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Copper Alloy Cu-FRHC-H02

Supply condition

EN CR005A

H02 = half hard

Best all-round strength/formability compromise for busbar, tube and machined parts.

High cost $$$$

Values for the H02 condition

Other Cu-FRHC tempers and conditions

Cu-FRHC is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at Cu-FRHC.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Thermomechanically controlled processed
Pick for remelt stock or as feed for rolling/extrusion; not a finished mechanical condition.652004042 HB100.5 % IACS
O60Default
Soft annealed
Default stock condition: maximum ductility and conductivity for bending, deep drawing, roofing and flexible busbar.702254545 HB101 % IACS
1/8 hard
Light stiffening while keeping most bend formability, e.g. lightly rolled strip and sheet.1952503060 HB100 % IACS
Quarter hard
Moderate strength with good bending; common for formed busbar and roofing strip.2102652568 HB100 % IACS
H02This page
Half hard
Best all-round strength/formability compromise for busbar, tube and machined parts.2502951478 HB99.5 % IACS
Full hard
Choose for stiff busbar, contact bar and drawn rod where bending is limited.310345892 HB98.5 % IACS
Extra hard
Higher-strength strip/wire where only very gentle forming is needed.330365597 HB98 % IACS
Spring hard
Spring-temper strip and wire for contacts and clips needing resilience with high conductivity.3453804100 HB97.5 % IACS
Extra spring hard
Maximum cold-worked strength for thin strip/wire; essentially no formability left.3653954105 HB97 % IACS

What is Cu-FRHC-H02?

Cu-FRHC-H02 is Cu-FRHC supplied in the H02 condition — best all-round strength/formability compromise for busbar, tube and machined parts. Cu-FRHC-H02 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 54% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). Cu-FRHC-H02 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). O60 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H02 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Conducts heat well — 388 W/m·K (224.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 99.5 % IACS, better than 95% of copper alloy grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades

Cu-FRHC-H02 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Cu-FRHC-H02; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Cu-FRHC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

Cu-FRHC-H02 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).

Density8.91 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,065°C1,949 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,083°C1,981 °F

Mechanical12

Cu-FRHC-H02 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 54% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus117 GPa17 Msi
Shear Modulus44 GPa6.4 Msi
Bulk Modulus140 GPa20.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)295 MPa42.8 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)250 MPa36.3 ksi
Elongation at Break14%
Reduction in Area75%
Shear Strength180 MPa26.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)76 MPa11 ksi
Hardness, Brinell78 HB
Hardness, Vickers50 HV

Thermal6

Cu-FRHC-H02 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 388 W/m·K (224.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity388 W/m·K224 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)180°C356 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

Cu-FRHC-H02 conducts electricity at 99.5 % IACS, better than 95% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity99.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.72×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.677 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

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

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.2 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood65/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh/sea water, non-oxidising acids, steam and most soils (self-patinating); attacked by oxidising acids (HNO3), ammonia and amines, moist H2S/sulphur, and high-velocity aerated seawater; oxygen content makes it embrittle in hot reducing (hydrogen-bearing) atmospheres.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Cu-FRHC-H02 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%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.8 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content50%

Manufacturability8

Cu-FRHC-H02's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability good (65/100).

MachinabilityPoor22/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)25%
WeldabilityPoor30/100
Formability (cold)Good65/100
CastabilityGood55/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent95/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper is not anodised; use tin, nickel or silver plating, or allow natural patina

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

Working with Cu-FRHC-H02

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Agcounted as Cu≤ 0.020.01
Otough-pitch oxygen as Cu2O; not always specified0.02 – 0.060.04
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)—

Cu-FRHC-H02 — frequently asked

What is Cu-FRHC-H02 used for?

Cu-FRHC-H02 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-H02?

Cu-FRHC-H02 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 54% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is Cu-FRHC-H02 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-H02 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-H02?

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-H02 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-H02?

Cu-FRHC-H02 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 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.

Sources

  1. EN 13601 — Copper and copper alloys: rod, bar and wire for electrical purposes — CEN (2021)
  2. EN 1976 — Cast unwrought copper products (refinery shapes) — CEN (2012)
  3. ASTM B5 — Standard Specification for High Conductivity Tough-Pitch Copper Refinery Shapes — ASTM (2016)
  4. CDA alloy datasheets, C11020 fire-refined high conductivity copper — Copper Development Association (2023)
  5. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.