheet (2012); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual
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
ATI 316, 316L, 317 and 317L Technical Data Sheet (2012)ATIarchived copyStainless Steel 316 · Yield strength: typical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheetStainless Steel 316 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheetStainless Steel 316 · Elongation at break: typical (representative), annealed, in 2 in. (51 mm)Stainless Steel 316 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, in tensionStainless Steel 316 · Density: typicalStainless Steel 316 · Thermal conductivity: 20–100 °CStainless Steel 316 · Thermal expansion: mean, 20–100 °CStainless Steel 316 · Specific heat: at 20 °CStainless Steel 316 · Melting point: melting rangeStainless Steel 316 · Max service temperature: oxidation (scaling) limit in air
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)
4
Design Manual for Structural Stainless Steel, 4th Edition (P413)Steel Construction Institutearchived copyStainless Steel 316 · Poisson's ratio: design value (structural stainless steels)
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 Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is stronger: its yield strength is 265 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C12200 (3.84x).
Which is lighter, Copper C12200 or Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is lighter: 8,027 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.
Which is stiffer, Copper C12200 or Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 117 GPa for Copper C12200, so the same part in Stainless Steel 316 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C12200 or Stainless Steel 316?
For the same stiffness or strength: Stainless Steel 316 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
Stainless Steel 316
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
1.9x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
46% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
33% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
4.28x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
2.73x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
2.18x 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 Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 stretches further before it breaks: 61% elongation at break against 45% for Copper C12200.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Copper C12200 or Stainless Steel 316?
Copper C12200 conducts heat better: 339 W/m·K against 14.6 W/m·K for Stainless Steel 316.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless Steel 316 expands less: 16.5 µm/m·K against 16.9 µm/m·K for Copper C12200.