Copper Alloy Cu-FRHC
EN CR005A
Cu-FRHC (CR005A) is a fire-refined high-conductivity tough-pitch copper, refined thermally rather than electrolytically, so it costs less than ETP copper while still reaching 101 % IACS and 391 W/m·K.
Reference datasheet — Cu-FRHC 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 O60 condition
Cu-FRHC tempers and conditions
Cu-FRHC is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. O60 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Pick for remelt stock or as feed for rolling/extrusion; not a finished mechanical condition. | 65 | 200 | 40 | 42 HB | 100.5 % IACS |
O60Default Soft annealed | Default stock condition: maximum ductility and conductivity for bending, deep drawing, roofing and flexible busbar. | 70 | 225 | 45 | 45 HB | 101 % IACS |
1/8 hard | Light stiffening while keeping most bend formability, e.g. lightly rolled strip and sheet. | 195 | 250 | 30 | 60 HB | 100 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Moderate strength with good bending; common for formed busbar and roofing strip. | 210 | 265 | 25 | 68 HB | 100 % IACS |
Half hard | Best all-round strength/formability compromise for busbar, tube and machined parts. | 250 | 295 | 14 | 78 HB | 99.5 % IACS |
Full hard | Choose for stiff busbar, contact bar and drawn rod where bending is limited. | 310 | 345 | 8 | 92 HB | 98.5 % IACS |
Extra hard | Higher-strength strip/wire where only very gentle forming is needed. | 330 | 365 | 5 | 97 HB | 98 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring-temper strip and wire for contacts and clips needing resilience with high conductivity. | 345 | 380 | 4 | 100 HB | 97.5 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for thin strip/wire; essentially no formability left. | 365 | 395 | 4 | 105 HB | 97 % IACS |
What is Cu-FRHC?
Cu-FRHC (CR005A) is a fire-refined high-conductivity tough-pitch copper, refined thermally rather than electrolytically, so it costs less than ETP copper while still reaching 101 % IACS and 391 W/m·K. It is used for general electrical rod, wire and building copper, with 225 MPa tensile, 70 MPa yield, 45 % elongation, 45 HB and 117 GPa modulus in the soft condition, in tempers from O60 to H10. Maximum service temperature is about 250 °C. Being oxygen-bearing it suffers porosity and hydrogen embrittlement in welding, so Cu-DHP or Cu-OF is the alternative for welded work. Cu-FRHC has a density of 8.91 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F). Cu-FRHC has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is Cu-FRHC used for?
- general electrical rod/wire
- roofing and building copper
- general conductor stock
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 391 W/m·K (225.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
Cu-FRHC properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cu-FRHC-O60; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
Cu-FRHC has a density of 8.91 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Mechanical12
Cu-FRHC has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
Cu-FRHC is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 391 W/m·K (225.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Cu-FRHC conducts electricity at 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Cu-FRHC takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability8
Cu-FRHC's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability excellent (95/100).
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. Cu-FRHC is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Cu-FRHC
Is Cu-FRHC easy to machine?
Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip breakers; half-hard or harder tempers cut cleaner than annealed.
Can Cu-FRHC be welded?
Oxygen-bearing tough pitch copper is prone to porosity and hydrogen embrittlement — prefer brazing/soldering or mechanical joints; if welding, use GTAW with deoxidised filler, high preheat and avoid reducing/hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
Can Cu-FRHC be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O60 (deep draw, roll form, tight bends); interanneal around 400–600 °C between heavy reductions, cold work rapidly raises strength.
Cu-FRHC 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Agcounted as Cu | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Otough-pitch oxygen as Cu2O; not always specified | 0.02 – 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Bi | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Total impurities (excl. Ag, O)sum per EN specification | ≤ 0.06 | |
| CuCu + Ag, min; balance | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on Cu-FRHC?
Not anodisable; solders and tins readily, accepts nickel/silver/tin plating, polishes to a bright finish that needs lacquer or patinates naturally outdoors.
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 Cu-FRHC in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CR005A
How much does Cu-FRHC cost?
Cu-FRHC 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.
Cu-FRHC — frequently asked
What is Cu-FRHC used for?
Cu-FRHC is typically used for general electrical rod/wire, roofing and building copper and general conductor stock. In short: lower-cost tough-pitch copper; near-ETP conductivity; excellent cold formability.
What is the yield strength of Cu-FRHC?
Cu-FRHC has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is Cu-FRHC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip breakers; half-hard or harder tempers cut cleaner than annealed.
Can Cu-FRHC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Oxygen-bearing tough pitch copper is prone to porosity and hydrogen embrittlement — prefer brazing/soldering or mechanical joints; if welding, use GTAW with deoxidised filler, high preheat and avoid reducing/hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
What surface finishes work on Cu-FRHC?
Not anodisable; solders and tins readily, accepts nickel/silver/tin plating, polishes to a bright finish that needs lacquer or patinates naturally outdoors.
Can Cu-FRHC be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O60 (deep draw, roll form, tight bends); interanneal around 400–600 °C between heavy reductions, cold work rapidly raises strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of Cu-FRHC?
Cu-FRHC is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Cu-FRHC-O60 and Cu-FRHC-H10?
O60 is the default condition — default stock condition: maximum ductility and conductivity for bending, deep drawing, roofing and flexible busbar. H10: maximum cold-worked strength for thin strip/wire; essentially no formability left. Yield strength is 70 MPa in O60 versus 365 MPa in H10.
How much does Cu-FRHC cost?
Cu-FRHC 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
- EN 13601 — Copper and copper alloys: rod, bar and wire for electrical purposes — CEN (2021)
- EN 1976 — Cast unwrought copper products (refinery shapes) — CEN (2012)
- ASTM B5 — Standard Specification for High Conductivity Tough-Pitch Copper Refinery Shapes — ASTM (2016)
- CDA alloy datasheets, C11020 fire-refined high conductivity copper — Copper Development Association (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.