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, Nathan Trotter, Wieland, Eastern Alloys
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
Zinc Zamak 3
Zamak 3 (ASTM B86 die cast), Nathan Trotter (zinc alloy producer) technical data sheet, typical values
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
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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Zinc Die Casting Properties Guide (2012)Eastern AlloysZinc Zamak 3 · Poisson's ratio: typical, Zamak 3 hot-chamber die cast
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 Zinc Zamak 3?
Zinc Zamak 3 is stronger: its yield strength is 221 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C12200 (3.2x).
Which is lighter, Copper C12200 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Zinc Zamak 3 is lighter: 6,600 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.
Which is stiffer, Copper C12200 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Copper C12200 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 85.5 GPa for Zinc Zamak 3, so the same part in Copper C12200 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C12200 or Zinc Zamak 3?
For the same stiffness or strength: Copper C12200 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension); Zinc Zamak 3 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Copper C12200
Zinc Zamak 3
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
1% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
16% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
22% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
4.34x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
2.94x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
2.42x 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 Zinc Zamak 3?
Copper C12200 stretches further before it breaks: 45% elongation at break against 10% for Zinc Zamak 3.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Copper C12200 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Copper C12200 conducts heat better: 339 W/m·K against 113 W/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C12200 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 27.4 µm/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.