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Copper Alloy C18100-TF00

Precip hard

UNS C18100

TF00 = solution heat treated and precipitation hardened

Standard aged condition for large sections, forgings and electrode blanks where cold work is impractical.

High cost $$$$

Values for the TF00 condition

Other C18100 tempers and conditions

C18100 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at C18100.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Fully softened material for severe forming or as a machining stock before re-solution treating.952504258 HB88 % IACS
Solution heat treated
Soft supersaturated condition for deep forming or machining before ageing; conductivity is temporarily low.1052604060 HB42 % IACS
Solution heat treated and cold worked, full hard
Cold-drawn stock supplied for customers who will age-harden after machining.34040014120 HB45 % IACS
TF00This page
Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened
Standard aged condition for large sections, forgings and electrode blanks where cold work is impractical.39047018145 HB82 % IACS
TD01 and precipitation hardened
Intermediate strength with retained ductility for parts needing some subsequent bending.42049516152 HB81 % IACS
TD02 and precipitation hardened
Half-hard aged strip/rod balancing strength and formability.45552014158 HB80 % IACS
TH04Default
TD04 and precipitation hardened
The usual stocked bar/rod condition: peak strength and hardness with ~80% IACS conductivity.49055013165 HB80 % IACS

What is C18100-TF00?

C18100-TF00 is C18100 in the TF00 condition — standard aged condition for large sections, forgings and electrode blanks where cold work is impractical. C18100-TF00 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 78% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi). C18100-TF00 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,070°C (1,958 °F). TH04 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; TF00 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
  • Stiff — 130 GPa (18.9 Msi), better than 89% of copper alloy grades
  • Conducts heat well — 325 W/m·K (187.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 82 % IACS, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
  • High strength — 390 MPa (56.6 ksi), better than 78% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 48/100, worse than 96% of copper alloy grades

C18100-TF00 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C18100-TF00; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C18100 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

C18100-TF00 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,070°C (1,958 °F).

Density8.89 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,070°C1,958 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,080°C1,976 °F

Mechanical14

C18100-TF00 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 78% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus130 GPa18.9 Msi
Shear Modulus48 GPa7 Msi
Bulk Modulus140 GPa20.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)470 MPa68.2 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)390 MPa56.6 ksi
Elongation at Break18%
Reduction in Area55%
Shear Strength330 MPa47.9 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)175 MPa25.4 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)60 J44.3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell145 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B78 HRB
Hardness, Vickers150 HV

Thermal6

C18100-TF00 is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 325 W/m·K (187.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity325 W/m·K188 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)450°C842 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

C18100-TF00 conducts electricity at 82 % IACS, better than 85% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity82 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.827 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (48/100), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.2 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair48/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh/sea water, steam and most neutral salts; attacked by oxidizing acids (HNO₃), ammonia and amine solutions (stress-corrosion risk), and sulphur-bearing atmospheres; tarnishes in air.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C18100-TF00 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.8 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability8

C18100-TF00's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (40/100).

MachinabilityPoor30/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityFair45/100
Formability (cold)Fair40/100
CastabilityFair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper alloy; use electroplating (Ni, Ag) or chromate/benzotriazole tarnish inhibitors instead.

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with C18100-TF00

Is C18100 easy to machine?

Machines like tough copper — gummy, needs sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant and chip breaking; aged (TH04/TF00) stock cuts far better than solution-treated.

Can C18100 be welded?

GTAW/EBW/laser possible with matching filler but the heat-affected zone over-ages and loses ~30–40 % strength; re-solution treat and re-age where possible, or use brazing at the lowest practical temperature.

Can C18100 be formed, bent or molded?

Form in TB00/O61 and age afterwards; aged tempers tolerate only gentle bends (min bend radius ≈ 2–3 t) because of low residual ductility.

What surface finishes work on C18100?

Not anodizable; electroplate Ni/Ag or Ni-flash + Au for contacts, or protect the natural copper surface with benzotriazole/lacquer; polishes to a bright copper finish.

C18100 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Crprincipal precipitation hardener0.4 – 1.50.8
Zrraises softening resistance0.08 – 0.20.13
Mgdeoxidiser / strengthener0.04 – 0.080.06
CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.5 %balance—

C18100-TF00 — frequently asked

What is C18100-TF00 used for?

C18100-TF00 is typically used for resistance welding electrodes, rotor bars, contact wire and electrode holders. In short: 80 % IACS at 490 MPa; 450 °C softening resistance; beryllium-free electrode copper.

What is the yield strength of C18100-TF00?

C18100-TF00 has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 78% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is C18100-TF00 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Machines like tough copper — gummy, needs sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant and chip breaking; aged (TH04/TF00) stock cuts far better than solution-treated.

Can C18100-TF00 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). GTAW/EBW/laser possible with matching filler but the heat-affected zone over-ages and loses ~30–40 % strength; re-solution treat and re-age where possible, or use brazing at the lowest practical temperature.

What surface finishes work on C18100-TF00?

Not anodizable; electroplate Ni/Ag or Ni-flash + Au for contacts, or protect the natural copper surface with benzotriazole/lacquer; polishes to a bright copper finish.

Can C18100-TF00 be formed, bent or molded?

Form in TB00/O61 and age afterwards; aged tempers tolerate only gentle bends (min bend radius ≈ 2–3 t) because of low residual ductility.

What is the maximum service temperature of C18100-TF00?

C18100-TF00 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 C18100-TH04 and C18100-O61?

TH04 is the default condition — the usual stocked bar/rod condition: peak strength and hardness with ~80% IACS conductivity. O61: fully softened material for severe forming or as a machining stock before re-solution treating. Yield strength is 490 MPa in TH04 versus 95 MPa in O61.

Sources

  1. ASTM B441 — Copper-Chromium-Zirconium (C18100) Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
  2. CDA/UNS Alloy Datasheet C18100 — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. RWMA Bulletin 16 — Resistance Welding Electrode Materials, Class 3 — AWS/RWMA (2017)
  5. CuCrZr (C18150/C18100) high-conductivity alloy datasheet — Wieland / Ningbo Powerway (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.