Copper Alloy C10100
UNS C10100 · ASTM B170 · EN Cu-OFE, CW009A · JIS C1011 · GB TU1, TU0
C10100 (Cu-OFE, oxygen-free electronic copper) is vacuum-melted high-purity copper, ≥99.99 % Cu with ≤5 ppm oxygen, guaranteed at ≥101 % IACS — the highest conductivity commercial copper, with 391 W/m·K thermal conductivity.
Values for the O condition
C10100 tempers and conditions
C10100 is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Default stocked condition: maximum ductility and conductivity for deep drawing, spinning, gaskets, RF/vacuum parts and cryogenic conductors. | 69 | 235 | 45 | 45 HB | 101 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Hot-rolled plate and bar taken as-produced; softest practical condition for thick sections and machined blanks. | 70 | 220 | 40 | 45 HB | 101 % IACS |
Eighth hard | Slight temper for flatness and easier handling while keeping most of the formability of annealed stock. | 180 | 250 | 30 | 60 HB | 100 % IACS |
Light drawn | Light-drawn seamless tube temper: straight and dimensionally stable yet still bendable for waveguide and coolant lines. | 200 | 255 | 25 | 65 HB | 100 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Moderate temper for bent brackets, terminals and busbar clips needing some stiffness with good bendability. | 220 | 275 | 25 | 70 HB | 99 % IACS |
Half hard | Most common cold-worked strip/bar temper: usable strength for busbars, contacts and machined parts with acceptable bending. | 250 | 295 | 14 | 80 HB | 98 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Intermediate step between half and full hard where extra stiffness is needed but full hard is too brittle to form. | 275 | 315 | 10 | 87 HB | 97.5 % IACS |
Full hard | Standard hard temper for rod, bar and wire: highest strength commonly stocked, best for machining and load-bearing conductors. | 310 | 345 | 6 | 95 HB | 97 % IACS |
Extra hard | Heavily cold-worked strip/wire where strength and springback matter more than any forming ability. | 330 | 365 | 4 | 100 HB | 96.5 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring-temper strip and wire for contacts, RF gaskets and springs where conductivity must stay near 100% IACS. | 345 | 380 | 4 | 105 HB | 96 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Hard-drawn tube/rod for pressure-carrying and self-supporting conductor runs; requires annealing before tight bending. | 345 | 380 | 8 | 98 HB | 97 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength available in pure copper strip/wire; forming limited to gentle radii. | 365 | 400 | 2 | 110 HB | 96 % IACS |
What is C10100?
C10100 (Cu-OFE, oxygen-free electronic copper) is vacuum-melted high-purity copper, ≥99.99 % Cu with ≤5 ppm oxygen, guaranteed at ≥101 % IACS — the highest conductivity commercial copper, with 391 W/m·K thermal conductivity. Because it contains no cuprous oxide it will not hydrogen-embrittle during brazing or annealing in reducing atmospheres, so it is used for vacuum electronics, accelerator and microwave cavities, high-current conductors and superconductor stabiliser matrices; stock includes sheet, plate, bar and rod in O through H10 tempers. Limits are low strength (69 MPa yield, 235 MPa tensile annealed), poor machinability (18) and a clear cost premium over C11000 ETP copper, plus sensitivity to ammonia, sulphur and oxidising acids. C10100 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,083°C (1,981 °F). C10100 has a yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C10100 used for?
- Vacuum tube and hermetic feedthrough parts
- Accelerator and microwave RF cavities
- High-current busbars and conductors
- Superconductor stabiliser matrices
- Semiconductor process chamber components
- Heat sinks and thermal spreaders
- Precision audio conductors and terminals
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 391 W/m·K (225.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 18/100, worse than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 69 MPa (10 ksi), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
C10100 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C10100-O; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C10100 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,083°C (1,981 °F).
Mechanical12
C10100 has a yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C10100 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 391 W/m·K (225.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C10100 conducts electricity at 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C10100 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
C10100's machinability is poor (18/100, worse than 100% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (95/100).
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 copper alloy family
Yield strength against density for every copper alloy grade FabDigit runs. C10100 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C10100
Is C10100 easy to machine?
