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Copper Alloy Cu-OF1 vs CuAg0.04

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy Cu-OF1 and CuAg0.04 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 300 MPa — strength does not separate them. Cu-OF1 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 8% for CuAg0.04, and CuAg0.04 is harder (105 HB vs 95 HB). CuAg0.04 runs hotter in service (220°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, Cu-OF1 welds better (good vs fair).

Cu-OF1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

CuAg0.04Choose it when the part sees heat.

Cu-OF1 vs CuAg0.04: properties

Cu-OF1CuAg0.04

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

46 GPa6.7 Msi
45 GPa6.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
8%

Reduction in Area

60%
55%

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
205 MPa29.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

110 MPa16 ksi
115 MPa16.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

95 HB
105 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

45 HRB
57 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

105 HV
115 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 125 GPa18.1 Msi · Bulk Modulus 140 GPa20.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,065°C1,949 °F

Same in both: Density 8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,083°C1,981 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

388 W/m·K224 BTU/hr·ft·°F
385 W/m·K222 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
17.1 µm/m·K9.5 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
220°C428 °F

Min Service Temperature

-269°C-452 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

100.2 % IACS
98 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.72×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.678 µΩ·in
1.76×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.693 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

27 / 100
28 / 100

Weldability

68 / 100
35 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 25% · Formability (cold) 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
280 L/kg33.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

10%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

39 kN·m/kg
40 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

360 kJ/m³
384 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

112.7 mm²/s
111.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

64
65

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 14 MN·m/kg

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every copper alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

501002005001,0007.588.599.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleCu-OF1CuAg0.04

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCu-OF1CuAg0.04
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

Cu-OF1 vs CuAg0.04 — frequently asked

What is the difference between Cu-OF1 and CuAg0.04?

Copper Alloy Cu-OF1 and CuAg0.04 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 300 MPa — strength does not separate them. Cu-OF1 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 8% for CuAg0.04, and CuAg0.04 is harder (105 HB vs 95 HB).

Which is cheaper, Cu-OF1 or CuAg0.04?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, Cu-OF1 or CuAg0.04?

Cu-OF1. Its weldability rates good (68/100) against fair (35/100) for CuAg0.04.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Cu-OF1 and CuAg0.04 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.