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Copper Alloy C72150-H10

Supply condition

UNS C72150 · EN CuNi44Mn1 · GB BMn40-1.5

H10 = extra spring hard

Maximum-strength fine wire (typically ≤0.2 mm) produced by heavy final drawing.

High cost $$$$

Values for the H10 condition

Other C72150 tempers and conditions

C72150 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C72150.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
O60Default
Soft annealed
Standard stocked condition for resistance wire, shunt strip and thermocouple wire — maximum ductility and the most stable, lowest-drift resistivity.2004603890 HB3.5 % IACS
Annealed
Use where a defined grain size is needed for deep drawing or fine-foil rolling of strain-gauge stock.21547035100 HB3.5 % IACS
Hot rolled
Pick for precision resistors, shunts and load cells: a 250–400 °C stabilizing bake locks in resistance and minimizes long-term drift.28050028124 HB3.5 % IACS
Quarter hard
Light cold work for slightly stiffer strip that must still bend and form.38055020138 HB3.5 % IACS
Half hard
General-purpose semi-rigid strip and rod for machined shunt bodies and terminals.48062012171 HB3.5 % IACS
Full hard
Hard-drawn wire and rolled strip where tensile strength and straightness matter more than bendability.620725615 HRC3.4 % IACS
Extra hard
Heavily drawn wire for high-tension winding of resistance elements.700800421 HRC3.4 % IACS
Spring hard
Spring-temper wire/strip for contact springs and self-supporting resistance elements.770860323 HRC3.4 % IACS
H10This page
Extra spring hard
Maximum-strength fine wire (typically ≤0.2 mm) produced by heavy final drawing.840920225 HRC3.4 % IACS

What is C72150-H10?

C72150-H10 is C72150 supplied in the H10 condition — maximum-strength fine wire (typically ≤0.2 mm) produced by heavy final drawing. C72150-H10 has a yield strength of 840 MPa (122 ksi) and a tensile strength of 920 MPa (133 ksi) — stronger than 98% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 167 GPa (24.2 Msi). C72150-H10 has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,280°C (2,336 °F). O60 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H10 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Stiff — 167 GPa (24.2 Msi), better than 100% of copper alloy grades
  • High strength — 840 MPa (122 ksi), better than 98% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Poor heat conductor — 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of copper alloy grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 3.4 % IACS, worse than 99% of copper alloy grades
  • Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
  • High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
  • Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades

C72150-H10 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C72150-H10; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C72150 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

C72150-H10 has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,280°C (2,336 °F).

Density8.9 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,280°C2,336 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,300°C2,372 °F

Mechanical13

C72150-H10 has a yield strength of 840 MPa (122 ksi) and a tensile strength of 920 MPa (133 ksi) — stronger than 98% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 167 GPa (24.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus167 GPa24.2 Msi
Shear Modulus61 GPa8.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus158 GPa22.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)920 MPa133 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)840 MPa122 ksi
Elongation at Break2%
Reduction in Area8%
Shear Strength550 MPa79.8 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)310 MPa45 ksi
Hardness, Brinell250 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B58 HRB
Hardness, Vickers265 HV

Thermal6

C72150-H10 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 14.9 µm/m·K (8.28 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity410 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)14.9 µm/m·K8.3 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-250°C-418 °F

Electrical3

C72150-H10 conducts electricity at 3.4 % IACS, worse than 99% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity3.4 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity5.05×10⁻⁷ Ω·m19.9 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic — paramagnetic at room temperature; Curie point of Cu-45Ni lies below RT, so no ferromagnetic interference in gauges/shunts

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.18 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood65/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryVery good in seawater, brine, neutral salts and mildly reducing acids; resists sulphide-free water and steam. Attacked by oxidizing acids (nitric, hot concentrated sulphuric), ammonia/amines and moist ammoniacal atmospheres; tarnishes and oxidizes above ~500 °C in air causing resistance drift.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C72150-H10 takes about 115 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)115 MJ/kg49,441 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)8 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content20%

Manufacturability8

C72150-H10's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (15/100).

