Glidcop AL-15 AL-60
Grade
also Glidcop AL-60
AL-60 = 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.
Values for the AL-60 condition
Other Glidcop AL-15 grades and fills
Glidcop AL-15 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Glidcop AL-15.
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 | — |
AL-60This page 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 AL-60?
Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 is Glidcop AL-15 in the AL-60 grade — 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. Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 has a yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 552 MPa (80.1 ksi) — stronger than 84% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi). Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 has a density of 8.81 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of composite grades. AL-15 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AL-60 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 70 MPa·√m (63.7 ksi·√in), better than 100% of composite grades
- Conducts heat well — 322 W/m·K (186 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of composite grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 12%, better than 94% of composite grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 94% of composite grades
- High service temperature — 550°C (1,022 °F), better than 88% of composite grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 8.81 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), worse than 97% of composite grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 87% of composite grades
Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Glidcop AL-15 AL-60; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Glidcop AL-15 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 has a density of 8.81 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of composite grades.
Mechanical10
Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 has a yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 552 MPa (80.1 ksi) — stronger than 84% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 322 W/m·K (186 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 AL-60 has an electrical resistivity of 2.21×10⁻⁸ 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 AL-60 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 AL-60's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 54% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Glidcop AL-15 AL-60
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.
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.
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 | — |
Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 — frequently asked
What is Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 used for?
Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 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 AL-60?
Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 has a typical yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 552 MPa (80.1 ksi) — stronger than 84% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 54% 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 AL-60 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 AL-60?
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 AL-60 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 AL-60?
Glidcop AL-15 AL-60 is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.