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Copper Alloy Cu-PHCE-R240

Supply condition

EN CR022A

R240 = r240 / H040

Straight, dimensionally accurate rod with modest strength gain while still bendable — general machined connector parts.

High cost $$$$

Values for the R240 condition

Other Cu-PHCE tempers and conditions

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

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Thermomechanically controlled processed
Feedstock condition of CR022A cast refined copper before extrusion/drawing; use when buying billet or cake for onward hot working.552103842 HB100 % IACS
R220Default
R220 / O60
Most stocked condition — maximum conductivity and ductility for bending, upsetting, brazing and welded conductor work.702254545 HB100 % IACS
R240This page
R240 / H040
Straight, dimensionally accurate rod with modest strength gain while still bendable — general machined connector parts.1802552575 HB99 % IACS
R250 / H065
Standard half-hard bar for busbar terminals, screw-machine parts and contact carriers needing rigidity plus full conductivity.2302751590 HB98.5 % IACS
R290 / H090
Hard-drawn rod/bar for load-carrying conductors, commutator bars and parts that must resist deformation under clamping.2853208105 HB98 % IACS
H110 / R360
Heavily drawn small sections where tensile strength and springback matter more than bendability.3403803118 HB97.5 % IACS

What is Cu-PHCE-R240?

Cu-PHCE-R240 is Cu-PHCE supplied in the R240 condition — straight, dimensionally accurate rod with modest strength gain while still bendable — general machined connector parts. Cu-PHCE-R240 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 59% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). Cu-PHCE-R240 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). R220 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; R240 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Readily welded — 88/100, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
  • Conducts heat well — 388 W/m·K (224.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 99 % IACS, better than 95% of copper alloy grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 83% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 100% of copper alloy grades

Cu-PHCE-R240 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Cu-PHCE-R240; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Cu-PHCE reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

Cu-PHCE-R240 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-PHCE-R240 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 59% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus117 GPa17 Msi
Shear Modulus44 GPa6.4 Msi
Bulk Modulus140 GPa20.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)255 MPa37 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)180 MPa26.1 ksi
Elongation at Break25%
Reduction in Area75%
Shear Strength170 MPa24.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)70 MPa10.2 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)60 J44.3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell75 HB
Hardness, Vickers80 HV

Thermal6

Cu-PHCE-R240 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 388 W/m·K (224.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.7 µm/m·K (9.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity388 W/m·K224 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)120°C248 °F
Min Service Temperature-269°C-452 °F

Electrical3

Cu-PHCE-R240 conducts electricity at 99 % IACS, better than 95% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity99 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.72×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.677 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

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

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.25 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood55/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh/sea water, neutral salts, non-oxidising acids and most organics; attacked by ammonia/amines, oxidising acids (HNO₃), sulphides and mercury compounds; tarnishes in humid sulphur atmospheres.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Cu-PHCE-R240 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%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.8 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability8

Cu-PHCE-R240's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability very good (80/100).

MachinabilityPoor32/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityExcellent88/100
Formability (cold)Very good80/100
CastabilityVery good70/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent96/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper is not anodised; use tin, silver or nickel plating, or chromate/BTA tarnish inhibitors

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

Working with Cu-PHCE-R240

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Pdeliberate deoxidiser — kept low to preserve conductivity0 – 0.010
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)—

Cu-PHCE-R240 — frequently asked

What is Cu-PHCE-R240 used for?

Cu-PHCE-R240 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-R240?

Cu-PHCE-R240 has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 59% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is Cu-PHCE-R240 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 57% 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-R240 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-R240?

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-R240 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-R240?

Cu-PHCE-R240 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-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.

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 1412 — Copper and copper alloys, European numbering system — CEN (2016)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (Copper) — ASM International (1990)
  5. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.