Copper Alloy Cu-PHC-R290
Supply condition
EN CR020A
R290 = r290 / H110
Choose for hard-drawn wire/rod in overhead conductors and spring-loaded contacts with limited forming.
Values for the R290 condition
Other Cu-PHC tempers and conditions
Cu-PHC is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at Cu-PHC.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Pick for cast wire bar, cake, billet or continuous-cast rod feedstock to be further worked. | 55 | 170 | 35 | 40 HB | 100.5 % IACS |
R200Default R200 / O60 | Default stock condition: maximum ductility and conductivity for deep drawing, bending, spinning and welded assemblies. | 70 | 220 | 45 | 45 HB | 101 % IACS |
R220 / H065 | Use when soft copper is too limp for handling but substantial bending/forming is still required. | 160 | 235 | 30 | 65 HB | 100 % IACS |
R240 / H075 | General-purpose semi-hard rod/bar for busbar connectors and machined electrical parts needing some stiffness. | 200 | 260 | 20 | 78 HB | 99.5 % IACS |
R250 / H090 | Hard drawn rod/bar where straightness and higher proof stress matter more than bending ability. | 230 | 280 | 14 | 92 HB | 99 % IACS |
R290This page R290 / H110 | Choose for hard-drawn wire/rod in overhead conductors and spring-loaded contacts with limited forming. | 265 | 310 | 9 | 105 HB | 98.5 % IACS |
Cold worked, Rm ≥ 300 MPa | Specify when a guaranteed 300 MPa minimum tensile is contractually required in drawn rod or profile. | 275 | 325 | 8 | 108 HB | 98 % IACS |
Severely cold drawn | Maximum-strength drawn wire/small rod for springy contacts; almost no residual formability and lowest conductivity. | 335 | 380 | 4 | 65 HRB | 97.5 % IACS |
What is Cu-PHC-R290?
Cu-PHC-R290 is Cu-PHC supplied in the R290 condition — choose for hard-drawn wire/rod in overhead conductors and spring-loaded contacts with limited forming. Cu-PHC-R290 has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 55% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi). Cu-PHC-R290 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). R200 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; R290 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 98.5 % IACS, better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 385 W/m·K (222.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 78/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 9%, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
Cu-PHC-R290 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cu-PHC-R290; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Cu-PHC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
Cu-PHC-R290 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).
Mechanical13
Cu-PHC-R290 has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 55% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
Thermal6
Cu-PHC-R290 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °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 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Cu-PHC-R290 conducts electricity at 98.5 % IACS, better than 95% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Cu-PHC-R290 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
Cu-PHC-R290's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Cu-PHC-R290
Is Cu-PHC easy to machine?
Gummy and low-rated (~20% of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and generous soluble-oil coolant, or specify a leaded/tellurium copper when heavy machining is needed.
Can Cu-PHC be welded?
Excellent for TIG/MIG/resistance and electron-beam welding — being deoxidised it is immune to hydrogen embrittlement, but the very high thermal conductivity demands 250–500 °C preheat on sections above ~3 mm.
Can Cu-PHC be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in R200: deep draws, tight bends and spinning are routine; interstage anneal at 400–600 °C when cold work exceeds roughly 60%.
What surface finishes work on Cu-PHC?
Not anodisable; readily electroplated with Ni/Ag/Sn or chemically blackened, takes a high mirror polish, and needs lacquer or Sn plating to avoid tarnish in service.
Cu-PHC 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pcontrolled deoxidising residual | 0 – 0.01 | 0 |
| Agincluded in the Cu minimum | — | — |
| Bi | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Oessentially oxygen-free after P deoxidation | ≤ 0 | — |
| CuCu + Ag, phosphorus not counted in the copper content | ≥ 99.95 (balance) | — |
Cu-PHC-R290 — frequently asked
What is Cu-PHC-R290 used for?
Cu-PHC-R290 is typically used for brazed electronic assemblies, heat exchanger stock and welded electrical components. In short: weld-friendly oxygen-free copper; 101 % IACS with 391 W/m·K; formability score 98.
What is the yield strength of Cu-PHC-R290?
Cu-PHC-R290 has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 55% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is Cu-PHC-R290 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and low-rated (~20% of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and generous soluble-oil coolant, or specify a leaded/tellurium copper when heavy machining is needed.
Can Cu-PHC-R290 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Excellent for TIG/MIG/resistance and electron-beam welding — being deoxidised it is immune to hydrogen embrittlement, but the very high thermal conductivity demands 250–500 °C preheat on sections above ~3 mm.
What surface finishes work on Cu-PHC-R290?
Not anodisable; readily electroplated with Ni/Ag/Sn or chemically blackened, takes a high mirror polish, and needs lacquer or Sn plating to avoid tarnish in service.
Can Cu-PHC-R290 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in R200: deep draws, tight bends and spinning are routine; interstage anneal at 400–600 °C when cold work exceeds roughly 60%.
What is the maximum service temperature of Cu-PHC-R290?
Cu-PHC-R290 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Cu-PHC-R200 and Cu-PHC-R360?
R200 is the default condition — default stock condition: maximum ductility and conductivity for deep drawing, bending, spinning and welded assemblies. R360: maximum-strength drawn wire/small rod for springy contacts; almost no residual formability and lowest conductivity. Yield strength is 70 MPa in R200 versus 335 MPa in R360.
Sources
- EN 1977 — Copper and copper alloys: copper drawing stock (wire rod) — CEN (2013)
- EN 1978 — Copper cathodes / EN 1976 cast unwrought copper products — CEN (1998)
- EN 13601 — Copper rod, bar and wire for general electrical purposes — CEN (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA / copper.org high-conductivity copper alloy data — Copper Development Association (2023)
- DKI Informationsdruck i.8 — Kupfer-Werkstoffe (Cu-HCP/Cu-PHC) — Deutsches Kupferinstitut (2019)
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.