Copper Alloy C16200
UNS C16200 · EN CW131C
C16200 (CW131C) is a lightly alloyed copper containing about 1% cadmium, from the C10000–C19999 wrought copper family, strengthened by cold work in OS050 through H80 tempers.
Reference datasheet — C16200 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 H04 condition
C16200 tempers and conditions
C16200 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. H04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size | Pick for maximum formability, deep drawing/bending and highest conductivity before final cold work. | 75 | 255 | 50 | 45 HB | 90 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size | Fine-grain soft temper for formed parts needing a smoother surface after bending than OS050. | 95 | 275 | 45 | 52 HB | 90 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold work when moderate strength must be combined with continued bending/forming. | 230 | 315 | 25 | 80 HB | 89 % IACS |
Half hard | General-purpose balance of strength and residual ductility for switch parts and terminals. | 315 | 370 | 15 | 100 HB | 88 % IACS |
H04Default Full hard | The standard stocked condition for cadmium-copper rod, bar and wire: high strength and wear resistance with ~87 % IACS. | 395 | 435 | 8 | 115 HB | 87 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Classic hard-drawn round or grooved overhead contact-wire condition: wear resistance plus high conductivity over long spans. | 410 | 460 | 5 | 120 HB | 85 % IACS |
Extra hard | Use where higher proof stress than H04 is needed and only slight forming remains. | 435 | 470 | 5 | 125 HB | 86 % IACS |
Spring hard | Choose for conductive springs, contact blades and clips needing maximum elastic limit. | 470 | 500 | 3 | 135 HB | 85 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Thin strip/fine wire only, where the highest attainable strength outweighs almost zero formability. | 510 | 540 | 2 | 145 HB | 84 % IACS |
What is C16200?
C16200 (CW131C) is a lightly alloyed copper containing about 1% cadmium, from the C10000–C19999 wrought copper family, strengthened by cold work in OS050 through H80 tempers. It holds 87% IACS and 350 W/m·K while reaching 395 MPa yield, 435 MPa tensile, 8% elongation and 115 HB (65 HRB), which made it the traditional overhead trolley and contact wire alloy. Service is limited to about 200 °C, machinability rates 25, and cadmium swarf and fume need controlled handling; where cadmium is restricted, C18200 chromium copper or C15000 zirconium copper are the usual substitutes. C16200 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F). C16200 has a yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 79% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C16200 used for?
- trolley and contact wire
- electrical connectors
- springs requiring conductivity
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 350 W/m·K (202.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 87 % IACS, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 395 MPa (57.3 ksi), better than 79% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
C16200 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C16200-H04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C16200 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F).
Mechanical12
C16200 has a yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 79% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C16200 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C16200 conducts electricity at 87 % IACS, better than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C16200 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C16200's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. C16200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C16200
Is C16200 easy to machine?
Gummy, long-chipping (~20 % of free-cutting brass); use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and capture Cd-bearing swarf/dust for controlled disposal.
Can C16200 be welded?
Solders and silver-brazes very well; TIG/plasma welding is fair with high heat input, resistance welding is poor (high conductivity) and fumes contain toxic cadmium oxide — extract locally.
Can C16200 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in OS tempers (deep draw, bend, upset); interanneal at 400–550 °C, and keep bend radii ≥1–2 t in H04 and above.
C16200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cdcadmium content per UNS C16200 registration | 0.7 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| CuCu + Cd ≥ 99.9 % (Ag counted as Cu) | balance |
What surface finishes work on C16200?
Takes bright polish, tin/silver/nickel plating and chemical blackening; no anodizing — protect with lacquer or plating where tarnish matters.
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 C16200 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW131C
How much does C16200 cost?
C16200 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.
C16200 — frequently asked
What is C16200 used for?
C16200 is typically used for trolley and contact wire, electrical connectors and springs requiring conductivity. In short: high-conductivity strengthened copper; traditional contact wire alloy; cadmium handling required.
What is the yield strength of C16200?
C16200 has a typical yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 79% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C16200 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Gummy, long-chipping (~20 % of free-cutting brass); use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and capture Cd-bearing swarf/dust for controlled disposal.
Can C16200 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Solders and silver-brazes very well; TIG/plasma welding is fair with high heat input, resistance welding is poor (high conductivity) and fumes contain toxic cadmium oxide — extract locally.
What surface finishes work on C16200?
Takes bright polish, tin/silver/nickel plating and chemical blackening; no anodizing — protect with lacquer or plating where tarnish matters.
Can C16200 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in OS tempers (deep draw, bend, upset); interanneal at 400–550 °C, and keep bend radii ≥1–2 t in H04 and above.
What is the maximum service temperature of C16200?
C16200 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C16200-H04 and C16200-OS050?
H04 is the default condition — the standard stocked condition for cadmium-copper rod, bar and wire: high strength and wear resistance with ~87 % IACS. OS050: pick for maximum formability, deep drawing/bending and highest conductivity before final cold work. Yield strength is 395 MPa in H04 versus 75 MPa in OS050.
How much does C16200 cost?
C16200 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
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C16200 (Cadmium Copper) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B105 — Hard-Drawn Copper Alloy Wires for Electric Conductors — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B9 — Bronze Trolley Wire — ASTM International (2019)
- EN 12163 / EN 12167 (CW131C CuCd1) — CEN (2016)
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.