Copper Alloy CuAg0.04
EN CuAg0.04
CuAg0.04 (CR011A) is a tough-pitch copper with a nominal 0.04 % silver addition that raises the softening and recrystallisation temperature while keeping conductivity near that of pure copper.
Reference datasheet — CuAg0.04 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 H04 condition
CuAg0.04 tempers and conditions
CuAg0.04 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. H04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Cast feedstock form (EN 1978/CR011A) for subsequent hot rolling or extrusion — not a service condition. | 60 | 180 | 35 | 42 HB | 99 % IACS |
Soft annealed | Choose for maximum conductivity, deep drawing, tight bending and magnet/enamelled wire drawing stock. | 65 | 225 | 45 | 45 HB | 101 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Mill-finish hot-worked bar, tube and busbar where softness and maximum conductivity matter more than strength. | 75 | 225 | 42 | 45 HB | 100 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold work for strip and rod that must still be bent or formed but need more stiffness than soft temper. | 200 | 260 | 25 | 75 HB | 99 % IACS |
Half hard | Balanced strength/formability for busbar, terminals and commutator risers that see moderate soldering heat. | 250 | 300 | 14 | 90 HB | 98.5 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Low-temperature (≈200–250 °C) treatment that removes drawing stresses while the silver keeps most of the cold-worked strength — used for commutator segments and rotor bars. | 290 | 340 | 10 | 99 HB | 99 % IACS |
H04Default Full hard | Standard stocked condition for silver-copper rod/wire — keeps its cold-worked strength through soldering and 150–250 °C service. | 310 | 360 | 8 | 105 HB | 98 % IACS |
Extra hard | Extra-hard strip/wire where maximum as-drawn strength is needed and little further forming is done. | 345 | 385 | 5 | 112 HB | 97.5 % IACS |
Spring hard | Maximum strength strip/wire for springy contacts and fine wire; almost no residual ductility. | 370 | 410 | 3 | 118 HB | 97 % IACS |
What is CuAg0.04?
CuAg0.04 (CR011A) is a tough-pitch copper with a nominal 0.04 % silver addition that raises the softening and recrystallisation temperature while keeping conductivity near that of pure copper. Engineers pick it in rod, bar and profile form where creep and high-temperature strength matter more than for plain Cu-ETP: 98 % IACS, 385 W/m·K, and in the default hard temper 360 MPa tensile, 310 MPa yield, 8 % elongation, 105 HB / 57 HRB, usable to 220 °C. Being oxygen-bearing it must not be brazed or annealed in hydrogen-rich atmospheres, and machinability is low (score 28); CuAg0.04P is the deoxidised alternative when fusion welding is required. CuAg0.04 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F). CuAg0.04 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 125 GPa (18.1 Msi).
What is CuAg0.04 used for?
- commutator bars
- high-temperature electrical windings
- resistance welding wheels
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 98 % IACS, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 385 W/m·K (222.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
CuAg0.04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for CuAg0.04-H04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
CuAg0.04 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Mechanical13
CuAg0.04 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 125 GPa (18.1 Msi).
Thermal6
CuAg0.04 is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °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 17.1 µm/m·K (9.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CuAg0.04 conducts electricity at 98 % IACS, better than 94% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CuAg0.04 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
CuAg0.04's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. CuAg0.04 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CuAg0.04
Is CuAg0.04 easy to machine?
Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, generous soluble-oil coolant; hard temper machines better than annealed.
Can CuAg0.04 be welded?
Prefer GTAW/GMAW with high preheat and argon-helium shielding or resistance/friction welding; being oxygen-bearing tough pitch it must not be brazed or annealed in hydrogen-rich atmospheres (steam embrittlement).
Can CuAg0.04 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60 (deep drawing, riveting, tight bends); interstage anneals at 400–600 °C, and note the silver raises the recrystallisation temperature so anneals run hotter/longer than for Cu-ETP.
CuAg0.04 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Agsilver addition raising softening temperature; counted in the Cu+Ag total | 0.03 – 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Otough-pitch (oxygen-containing) grade; omit for the Cu-OF based CuAg0.04(OF) variants | 0.01 – 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Bi | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Pkept low to preserve conductivity | ≤ 0 | |
| Other impurities (total)Se+Te+Sb+As+Fe+Ni+Sn+Zn+S etc. | ≤ 0.03 | |
| CuCu + Ag ≥ 99.90 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on CuAg0.04?
Not anodisable — solders and brazes readily, takes tin, silver and nickel plating well; bright-polish then lacquer or allow controlled patina since bare surfaces oxidise/tarnish.
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 CuAg0.04 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CR011A
How much does CuAg0.04 cost?
CuAg0.04 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.
CuAg0.04 — frequently asked
What is CuAg0.04 used for?
CuAg0.04 is typically used for commutator bars, high-temperature electrical windings and resistance welding wheels. In short: softening-resistant tough-pitch copper; near-pure-copper conductivity; hotter service than Cu-ETP.
What is the yield strength of CuAg0.04?
CuAg0.04 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is CuAg0.04 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and low-rated (~20 % of AISI 1212): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, generous soluble-oil coolant; hard temper machines better than annealed.
Can CuAg0.04 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Prefer GTAW/GMAW with high preheat and argon-helium shielding or resistance/friction welding; being oxygen-bearing tough pitch it must not be brazed or annealed in hydrogen-rich atmospheres (steam embrittlement).
What surface finishes work on CuAg0.04?
Not anodisable — solders and brazes readily, takes tin, silver and nickel plating well; bright-polish then lacquer or allow controlled patina since bare surfaces oxidise/tarnish.
Can CuAg0.04 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60 (deep drawing, riveting, tight bends); interstage anneals at 400–600 °C, and note the silver raises the recrystallisation temperature so anneals run hotter/longer than for Cu-ETP.
What is the maximum service temperature of CuAg0.04?
CuAg0.04 is rated for continuous use to about 220°C (428 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between CuAg0.04-H04 and CuAg0.04-M?
H04 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for silver-copper rod/wire — keeps its cold-worked strength through soldering and 150–250 °C service. M: cast feedstock form (EN 1978/CR011A) for subsequent hot rolling or extrusion — not a service condition. Yield strength is 310 MPa in H04 versus 60 MPa in M.
How much does CuAg0.04 cost?
CuAg0.04 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 13601 — Copper and copper alloys: rod, bar and wire for electrical purposes — CEN (2021)
- EN 1977 / EN 1978 — Copper drawing stock and cathodes (CR/CW designations) — CEN (2013)
- ASTM B152/B152M — Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar (C10400/C10500/C10700) — ASTM (2019)
- CDA alloy datasheets C10400 / C10500 / C10700 (silver-bearing tough pitch copper) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- 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; 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.