Copper Alloy Cu-PHCE
EN CR022A
Cu-PHCE (CR022A) is an electronic-grade low-phosphorus deoxidized copper rod with tighter impurity control than standard Cu-HCP, reaching 100 % IACS conductivity and 390 W/m·K.
Reference datasheet — Cu-PHCE 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 R220 condition
Cu-PHCE tempers and conditions
Cu-PHCE is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. R220 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Feedstock condition of CR022A cast refined copper before extrusion/drawing; use when buying billet or cake for onward hot working. | 55 | 210 | 38 | 42 HB | 100 % IACS |
R220Default R220 / O60 | Most stocked condition — maximum conductivity and ductility for bending, upsetting, brazing and welded conductor work. | 70 | 225 | 45 | 45 HB | 100 % IACS |
R240 / H040 | Straight, dimensionally accurate rod with modest strength gain while still bendable — general machined connector parts. | 180 | 255 | 25 | 75 HB | 99 % IACS |
R250 / H065 | Standard half-hard bar for busbar terminals, screw-machine parts and contact carriers needing rigidity plus full conductivity. | 230 | 275 | 15 | 90 HB | 98.5 % IACS |
R290 / H090 | Hard-drawn rod/bar for load-carrying conductors, commutator bars and parts that must resist deformation under clamping. | 285 | 320 | 8 | 105 HB | 98 % IACS |
H110 / R360 | Heavily drawn small sections where tensile strength and springback matter more than bendability. | 340 | 380 | 3 | 118 HB | 97.5 % IACS |
What is Cu-PHCE?
Cu-PHCE (CR022A) is an electronic-grade low-phosphorus deoxidized copper rod with tighter impurity control than standard Cu-HCP, reaching 100 % IACS conductivity and 390 W/m·K. Engineers select it for weldable and brazeable conductor parts drawn or machined from rod, with 225 MPa tensile strength, 70 MPa yield, 45 % elongation and 45 HB in the annealed condition, plus formability scored at 98 and weldability at 88. Limits are a machinability score of 25 and a service ceiling near 200 °C; Cu-HCP is the lower-cost substitute when electronic-grade purity is not required. Cu-PHCE 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). Cu-PHCE has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 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-PHCE used for?
- electronic connector rod stock
- brazed electronic housings
- precision conductor parts
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 98/100, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 390 W/m·K (225.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 100 % IACS, better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% 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-PHCE properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cu-PHCE-R220; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
Cu-PHCE 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-PHCE has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
Cu-PHCE is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 390 W/m·K (225.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Cu-PHCE conducts electricity at 100 % IACS, better than 96% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Cu-PHCE takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
Cu-PHCE's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability excellent (98/100).
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-PHCE is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Cu-PHCE
Is Cu-PHCE easy to machine?
Gummy and long-chipping — use sharp positive-rake, polished-flute tools, high speed with generous coolant; expect ~20 % of AISI 1212 rate and add free-machining alternatives (C14500/C36000) if volume machining dominates.
Can Cu-PHCE be welded?
Excellent for GTAW/GMAW, resistance and laser welding: phosphorus deoxidation removes hydrogen-embrittlement risk of ETP copper, but preheat 200–500 °C on thick sections because of the very high thermal conductivity.
Can Cu-PHCE be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in the annealed condition (deep drawing, upsetting, heavy bending); anneal 400–600 °C between heavy passes and expect rapid work-hardening in the hard tempers.
Cu-PHCE 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pdeliberate deoxidiser — kept low to preserve conductivity | 0 – 0.01 | 0 |
| Oessentially oxygen-free after P deoxidation; no hydrogen embrittlement | ≤ 0 | |
| Bielectronic-grade impurity limit | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0 | |
| As | ≤ 0 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0 | |
| S | ≤ 0 | |
| Agcounted with Cu | ≤ 0 | |
| CuCu + Ag, remainder; P included in the 99.95 % minimum per EN 1976 | ≥ 99.95 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on Cu-PHCE?
Not anodisable; takes tin, silver, nickel and gold plating readily, mirror-polishes well, and needs BTA/lacquer or plating to prevent oxide and sulphide tarnish in service.
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-PHCE in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CR022A
How much does Cu-PHCE cost?
Cu-PHCE 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-PHCE — frequently asked
What is Cu-PHCE used for?
Cu-PHCE is typically used for electronic connector rod stock, brazed electronic housings and precision conductor parts. In short: electronic-grade deoxidized copper; 100 % IACS conductivity; top-rated cold formability.
What is the yield strength of Cu-PHCE?
Cu-PHCE has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Cu-PHCE easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and long-chipping — use sharp positive-rake, polished-flute tools, high speed with generous coolant; expect ~20 % of AISI 1212 rate and add free-machining alternatives (C14500/C36000) if volume machining dominates.
Can Cu-PHCE be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent for GTAW/GMAW, resistance and laser welding: phosphorus deoxidation removes hydrogen-embrittlement risk of ETP copper, but preheat 200–500 °C on thick sections because of the very high thermal conductivity.
What surface finishes work on Cu-PHCE?
Not anodisable; takes tin, silver, nickel and gold plating readily, mirror-polishes well, and needs BTA/lacquer or plating to prevent oxide and sulphide tarnish in service.
Can Cu-PHCE be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in the annealed condition (deep drawing, upsetting, heavy bending); anneal 400–600 °C between heavy passes and expect rapid work-hardening in the hard tempers.
What is the maximum service temperature of Cu-PHCE?
Cu-PHCE 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-PHCE-R220 and Cu-PHCE-H110?
R220 is the default condition — most stocked condition — maximum conductivity and ductility for bending, upsetting, brazing and welded conductor work. H110: heavily drawn small sections where tensile strength and springback matter more than bendability. Yield strength is 70 MPa in R220 versus 340 MPa in H110.
How much does Cu-PHCE cost?
Cu-PHCE 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 1976 — Copper and copper alloys: cast unwrought copper products — CEN (2012)
- EN 13601 — Copper rod, bar and wire for general electrical purposes — CEN (2021)
- EN 1412 — Copper and copper alloys, European numbering system — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (Copper) — ASM International (1990)
- CDA / copper.org unalloyed copper property tables — Copper Development Association (2023)
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.