TP2 Copper

Designation and Standards

International Common Grades:

• China: TP2 (GB/T 1527-2017, GB/T 1528-2019)

• America: C12200 (ASTM B88)

• Japan: C1220 (JIS H3300)

• European Union: CW024A (EN 1172)

• International Standard: ISO 1337

Product Features

• Deoxidized Copper Characteristics: Contains trace phosphorus (0.015-0.040%), strong deoxidation ability, and excellent welding performance.

• Corrosion Resistance: Resistant to high-temperature oxidation and steam corrosion, suitable for condensers, heat exchangers, and other humid/high-temperature environments.

• Workability:

  Good cold working properties, can be made into thin-walled tubes or complex shapes.

  For hot working, temperature control is required (annealing temperature: 500-600°C) to avoid grain coarsening.

• Conductivity: Slightly lower than T2 copper (electrical conductivity ≥ 90% IACS), but meets general power transmission needs.

Common Product Forms and Dimensions

Product Form	Dimension Range	Applicable Standard
Tube	Outer Diameter: 5-219mm, Wall Thickness: 0.5-10mm	GB/T 1527-2017
Bar	Diameter: 10-150mm	GB/T 1528-2019
Plate/Strip	Thickness: 0.5-50mm, Width ≤1000mm	GB/T 2059-2017
Wire	Diameter: 0.5-20mm	GB/T 14953-2017
Irregular shape	Custom dimensions based on customer drawings	Agreement Technical Conditions
Note: Tubes are the main form and are widely used in refrigeration and heat exchange fields.

Chemical Composition (GB/T 1527-2017)

Component	Cu+Ag	Pb	Sb	Bi	P	Fe	S	Other Impurities
Content (%)	≥99.90	≤0.005	≤0.005	≤0.001	0.015-0.040	≤0.05	≤0.005	≤0.1

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	8.89-8.94 g/cm³
Conductivity	90-93% IACS
Resistivity	0.0184-0.0190 μΩ·m
Thermal Conductivity	350-370 W/(m·K)
Thermal Expansion Coefficient	17.5×10⁻⁶/K
Melting Point	1083°C

Mechanical Properties (Reference GB/T 1527-2017)

State	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)	Vickers Hardness (HV)
Hard (Y)	≥275	≥15	80-110
Annealed(M)	≥200	≥45	50-70
Note: Annealed tube is mainly used for bending and forming, while hard tube is suitable for pressure-bearing applications.

Core Advantages

• Hydrogen Embrittlement Resistance: Phosphorus elements inhibit hydrogen penetration, reducing the risk of hydrogen embrittlement.

• Welding Performance: Suitable for flame welding, induction welding, and other high-precision welding processes.

• High-Temperature Oxidation Resistance: Long-term operating temperature up to 200°C (short-term up to 300°C).

Product Applications

• Refrigeration Industry: Air conditioning copper tubes, refrigerator condenser tubes, refrigerant transport tubes.

• Heat Exchange Systems: Boiler heat exchange tubes, seawater desalination equipment.

• Building Piping: Hot and cold water pipes, gas transport pipes.

• Electrical Equipment: Medium and low-voltage cable conductors, busbars.

Processing Notes

• Welding Process: Prefer phosphorus-containing solder (e.g., BCuP series), avoid oxidation.

• Annealing Control: Soft material annealing temperature ≤ 600°C, and hard material should avoid repeated annealing.

• Surface Treatment: After acid pickling, thoroughly rinse to prevent residual phosphides from causing corrosion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main difference between TP2 and T2 copper?

A: TP2 contains phosphorus (0.015-0.04%), offering better welding properties but slightly lower conductivity. T2 copper has higher purity but is more prone to hydrogen embrittlement.

Q: Can TP2 copper tubes be used in drinking water systems?

A: They can be used if they comply with the GB/T 18033-2017 standard but must pass migration testing for lead, arsenic, and other elements.

Q: What happens if the phosphorus content exceeds the standard?

A: Conductivity significantly decreases, and it becomes prone to cracking during cold working, so it must be strictly controlled below 0.04%.

Standards Reference

• Tubes: GB/T 1527-2017, ASTM B88

• Bars: GB/T 1528-2019, JIS H3300

• Welding Standards: GB/T 985.1-2008