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Copper Alloy Cu-OF-OS025

Temper

UNS C10200 · EN CR008A · JIS C1020 · GB TU1

OS025 = annealed to 0.025 mm grain size

Fine-grain soft strip for deep drawing with good surface finish.

High cost $$$$

Values for the OS025 condition

Other Cu-OF tempers and conditions

Cu-OF is listed in 14 conditions; see the grade overview at Cu-OF.

Compare all 14 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size
Coarse-grain soft temper for maximum drawability and lowest springback.692204842 HB101 % IACS
Soft annealed
Wrought benchmark condition: maximum conductivity and formability, minimum strength.702254545 HB101 % IACS
As hot rolled
Mill condition of hot-worked plate and extrusion, essentially soft with mill surface.702154545 HB101 % IACS
Binder Jetted + Sintered
Lowest-cost route for complex heat-sink geometries; 95–99 % density leaves some loss of strength and conductivity.751752545 HB88 % IACS
OS025This page
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size
Fine-grain soft strip for deep drawing with good surface finish.852354248 HB101 % IACS
EB-PBF As-Built
Vacuum EB melting gives near-full density and >97 % IACS as-built; best route for large conductive parts.952004552 HB98 % IACS
1/8 hard
Light cold work when slightly higher stiffness than soft is needed but forming is still required.1652403560 HB101 % IACS
Quarter hard
Standard bendable temper for busbar and terminals needing some stiffness.1952603068 HB101 % IACS
Half hard
Most-stocked cold-worked temper for busbar, terminals and machined fittings.2502851480 HB100 % IACS
Hard drawn
As-drawn tube temper for rigid conductive tubing and waveguide bodies.2502901585 HB100 % IACS
Full hard
Hard temper for straight bar, hard-drawn wire and contacts where strength and machining behaviour matter.300325892 HB100 % IACS
Extra hard
Higher cold work for thin strip and wire where formability is no longer needed.320345696 HB99 % IACS
Spring hard
Spring-hard strip/wire for contacts and gaskets requiring elastic stiffness.3403654100 HB99 % IACS
Extra spring hard
Maximum-strength cold-drawn wire/strip; essentially no formability left.3703953105 HB98 % IACS

What is Cu-OF-OS025?

Cu-OF-OS025 is Cu-OF in the OS025 temper — fine-grain soft strip for deep drawing with good surface finish. Cu-OF-OS025 has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi). Cu-OF-OS025 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,083°C (1,981 °F).

Advantages

  • Tough — resists crack growth — 95 MPa·√m (86.5 ksi·√in), better than 100% of copper alloy grades
  • 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
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
  • Low strength — 85 MPa (12.3 ksi), worse than 89% of copper alloy grades

Cu-OF-OS025 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Cu-OF-OS025; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Cu-OF reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

Cu-OF-OS025 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,083°C (1,981 °F).

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

Mechanical13

Cu-OF-OS025 has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus115 GPa16.7 Msi
Shear Modulus44 GPa6.4 Msi
Bulk Modulus140 GPa20.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)235 MPa34.1 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)85 MPa12.3 ksi
Elongation at Break42%
Reduction in Area60%
Shear Strength160 MPa23.2 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)75 MPa10.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)95 MPa·√m86.5 ksi·√in
Hardness, Brinell48 HB
Hardness, Vickers52 HV

Thermal6

Cu-OF-OS025 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity391 W/m·K226 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)17.7 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-269°C-452 °F

Electrical3

Cu-OF-OS025 conducts electricity at 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity101 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.673 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic (diamagnetic, µr < 1)

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.3 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood55/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh/sea water, non-oxidising acids, alkalis and most organics; attacked by oxidising acids (HNO₃), ammonia and amines (stress-corrosion), moist H₂S/sulphur and oxidising salts; tarnishes readily in air and does not suffer hydrogen embrittlement because oxygen is <10 ppm.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Cu-OF-OS025 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability8

Cu-OF-OS025's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (55/100); formability excellent (95/100).

MachinabilityPoor20/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityGood55/100
Formability (cold)Excellent95/100
CastabilityFair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent95/100
PolishabilityExcellent85/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper is not anodised; use electroplating (Ni, Ag, Au) or chemical passivation/benzotriazole for tarnish control

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

Working with Cu-OF-OS025

Is Cu-OF easy to machine?

Gummy and abrasive-free but built-up-edge prone: use sharp, polished, high-positive-rake carbide, high speed (200–400 m/min), heavy flood coolant and avoid dwelling; AM parts machine similarly to annealed bar.

Can Cu-OF be welded?

Best joined by EB, laser (green preferred) or GTAW/GMAW with 150–500 °C preheat because of the huge thermal conductivity; brazing and soldering are excellent, and no hydrogen embrittlement risk since O ≤10 ppm.

Can Cu-OF be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in the soft tempers (deep draw, spin, bend to 0T); anneal 400–600 °C in inert or reducing atmosphere between heavy reductions; L-PBF needs green/blue laser or high-power IR plus preheat to overcome reflectivity.

What surface finishes work on Cu-OF?

Not anodisable — electropolish or bead-blast then plate (Ni barrier + Ag/Au for RF), or protect with benzotriazole/clear lacquer; AM surfaces normally need chemical/abrasive polishing to reach low RF loss.

Cu-OF 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
O≤10 ppm; AM powder typically 150–400 ppm total O after atomisation≤ 05×10⁻⁴
PTU1 limit (GB/T 5231)≤ 3×10⁻⁴—
BiTU1 limit≤ 0—
PbTU1 limit≤ 0—
STU1 limit≤ 0—
CuCu + Ag, ASTM B170 Grade 2 / GB/T 5231 TU1≥ 99.95 (balance)—

Cu-OF-OS025 — frequently asked

What is Cu-OF-OS025 used for?

Cu-OF-OS025 is typically used for induction coils, heat sinks, electrical contacts and waveguides. In short: highest-conductivity AM copper; oxygen-free, embrittlement-free; soft with low machinability.

What is the yield strength of Cu-OF-OS025?

Cu-OF-OS025 has a typical yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 14 listed tempers.

Is Cu-OF-OS025 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and abrasive-free but built-up-edge prone: use sharp, polished, high-positive-rake carbide, high speed (200–400 m/min), heavy flood coolant and avoid dwelling; AM parts machine similarly to annealed bar.

Can Cu-OF-OS025 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Best joined by EB, laser (green preferred) or GTAW/GMAW with 150–500 °C preheat because of the huge thermal conductivity; brazing and soldering are excellent, and no hydrogen embrittlement risk since O ≤10 ppm.

What surface finishes work on Cu-OF-OS025?

Not anodisable — electropolish or bead-blast then plate (Ni barrier + Ag/Au for RF), or protect with benzotriazole/clear lacquer; AM surfaces normally need chemical/abrasive polishing to reach low RF loss.

Can Cu-OF-OS025 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in the soft tempers (deep draw, spin, bend to 0T); anneal 400–600 °C in inert or reducing atmosphere between heavy reductions; L-PBF needs green/blue laser or high-power IR plus preheat to overcome reflectivity.

What is the maximum service temperature of Cu-OF-OS025?

Cu-OF-OS025 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.

Sources

  1. ASTM B170 — Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper Refinery Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
  2. CDA Alloy Datasheet C10200 (OF Copper) — Copper Development Association (2023)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. Gas-atomised pure copper (Cu-OF) AM powder datasheets — AM powder producers (SLM/EOS/Trumpf/Sandvik-class data) (2024)

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.