Copper Alloy Cu-HCP
EN CR021A
Cu-HCP (CR021A, equivalent to C12000) is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper with a low residual phosphorus content, combining 98 % IACS electrical conductivity and 385 W/m·K thermal conductivity with reliable weldability and brazeability.
Reference datasheet — Cu-HCP 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-HCP tempers and conditions
Cu-HCP is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard. O60 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CR021A | Cast bar, cake or billet form of Cu-HCP supplied for remelting or further hot working, not for structural use as-cast. | 60 | 170 | 30 | 40 HB | 98 % IACS |
O60Default Soft annealed | Default stock condition for tube and strip: maximum ductility and conductivity for bending, expanding and brazing. | 70 | 230 | 45 | 42 HB | 98 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Cheapest heavy bar, plate and busbar section straight from hot working; strength between annealed and light drawn. | 90 | 235 | 40 | 45 HB | 98 % IACS |
Light annealed | Choose when tube must still bend readily but needs a little more collapse resistance than fully soft. | 110 | 245 | 40 | 50 HB | 98 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold-rolled strip for stamped parts needing more spring-back resistance than soft but still deep-bendable. | 195 | 260 | 25 | 60 HB | 97 % IACS |
Light drawn | Light draw for straight tube lengths that must stay reasonably bendable while resisting handling damage. | 205 | 265 | 25 | 60 HB | 97 % IACS |
Drawn, general purpose | The standard hard-temper plumbing / refrigeration tube temper: rigid straight lengths, still brazeable. | 250 | 290 | 18 | 75 HB | 97 % IACS |
Half hard | Common strip temper for electrical contacts, gaskets and roll-formed profiles with moderate bending. | 250 | 295 | 14 | 78 HB | 97 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Maximum drawn strength for pressure tube and straight rod where no further forming is needed. | 310 | 345 | 8 | 90 HB | 97 % IACS |
Full hard | Full hard rolled condition for flat springs, clips and busbar needing stiffness with near-full conductivity. | 310 | 345 | 6 | 95 HB | 97 % IACS |
Spring hard | Heavily cold-rolled spring strip/wire where elastic stiffness matters more than formability. | 350 | 380 | 4 | 100 HB | 96 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Highest cold-worked strength available in this copper; only simple flat or coiled shapes. | 370 | 400 | 3 | 105 HB | 96 % IACS |
What is Cu-HCP?
Cu-HCP (CR021A, equivalent to C12000) is a phosphorus-deoxidized copper with a low residual phosphorus content, combining 98 % IACS electrical conductivity and 385 W/m·K thermal conductivity with reliable weldability and brazeability. It is specified for tube, rod and fitting products that must be brazed or welded, and in the soft condition gives 230 MPa tensile strength, 70 MPa yield, 45 % elongation and 42 HB. Service is limited to about 200 °C and machinability is poor at roughly 20 % of free-cutting brass, so C14500 or C36000 are better choices where turning volume dominates. Cu-HCP has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F). Cu-HCP has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 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-HCP used for?
- refrigeration/plumbing tube
- welded and brazed copper fittings
- general conductor rod
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 98 % IACS, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 385 W/m·K (222.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
Cu-HCP properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cu-HCP-O60; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
Cu-HCP has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Mechanical11
Cu-HCP has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
Cu-HCP is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 385 W/m·K (222.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Cu-HCP conducts electricity at 98 % IACS, better than 94% 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-HCP takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
Cu-HCP's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (92/100).
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-HCP is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Cu-HCP
Is Cu-HCP easy to machine?
Gummy and low-rated (≈20 % of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, or specify H04/H80 temper to reduce tearing.
Can Cu-HCP be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with high preheat and ERCu/ERCuSi-A filler works well; being oxygen-free it is immune to the hydrogen embrittlement that afflicts ETP copper, but high thermal conductivity demands high heat input.
Can Cu-HCP be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60 (deep drawing, tube bending, expanding); interanneal at 400–600 °C when heavy reductions cause work hardening.
Cu-HCP 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 |
|---|---|---|
| PEN Cu-HCP 0.001–0.006 %; ASTM C12000 0.004–0.012 % | 0 – 0.01 | 0.01 |
| BiEN 1652 impurity limit | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | |
| PbEN 1652 impurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | |
| other impurities (total)excluding Ag and P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| CuCu + Ag, remainder; oxygen removed by phosphorus deoxidation | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on Cu-HCP?
Not anodisable — tin, nickel or silver plate for contacts, or lacquer/clear-coat to prevent tarnish; polishes to a bright finish but oxidises quickly in air.
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-HCP in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CR021A
- Similar grades
- C12000
How much does Cu-HCP cost?
Cu-HCP 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-HCP — frequently asked
What is Cu-HCP used for?
Cu-HCP is typically used for refrigeration/plumbing tube, welded and brazed copper fittings and general conductor rod. In short: weldable deoxidized copper; 98 % IACS conductivity; excellent cold formability.
What is the yield strength of Cu-HCP?
Cu-HCP has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is Cu-HCP easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and low-rated (≈20 % of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, or specify H04/H80 temper to reduce tearing.
Can Cu-HCP be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). GTAW/GMAW with high preheat and ERCu/ERCuSi-A filler works well; being oxygen-free it is immune to the hydrogen embrittlement that afflicts ETP copper, but high thermal conductivity demands high heat input.
What surface finishes work on Cu-HCP?
Not anodisable — tin, nickel or silver plate for contacts, or lacquer/clear-coat to prevent tarnish; polishes to a bright finish but oxidises quickly in air.
Can Cu-HCP be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60 (deep drawing, tube bending, expanding); interanneal at 400–600 °C when heavy reductions cause work hardening.
What is the maximum service temperature of Cu-HCP?
Cu-HCP 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 Cu-HCP-O60 and Cu-HCP-H10?
O60 is the default condition — default stock condition for tube and strip: maximum ductility and conductivity for bending, expanding and brazing. H10: highest cold-worked strength available in this copper; only simple flat or coiled shapes. Yield strength is 70 MPa in O60 versus 370 MPa in H10.
How much does Cu-HCP cost?
Cu-HCP 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 1652 / EN 1976 — wrought and cast copper, designation Cu-HCP (CW021A / CR021A) — CEN (1998)
- ASTM B75/B75M — Seamless Copper Tube (C12000) — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B152/B152M — Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA alloy datasheet C12000 (DLP copper) — Copper Development Association / copper.org (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys, Copper and Copper 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.