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Copper Alloy Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST

Heat-treated state

EN CR021A

Cast bar, cake or billet form of Cu-HCP supplied for remelting or further hot working, not for structural use as-cast.

High cost $$$$

Values for the CR021A-CAST condition

Other Cu-HCP tempers and conditions

Cu-HCP is listed in 12 conditions; see the grade overview at Cu-HCP.

Compare all 12 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
CR021A-CASTThis page
CR021A
Cast bar, cake or billet form of Cu-HCP supplied for remelting or further hot working, not for structural use as-cast.601703040 HB98 % IACS
O60Default
Soft annealed
Default stock condition for tube and strip: maximum ductility and conductivity for bending, expanding and brazing.702304542 HB98 % IACS
As hot rolled
Cheapest heavy bar, plate and busbar section straight from hot working; strength between annealed and light drawn.902354045 HB98 % IACS
Light annealed
Choose when tube must still bend readily but needs a little more collapse resistance than fully soft.1102454050 HB98 % IACS
Quarter hard
Light cold-rolled strip for stamped parts needing more spring-back resistance than soft but still deep-bendable.1952602560 HB97 % IACS
Light drawn
Light draw for straight tube lengths that must stay reasonably bendable while resisting handling damage.2052652560 HB97 % IACS
Drawn, general purpose
The standard hard-temper plumbing / refrigeration tube temper: rigid straight lengths, still brazeable.2502901875 HB97 % IACS
Half hard
Common strip temper for electrical contacts, gaskets and roll-formed profiles with moderate bending.2502951478 HB97 % IACS
Hard drawn
Maximum drawn strength for pressure tube and straight rod where no further forming is needed.310345890 HB97 % IACS
Full hard
Full hard rolled condition for flat springs, clips and busbar needing stiffness with near-full conductivity.310345695 HB97 % IACS
Spring hard
Heavily cold-rolled spring strip/wire where elastic stiffness matters more than formability.3503804100 HB96 % IACS
Extra spring hard
Highest cold-worked strength available in this copper; only simple flat or coiled shapes.3704003105 HB96 % IACS

What is Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST?

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST is Cu-HCP heat treated to CR021A-CAST — cast bar, cake or billet form of Cu-HCP supplied for remelting or further hot working, not for structural use as-cast. Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 100% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi). Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST 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). O60 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR021A-CAST is available on request or by drawing note.

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
  • Readily welded — 70/100, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 75% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 60 MPa (8.7 ksi), worse than 100% of copper alloy grades
  • Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST properties

Typical room-temperature values for Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Cu-HCP reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST 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).

Density8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,065°C1,949 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,083°C1,981 °F

Mechanical11

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 100% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus110 GPa16 Msi
Shear Modulus44 GPa6.4 Msi
Bulk Modulus140 GPa20.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)170 MPa24.7 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)60 MPa8.7 ksi
Elongation at Break30%
Shear Strength120 MPa17.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)55 MPa8 ksi
Hardness, Brinell40 HB
Hardness, Vickers43 HV

Thermal6

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST 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).

Thermal Conductivity385 W/m·K222 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)200°C392 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST conducts electricity at 98 % IACS, better than 94% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity98 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.76×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.693 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 and potable water, steam, non-oxidising acids and most neutral solutions; attacked by ammonia/amines (stress corrosion), oxidising acids, sulphur compounds and fast-flowing aerated seawater.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST 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%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (60/100).

MachinabilityPoor25/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityVery good70/100
Formability (cold)Good60/100
CastabilityGood55/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent95/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper is not anodised; use tin, nickel or silver plating, or clear lacquer.

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

Working with Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
PEN Cu-HCP 0.001–0.006 %; ASTM C12000 0.004–0.012 %0 – 0.010.01
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)—

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST — frequently asked

What is Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST used for?

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST 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 CR021A-CAST?

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST has a typical yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 100% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.

Is Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST 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 CR021A-CAST be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). 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 CR021A-CAST?

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 CR021A-CAST 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 CR021A-CAST?

Cu-HCP CR021A-CAST 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.

Sources

  1. EN 1652 / EN 1976 — wrought and cast copper, designation Cu-HCP (CW021A / CR021A) — CEN (1998)
  2. ASTM B75/B75M — Seamless Copper Tube (C12000) — ASTM International (2020)
  3. ASTM B152/B152M — Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2019)
  4. CDA alloy datasheet C12000 (DLP copper) — Copper Development Association / copper.org (2023)
  5. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.