Copper Alloy C11600-H03
Supply condition
UNS C11600 · EN CW013A
H03 = three-quarter hard
Higher strength for lightly formed conductive parts and commutator segments.
Values for the H03 condition
Other C11600 tempers and conditions
C11600 is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at C11600.
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled and annealed | Pick for maximum ductility and deep forming/spinning where strength is not required. | 76 | 221 | 45 | 45 HB | 100 % IACS |
Soft annealed | Standard soft strip/wire temper for stamping, riveting and coil winding. | 80 | 225 | 42 | 47 HB | 100 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Cheapest heavy plate/bar condition when only moderate strength and full conductivity are needed. | 90 | 235 | 40 | 48 HB | 100 % IACS |
1/8 hard | Slight stiffening over annealed while keeping near-full bend ductility. | 170 | 250 | 30 | 60 HB | 99 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Good compromise for formed contacts and gaskets that still need 90° bends. | 205 | 262 | 25 | 70 HB | 98 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | Most stocked strip/bar temper: useful strength retained after soldering plus workable formability. | 250 | 290 | 14 | 80 HB | 98 % IACS |
H03This page Three-quarter hard | Higher strength for lightly formed conductive parts and commutator segments. | 275 | 315 | 10 | 88 HB | 97 % IACS |
Full hard | Standard hard temper for busbar, commutator strip and connectors that see soldering heat. | 310 | 345 | 6 | 95 HB | 97 % IACS |
Extra hard | For flat parts needing stiffness with only minor forming after rolling. | 330 | 365 | 5 | 100 HB | 97 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring strip for conductive contacts and shielding clips retaining temper after soldering. | 345 | 379 | 4 | 105 HB | 96 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength/stiffness for thin conductive springs; essentially no formability left. | 360 | 393 | 3 | 110 HB | 96 % IACS |
What is C11600-H03?
C11600-H03 is C11600 supplied in the H03 condition — higher strength for lightly formed conductive parts and commutator segments. C11600-H03 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C11600-H03 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). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H03 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 97 % IACS, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 384 W/m·K (221.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C11600-H03 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C11600-H03; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C11600 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C11600-H03 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).
Mechanical13
C11600-H03 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C11600-H03 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 384 W/m·K (221.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C11600-H03 conducts electricity at 97 % IACS, better than 92% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C11600-H03 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C11600-H03's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C11600-H03
Is C11600 easy to machine?
Gummy and low-rated (≈20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and generous coolant; hard tempers cut cleaner than annealed.
Can C11600 be welded?
Oxygen-bearing copper — avoid processes/atmospheres with hydrogen (risk of hydrogen embrittlement); prefer resistance welding, brazing or soldering, or switch to C10100/C10200 for fusion welding.
Can C11600 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O25/O60 and H00–H02; hard tempers need generous bend radii or interstage annealing (300–500 °C), and silver delays softening so recovery anneals run hotter than for ETP.
What surface finishes work on C11600?
Solders and brazes readily; accepts Ni, Sn, Ag and Au plating; can be mechanically polished or chemically patinated/lacquered — copper cannot be anodised.
C11600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ag≥25 troy oz/short ton; raises softening/recrystallisation temperature | ≥ 0.09 | 0.09 |
| Otough pitch oxygen, present as Cu2O | 0.02 – 0.05 | 0.04 |
| CuCu + Ag ≥ 99.90 % (oxygen excluded per ASTM convention) | ≥ 99.9 (balance) | — |
C11600-H03 — frequently asked
What is C11600-H03 used for?
C11600-H03 is typically used for commutator segments, electrical contacts and high-temperature conductors. In short: highest softening resistance ETP; silver-bearing contact copper; 250 °C service temperature.
What is the yield strength of C11600-H03?
C11600-H03 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is C11600-H03 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and low-rated (≈20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and generous coolant; hard tempers cut cleaner than annealed.
Can C11600-H03 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Oxygen-bearing copper — avoid processes/atmospheres with hydrogen (risk of hydrogen embrittlement); prefer resistance welding, brazing or soldering, or switch to C10100/C10200 for fusion welding.
What surface finishes work on C11600-H03?
Solders and brazes readily; accepts Ni, Sn, Ag and Au plating; can be mechanically polished or chemically patinated/lacquered — copper cannot be anodised.
Can C11600-H03 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O25/O60 and H00–H02; hard tempers need generous bend radii or interstage annealing (300–500 °C), and silver delays softening so recovery anneals run hotter than for ETP.
What is the maximum service temperature of C11600-H03?
C11600-H03 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 C11600-H02 and C11600-O25?
H02 is the default condition — most stocked strip/bar temper: useful strength retained after soldering plus workable formability. O25: pick for maximum ductility and deep forming/spinning where strength is not required. Yield strength is 250 MPa in H02 versus 76 MPa in O25.
Sources
- ASTM B152/B152M — Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM (2019)
- ASTM B187/B187M — Copper Bar, Bus Bar, Rod and Shapes — ASTM (2020)
- EN 13601 / CW013A copper rod and bar for electrical purposes — CEN (2013)
- C11600 Silver-bearing Tough Pitch Copper alloy data — 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.