Gummy and stringy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with moderate feed, flood coolant, and prefer H02/H04 temper over annealed; expect ~20% of AISI 1212 rate.
Can C10100 be welded?
Excellent for GTAW/EBW/laser and resistance welding since there is no cuprous oxide to cause hydrogen embrittlement; high preheat needed on thick sections due to heat conduction, and weld metal softens the HAZ.
Can C10100 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O temper (deep draw, spin, coin, bend to zero radius); interstage anneal at 400–650 °C, and hard tempers must be annealed before severe forming.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to C10100. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair18 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.5 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 220 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 6× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / 0.4 µm |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent95 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Good70 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C10100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| O5 ppm max — defines oxygen-free electronic grade | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | 3×10⁻⁴ |
| Ag | ≤ 0 | |
| As | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | |
| Sb | ≤ 4×10⁻⁴ | |
| Bi | ≤ 1×10⁻⁴ | |
| Cd | ≤ 1×10⁻⁴ | |
| Fe | ≤ 0 | |
| Pb | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | |
| Mn | ≤ 5×10⁻⁵ | |
| Ni | ≤ 0 | |
| P | ≤ 3×10⁻⁴ | |
| S | ≤ 0 | |
| Se | ≤ 3×10⁻⁴ | |
| Te | ≤ 2×10⁻⁴ | |
| Sn | ≤ 2×10⁻⁴ | |
| Zn | ≤ 1×10⁻⁴ | |
| Hg | ≤ 1×10⁻⁴ | |
| Cuincluding Ag; 99.99% min per ASTM B170 Grade 1 / UNS C10100 | ≥ 99.99 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C10100?
Solders and brazes readily; electroplate Ni/Ag/Au directly or polish to mirror finish, but bare surfaces tarnish — protect with lacquer, passivation or plating.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on copper alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Plating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C10100 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B170
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- Cu-OFECW009ACR009ACW008A
- GB (China)
- TU1TU0
- JIS
- C1011
- Trade names
- OFE CopperOxygen-Free ElectronicOFHCOxygen-Free CopperOFEOxygen Free ElectronicOxygen-Free Electronic CopperOF-ECU OFE
How much does C10100 cost?
C10100 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 98% 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.
C10100 — frequently asked
What is C10100 used for?
C10100 is typically used for vacuum tube and hermetic feedthrough parts, accelerator and microwave RF cavities, high-current busbars and conductors, superconductor stabiliser matrices, semiconductor process chamber components and heat sinks and thermal spreaders. In short: oxygen-free; pure copper.
What is the yield strength of C10100?
C10100 has a typical yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is C10100 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (18/100, worse than 100% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and stringy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with moderate feed, flood coolant, and prefer H02/H04 temper over annealed; expect ~20% of AISI 1212 rate.
Can C10100 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Excellent for GTAW/EBW/laser and resistance welding since there is no cuprous oxide to cause hydrogen embrittlement; high preheat needed on thick sections due to heat conduction, and weld metal softens the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on C10100?
Solders and brazes readily; electroplate Ni/Ag/Au directly or polish to mirror finish, but bare surfaces tarnish — protect with lacquer, passivation or plating.
Can C10100 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O temper (deep draw, spin, coin, bend to zero radius); interstage anneal at 400–650 °C, and hard tempers must be annealed before severe forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of C10100?
C10100 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C10100-O and C10100-H10?
O is the default condition — default stocked condition: maximum ductility and conductivity for deep drawing, spinning, gaskets, RF/vacuum parts and cryogenic conductors. H10: maximum cold-worked strength available in pure copper strip/wire; forming limited to gentle radii. Yield strength is 69 MPa in O versus 365 MPa in H10.
How much does C10100 cost?
C10100 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 98% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C10100?
Yes — C10100 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B170 — Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper Refinery Shapes — ASTM (2019)
- ASTM B152/B152M — Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM (2019)
- ASTM B187 — Copper Bus Bar, Rod and Shapes — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM F68 — Oxygen-Free Copper in Wrought Forms for Electron Devices — ASTM (2019)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C10100 (copper.org) — Copper Development Association (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 13601 / CW009A Cu-OFE — CEN (2021)
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.