Copper Alloy C11100
UNS C11100
C11100 is an electrolytic tough-pitch copper with trace additions (cadmium) that raise its softening temperature above standard C11000 while keeping 97 % IACS conductivity and 385 W/m·K.
Reference datasheet — C11100 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 H04 condition
C11100 tempers and conditions
C11100 is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard. H04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Maximum ductility and conductivity; for tight bending, winding, riveting and formed contacts. | 70 | 230 | 45 | 45 HB | 100 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size | Coarser-grain annealed strip for deep drawing and severe stretch forming. | 70 | 225 | 48 | 43 HB | 100 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size | Fine-grain annealed strip for shallow forming with a smooth surface after bending. | 85 | 235 | 42 | 48 HB | 100 % IACS |
Light drawn / light cold worked | Slight cold work to straighten and stiffen wire while keeping high elongation. | 180 | 270 | 30 | 60 HB | 99 % IACS |
1/8 hard | Minimal cold work for handling stiffness with still-good bending ability. | 195 | 250 | 30 | 62 HB | 99 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Balanced strip temper for stamped terminals and lightly formed conductors. | 220 | 275 | 25 | 70 HB | 98 % IACS |
Half hard | Common strip/bar temper where moderate strength plus some bending is needed. | 250 | 300 | 14 | 82 HB | 98 % IACS |
H04Default Full hard | Standard stocked condition: hard-drawn anneal-resistant copper wire and rod for windings, leads and commutator parts. | 340 | 400 | 3 | 100 HB | 97 % IACS |
Extra hard | Higher cold work for springy strip and stiff conductor sections. | 345 | 365 | 4 | 105 HB | 97 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring-temper strip/wire for contact fingers and clips needing resilience with high conductivity. | 355 | 380 | 3 | 110 HB | 97 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength available in this copper; formability is minimal. | 370 | 395 | 2 | 115 HB | 97 % IACS |
What is C11100?
C11100 is an electrolytic tough-pitch copper with trace additions (cadmium) that raise its softening temperature above standard C11000 while keeping 97 % IACS conductivity and 385 W/m·K. It is supplied mainly as wire, strip and rod for magnet wire and commutator segments that must not soften during soldering or mild elevated-temperature service up to about 250 °C. The tabulated hard temper gives 400 MPa tensile, 340 MPa yield and 3 % elongation, so formability drops to a 40 rating. Its oxygen content rules out reliable fusion welding and hydrogen-rich annealing; C10200 is the oxygen-free alternative. C11100 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F). C11100 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 71% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C11100 used for?
- magnet wire
- commutator segments
- high-temperature electrical conductors
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 385 W/m·K (222.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 97 % IACS, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
C11100 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C11100-H04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C11100 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Mechanical12
C11100 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 71% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C11100 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 385 W/m·K (222.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C11100 conducts electricity at 97 % IACS, better than 92% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C11100 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
C11100's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. C11100 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C11100
Is C11100 easy to machine?
Gummy with long chips — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and light finishing passes; rating only ~20% of AISI 1212.
Can C11100 be welded?
Oxygen-bearing copper: avoid fusion welding where possible (porosity and hydrogen embrittlement); prefer brazing, soldering or resistance/ultrasonic joining, and never anneal in hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
Can C11100 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60/OS tempers (deep drawing, coining, tight bends); in H04 and above allow only gentle bends or interanneal — note that the Cd addition needs a higher annealing temperature (~350–450 °C) than plain ETP.
C11100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cdanneal-resisting addition | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Otypical residual oxygen of tough-pitch copper, 0.02–0.05 wt% | ≈ 0.03 | 0.03 |
| CuCu + Ag, minimum; oxygen-bearing (tough pitch) | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C11100?
Solders and plates readily (Sn, Ag, Ni); polishes to a bright finish but tarnishes, so lacquer, tin-plate or patinate for service.
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).
How much does C11100 cost?
C11100 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.
C11100 — frequently asked
What is C11100 used for?
C11100 is typically used for magnet wire, commutator segments and high-temperature electrical conductors. In short: softening-resistant tough pitch copper; magnet-wire and commutator grade; higher anneal than C11000.
What is the yield strength of C11100?
C11100 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 71% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is C11100 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Gummy with long chips — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and light finishing passes; rating only ~20% of AISI 1212.
Can C11100 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Oxygen-bearing copper: avoid fusion welding where possible (porosity and hydrogen embrittlement); prefer brazing, soldering or resistance/ultrasonic joining, and never anneal in hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
What surface finishes work on C11100?
Solders and plates readily (Sn, Ag, Ni); polishes to a bright finish but tarnishes, so lacquer, tin-plate or patinate for service.
Can C11100 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60/OS tempers (deep drawing, coining, tight bends); in H04 and above allow only gentle bends or interanneal — note that the Cd addition needs a higher annealing temperature (~350–450 °C) than plain ETP.
What is the maximum service temperature of C11100?
C11100 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 C11100-H04 and C11100-O60?
H04 is the default condition — standard stocked condition: hard-drawn anneal-resistant copper wire and rod for windings, leads and commutator parts. O60: maximum ductility and conductivity; for tight bending, winding, riveting and formed contacts. Yield strength is 340 MPa in H04 versus 70 MPa in O60.
How much does C11100 cost?
C11100 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
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C11100 (anneal-resistant electrolytic tough pitch copper) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B1 — Standard Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Wire — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
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.