Copper Alloy C15000
UNS C15000 · ASTM B99 · EN CuZr, CW120C
A precipitation-hardenable copper with a small zirconium addition offering near-pure-copper conductivity with better softening resistance, used where high thermal/electrical conductivity plus moderate strength at elevated temperature is required.
Reference datasheet — C15000 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 TH04 condition
C15000 tempers and conditions
C15000 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. TH04 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated | Pick when maximum ductility and conductivity are needed for deep forming or spinning before a later age-hardening step. | 75 | 220 | 45 | 45 HB | 88 % IACS |
Annealed | Standard soft mill temper for strip, wire and tube that will be formed, drawn or brazed by the user. | 90 | 235 | 40 | 50 HB | 93 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Use for formed or machined parts that must be age-hardened after shaping, keeping maximum conductivity with moderate strength. | 195 | 310 | 25 | 75 HB | 94 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, half hard | Half-hard drawn condition for rod/wire that will be aged later or used where only moderate strength is needed. | 290 | 340 | 18 | 90 HB | 90 % IACS |
TD01 and precipitation hardened | Lightly cold worked then aged: best combination of formability, conductivity and softening resistance for strip/tube. | 320 | 365 | 20 | 98 HB | 92 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, full hard | Hard drawn, unaged rod/wire: highest strength available without an ageing cycle, but softens earlier in service. | 365 | 400 | 12 | 108 HB | 89 % IACS |
TD02 and precipitation hardened | Mid-strength aged temper for commutator bars, lead frames and contacts needing some residual bend ductility. | 380 | 420 | 16 | 115 HB | 91 % IACS |
TH04Default TD04 and precipitation hardened | Standard stock condition (RWMA Class 1 electrode material): highest strength and softening resistance with ~90 % IACS. | 450 | 480 | 10 | 130 HB | 90 % IACS |
What is C15000?
A precipitation-hardenable copper with a small zirconium addition offering near-pure-copper conductivity with better softening resistance, used where high thermal/electrical conductivity plus moderate strength at elevated temperature is required. C15000 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,000°C (1,832 °F). C15000 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
What is C15000 used for?
- Resistance welding wheels
- Commutators
- High-temperature electrical contacts
- Lead frames
Advantages
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 350 W/m·K (202.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 90 % IACS, better than 87% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 450 MPa (65.3 ksi), better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C15000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C15000-TH04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C15000 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,000°C (1,832 °F).
Mechanical14
C15000 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
Thermal6
C15000 is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °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
C15000 conducts electricity at 90 % IACS, better than 87% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C15000 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
C15000's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. C15000 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C15000
Is C15000 easy to machine?
Gummy like pure copper (≈20 % of AISI 1212); use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and copious coolant — machine in the aged hard temper for cleaner chips.
Can C15000 be welded?
Excellent for resistance/flash welding and friction welding; fusion welding (TIG/EB) is possible but locally re-solutionizes the alloy and loses aged strength — re-age if practical.
Can C15000 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in TB00/O61 soft temper (bend radii like C11000), then age at ~450–500 °C for 1–3 h; TH04 has limited bending and needs generous radii.
C15000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zrsome producer/GB grades quote 0.13–0.30 % Zr | 0.1 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| CuCu + Zr ≥ 99.9 %; oxygen kept low, melted under vacuum or inert cover | ≥ 99.8 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C15000?
Not anodizable; readily silver/nickel plated, easily soldered and brazed, and tarnish-protected with benzotriazole or lacquer; polishes to bright copper but smears if over-buffed.
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).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C15000 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B99
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CuZrCW120C
How much does C15000 cost?
C15000 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.
C15000 — frequently asked
What is C15000 used for?
C15000 is typically used for resistance welding wheels, commutators, high-temperature electrical contacts and lead frames. In short: 90 % IACS with strength; softening-resistant zirconium copper; ages at 450–500 °C.
What is the yield strength of C15000?
C15000 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C15000 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Gummy like pure copper (≈20 % of AISI 1212); use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and copious coolant — machine in the aged hard temper for cleaner chips.
Can C15000 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Excellent for resistance/flash welding and friction welding; fusion welding (TIG/EB) is possible but locally re-solutionizes the alloy and loses aged strength — re-age if practical.
What surface finishes work on C15000?
Not anodizable; readily silver/nickel plated, easily soldered and brazed, and tarnish-protected with benzotriazole or lacquer; polishes to bright copper but smears if over-buffed.
Can C15000 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in TB00/O61 soft temper (bend radii like C11000), then age at ~450–500 °C for 1–3 h; TH04 has limited bending and needs generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of C15000?
C15000 is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C15000-TH04 and C15000-TB00?
TH04 is the default condition — standard stock condition (RWMA Class 1 electrode material): highest strength and softening resistance with ~90 % IACS. TB00: pick when maximum ductility and conductivity are needed for deep forming or spinning before a later age-hardening step. Yield strength is 450 MPa in TH04 versus 75 MPa in TB00.
How much does C15000 cost?
C15000 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 B441 — Copper-Zirconium Alloy Rod, Bar and Wire — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C15000 (Zirconium Copper) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 12163 / EN 12420 — CW120C (CuZr) wrought products — CEN (2016)
- GB/T 21652 / GB/T 5231 TZr0.15 — SAC (2017)
- RWMA Class 1 zirconium copper electrode material data — electrode/rod producers (2022)
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.