Copper Alloy C1020
JIS C1020 · UNS C10200 · EN CR008A, Cu-OF · GB TU2
C1020 is the Japanese Industrial Standard oxygen-free copper (OFC) grade, directly equivalent to UNS C10200 within the wrought pure-copper family.
Reference datasheet — C1020 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 O condition
C1020 tempers and conditions
C1020 is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Choose for deep drawing, bending, gaskets, vacuum seals and maximum conductivity. | 69 | 221 | 45 | 40 HB | 101 % IACS |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Thick plate, extruded bus bar and large sections supplied without final anneal or cold finish; properties near soft temper. | 70 | 210 | 40 | 45 HB | 101 % IACS |
Light anneal | Strip temper when soft-temper formability is needed but with slightly higher stiffness and better flatness/punchability. | 110 | 235 | 38 | 55 HB | 101 % IACS |
1/8 hard | Minimal cold work for improved flatness and handling stiffness with near-full formability. | 195 | 250 | 30 | 63 HB | 101 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Good compromise of formability and strength for stamped terminals and shielding parts. | 205 | 262 | 25 | 70 HB | 100.5 % IACS |
Half hard | Most common strip/sheet temper for busbars, lead frames and parts needing shape stability with moderate bending. | 230 | 276 | 14 | 85 HB | 100 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Standard supply condition for OF copper rod and drawn tube: straight, dimensionally accurate, moderate strength. | 250 | 290 | 12 | 92 HB | 99.5 % IACS |
Hardened | Pick for maximum strength/wear in flat conductors, waveguide flanges and machined parts where no severe bending follows. | 275 | 310 | 6 | 95 HB | 99 % IACS |
Spring hard | Thin strip/wire for spring contacts and shielding fingers where higher elastic limit is needed (conductivity slightly reduced). | 315 | 345 | 4 | 110 HB | 98 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Highest cold-worked strength in thin strip/wire; very limited bending, softens above ~150 °C. | 345 | 380 | 3 | 118 HB | 97 % IACS |
What is C1020?
C1020 is the Japanese Industrial Standard oxygen-free copper (OFC) grade, directly equivalent to UNS C10200 within the wrought pure-copper family. Engineers specify it where 101 % IACS electrical conductivity, 391 W/m·K thermal conductivity and freedom from hydrogen embrittlement are required; it is supplied as strip, sheet, bar, wire and bus bar in O through H10 tempers with 98-rated formability. It costs more than tough-pitch C1100, machines poorly at about 20 % of B1112, and is limited to roughly 250 °C service; use C1100 where oxygen-free purity is not needed. C1020 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). C1020 has a yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) and a tensile strength of 221 MPa (32.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
What is C1020 used for?
- electronic connectors
- high-conductivity bus bar
- semiconductor lead frames
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 98/100, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- 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
- 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
- Low strength — 69 MPa (10 ksi), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
C1020 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C1020-O; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C1020 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
C1020 has a yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) and a tensile strength of 221 MPa (32.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
Thermal6
C1020 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °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 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C1020 conducts electricity at 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C1020 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
C1020's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (98/100).
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. C1020 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C1020
Is C1020 easy to machine?
Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of B1112): use sharp, high-rake, polished-flute tools, high speed with light feed and flood emulsion; avoid built-up edge — for volume turning switch to C14500/C36000.
Can C1020 be welded?
Excellent for GTAW/EBW/laser and brazing because there is no oxygen to cause hydrogen embrittlement; preheat 200–400 °C on thick sections due to high thermal conductivity, and use Ar/He shielding.
Can C1020 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O temper (deep draw, spinning, severe bending); interanneal at 400–600 °C when cumulative reduction exceeds ~60 %.
C1020 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ooxygen ≤10 ppm — defining limit for oxygen-free copper | ≤ 0 | 5×10⁻⁴ |
| Ptypical impurity limit, ASTM B170 | ≤ 3×10⁻⁴ | |
| Bi | ≤ 0 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0 | |
| S | ≤ 0 | |
| Se | ≤ 0 | |
| Te | ≤ 0 | |
| CuCu (incl. Ag) min per JIS H3100 / ASTM B170 Grade 2 (C10200) | ≥ 99.96 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C1020?
Not anodisable — commonly electroplated with Ni, Ag, Sn or Au, chemically brightened, or lacquered/ROHS-passivated to prevent tarnish; polishes to a high mirror finish.
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).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C1020 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does C1020 cost?
C1020 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), 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.
C1020 — frequently asked
What is C1020 used for?
C1020 is typically used for electronic connectors, high-conductivity bus bar and semiconductor lead frames. In short: oxygen-free JIS copper; best copper weldability; 101 % IACS conductivity.
What is the yield strength of C1020?
C1020 has a typical yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) and a tensile strength of 221 MPa (32.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is C1020 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of B1112): use sharp, high-rake, polished-flute tools, high speed with light feed and flood emulsion; avoid built-up edge — for volume turning switch to C14500/C36000.
Can C1020 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Excellent for GTAW/EBW/laser and brazing because there is no oxygen to cause hydrogen embrittlement; preheat 200–400 °C on thick sections due to high thermal conductivity, and use Ar/He shielding.
What surface finishes work on C1020?
Not anodisable — commonly electroplated with Ni, Ag, Sn or Au, chemically brightened, or lacquered/ROHS-passivated to prevent tarnish; polishes to a high mirror finish.
Can C1020 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O temper (deep draw, spinning, severe bending); interanneal at 400–600 °C when cumulative reduction exceeds ~60 %.
What is the maximum service temperature of C1020?
C1020 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C1020-O and C1020-H10?
O is the default condition — choose for deep drawing, bending, gaskets, vacuum seals and maximum conductivity. H10: highest cold-worked strength in thin strip/wire; very limited bending, softens above ~150 °C. Yield strength is 69 MPa in O versus 345 MPa in H10.
How much does C1020 cost?
C1020 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), 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
- JIS H3100 / H3250 / H3300 — Copper and copper alloy sheets, rods and tubes — JSA (2018)
- ASTM B170 — Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper Refinery Shapes — ASTM (2019)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C10200 (OF Copper) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.