Copper Alloy C14500 · supply condition
Copper Alloy C14500-H04
Properties of the H04 condition, compared with the other C14500 tempers.
Choose for maximum strength, thread and wear resistance in small-diameter rod and wire; low ductility, so avoid post-machining bending.
What is C14500-H04?
C14500-H04 is C14500 supplied in the H04 condition — choose for maximum strength, thread and wear resistance in small-diameter rod and wire; low ductility, so avoid post-machining bending. C14500-H04 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 65% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C14500-H04 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). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H04 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 345 W/m·K (199.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 90 % IACS, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
C14500-H04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C14500-H04 — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C14500 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C14500-H04 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-H04 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 65% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C14500-H04 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 345 W/m·K (199.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C14500-H04 conducts electricity at 90 % IACS, better than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C14500-H04 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-H04's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C14500 tempers and conditions
C14500 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C14500 overview.
- H02DefaultThe standard stocked temper for CNC/screw-machine work: best balance of chip control, tight tolerance, strength and ~92 % IACS.275 MPa yield · 85 HB
- H04Choose for maximum strength, thread and wear resistance in small-diameter rod and wire; low ductility, so avoid post-machining bending.310 MPa yield · 100 HB
- H01Intermediate temper when H02 is too stiff to bend but annealed rod is too soft to machine cleanly.240 MPa yield · 78 HB
- H00Lightly drawn for straightness and good surface with still-high ductility; used where the part is bent or upset after machining.205 MPa yield · 70 HB
- M11Hot-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 MPa yield · 55 HB
- O60Pick for maximum conductivity, bending/riveting and forming before machining; lowest strength and gummiest cut of the temper range.70 MPa yield · 45 HB
- M10Hot-forged tellurium copper cooled in still air — essentially soft, near-annealed strength with full free-machining behaviour and ~93% IACS conductivity.69 MPa yield · 50 HB
Working with C14500-H04
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.
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.
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) | — |
C14500-H04 — frequently asked
What is C14500-H04 used for?
C14500-H04 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-H04?
C14500-H04 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 65% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C14500-H04 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 96% 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-H04 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-H04?
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-H04 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-H04?
C14500-H04 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 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C14500-H04?
Yes — C14500-H04 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.