Copper Alloy T3
GB T3 · ASTM B152 · EN CW004A, Cu-ETP · JIS C1100
T3 is a lower-purity commercial tough-pitch copper in the C11000 / Cu-ETP group, intended for general fabrication rather than premium conductivity duty.
Reference datasheet — T3 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 M condition
T3 tempers and conditions
T3 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. M 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Choose hot-rolled plate above 10 mm for the lowest cost per kg in soft, weldable heavy sections; the surface carries light scale and yield is only 65 MPa at 96% IACS. | 65 | 215 | 40 | 45 HB | 96 % IACS |
MDefault Thermomechanically controlled processed | Default stock condition for sheet, strip, tube and gaskets — maximum ductility for deep drawing, bending and forming. | 70 | 230 | 45 | 45 HB | 97 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold reduction — better flatness and edge quality than M while still bendable to tight radii. | 195 | 265 | 25 | 65 HB | 96 % IACS |
Half hard | Best balance of strength and workability for machined parts, busbar-style brackets and moderate bending. | 245 | 300 | 14 | 80 HB | 96 % IACS |
Hard | Standard condition for drawn rod, bar and hard sheet where stiffness, straightness and machinability matter more than bending. | 305 | 350 | 8 | 100 HB | 95 % IACS |
Extra hard | Heavily cold-rolled strip/sheet for springy contacts, shims and flat parts that must stay stiff; almost no bending capability. | 350 | 385 | 3 | 110 HB | 94 % IACS |
What is T3?
T3 is a lower-purity commercial tough-pitch copper in the C11000 / Cu-ETP group, intended for general fabrication rather than premium conductivity duty. It still delivers 97 % IACS and 385 W/m·K with 70 MPa yield, 230 MPa tensile, 45 % elongation and 45 HB in the soft temper, and is stocked as sheet, strip, rod and wire in M through T tempers for stamping and riveting work. Conductivity, weldability (score 45) and machinability (score 25) are all below oxygen-free grades, and service is limited to about 200 °C with a risk of hydrogen embrittlement in reducing atmospheres. Choose T2 for electrical duty or TU2 where welding and vacuum tightness matter. T3 has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F). T3 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is T3 used for?
- rivets
- washers
- hardware fittings
- general stamped parts
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, 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
- High electrical conductivity — 97 % IACS, better than 92% 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
T3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for T3-M; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
T3 has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Mechanical12
T3 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
T3 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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
T3 conducts electricity at 97 % IACS, better than 92% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of T3 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
T3's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability excellent (95/100).
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. T3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with T3
Is T3 easy to machine?
Gummy and long-chipping — use sharp positive-rake, polished-flute tools, high speed, low feed and generous emulsion; Y/Y2 tempers cut far better than M.
Can T3 be welded?
TIG/MIG with pure-Ar/He and high preheat works but oxygen content risks hydrogen embrittlement — avoid reducing atmospheres above ~400 °C; brazing/soldering is the preferred joining route.
Can T3 be formed, bent or molded?
M temper deep-draws, spins and bends superbly (bend radius ≈ 0 t); interstage anneal at 400–600 °C to restore ductility after ~50 % cold work.
T3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Otypical for tough-pitch T3, not always specified | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Bi | ≤ 0 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.01 | |
| As | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.05 | |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | |
| total impuritiessum of all impurities per GB/T 5231 | ≤ 0.3 | |
| CuCu + Ag, balance; oxygen-bearing (tough pitch) | ≥ 99.7 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on T3?
Not anodizable — mechanically polish then lacquer, or electroplate Ni/Sn/Ag/Cr; chemical patination (black/green) is common for decorative parts.
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 T3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does T3 cost?
T3 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.
T3 — frequently asked
What is T3 used for?
T3 is typically used for rivets, washers, hardware fittings and general stamped parts. In short: economical general-purpose copper; excellent stamping formability; lower-purity tough-pitch grade.
What is the yield strength of T3?
T3 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 93% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is T3 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, low feed and generous emulsion; Y/Y2 tempers cut far better than M.
Can T3 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). TIG/MIG with pure-Ar/He and high preheat works but oxygen content risks hydrogen embrittlement — avoid reducing atmospheres above ~400 °C; brazing/soldering is the preferred joining route.
What surface finishes work on T3?
Not anodizable — mechanically polish then lacquer, or electroplate Ni/Sn/Ag/Cr; chemical patination (black/green) is common for decorative parts.
Can T3 be formed, bent or molded?
M temper deep-draws, spins and bends superbly (bend radius ≈ 0 t); interstage anneal at 400–600 °C to restore ductility after ~50 % cold work.
What is the maximum service temperature of T3?
T3 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 T3-M and T3-T?
M is the default condition — default stock condition for sheet, strip, tube and gaskets — maximum ductility for deep drawing, bending and forming. T: heavily cold-rolled strip/sheet for springy contacts, shims and flat parts that must stay stiff; almost no bending capability. Yield strength is 70 MPa in M versus 350 MPa in T.
How much does T3 cost?
T3 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
- ASTM B152/B152M Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA alloy datasheet C11000 (ETP copper) — 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.