Copper Alloy C18980-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS C18980
Default: properties of the undiluted ERCu weld deposit made by GTAW/GMAW with argon or Ar-He shielding.
Values for the AW condition
Other C18980 tempers and conditions
C18980 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at C18980.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Pick for 1.6–4.0 mm cut-length TIG rods and gas-welding rods where the filler must be hand-fed and easily bent. | 70 | 230 | 42 | 48 HB | 36 % IACS |
AWDefaultThis page As-welded deposit | Default: properties of the undiluted ERCu weld deposit made by GTAW/GMAW with argon or Ar-He shielding. | 80 | 240 | 32 | 65 HB | 35 % IACS |
Hard-drawn spooled wire | Pick for spooled MIG/MAG wire (0.8–1.6 mm) where column strength and smooth feeding through a liner are needed. | 310 | 380 | 8 | 95 HB | 34 % IACS |
What is C18980-AW?
C18980-AW is C18980 heat treated to AW — default: properties of the undiluted ERCu weld deposit made by GTAW/GMAW with argon or Ar-He shielding. C18980-AW has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 90% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi). C18980-AW has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 87% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 32%, better than 77% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 80 MPa (11.6 ksi), worse than 90% of copper alloy grades
C18980-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for C18980-AW; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C18980 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C18980-AW has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Mechanical13
C18980-AW has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 90% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
Thermal6
C18980-AW is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C18980-AW conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 73% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C18980-AW takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C18980-AW's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability excellent (88/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C18980-AW
Is C18980 easy to machine?
Weld deposits are soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; expect long stringy chips (≈20 % of AISI 1212).
Can C18980 be welded?
Designed for GTAW/GMAW of deoxidized and tough-pitch copper with Ar or Ar-He; preheat 200–500 °C on sections over ~3 mm and keep interpass heat up to offset copper's heat sinking.
Can C18980 be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed rod bends and hammer-peens readily; hard-drawn spool wire should not be sharply re-bent before feeding.
What surface finishes work on C18980?
Cannot be anodized — clean flux/oxide with dilute acid pickle, then leave bright, patinate, lacquer, or Ni/Sn plate for service.
C18980 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Snstrength / fluidity | 0.2 – 1 | 0.6 |
| Mndeoxidizer | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Sideoxidizer, arc stability | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Presidual deoxidizer | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Other, total | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| CuCu + Ag, 98.0 % min per AWS A5.7 ERCu | ≥ 98 (balance) | — |
C18980-AW — frequently asked
What is C18980-AW used for?
C18980-AW is typically used for copper pipe and busbar welding, copper vessel fabrication and electrical conductor welding. In short: highest-conductivity filler here; for GTAW/GMAW of copper; soft, ductile deposit.
What is the yield strength of C18980-AW?
C18980-AW has a typical yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 90% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is C18980-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades). Weld deposits are soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; expect long stringy chips (≈20 % of AISI 1212).
Can C18980-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Designed for GTAW/GMAW of deoxidized and tough-pitch copper with Ar or Ar-He; preheat 200–500 °C on sections over ~3 mm and keep interpass heat up to offset copper's heat sinking.
What surface finishes work on C18980-AW?
Cannot be anodized — clean flux/oxide with dilute acid pickle, then leave bright, patinate, lacquer, or Ni/Sn plate for service.
Can C18980-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed rod bends and hammer-peens readily; hard-drawn spool wire should not be sharply re-bent before feeding.
What is the maximum service temperature of C18980-AW?
C18980-AW 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 C18980-AW and C18980-H00?
AW is the default condition — default: properties of the undiluted ERCu weld deposit made by GTAW/GMAW with argon or Ar-He shielding. H00: pick for spooled MIG/MAG wire (0.8–1.6 mm) where column strength and smooth feeding through a liner are needed. Yield strength is 80 MPa in AW versus 310 MPa in H00.
Sources
- AWS A5.7/A5.7M — Specification for Copper and Copper Alloy Bare Welding Rods and Electrodes (ERCu) — American Welding Society (2011)
- UNS C18980 copper alloy data / Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (welding of copper alloys) — ASM International (1993)
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.