Overview
C101 Copper, also known as Oxygen-Free Electronic Copper (OFE Copper), is a high-purity copper alloy containing a minimum of 99.99% copper with extremely low oxygen content. It is renowned for its exceptional electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, ductility, weldability, corrosion resistance, and vacuum compatibility.
C101 copper is widely used in industries requiring the highest electrical and thermal performance, including electronics, aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, power transmission, and vacuum systems.
C101 is widely used in:
- Electrical Connectors
- Busbars
- Semiconductor Components
- RF & Microwave Components
- Vacuum Chambers
- Heat Sinks
- Power Distribution Systems
- Aerospace Electronics
Compared with C110 copper, C101 offers higher purity and superior conductivity, making it the preferred choice for critical electrical applications.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | C101 Copper |
| UNS Number | C10100 |
| Common Name | Oxygen-Free Electronic Copper (OFE) |
| Standard | ASTM B152 / ASTM B170 |
| Material Family | Pure Copper |
| Density | 8.94 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Non-Magnetic |
| Typical Supply Condition | Annealed, Half-Hard, Hard |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Plate, Rod, Bar, Tube, Wire |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | ≥99.99 |
| Oxygen (O) | ≤0.0005 |
| Silver (Ag) | Trace |
| Total Impurities | ≤0.01 |
The extremely low oxygen content minimizes hydrogen embrittlement and enhances vacuum performance.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 200–250 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 50–80 MPa |
| Elongation | 40–50% |
| Hardness | 40–60 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 117 GPa |
Cold Worked Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 300–420 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 250–380 MPa |
| Hardness | 80–120 HB |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.94 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1083°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 390–400 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 101% IACS |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.0171 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 16.5 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 385 J/kg·K |
Electrical Conductivity
| Material | Conductivity (% IACS) |
|---|---|
| C101 Copper | 101 |
| C110 Copper | 100 |
| C102 Copper | 100 |
| Aluminum 6061 | 40 |
| Brass C360 | 28 |
C101 offers some of the highest electrical conductivity available among commercial metals.
Thermal Conductivity
| Material | Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) |
|---|---|
| C101 Copper | 390–400 |
| C110 Copper | 390 |
| Aluminum 6061 | 167 |
| Brass C360 | 120 |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 16 |
This makes C101 ideal for thermal management applications.
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Excellent |
| Dry Atmosphere | Excellent |
| Fresh Water | Excellent |
| Marine Atmosphere | Good |
| Salt Water | Moderate |
| Industrial Environment | Good |
C101 develops a protective oxide layer that provides excellent long-term corrosion resistance.
Recommended surface treatments:
- Silver Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Gold Plating
- Tin Plating
- Electropolishing
- Passivation
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| TIG Welding | Excellent |
| MIG Welding | Excellent |
| Resistance Welding | Excellent |
| Brazing | Outstanding |
| Soldering | Outstanding |
C101 is highly suitable for precision electrical joining operations.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Fair |
| Drilling | Good |
| Grinding | Good |
| Stamping | Excellent |
| Forming | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| C360 Brass | Excellent |
| C101 Copper | Fair |
| C110 Copper | Fair |
| Aluminum 6061 | Excellent |
| Stainless Steel 304 | Moderate |
Copper’s softness and tendency to form built-up edges require sharp tooling and proper cutting parameters.
