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Copper is listed as Cu (atomic number 29) on the periodic table and is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, second only to silver. Commercially available copper is typically more than 99% pure. The remaining 1% is usually impurities such as oxygen, lead, or silver.
Copper is well known for its electrical and thermal conductivity. It is very resistant to corrosion and is also inherently antimicrobial. The power, automotive, medical, and aerospace industries make use of copper specifically for these properties. Select Copper CNC machiningCNC machining in the FlagShip Instant Quoting Engine℠.
Copper C101, or oxygen-free copper, is the name to an extremely pure metal that comes in at about 99.99% Cu. This high purity level gives it exceptional conductivity, so it is often referred to as HC (high conductivity) copper. It also serves as the base material for brass and bronze alloys. Its high conductivity makes it ideal for busbars, waveguides, and coaxial cables.
Copper 101 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 to 366 | 78-9 | 6-56 | 66-91 | 8.88 to 8.95 |
Copper C110, or Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) Copper, is another highly pure option. It is not as pure as copper 101, however, instead weighing in at 99.90% Cu. It is the most widely used copper alloy because it is more cost-effective and suitable for most electrical applications. This grade is also easier to machine than copper 101.
Copper C110 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 to 366 | 78-9 | 6-56 | 66-91 | 8.88 |
In general, copper is used for its thermal and electrical conductivity. As such, many surface finishes used on other machined metals are not suitable as they will hinder these properties. Listed below are some applicable surface finishes for copper.
Electropolishing: Copper can be electropolished to achieve an extremely smooth and shiny surface. This process removes a minuscule layer of material off the surface - typically between 0.0001” (0.00254 mm) and 0.0025” (0.0635 mm). Electropolishing can further improve corrosion resistance but does not affect conductivity.
Electroplating: Metal plating of copper is frequently used to help prevent oxidation of its outer surface while maintaining electrical and thermal conductivity. In particular, precious metal plating like silver or gold plating can provide low contact resistance to maintain excellent conductivity and solderability.
