Glidcop AL-15
also Glidcop AL-60
Glidcop AL-15 is a copper matrix dispersion-strengthened with fine Al2O3 formed by internal oxidation of aluminium, the de-facto standard ODS-Cu metal-matrix composite (also offered as AL-25 and AL-60 for higher strength).
Reference datasheet — Glidcop AL-15 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the AL-15 condition
Glidcop AL-15 grades and fills
Glidcop AL-15 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. AL-15 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AL-15 heat-treated / post-braze | Use as the design condition for parts that see brazing, HIP or long high-temperature exposure — strength drops only modestly instead of collapsing as with Cu-OFE or CuCrZr. | 230 | 330 | 24 | |
AL-15Default 0.3 wt% Al₂O₃, as-extruded/cold-worked rod | Highest conductivity Glidcop grade — pick when electrical/thermal conduction dominates and moderate elevated-temperature strength is enough (resistance welding electrodes, heat sinks, lead frames). | 331 | 413 | 18 | |
0.5 wt% Al₂O₃ | Middle grade — take when AL-15 lacks strength but ~87% IACS conductivity is still required (welding electrode tips, higher-load conductors). | 400 | 469 | 15 | |
AL-15 heavily cold-drawn / cold-worked wire and bar | Choose for small-diameter wire, contacts and spring-like parts where the extra cold-work strength survives only moderate service temperatures. | 440 | 500 | 10 | |
1.1 wt% Al₂O₃ | Strongest and most creep/softening resistant Glidcop; pick for spot-weld electrodes on coated steel, plasma-facing heat sinks and structural high-temperature conductors where ~78% IACS is acceptable. | 483 | 552 | 12 |
What is Glidcop AL-15?
Glidcop AL-15 is a copper matrix dispersion-strengthened with fine Al2O3 formed by internal oxidation of aluminium, the de-facto standard ODS-Cu metal-matrix composite (also offered as AL-25 and AL-60 for higher strength). It keeps 365 W/m·K thermal conductivity and 8.9 g/cm³ density while resisting softening to about 500 °C, with 331 MPa yield, 413 MPa tensile and 18% elongation in the default condition; typical forms are extruded bar, plate and cold-worked rod. The main limits are cost, powder-route availability and the fact that fusion welding destroys the dispersion. Where high-temperature strength is not required, C11000 tough pitch or C18150 CuCrZr is cheaper. Glidcop AL-15 has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of composite grades. Glidcop AL-15 has a yield strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 413 MPa (59.9 ksi) — stronger than 58% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi).
What is Glidcop AL-15 used for?
- resistance welding electrodes
- rocket nozzle liners
- high-current electrical contacts
- vacuum tube components
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 70 MPa·√m (63.7 ksi·√in), better than 100% of composite grades
- Conducts heat well — 365 W/m·K (210.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of composite grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 18%, better than 95% of composite grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 94% of composite grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 87% of composite grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), worse than 98% of composite grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 87% of composite grades
Glidcop AL-15 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Glidcop AL-15-AL-15; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
Glidcop AL-15 has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of composite grades.
Mechanical10
Glidcop AL-15 has a yield strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 413 MPa (59.9 ksi) — stronger than 58% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Glidcop AL-15 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 365 W/m·K (210.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 16.6 µm/m·K (9.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Glidcop AL-15 has an electrical resistivity of 1.87×10⁻⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 87% of composite grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Glidcop AL-15 takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability2
Glidcop AL-15's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 63% of composite grades).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. Glidcop AL-15 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Glidcop AL-15
Is Glidcop AL-15 easy to machine?
Machines much like tough pitch copper but the Al₂O₃ is abrasive — use sharp carbide/PCD tooling, positive rake, high speed with flood coolant; chips are gummy so chip-breaking geometry helps.
Can Glidcop AL-15 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (melting agglomerates the dispersoid and destroys strength plus creates porosity); join by brazing, HIP/diffusion bonding, friction or electron-beam-limited techniques and keep the fusion zone out of the load path.
Can Glidcop AL-15 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied hot-extruded/cold-worked from consolidated powder; cold heading, drawing and moderate bending are practical, but recrystallisation softening cannot be used to restore ductility — anneal only relieves stress.
Glidcop AL-15 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Alpresent as in-situ Al₂O₃ dispersoid (~0.3 wt% Al₂O₃) | 0.13 – 0.17 | 0.15 |
| Ocombined as Al₂O₃ | 0.12 – 0.19 | 0.16 |
| Curemainder, oxygen-free copper matrix | balance |
What surface finishes work on Glidcop AL-15?
Takes electroplating (Ni, Ag, Au), electroless Ni and standard copper polishing; not anodisable, and a protective plating or inert atmosphere is advised above ~300 °C to limit oxidation.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Glidcop AL-15 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Glidcop AL-60
How much does Glidcop AL-15 cost?
Glidcop AL-15 is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Glidcop AL-15 — frequently asked
What is Glidcop AL-15 used for?
Glidcop AL-15 is typically used for resistance welding electrodes, rocket nozzle liners, high-current electrical contacts and vacuum tube components. In short: copper conductivity above 400 °C; non-softening ODS copper; replaces CuCrZr when hotter.
What is the yield strength of Glidcop AL-15?
Glidcop AL-15 has a typical yield strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 413 MPa (59.9 ksi) — stronger than 58% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Glidcop AL-15 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 63% of composite grades). Machines much like tough pitch copper but the Al₂O₃ is abrasive — use sharp carbide/PCD tooling, positive rake, high speed with flood coolant; chips are gummy so chip-breaking geometry helps.
Can Glidcop AL-15 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (melting agglomerates the dispersoid and destroys strength plus creates porosity); join by brazing, HIP/diffusion bonding, friction or electron-beam-limited techniques and keep the fusion zone out of the load path.
What surface finishes work on Glidcop AL-15?
Takes electroplating (Ni, Ag, Au), electroless Ni and standard copper polishing; not anodisable, and a protective plating or inert atmosphere is advised above ~300 °C to limit oxidation.
Can Glidcop AL-15 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied hot-extruded/cold-worked from consolidated powder; cold heading, drawing and moderate bending are practical, but recrystallisation softening cannot be used to restore ductility — anneal only relieves stress.
What is the maximum service temperature of Glidcop AL-15?
Glidcop AL-15 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F), and briefly to 900°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Glidcop AL-15 AL-15 and Glidcop AL-15 AL-60?
AL-15 is the default condition — highest conductivity Glidcop grade — pick when electrical/thermal conduction dominates and moderate elevated-temperature strength is enough (resistance welding electrodes, heat sinks, lead frames). AL-60: strongest and most creep/softening resistant Glidcop; pick for spot-weld electrodes on coated steel, plasma-facing heat sinks and structural high-temperature conductors where ~78% IACS is acceptable. Yield strength is 331 MPa in AL-15 versus 483 MPa in AL-60.
How much does Glidcop AL-15 cost?
Glidcop AL-15 is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Glidcop Dispersion Strengthened Copper AL-15/AL-25/AL-60 data sheets — SCM Metal Products / North American Höganäs (2018)
- ASTM B740 — Copper–Aluminum Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Sheet and Strip (C15715/C15725/C15760) — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- CDA / copper.org alloy database, UNS C15715 and C15760 — Copper Development Association (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.