Heat Treatment
Stress Relief Annealing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 200–300°C |
| Cooling Method | Air Cool |
Full Annealing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 400–650°C |
| Cooling Method | Air Cool |
Heat Treatability
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Hardening by Heat Treatment | No |
| Cold Work Strengthening | Yes |
| Annealing Response | Excellent |
C101 cannot be hardened by conventional heat treatment but can be strengthened through cold working.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| UNS (USA) | C10100 |
| ASTM | C101 |
| EN (Europe) | Cu-OFE |
| DIN (Germany) | CW009A |
| JIS (Japan) | C1011 |
| ISO | Cu-OFE |
| GB/T (China) | TU1 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Plate | Yes |
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Flat Bar | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Wire | Yes |
| Foil | Yes |
| Busbar | Yes |
Typical Applications
Electrical Industry
- Busbars
- Electrical Connectors
- Power Distribution Components
- Grounding Systems
Electronics Industry
- Semiconductor Components
- RF Components
- Microwave Devices
- Electrical Contacts
Aerospace Industry
- Vacuum Electronics
- Satellite Components
- High-Reliability Electrical Systems
Thermal Management
- Heat Sinks
- Heat Spreaders
- Cooling Plates
- Thermal Interfaces
Vacuum Technology
- Vacuum Chambers
- Particle Accelerators
- Scientific Equipment
Medical Equipment
- Imaging Equipment
- Electrical Systems
- Precision Instrumentation
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Good |
| Stamping | Outstanding |
| Deep Drawing | Outstanding |
| Welding | Excellent |
| Brazing | Outstanding |
| Soldering | Outstanding |
| Electroplating | Excellent |
Advantages
Exceptional Electrical Conductivity
Among the highest conductivity of all commercial metals.
Outstanding Thermal Conductivity
Ideal for heat transfer applications.
Extremely High Purity
99.99% copper content minimizes contamination.
Excellent Vacuum Performance
Preferred material for vacuum systems.
Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Long-term durability in many environments.
Outstanding Formability
Suitable for complex forming operations.
Limitations
Lower Strength Than Alloyed Copper
Pure copper sacrifices strength for conductivity.
Moderate Machinability
More difficult to machine than brass.
Higher Material Cost
More expensive than C110 copper.
Soft Material
Can deform under high mechanical loads.
Comparison with Other Copper Grades
| Property | C101 | C102 | C110 | C360 Brass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Purity | 99.99% | 99.95% | 99.90% | 61–63% |
| Electrical Conductivity | 101% IACS | 100% IACS | 100% IACS | 28% IACS |
| Thermal Conductivity | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Machinability | Fair | Fair | Fair | Excellent |
| Cost | Higher | High | Moderate | Moderate |
Comparison with Conductive Materials
| Material | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity |
|---|---|---|
| C101 Copper | 101% IACS | 390–400 W/m·K |
| C110 Copper | 100% IACS | 390 W/m·K |
| Aluminum 6061 | 40% IACS | 167 W/m·K |
| Brass C360 | 28% IACS | 120 W/m·K |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 2% IACS | 16 W/m·K |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Mill Finish
- Annealed Finish
- Bright Finish
Functional Finishes
- Precision Machined Finish
- Polished Finish
- Electropolished Finish
Conductive Finishes
- Silver Plating
- Gold Plating
- Tin Plating
- Nickel Plating
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is C101 copper?
C101 is an oxygen-free electronic copper alloy containing at least 99.99% copper and extremely low oxygen content.
What is C101 copper used for?
Typical applications include:
- Busbars
- Electrical Connectors
- Semiconductor Components
- Heat Sinks
- Vacuum Equipment
What is the equivalent material to C101?
Common equivalents include:
- C10100
- Cu-OFE
- CW009A
- TU1
What is the difference between C101 and C110?
| Property | C101 | C110 |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | Higher | Lower |
| Conductivity | Slightly Higher | Excellent |
| Oxygen Content | Extremely Low | Higher |
| Vacuum Applications | Preferred | Limited |
Is C101 suitable for vacuum systems?
Yes. C101 is widely used in vacuum chambers, accelerators, and semiconductor equipment.
Can C101 be welded?
Yes. C101 has excellent weldability, brazability, and solderability.
Why is C101 used in electronics?
Because it provides:
- Maximum Electrical Conductivity
- High Thermal Conductivity
- Low Impurity Levels
- Excellent Reliability
Is C101 better than C110?
For critical electrical and vacuum applications, yes. For general electrical applications, C110 is often more economical.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for C101 copper?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Precision Turning
- Busbar Fabrication
- Electrical Component Manufacturing
- Surface Plating
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production