MachinabilityPoor30/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)30%
WeldabilityFair45/100
Formability (cold)Poor15/100
CastabilityFair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good75/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper-nickel cannot be anodized; use tin, silver or nickel electroplating for solderability and tarnish protection

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

Working with C72150-H10

Is C72150 easy to machine?

Gummy and rapidly work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed (25–45 m/min), heavy feed to stay under the hardened skin, generous flood coolant and never dwell.

Can C72150 be welded?

GTAW or resistance/spot welding with matched Cu-Ni or Monel-type filler; keep sulphur, lead and oxide off the joint, use low heat input and no preheat to avoid hot cracking; welded joints locally change resistance so shunts are usually brazed/soldered instead.

Can C72150 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability — rolls to <25 µm strain-gauge foil and draws to 0.02 mm wire; interstage anneals at 750–900 °C in reducing/inert atmosphere, then stabilizing bake at 250–400 °C to fix resistance.

What surface finishes work on C72150?

Cannot be anodized; tin, silver or nickel plate for solderability and tarnish resistance, or supply oxidized/enamelled for wound elements — clean pickling in dilute sulphuric before plating.

C72150 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
NiNi+Co reported together by most mills43 – 4645
Mndeoxidizer; adjusts TCR — Chinese BMn40-1.5 uses ~1.5 Mn with 40 Ni0.1 – 10.5
Fe≤ 0.50.15
C≤ 0.05—
Simax, residual≤ 0.1—
Smax, kept low for weldability≤ 0.02—
Cu≈55 % nominal; remainderbalance—

C72150-H10 — frequently asked

What is C72150-H10 used for?

C72150-H10 is typically used for thermocouple wire (type T/J/E), precision resistors, strain gauges and shunts. In short: flat resistance vs temperature; standard thermocouple negative leg; very low 3.5 % IACS conductivity.

What is the yield strength of C72150-H10?

C72150-H10 has a typical yield strength of 840 MPa (122 ksi) and a tensile strength of 920 MPa (133 ksi) — stronger than 98% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is C72150-H10 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and rapidly work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed (25–45 m/min), heavy feed to stay under the hardened skin, generous flood coolant and never dwell.

Can C72150-H10 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). GTAW or resistance/spot welding with matched Cu-Ni or Monel-type filler; keep sulphur, lead and oxide off the joint, use low heat input and no preheat to avoid hot cracking; welded joints locally change resistance so shunts are usually brazed/soldered instead.

What surface finishes work on C72150-H10?

Cannot be anodized; tin, silver or nickel plate for solderability and tarnish resistance, or supply oxidized/enamelled for wound elements — clean pickling in dilute sulphuric before plating.

Can C72150-H10 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability — rolls to <25 µm strain-gauge foil and draws to 0.02 mm wire; interstage anneals at 750–900 °C in reducing/inert atmosphere, then stabilizing bake at 250–400 °C to fix resistance.

What is the maximum service temperature of C72150-H10?

C72150-H10 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between C72150-O60 and C72150-H10?

O60 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for resistance wire, shunt strip and thermocouple wire — maximum ductility and the most stable, lowest-drift resistivity. H10: maximum-strength fine wire (typically ≤0.2 mm) produced by heavy final drawing. Yield strength is 200 MPa in O60 versus 840 MPa in H10.

Sources

  1. CDA/copper.org alloy datasheet C72150 — Copper Development Association (2023)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Copper-Nickel alloys) — ASM International (1990)
  3. ISOTAN® (CuNi44) resistance alloy datasheet — Isabellenhütte Heusler (2022)
  4. ASTM B206 — Copper-Nickel-Zinc and Copper-Nickel Alloy Wire — ASTM (2019)
  5. ASTM B122 — Copper-Nickel-Tin, Copper-Nickel-Zinc and Copper-Nickel Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM (2021)
  6. ASTM E230 / ANSI MC96.1 — Thermocouple EMF tables (Types T, J, E) — ASTM (2017)

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.