Copper Alloy C15000-TH02
Precip hard
UNS C15000 · ASTM B99 · EN CuZr, CW120C
TH02 = tD02 and precipitation hardened
Mid-strength aged temper for commutator bars, lead frames and contacts needing some residual bend ductility.
Values for the TH02 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 |
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 |
TH02This page 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-TH02?
C15000-TH02 is C15000 in the TH02 condition — mid-strength aged temper for commutator bars, lead frames and contacts needing some residual bend ductility. C15000-TH02 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — stronger than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi). C15000-TH02 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; TH02 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 355 W/m·K (205.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 91 % IACS, better than 88% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 380 MPa (55.1 ksi), better than 77% of copper alloy grades
C15000-TH02 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C15000-TH02; 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-TH02 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-TH02 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — stronger than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
Thermal6
C15000-TH02 is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 355 W/m·K (205.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C15000-TH02 conducts electricity at 91 % IACS, better than 88% 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-TH02 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-TH02's machinability is poor (27/100, worse than 81% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C15000-TH02
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-TH02 — frequently asked
What is C15000-TH02 used for?
C15000-TH02 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-TH02?
C15000-TH02 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — stronger than 77% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C15000-TH02 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (27/100, worse than 81% 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-TH02 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-TH02?
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-TH02 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-TH02?
C15000-TH02 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.
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.