Copper Alloy C18700
UNS C18700 · EN CW113C
C18700 (CW113C) is a wrought leaded copper from the pure and lightly alloyed C10000–C19999 family, where the lead addition acts as a chip breaker rather than a strengthener.
Reference datasheet — C18700 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
C18700 tempers and conditions
C18700 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. H04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Pick for maximum conductivity, riveting, staking or upsetting of machined heads. | 69 | 221 | 45 | 42 HB | 96 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Mill hot-worked bar before drawing; used for large sections and forging stock. | 85 | 230 | 40 | 48 HB | 96 % IACS |
Light drawn | Light draw for straightness and size control while keeping good bending ductility. | 165 | 250 | 32 | 60 HB | 96 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Intermediate temper when the machined part still needs moderate forming or crimping. | 195 | 262 | 28 | 68 HB | 95 % IACS |
Half hard | Best compromise of chip control, strength and residual ductility for screw-machine parts that get bent or staked. | 220 | 276 | 25 | 78 HB | 95 % IACS |
H04Default Full hard | Standard stocked temper for free-machining copper rod/bar: stiffest chip break, straightest bar, highest strength. | 275 | 315 | 15 | 90 HB | 95 % IACS |
Spring hard | Heavy-drawn wire/small-diameter rod for header and multi-spindle feedstock needing maximum straightness and strength. | 340 | 380 | 5 | 100 HB | 94 % IACS |
What is C18700?
C18700 (CW113C) is a wrought leaded copper from the pure and lightly alloyed C10000–C19999 family, where the lead addition acts as a chip breaker rather than a strengthener. It is chosen for high-volume turned electrical hardware: machinability rates 90 while conductivity stays at 95 % IACS and 370 W/m·K, with 275 MPa yield, 315 MPa tensile and 15 % elongation in the default condition. Stock forms are rod and bar in O60 through H08 plus M20. Limits are effectively no fusion weldability (score 15), modest formability (40) and a 180 °C service ceiling; where welding or brazing is required, tellurium copper C14500 is the usual substitute. C18700 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,075°C (1,967 °F). C18700 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C18700 used for?
- screw machine parts
- precision machined electrical components
- fittings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 370 W/m·K (213.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 95 % IACS, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
C18700 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C18700-H04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C18700 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,075°C (1,967 °F).
Mechanical13
C18700 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C18700 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 370 W/m·K (213.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C18700 conducts electricity at 95 % IACS, better than 91% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (64/100), better than 52% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C18700 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C18700's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); 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. C18700 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C18700
Is C18700 easy to machine?
Excellent for high-speed screw machining — run 2–4× the speed of ETP copper with sharp positive-rake tools, light feeds and flood emulsion; lead gives short chips instead of copper's stringy swarf.
Can C18700 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding or brazing — lead causes hot cracking and porosity; join by soft soldering, crimping or mechanical fastening.
Can C18700 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending, upsetting and staking are possible in O60/H02 but the lead phase limits severe cold work; hot work only below ~750 °C to avoid lead hot-shortness.
C18700 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pbfree lead particles for chip breaking | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1 |
| PEN CW113C (CuPb1P) specifies 0.003–0.012 % P as deoxidizer; ASTM C18700 may be tough-pitch | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| CuCu + Ag + Pb ≥ 99.9 % per ASTM B301 / UNS C18700 | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C18700?
Solders and tin/nickel/silver plates readily after acid pickle; polish to a bright finish and protect with benzotriazole or lacquer against tarnish — no anodizing.
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 C18700 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW113C
How much does C18700 cost?
C18700 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.
C18700 — frequently asked
What is C18700 used for?
C18700 is typically used for screw machine parts, precision machined electrical components and fittings. In short: best-machining conductive copper; 95 % IACS after machining; not fusion weldable.
What is the yield strength of C18700?
C18700 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C18700 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades). Excellent for high-speed screw machining — run 2–4× the speed of ETP copper with sharp positive-rake tools, light feeds and flood emulsion; lead gives short chips instead of copper's stringy swarf.
Can C18700 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not recommended for fusion welding or brazing — lead causes hot cracking and porosity; join by soft soldering, crimping or mechanical fastening.
What surface finishes work on C18700?
Solders and tin/nickel/silver plates readily after acid pickle; polish to a bright finish and protect with benzotriazole or lacquer against tarnish — no anodizing.
Can C18700 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending, upsetting and staking are possible in O60/H02 but the lead phase limits severe cold work; hot work only below ~750 °C to avoid lead hot-shortness.
What is the maximum service temperature of C18700?
C18700 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C18700-H04 and C18700-O60?
H04 is the default condition — standard stocked temper for free-machining copper rod/bar: stiffest chip break, straightest bar, highest strength. O60: pick for maximum conductivity, riveting, staking or upsetting of machined heads. Yield strength is 275 MPa in H04 versus 69 MPa in O60.
How much does C18700 cost?
C18700 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
- ASTM B301/B301M — Free-Cutting Copper Rod, Bar, Wire and Shapes — ASTM International (2018)
- EN 12164 / EN 13601 — Copper and copper alloys, rod for free machining and electrical purposes (CW113C) — CEN (2016)
- UNS C18700 alloy datasheet (properties, tempers, machinability rating) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.