Copper Alloy C16200-OS050
Temper
UNS C16200 · EN CW131C
OS050 = annealed to 0.050 mm grain size
Pick for maximum formability, deep drawing/bending and highest conductivity before final cold work.
Values for the OS050 condition
Other C16200 tempers and conditions
C16200 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C16200.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OS050This page 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-OS050?
C16200-OS050 is C16200 in the OS050 temper — pick for maximum formability, deep drawing/bending and highest conductivity before final cold work. C16200-OS050 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 91% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C16200-OS050 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). H04 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; OS050 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 360 W/m·K (208 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 90 % IACS, better than 87% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), worse than 91% of copper alloy grades
C16200-OS050 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C16200-OS050; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C16200 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C16200-OS050 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-OS050 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 91% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C16200-OS050 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 360 W/m·K (208 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C16200-OS050 conducts electricity at 90 % IACS, better than 87% 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-OS050 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-OS050's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C16200-OS050
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.
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.
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 | — |
C16200-OS050 — frequently asked
What is C16200-OS050 used for?
C16200-OS050 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-OS050?
C16200-OS050 has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 91% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C16200-OS050 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 98% 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-OS050 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-OS050?
Takes bright polish, tin/silver/nickel plating and chemical blackening; no anodizing — protect with lacquer or plating where tarnish matters.
Can C16200-OS050 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-OS050?
C16200-OS050 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.