Copper Alloy C11400
UNS C11400
C11400 is a silver-bearing electrolytic tough-pitch copper with a lower minimum silver content than C11300, giving modest softening resistance alongside 98 % IACS conductivity and 388 W/m·K.
Reference datasheet — C11400 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
C11400 tempers and conditions
C11400 is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard. H04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 13 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As hot extruded | Hot-extruded rod, bar and shapes destined for further drawing or machining. | 62 | 221 | 50 | 42 HB | 101 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size | Softest commercial anneal — pick for deep drawing, spinning and severe forming. | 69 | 221 | 45 | 45 HB | 101 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Hot-rolled plate/bar for bus bars and heavy fabrications where temper is not critical. | 69 | 228 | 45 | 45 HB | 101 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.035 mm grain size | Intermediate anneal for moderate drawing with a finer, less orange-peel-prone surface. | 72 | 228 | 45 | 47 HB | 101 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size | Fine-grain anneal — soft but with better surface finish and slightly higher strength than OS050. | 76 | 234 | 42 | 50 HB | 101 % IACS |
1/8 hard | Slight stiffening while keeping most of the annealed ductility for forming after shearing. | 195 | 250 | 30 | 60 HB | 100 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Good compromise of spring-back and bendability for gaskets, terminals and light stampings. | 205 | 262 | 25 | 65 HB | 99 % IACS |
Half hard | The general-purpose cold-rolled strip/sheet temper: usable strength with 90° bends still possible. | 250 | 290 | 14 | 75 HB | 98 % IACS |
H04Default Full hard | Default stock condition — maximum strength with adequate handling ductility for bus bars, commutator segments and contacts that see soldering heat. | 310 | 345 | 6 | 90 HB | 98 % IACS |
Extra hard | Between hard and spring — chosen when H04 strength is short of requirement but full spring temper is too brittle. | 330 | 365 | 5 | 93 HB | 97 % IACS |
Spring hard | High-strength strip for conductive springs, clips and contacts where silver keeps the temper after reflow soldering. | 345 | 379 | 4 | 95 HB | 97 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength; use only for flat parts or very generous bend radii. | 360 | 393 | 4 | 100 HB | 97 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Hard-drawn wire and rod for overhead conductors, commutator risers and windings needing softening resistance. | 380 | 420 | 2.5 | 100 HB | 97 % IACS |
What is C11400?
C11400 is a silver-bearing electrolytic tough-pitch copper with a lower minimum silver content than C11300, giving modest softening resistance alongside 98 % IACS conductivity and 388 W/m·K. It is drawn and rolled into commutator stock and electrical conductors that see soldering heat; the listed temper reaches 345 MPa tensile, 310 MPa yield, 6 % elongation and 90 HB. Maximum service temperature is 180 °C, machinability is poor at a 25 rating, and dissolved oxygen makes fusion welding unreliable. Step up to C11300 or C11600 for greater softening resistance, or to C12000/C12200 when welding is required. C11400 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F). C11400 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C11400 used for?
- Commutator segments
- Electrical conductors exposed to soldering heat
- Motor lead wire
- Terminals and lugs
- Contact strip
- Busbar stock
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 388 W/m·K (224.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 98 % IACS, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
C11400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C11400-H04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C11400 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Mechanical12
C11400 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C11400 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 388 W/m·K (224.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C11400 conducts electricity at 98 % IACS, better than 94% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C11400 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
C11400's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. C11400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C11400
Is C11400 easy to machine?
Gummy and long-chipping at ~20 % of AISI 1212 — use sharp, high-rake, polished-flute tools, high speed with flood coolant; hard tempers cut cleaner than annealed.
Can C11400 be welded?
Poor for fusion welding: dissolved oxygen causes porosity and hydrogen embrittlement — prefer brazing, soldering, resistance welding, or GTAW with deoxidised filler and minimum heat.
Can C11400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in OS tempers (deep drawing, spinning, roll forming); interanneal at 400–600 °C, keep hard tempers to generous bend radii across grain.
C11400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ag10 troy oz/short ton minimum silver; counted within the Cu+Ag total | ≥ 0.03 | 0.04 |
| Otypical 0.02–0.05 % as Cu2O (tough pitch); not normally a specified limit | ≈ 0.04 | 0.04 |
| CuCu + Ag ≥ 99.90 % per ASTM B5 / CDA registration | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C11400?
Solders and brazes readily; takes bright polish, Ni/Sn/Ag plating and clear lacquer; untreated surfaces oxidise and patinate — no anodising.
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 C11400 cost?
C11400 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.
C11400 — frequently asked
What is C11400 used for?
C11400 is typically used for commutator segments, electrical conductors exposed to soldering heat, motor lead wire, terminals and lugs, contact strip and busbar stock. In short: economy silver-bearing ETP copper; modest softening resistance; 98 % IACS conductor.
What is the yield strength of C11400?
C11400 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is C11400 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and long-chipping at ~20 % of AISI 1212 — use sharp, high-rake, polished-flute tools, high speed with flood coolant; hard tempers cut cleaner than annealed.
Can C11400 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor for fusion welding: dissolved oxygen causes porosity and hydrogen embrittlement — prefer brazing, soldering, resistance welding, or GTAW with deoxidised filler and minimum heat.
What surface finishes work on C11400?
Solders and brazes readily; takes bright polish, Ni/Sn/Ag plating and clear lacquer; untreated surfaces oxidise and patinate — no anodising.
Can C11400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in OS tempers (deep drawing, spinning, roll forming); interanneal at 400–600 °C, keep hard tempers to generous bend radii across grain.
What is the maximum service temperature of C11400?
C11400 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C11400-H04 and C11400-M30?
H04 is the default condition — default stock condition — maximum strength with adequate handling ductility for bus bars, commutator segments and contacts that see soldering heat. M30: hot-extruded rod, bar and shapes destined for further drawing or machining. Yield strength is 310 MPa in H04 versus 62 MPa in M30.
How much does C11400 cost?
C11400 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
- ASTM B5 — Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper Refinery Shapes — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B152/B152M — Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy Database — C11400 silver-bearing tough pitch copper — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (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.