Copper Alloy C11600-H04
Supply condition
UNS C11600 · EN CW013A
H04 = full hard
Standard hard temper for busbar, commutator strip and connectors that see soldering heat.
Values for the H04 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 |
Three-quarter hard | Higher strength for lightly formed conductive parts and commutator segments. | 275 | 315 | 10 | 88 HB | 97 % IACS |
H04This page 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-H04?
C11600-H04 is C11600 supplied in the H04 condition — standard hard temper for busbar, commutator strip and connectors that see soldering heat. C11600-H04 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 128 GPa (18.6 Msi). C11600-H04 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; H04 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 97 % IACS, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 382 W/m·K (220.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
C11600-H04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C11600-H04; 17 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-H04 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-H04 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 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
Thermal6
C11600-H04 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 382 W/m·K (220.7 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-H04 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-H04 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-H04's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C11600-H04
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-H04 — frequently asked
What is C11600-H04 used for?
C11600-H04 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-H04?
C11600-H04 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 11 listed tempers.
Is C11600-H04 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% 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-H04 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-H04?
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-H04 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-H04?
C11600-H04 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.