Overview
T2 Copper is the most widely used industrial pure copper grade in China, equivalent to C11000 (ETP Copper) under ASTM standards and Cu-ETP under European standards. It is renowned for its excellent combination of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, ductility, formability, and economic value.
T2 copper contains a minimum copper content of 99.90%, providing approximately 100% IACS electrical conductivity, making it the preferred material for electrical, electronic, thermal, and industrial applications.
T2 is widely used in:
- Electrical Busbars
- Transformer Components
- Power Distribution Equipment
- Electrical Connectors
- Heat Exchangers
- Heat Sinks
- Copper Plates
- Industrial Conductive Parts
Because of its outstanding conductivity and broad availability, T2 copper remains one of the most commonly specified copper materials worldwide.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | T2 Copper |
| Chinese Standard | GB/T 5231 |
| Material Family | Pure Copper |
| Copper Purity | ≥99.90% |
| 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 + Silver (Cu+Ag) | ≥99.90 |
| Bismuth (Bi) | ≤0.001 |
| Antimony (Sb) | ≤0.002 |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤0.002 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤0.005 |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤0.005 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.005 |
| Oxygen (O) | 0.02–0.04 |
The controlled oxygen content contributes to excellent conductivity and cost-effective manufacturing.
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) |
|---|---|
| T1 Copper | 100+ |
| T2 Copper | 100 |
| C110 Copper | 100 |
| Aluminum 6061 | 40 |
| Brass C360 | 28 |
T2 is the benchmark material for electrical conductivity in industrial applications.
Thermal Conductivity
| Material | Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) |
|---|---|
| T2 Copper | 390 |
| T1 Copper | 385–395 |
| C110 Copper | 390 |
| Aluminum 6061 | 167 |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 16 |
The excellent thermal conductivity makes T2 ideal for heat transfer and cooling applications.
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Excellent |
| Dry Atmosphere | Excellent |
| Fresh Water | Excellent |
| Marine Atmosphere | Good |
| Salt Water | Moderate |
| Industrial Environment | Good |
T2 develops a stable oxide film that provides long-term corrosion protection.
Recommended surface treatments:
- Tin Plating
- Silver Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Gold Plating
- Electropolishing
- Clear Protective Coating
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| TIG Welding | Excellent |
| MIG Welding | Excellent |
| Resistance Welding | Excellent |
| Brazing | Outstanding |
| Soldering | Outstanding |
T2 is widely used in electrical assemblies because of its excellent joining characteristics.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Fair |
| Drilling | Good |
| Grinding | Good |
| Stamping | Excellent |
| Forming | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| Brass C360 | Excellent |
| T2 Copper | Fair |
| C110 Copper | Fair |
| T1 Copper | Fair |
| Aluminum 6061 | Excellent |
Copper’s softness and high ductility require optimized tooling and cutting speeds.
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 |
T2 gains strength through cold working rather than traditional heat treatment.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| GB/T (China) | T2 |
| ASTM (USA) | C11000 |
| UNS | C11000 |
| EN (Europe) | Cu-ETP |
| DIN (Germany) | CW004A |
| JIS (Japan) | C1100 |
| ISO | Cu-ETP |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Plate | Yes |
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Flat Bar | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Wire | Yes |
| Busbar | Yes |
| Copper Foil | Yes |
Typical Applications
Electrical Industry
- Busbars
- Switchgear Components
- Power Connectors
- Electrical Contacts
Transformer Industry
- Transformer Windings
- Conductive Components
- Power Distribution Hardware
Electronics Industry
- Grounding Systems
- Conductive Parts
- RF Components
- Electrical Assemblies
Thermal Management
- Heat Sinks
- Heat Exchangers
- Cooling Plates
- Thermal Conductors
Renewable Energy Industry
- Solar Power Equipment
- Battery Systems
- Energy Storage Components
Construction Industry
- Roofing Systems
- Decorative Panels
- Architectural Copper Components
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 material for power transmission applications.
Outstanding Thermal Conductivity
Ideal for cooling and thermal management systems.
Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Performs well in a wide range of environments.
Outstanding Formability
Suitable for complex forming and stamping operations.
Wide Availability
Globally available in many forms and sizes.
Cost Effective
Provides excellent performance-to-cost ratio.
Limitations
Moderate Machinability
More difficult to machine than brass alloys.
Lower Strength Than Copper Alloys
Pure copper prioritizes conductivity over strength.
Soft Material
May require reinforcement in structural applications.
Limited Wear Resistance
Not suitable for high-friction environments.
Comparison with Other Copper Grades
| Property | T2 | T1 | C110 | C102 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Purity | ≥99.90% | ≥99.95% | ≥99.90% | ≥99.95% |
| Conductivity | 100% IACS | Slightly Higher | 100% IACS | 100% IACS |
| Oxygen Content | Moderate | Lower | Moderate | Very Low |
| Vacuum Applications | Limited | Better | Limited | Excellent |
| Cost | Moderate | Higher | Moderate | Higher |
Comparison with Conductive Materials
| Material | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity |
|---|---|---|
| T2 Copper | 100% IACS | 390 W/m·K |
| T1 Copper | 100+% IACS | 385–395 W/m·K |
| C110 Copper | 100% IACS | 390 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
- Polished Finish
- Brushed Finish
Conductive Finishes
- Tin Plating
- Silver Plating
- Gold Plating
- Nickel Plating
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is T2 copper?
T2 is a high-purity electrolytic tough pitch copper grade widely used for electrical, thermal, and industrial applications.
What is T2 copper used for?
Typical applications include:
- Busbars
- Transformer Components
- Electrical Connectors
- Heat Exchangers
- Conductive Assemblies
What is the equivalent material to T2?
Common equivalents include:
- C11000
- Cu-ETP
- CW004A
- C1100
What is the difference between T2 and T1 copper?
| Property | T2 | T1 |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Purity | Slightly Lower | Higher |
| Conductivity | Excellent | Slightly Higher |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Is T2 suitable for electrical applications?
Yes. T2 is one of the most widely used electrical copper grades in the world.
Can T2 copper be welded?
Yes. T2 offers excellent weldability, brazability, and solderability.
Why is T2 widely used?
Because it combines:
- High Electrical Conductivity
- Excellent Thermal Conductivity
- Good Corrosion Resistance
- Easy Fabrication
- Competitive Cost
Is T2 suitable for vacuum systems?
For standard industrial applications, yes. For ultra-high vacuum systems, C101 or C102 are preferred.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for T2 copper?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Copper Busbar Fabrication
- Electrical Component Manufacturing
- Surface Plating
- Precision Copper Components
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production