Copper Alloy TU2
GB TU2 · UNS C10200, C12200 · JIS C1020
TU2 is an oxygen-free copper of minimum 99.95 % Cu, equivalent to C10200 / C1020, positioned between tough-pitch T2 and electronic-grade TU1.
Reference datasheet — TU2 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
TU2 tempers and conditions
TU2 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. M is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDefault Thermomechanically controlled processed | Default stock condition: maximum conductivity and ductility for deep drawing, gaskets, vacuum parts, ACR tube and busbar bending. | 70 | 230 | 45 | 42 HB | 101 % IACS |
Light drawn tube | Semi-flexible drawn tube for refrigeration/medical-gas lines that must still be bent but hold shape. | 190 | 250 | 25 | 70 HB | 100 % IACS |
quarter hard, cold worked ~11 % | Light cold work for stiffer sheet/strip that still bends and forms; used for stamped terminals and shielding. | 195 | 260 | 30 | 70 HB | 100 % IACS |
half hard | Common compromise temper for bar, strip and busbar needing handling stiffness with moderate bendability. | 225 | 285 | 16 | 85 HB | 99 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Rigid drawn tube for pressure lines, waveguide and vacuum plumbing where straightness and pressure rating matter. | 275 | 315 | 10 | 95 HB | 98 % IACS |
hard drawn / hard rolled | Choose for straight rod, machined electrodes, commutator bars and busbar where strength and dimensional stability outrank formability. | 290 | 330 | 8 | 100 HB | 98 % IACS |
extra hard | Heavily cold-worked strip/rod for maximum strength copper contacts and springy clips where forming is minimal. | 320 | 355 | 5 | 105 HB | 97 % IACS |
Spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for conductive springs, gaskets and RF finger stock; almost no forming reserve. | 350 | 390 | 4 | 115 HB | 97 % IACS |
What is TU2?
TU2 is an oxygen-free copper of minimum 99.95 % Cu, equivalent to C10200 / C1020, positioned between tough-pitch T2 and electronic-grade TU1. It offers 101 % IACS, 391 W/m·K, 70 MPa yield, 230 MPa tensile, 45 % elongation and 42 HB in the M temper, is rated to about 250 °C, and is widely stocked as tube, rod, strip and cable material in M through T and H tempers. Freedom from oxygen gives a weldability score of 70 and no hydrogen embrittlement, but machinability is poor (score 20) and the grade costs more than T2. Specify TU1 only when electronic-grade purity is required. TU2 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). TU2 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 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
What is TU2 used for?
- refrigeration tubing
- bus conductors
- vacuum parts
- welding cable
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 391 W/m·K (225.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
TU2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for TU2-M; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
TU2 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).
Mechanical12
TU2 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 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
Thermal6
TU2 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 391 W/m·K (225.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
TU2 conducts electricity at 101 % IACS, better than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TU2 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability7
TU2's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); 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. TU2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TU2
Is TU2 easy to machine?
Gummy and stringy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, generous coolant, and prefer half-hard/hard temper to reduce burring.
Can TU2 be welded?
GTAW/EBW/laser and friction welding all work well; oxygen-free chemistry avoids hydrogen embrittlement, but preheat 200–500 °C and high heat input are needed because of 390 W/m·K conductivity.
Can TU2 be formed, bent or molded?
In M temper it deep-draws, spins and cold-heads readily with no intermediate cracking; interstage anneal at 375–650 °C after ~60 % reduction.
TU2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ooxygen ceiling that defines the OF grade | ≤ 0 | 0 |
| P | ≤ 0 | |
| Bi | ≤ 0 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0 | |
| As | ≤ 0 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0 | |
| S | ≤ 0 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0 | |
| CuCu + Ag, oxygen-free; total impurities ≤ 0.05 % | ≥ 99.95 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on TU2?
Not anodisable — electroplate Ni/Ag/Sn or Au for contacts, or use chemical blackening/clear lacquer; takes a bright mirror polish but tarnishes without a coating.
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 TU2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does TU2 cost?
TU2 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.
TU2 — frequently asked
What is TU2 used for?
TU2 is typically used for refrigeration tubing, bus conductors, vacuum parts and welding cable. In short: standard oxygen-free copper; weldable without embrittlement; refrigeration tube grade.
What is the yield strength of TU2?
TU2 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 8 listed tempers.
Is TU2 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and stringy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, generous coolant, and prefer half-hard/hard temper to reduce burring.
Can TU2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW/EBW/laser and friction welding all work well; oxygen-free chemistry avoids hydrogen embrittlement, but preheat 200–500 °C and high heat input are needed because of 390 W/m·K conductivity.
What surface finishes work on TU2?
Not anodisable — electroplate Ni/Ag/Sn or Au for contacts, or use chemical blackening/clear lacquer; takes a bright mirror polish but tarnishes without a coating.
Can TU2 be formed, bent or molded?
In M temper it deep-draws, spins and cold-heads readily with no intermediate cracking; interstage anneal at 375–650 °C after ~60 % reduction.
What is the maximum service temperature of TU2?
TU2 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between TU2-M and TU2-H08?
M is the default condition — default stock condition: maximum conductivity and ductility for deep drawing, gaskets, vacuum parts, ACR tube and busbar bending. H08: maximum cold-worked strength for conductive springs, gaskets and RF finger stock; almost no forming reserve. Yield strength is 70 MPa in M versus 350 MPa in H08.
How much does TU2 cost?
TU2 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 B170 Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper — Refinery Shapes — ASTM (2019)
- ASTM B152/B152M Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM (2019)
- ASTM B75/B68 Seamless Copper Tube — ASTM (2020)
- C10200 Oxygen-Free Copper alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of 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.