Copper Alloy C14500
UNS C14500 · ASTM B301 · EN CW118C, CuTeP · JIS C1450 · GB TTe
C14500 (CuTeP, tellurium copper) is a high-copper alloy with 0.4–0.7 % Te present as fine Cu₂Te particles that act as chip breakers, giving 80–90 % of free-cutting brass machinability while holding about 92 % IACS conductivity and 350 W/m·K.
Values for the H02 condition
C14500 tempers and conditions
C14500 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. H02 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As hot forged and air cooled | Hot-forged tellurium copper cooled in still air — essentially soft, near-annealed strength with full free-machining behaviour and ~93% IACS conductivity. | 69 | 221 | 40 | 50 HB | 93 % IACS |
Soft annealed | Pick for maximum conductivity, bending/riveting and forming before machining; lowest strength and gummiest cut of the temper range. | 70 | 225 | 50 | 45 HB | 95 % IACS |
As forged and quenched | Hot-forged tellurium copper water-quenched from forging heat — finer as-forged structure, marginally higher strength and hardness than air-cooled M10 with unchanged conductivity. | 76 | 234 | 40 | 55 HB | 93 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Large-diameter extruded bar taken straight off the press — economical stock for big machined electrode holders and hot-forged parts. | 90 | 240 | 40 | 50 HB | 94 % IACS |
Light drawn | Lightly drawn for straightness and good surface with still-high ductility; used where the part is bent or upset after machining. | 205 | 260 | 30 | 70 HB | 93 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Intermediate temper when H02 is too stiff to bend but annealed rod is too soft to machine cleanly. | 240 | 285 | 22 | 78 HB | 92 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | The standard stocked temper for CNC/screw-machine work: best balance of chip control, tight tolerance, strength and ~92 % IACS. | 275 | 310 | 18 | 85 HB | 92 % IACS |
Full hard | Choose for maximum strength, thread and wear resistance in small-diameter rod and wire; low ductility, so avoid post-machining bending. | 310 | 345 | 12 | 100 HB | 90 % IACS |
What is C14500?
C14500 (CuTeP, tellurium copper) is a high-copper alloy with 0.4–0.7 % Te present as fine Cu₂Te particles that act as chip breakers, giving 80–90 % of free-cutting brass machinability while holding about 92 % IACS conductivity and 350 W/m·K. It is the standard choice for high-volume turned conductive parts in rod and bar, with H02 properties of 275 MPa yield, 310 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 85 HB. Limits are low strength with no precipitation hardening, softening of cold-worked tempers above 200 °C, and hot-cracking during fusion welding, so joints are normally soldered or brazed. For hot strength, consider a chromium or zirconium copper. C14500 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,051°C (1,924 °F). C14500 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C14500 used for?
- Electrical connectors and terminals
- Resistance welding tips and nozzles
- Contact and current-carrying screws
- Electrode holders
- Switchgear and circuit-breaker components
- Automotive electrical fittings
- Machined busbar connectors
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 92 % IACS, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 350 W/m·K (202.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
C14500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C14500-H02; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C14500 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,051°C (1,924 °F).
Mechanical11
C14500 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C14500 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 350 W/m·K (202.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C14500 conducts electricity at 92 % IACS, better than 89% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C14500 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
C14500's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); 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. C14500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C14500
Is C14500 easy to machine?
Machines like free-cutting brass: sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tooling, high speed with light feeds, chips break short; needs no leaded stock, use soluble-oil coolant for burr-free threads.
Can C14500 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended — tellurium promotes hot cracking; resistance welding is fair and soldering/silver brazing are excellent (use low-temperature filler and non-corrosive flux).
Can C14500 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge/extrude at 750–875 °C; cold bending and heading are only fair (tellurium reduces cold ductility), so form in O60/H00 temper and anneal at 425–650 °C between passes.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C14500. Every C14500 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent85 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.5 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 220 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 6× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair25 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C14500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tetellurium — chip-breaking dispersoid (Cu₂Te) | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Pdeoxidiser residual | 0 – 0.01 | 0.01 |
| CuCu + Ag + Te + P ≥ 99.90 % per ASTM B301 / UNS C14500 | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C14500?
Not anodisable; tin, nickel or silver plate for contacts, or passivate with benzotriazole/lacquer to stop tarnish; buffs to a bright finish but small Cu₂Te particles can show as fine pitting on mirror polish.
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).
Passivation
Plating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C14500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B301
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW118CCuTeP
- GB (China)
- TTe
- JIS
- C1450
- Trade names
- Tellurium CopperFree-Machining CopperTeCu
How much does C14500 cost?
C14500 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 98% 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.
C14500 — frequently asked
What is C14500 used for?
C14500 is typically used for electrical connectors and terminals, resistance welding tips and nozzles, contact and current-carrying screws, electrode holders, switchgear and circuit-breaker components and automotive electrical fittings. In short: easiest machining copper.
What is the yield strength of C14500?
C14500 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C14500 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades). Machines like free-cutting brass: sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tooling, high speed with light feeds, chips break short; needs no leaded stock, use soluble-oil coolant for burr-free threads.
Can C14500 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is not recommended — tellurium promotes hot cracking; resistance welding is fair and soldering/silver brazing are excellent (use low-temperature filler and non-corrosive flux).
What surface finishes work on C14500?
Not anodisable; tin, nickel or silver plate for contacts, or passivate with benzotriazole/lacquer to stop tarnish; buffs to a bright finish but small Cu₂Te particles can show as fine pitting on mirror polish.
Can C14500 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge/extrude at 750–875 °C; cold bending and heading are only fair (tellurium reduces cold ductility), so form in O60/H00 temper and anneal at 425–650 °C between passes.
What is the maximum service temperature of C14500?
C14500 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C14500-H02 and C14500-M10?
H02 is the default condition — the standard stocked temper for CNC/screw-machine work: best balance of chip control, tight tolerance, strength and ~92 % IACS. M10: hot-forged tellurium copper cooled in still air — essentially soft, near-annealed strength with full free-machining behaviour and ~93% IACS conductivity. Yield strength is 275 MPa in H02 versus 69 MPa in M10.
How much does C14500 cost?
C14500 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 98% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C14500?
Yes — C14500 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B301/B301M — Free-Cutting Copper Rod, Bar, Wire and Shapes — ASTM International (2018)
- UNS C14500 Alloy Datasheet (Tellurium Copper) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 12163 / EN 12164 — Copper and copper alloys, rod for general and free machining purposes (CW118C) — CEN (2016)
- Tellurium Copper 145 rod technical data — Farmers Copper / Aviva Metals (2023)
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.