C103 or Cu-OF and CU110 or Cu-OFE are produced by melting and casting the copper under a near vacuum atmosphere to give very low residual oxygen content. Such grades should be specified for applications where resistance to hydrogen embitterment is required with no loss in conductivity. The grade C110 is designated for electronic purposes and is relatively expensive. The oxide film formed on its surface at high temperature is tightly adherent, making it suitable for vacuum tight glass to metal seals. It also has a very low content of volatiles, making it ideal for use in conditions requiring consistently high vacuum.
Key Properties
Excellent heat & electrical conduction
Good corrosion and biofouling resistance (although some alloys are prone to stress corrosion)
Good Mach-inability
Extreme ductility and malleability in the annealed state enabling making it particularly suitable for tube forming, wire drawing, spinning and deep drawing.
Mechanical and Electrical properties are retained at cryogenic temperatures.
Copper and copper alloys should be kept clear of foodstuffs as they impart an unpleasant taste to the food.
Copper is the only widely used commercial metal that has a color other than metallic white.
Most copper alloys can be joined by processes including brazing, welding or soldering.
Copper and its alloys can be plated by electro-deposition using most metals commonly employed for this application.
Copper is non-magnetic.
Displays a high resistance to sparking.
Applications
Electrical Conductors
Due to its excellent electrical conductivity, electrolytic tough pitch high copper is the primary material used in power transmission and automotive spark plug electrodes. It is very efficient leading to high current densities and low losses. Examples of applications include electrical wiring, cables, bus bars, high strength, high conductivity wires and sections, overheads lines, contact wires, resistance-welding electrodes, terminals, high conductivity items for use at raised temperatures.
Electrical Conductors
Due to its excellent electrical conductivity, electrolytic tough pitch high copper is the primary material used in power transmission and automotive spark plug electrodes. It is very efficient leading to high current densities and low losses. Examples of applications include electrical wiring, cables, bus bars, high strength, high conductivity wires and sections, overheads lines, contact wires, resistance-welding electrodes, terminals, high conductivity items for use at raised temperatures.
Heat Exchangers
The high thermal conductivity of copper has made it a preferred choice for heat exchangers, such as in refrigeration tubing.
The high thermal conductivity of copper has made it a preferred choice for heat exchangers, such as in refrigeration tubing.
Plumbing
Due to its ductility and malleability, copper tubing is commonly used in plumbing applications. The fact that it can be easily joined by brazing is also a benefit in this application.
Due to its ductility and malleability, copper tubing is commonly used in plumbing applications. The fact that it can be easily joined by brazing is also a benefit in this application.
Arc Melting Crucibles
Some highly reactive metals are melted using an arc melting process. In such an instance water-cooled copper crucibles are employed due to their high thermal conductivity, which alloys molten metal to freeze near the crucible wall before it has a chance to alloy with the copper.
Some highly reactive metals are melted using an arc melting process. In such an instance water-cooled copper crucibles are employed due to their high thermal conductivity, which alloys molten metal to freeze near the crucible wall before it has a chance to alloy with the copper.