Copper Alloy C15000-O61
Heat-treated state
UNS C15000 · ASTM B99 · EN CuZr, CW120C
O61 = annealed
Standard soft mill temper for strip, wire and tube that will be formed, drawn or brazed by the user.
Values for the O61 condition
Other C15000 tempers and conditions
C15000 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at C15000.
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 |
O61This page 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-O61?
C15000-O61 is C15000 heat treated to O61 — standard soft mill temper for strip, wire and tube that will be formed, drawn or brazed by the user. C15000-O61 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi). C15000-O61 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). TH04 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O61 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 367 W/m·K (212 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 93 % IACS, better than 90% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C15000-O61 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C15000-O61; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C15000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C15000-O61 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-O61 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
Thermal6
C15000-O61 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 367 W/m·K (212 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C15000-O61 conducts electricity at 93 % IACS, better than 90% 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-O61 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-O61's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C15000-O61
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.
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.
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) | — |
C15000-O61 — frequently asked
What is C15000-O61 used for?
C15000-O61 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-O61?
C15000-O61 has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C15000-O61 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 98% 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-O61 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-O61?
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-O61 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-O61?
C15000-O61 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.