Overview
C110 Copper, also known as Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper (ETP Copper), is the most widely used commercial copper grade, offering an excellent balance of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, formability, machinability, and cost-effectiveness.
Containing a minimum copper content of 99.90%, C110 provides approximately 100% IACS electrical conductivity, making it the industry standard for electrical and thermal applications.
C110 is widely used in:
- Electrical Busbars
- Power Distribution Systems
- Electrical Connectors
- Heat Exchangers
- Heat Sinks
- Transformer Components
- Roofing Materials
- Industrial Equipment
Because of its high conductivity and widespread availability, C110 is one of the most commonly specified copper grades worldwide.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | C110 Copper |
| UNS Number | C11000 |
| Common Name | Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper (ETP Copper) |
| Standard | ASTM B152 / ASTM B187 |
| Material Family | Pure Copper |
| Density | 8.89 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Non-Magnetic |
| Typical Supply Condition | Annealed, Half-Hard, Hard |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Plate, Bar, Rod, Tube, Wire, Busbar |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu + Ag) | ≥99.90 |
| Oxygen (O) | 0.02–0.04 |
| Silver (Ag) | Trace |
| Total Impurities | ≤0.10 |
The controlled oxygen content improves conductivity and manufacturing efficiency while maintaining excellent mechanical properties.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 210–250 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 65–100 MPa |
| Elongation | 40–50% |
| Hardness | 45–65 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 117 GPa |
Cold Worked Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 300–450 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 250–400 MPa |
| Hardness | 80–130 HB |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.89 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1083°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 390 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 100% IACS |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.0172 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 16.8 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 385 J/kg·K |
Electrical Conductivity
| Material | Conductivity (% IACS) |
|---|---|
| C101 Copper | 101 |
| C102 Copper | 100 |
| C110 Copper | 100 |
| Aluminum 6061 | 40 |
| Brass C360 | 28 |
C110 is considered the industry benchmark for electrical conductivity.
Thermal Conductivity
| Material | Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) |
|---|---|
| C110 Copper | 390 |
| C101 Copper | 390–400 |
| C102 Copper | 385–395 |
| Aluminum 6061 | 167 |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 16 |
The excellent thermal conductivity makes C110 ideal for cooling and heat-transfer applications.
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Excellent |
| Dry Atmosphere | Excellent |
| Fresh Water | Excellent |
| Marine Atmosphere | Good |
| Salt Water | Moderate |
| Industrial Environment | Good |
C110 develops a protective oxide layer that provides excellent long-term corrosion resistance.
Recommended surface treatments:
- Tin Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Silver Plating
- Gold Plating
- Electropolishing
- Clear Coating
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| TIG Welding | Excellent |
| MIG Welding | Excellent |
| Resistance Welding | Excellent |
| Brazing | Outstanding |
| Soldering | Outstanding |
Because of its high conductivity, C110 is widely used in electrical joining applications.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Fair |
| Drilling | Good |
| Grinding | Good |
| Stamping | Excellent |
| Forming | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| C360 Brass | Excellent |
| C110 Copper | Fair |
| C102 Copper | Fair |
| C101 Copper | Fair |
| Aluminum 6061 | Excellent |
Copper’s ductility requires optimized tooling and cutting conditions during machining.
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 |
C110 gains strength through cold working rather than conventional heat treatment.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| UNS (USA) | C11000 |
| ASTM | C110 |
| EN (Europe) | Cu-ETP |
| DIN (Germany) | CW004A |
| JIS (Japan) | C1100 |
| ISO | Cu-ETP |
| GB/T (China) | T2 Copper |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Plate | Yes |
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Flat Bar | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Wire | Yes |
| Busbar | Yes |
| Foil | Yes |
Typical Applications
Electrical Industry
- Busbars
- Electrical Connectors
- Power Distribution Systems
- Switchgear Components
Electronics Industry
- Conductive Components
- Electrical Contacts
- Terminals
- Grounding Systems
Thermal Management
- Heat Sinks
- Cooling Plates
- Heat Exchangers
- Thermal Conductors
Construction Industry
- Roofing Materials
- Architectural Panels
- Decorative Components
Renewable Energy
- Solar Energy Systems
- Energy Storage Equipment
- Battery Components
Industrial Equipment
- Conductive Assemblies
- Electrical Hardware
- Copper Fabrications
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Good |
| Stamping | Outstanding |
| Deep Drawing | Outstanding |
| Welding | Excellent |
| Brazing | Outstanding |
| Soldering | Outstanding |
| Electroplating | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Electrical Conductivity
Industry standard for electrical applications.
Outstanding Thermal Conductivity
Ideal for heat transfer systems.
Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Suitable for indoor and outdoor environments.
Outstanding Formability
Ideal for stamping and forming operations.
Wide Availability
Available globally in numerous forms.
Cost Effective
More economical than oxygen-free copper grades.
Limitations
Contains Oxygen
Not suitable for ultra-high vacuum applications.
Moderate Machinability
More difficult to machine than brass.
Lower Purity Than OF Copper
Less suitable for semiconductor and aerospace applications.
Soft Material
May deform under heavy mechanical loads.
Comparison with Other Copper Grades
| Property | C110 | C102 | C101 | C360 Brass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Purity | 99.90% | 99.95% | 99.99% | 61–63% |
| Conductivity | 100% IACS | 100% IACS | 101% IACS | |
| Oxygen Content | Higher | Very Low | Extremely Low | |
| Vacuum Applications | Limited | Excellent | Outstanding | |
| Cost | Lowest | Higher | Highest |
Comparison with Conductive Materials
| Material | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity |
|---|---|---|
| C110 Copper | 100% IACS | 390 W/m·K |
| C102 Copper | 100% IACS | 385–395 W/m·K |
| C101 Copper | 101% IACS | 390–400 W/m·K |
| Aluminum 6061 | 40% IACS | 167 W/m·K |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 2% IACS | 16 W/m·K |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Mill Finish
- Bright Finish
- Annealed Finish
Functional Finishes
- Precision Machined Finish
- Brushed Finish
- Polished Finish
Conductive Finishes
- Tin Plating
- Silver Plating
- Gold Plating
- Nickel Plating
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is C110 copper?
C110 is electrolytic tough pitch copper containing at least 99.90% copper and offering 100% IACS electrical conductivity.
What is C110 copper used for?
Typical applications include:
- Busbars
- Electrical Connectors
- Power Distribution Equipment
- Heat Sinks
- Heat Exchangers
What is the equivalent material to C110?
Common equivalents include:
- C11000
- Cu-ETP
- CW004A
- T2 Copper
- C1100
What is the difference between C110 and C102?
| Property | C110 | C102 |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen Content | Higher | Lower |
| Vacuum Compatibility | Lower | Better |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Conductivity | Similar | Similar |
What is the difference between C110 and C101?
| Property | C110 | C101 |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | Lower | Higher |
| Conductivity | 100% IACS | 101% IACS |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Semiconductor Applications | Limited | Preferred |
Is C110 suitable for electrical applications?
Yes. C110 is the most widely used copper grade for electrical systems worldwide.
Can C110 be welded?
Yes. C110 offers excellent weldability, brazability, and solderability.
Why is C110 widely used?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Electrical Conductivity
- High Thermal Conductivity
- Good Corrosion Resistance
- Easy Fabrication
- Competitive Cost
Is C110 suitable for vacuum applications?
For general applications, yes. For ultra-high vacuum systems, C101 or C102 are preferred.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for C110 copper?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Busbar Fabrication
- Precision Copper Components
- Stamping
- Surface Plating
- Electrical Component Manufacturing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production