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Copper Alloy Cu-OF1-O60

Temper

EN CR007A

O60 = soft annealed

Choose for maximum ductility, deep drawing, cold heading, gasket/seal rings and highest conductivity.

High cost $$$$

Values for the O60 condition

Other Cu-OF1 tempers and conditions

Cu-OF1 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Cu-OF1.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Thermomechanically controlled processed
Unwrought oxygen-free cast stock per EN 1976, supplied for subsequent extrusion, rolling or drawing.551703540 HB101 % IACS
Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size
Grain-size-controlled anneal ordered when subsequent deep drawing, spinning or UHV bakeout behaviour must be reproducible.602155240 HB101 % IACS
O60This page
Soft annealed
Choose for maximum ductility, deep drawing, cold heading, gasket/seal rings and highest conductivity.652205042 HB101 % IACS
Quarter hard
Light draw for straight, dimensionally stable rod that still bends and forms without cracking.1802603068 HB100.8 % IACS
Half hard
Best balance of strength, straightness and remaining ductility for machined electrical hardware and busbar terminals.2303002085 HB100.5 % IACS
H04Default
Full hard
Standard stocked condition for straight OF copper rod — highest strength and best machining behaviour of the wrought tempers.3003501295 HB100.2 % IACS

What is Cu-OF1-O60?

Cu-OF1-O60 is Cu-OF1 in the O60 temper — choose for maximum ductility, deep drawing, cold heading, gasket/seal rings and highest conductivity. Cu-OF1-O60 has a yield strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). Cu-OF1-O60 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). H04 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O60 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Conducts heat well — 394 W/m·K (227.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of copper alloy grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 98/100, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 18/100, worse than 100% of copper alloy grades
  • Low strength — 65 MPa (9.43 ksi), worse than 98% of copper alloy grades

Cu-OF1-O60 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Cu-OF1-O60; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Cu-OF1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

Cu-OF1-O60 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-OF1-O60 has a yield strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus117 GPa17 Msi
Shear Modulus46 GPa6.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus140 GPa20.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)220 MPa31.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)65 MPa9.4 ksi
Elongation at Break50%
Reduction in Area75%
Shear Strength150 MPa21.8 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)75 MPa10.9 ksi
Hardness, Brinell42 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B45 HRB
Hardness, Vickers45 HV

Thermal6

Cu-OF1-O60 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 394 W/m·K (227.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity394 W/m·K228 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)250°C482 °F
Min Service Temperature-269°C-452 °F

Electrical3

Cu-OF1-O60 conducts electricity at 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity101 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.672 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.28 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood62/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in fresh and potable water, neutral salts, most organics and non-oxidising atmospheres; attacked by ammonia and amines (stress-corrosion), nitric acid, oxidising acids, sulphur compounds and moist halogens; tarnishes/oxidises in air above ~150 °C.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Cu-OF1-O60 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content10%

Manufacturability8

Cu-OF1-O60's machinability is poor (18/100, worse than 100% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability excellent (98/100).

MachinabilityPoor18/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)18%
WeldabilityVery good72/100
Formability (cold)Excellent98/100
CastabilityGood55/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent95/100
PolishabilityExcellent85/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper is not anodised; use nickel, silver or gold plating, or chromate/BTA tarnish inhibition

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

Working with Cu-OF1-O60

Is Cu-OF1 easy to machine?

Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD, high speed, light-to-moderate feed and generous flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent smearing on UHV sealing faces.

Can Cu-OF1 be welded?

GTAW/EBW/laser weld readily with no risk of hydrogen ('steam') embrittlement, but the very high conductivity needs preheat 200–400 °C, high current and helium-rich shielding on thick sections.

Can Cu-OF1 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in O60 — deep draw, spin, cold head and bend to tight radii; interanneal at 400–600 °C after heavy reduction, and expect softening of hard tempers above ~150 °C.

What surface finishes work on Cu-OF1?

Not anodisable; mirror-polishes and diamond-turns beautifully, and takes electroless/electrolytic Ni, Ag or Au plating — protect bare surfaces with benzotriazole or lacquer against tarnish.

Cu-OF1 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≤5 ppm oxygen — no cuprous oxide network, hydrogen-embrittlement free≤ 5×10⁻⁴3×10⁻⁴
Agcounted within the Cu content≤ 00
Bi≤ 5×10⁻⁴—
Pb≤ 5×10⁻⁴—
S≤ 0—
Se≤ 3×10⁻⁴—
Te≤ 2×10⁻⁴—
Pkept very low to preserve conductivity≤ 3×10⁻⁴—
Fe≤ 0—
Ni≤ 0—
Sn≤ 0—
Zn≤ 0—
total impuritiessum of named impurities excluding Ag and O≤ 0.01—
CuCu incl. Ag, min; oxygen-free refined cathode feed≥ 99.99 (balance)—

Cu-OF1-O60 — frequently asked

What is Cu-OF1-O60 used for?

Cu-OF1-O60 is typically used for vacuum electronic components, high-purity electrical rod and welding electrode stock. In short: tightest-purity oxygen-free copper; no hydrogen embrittlement risk; 100.2 % IACS conductivity.

What is the yield strength of Cu-OF1-O60?

Cu-OF1-O60 has a typical yield strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is Cu-OF1-O60 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (18/100, worse than 100% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD, high speed, light-to-moderate feed and generous flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent smearing on UHV sealing faces.

Can Cu-OF1-O60 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). GTAW/EBW/laser weld readily with no risk of hydrogen ('steam') embrittlement, but the very high conductivity needs preheat 200–400 °C, high current and helium-rich shielding on thick sections.

What surface finishes work on Cu-OF1-O60?

Not anodisable; mirror-polishes and diamond-turns beautifully, and takes electroless/electrolytic Ni, Ag or Au plating — protect bare surfaces with benzotriazole or lacquer against tarnish.

Can Cu-OF1-O60 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in O60 — deep draw, spin, cold head and bend to tight radii; interanneal at 400–600 °C after heavy reduction, and expect softening of hard tempers above ~150 °C.

What is the maximum service temperature of Cu-OF1-O60?

Cu-OF1-O60 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-OF1-H04 and Cu-OF1-M?

H04 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for straight OF copper rod — highest strength and best machining behaviour of the wrought tempers. M: unwrought oxygen-free cast stock per EN 1976, supplied for subsequent extrusion, rolling or drawing. Yield strength is 300 MPa in H04 versus 55 MPa in M.

Sources

  1. EN 1976 — Copper and copper alloys: cast unwrought copper products — CEN (2012)
  2. EN 13601 — Copper rod, bar and wire for general electrical purposes — CEN (2021)
  3. EN 1173 — Material condition (temper) designations — CEN (2008)
  4. ASTM B170 — Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper Refinery Shapes — ASTM (2019)
  5. C10100 / C10200 alloy datasheets — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
  6. 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.