Copper Alloy C15100-TH04
Precip hard
UNS C15100 · ASTM B99
TH04 = tD04 and precipitation hardened
Age the cold-worked strip/rod to recover conductivity and add ~10 % strength for resistance-welding electrodes and rotor bars.
Values for the TH04 condition
Other C15100 tempers and conditions
C15100 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at C15100.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed to 0.015 mm grain size | Softest condition — choose for deep drawing, severe bending or when maximum conductivity is required. | 80 | 235 | 40 | 50 HB | 95 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold work for parts still needing appreciable bending while gaining stiffness over annealed stock. | 215 | 275 | 25 | 70 HB | 94 % IACS |
Half hard | Balanced strength/formability temper for stamped conductive contacts and terminals. | 270 | 310 | 14 | 88 HB | 93 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Use when H02 lacks yield strength but full-hard is too brittle for the required bend radius. | 305 | 335 | 9 | 98 HB | 92 % IACS |
H04Default Full hard | Most commonly stocked strip/rod condition — best general compromise of strength, conductivity and softening resistance. | 330 | 360 | 6 | 105 HB | 92 % IACS |
TH04This page TD04 and precipitation hardened | Age the cold-worked strip/rod to recover conductivity and add ~10 % strength for resistance-welding electrodes and rotor bars. | 370 | 400 | 8 | 115 HB | 95 % IACS |
Extra hard | Heavier cold work for high-strength conductors and blades where forming is limited to flat work. | 375 | 400 | 4 | 118 HB | 91 % IACS |
Spring hard | Maximum as-drawn strength for conductive springs, clips and commutator/contact strip. | 405 | 430 | 3 | 128 HB | 90 % IACS |
What is C15100-TH04?
C15100-TH04 is C15100 in the TH04 condition — age the cold-worked strip/rod to recover conductivity and add ~10 % strength for resistance-welding electrodes and rotor bars. C15100-TH04 has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 75% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 120 GPa (17.4 Msi). C15100-TH04 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,080°C (1,976 °F). H04 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; TH04 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 365 W/m·K (210.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 95 % IACS, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 370 MPa (53.7 ksi), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 24/100, worse than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
C15100-TH04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C15100-TH04; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C15100 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C15100-TH04 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,080°C (1,976 °F).
Mechanical12
C15100-TH04 has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 75% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 120 GPa (17.4 Msi).
Thermal6
C15100-TH04 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 365 W/m·K (210.9 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
C15100-TH04 conducts electricity at 95 % IACS, better than 91% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C15100-TH04 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
C15100-TH04's machinability is poor (24/100, worse than 91% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (42/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C15100-TH04
Is C15100 easy to machine?
Gummy like OFHC copper (~20 % of free-cutting brass) — use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant and chip breaking.
Can C15100 be welded?
GTAW/EB/laser possible with matching or Cu-Si filler but the HAZ anneals and loses cold-work strength; resistance welding is poor because of high conductivity.
Can C15100 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in OS015/H01; keep bend radii ≥1–2t in H04 and above, and inter-anneal at 500–600 °C for deep-drawn parts.
What surface finishes work on C15100?
Not anodisable; bright-dip or pickle then silver, nickel or tin plate for contacts; polishes well but tarnishes without a lacquer or passivation.
C15100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zrzirconium is the sole intentional addition | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| CuCu + Ag + Zr ≥ 99.9 % typical; oxygen-free base | ≥ 99.8 (balance) | — |
C15100-TH04 — frequently asked
What is C15100-TH04 used for?
C15100-TH04 is typically used for electrical connectors, lead frames and commutator segments. In short: near-pure copper conductivity; higher conductivity than C15000; holds strength to 450 °C.
What is the yield strength of C15100-TH04?
C15100-TH04 has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 75% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C15100-TH04 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (24/100, worse than 91% of copper alloy grades). Gummy like OFHC copper (~20 % of free-cutting brass) — use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant and chip breaking.
Can C15100-TH04 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). GTAW/EB/laser possible with matching or Cu-Si filler but the HAZ anneals and loses cold-work strength; resistance welding is poor because of high conductivity.
What surface finishes work on C15100-TH04?
Not anodisable; bright-dip or pickle then silver, nickel or tin plate for contacts; polishes well but tarnishes without a lacquer or passivation.
Can C15100-TH04 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in OS015/H01; keep bend radii ≥1–2t in H04 and above, and inter-anneal at 500–600 °C for deep-drawn parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of C15100-TH04?
C15100-TH04 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C15100-H04 and C15100-OS015?
H04 is the default condition — most commonly stocked strip/rod condition — best general compromise of strength, conductivity and softening resistance. OS015: softest condition — choose for deep drawing, severe bending or when maximum conductivity is required. Yield strength is 330 MPa in H04 versus 80 MPa in OS015.
Sources
- ASTM B937 / UNS C15100 registered composition (CDA) — ASTM / Copper Development Association (2021)
- CDA alloy datasheet C15100 (zirconium copper) property and temper tables — copper.org (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 5231 / GB/T 21652 (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.