Copper Alloy Cu-FRHC-M
Heat-treated state
EN CR005A
M = thermomechanically controlled processed
Pick for remelt stock or as feed for rolling/extrusion; not a finished mechanical condition.
Values for the M 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MThis page 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-M?
Cu-FRHC-M is Cu-FRHC heat treated to M — pick for remelt stock or as feed for rolling/extrusion; not a finished mechanical condition. Cu-FRHC-M has a yield strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 98% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi). Cu-FRHC-M 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; M is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 391 W/m·K (225.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 100.5 % IACS, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 65 MPa (9.43 ksi), worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
Cu-FRHC-M properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cu-FRHC-M; 19 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-M 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-M has a yield strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 98% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
Cu-FRHC-M 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-M conducts electricity at 100.5 % IACS, better than 97% 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-M 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-M's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Cu-FRHC-M
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.
| 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) | — |
Cu-FRHC-M — frequently asked
What is Cu-FRHC-M used for?
Cu-FRHC-M 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-M?
Cu-FRHC-M has a typical yield strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 98% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is Cu-FRHC-M easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 98% 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-M be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). 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-M?
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-M 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-M?
Cu-FRHC-M 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.