Copper Magnet Wire and Copper Alloy Wire
Certified OFHC (CDA 10100)
This is an unalloyed, high purity copper magnet wire that has excellent forming and brazing characteristics, as well as resistance to hydrogen embrittlement at elevated temperatures. It has good solderability and corrosion resistance, and may be used in any high current application. Both grades of OFHC copper are available in round and shaped wire and may be substituted for ETP copper wherever optimal properties of copper are desired.
OFHC Copper (CDA 10200)
OFHC copper has 99.95% minimum copper (silver counted as copper) and is produced by converting cathodes in a continuous casting and rolling process into copper rod. Typical uses include bus bars or any electrical conductor, and it may be specified as a special copper magnet wire conductor.
ETP Copper (CDA 11000)
Electrolytic tough pitch copper is intentionally alloyed with oxygen to achieve the best combination of conductivity, capacity for being cold worked, and economy. This is the most widely used copper for wire conductors and is available in round, square and rectangular shapes.
Zirconium Copper
(CDA 15000)
This copper alloy exhibits high conductivity, excellent solderability, and good strength. Unlike ETP and the OFHC coppers, zirconium copper resists softening at higher temperatures. Typical applications include switches, high current interconnects, terminal pins, welding tips, and other applications where high temperatures exist.
Beryllium Copper
(CDA 17200)
This alloy is characterized by very high strength and good electrical conductivity. Normally supplied in age-hardenable tempers, beryllium copper has good to excellent cold workability. This alloy is available as bare wire or it can be film insulated. Typical uses include switch parts, springs, fuse clips, connectors, and contacts.
Cartridge Brass
(CDA 26000)
Cartridge brass has good conductivity and strength, but poor solderability due to its high zinc content. This copper alloy is widely used for cold-headed products such as machine and wood screws, rivets, and fasteners. It may also be used as an economical spring material.
Phosphor Bronze
(CDA 51000)
This alloy is widely used for most types of springs because of its high strength and resistance to corrosion and fatigue. It is also used in switches, relays, contacts, and fasteners.
Copper Magnet Wire and Copper Alloys Data
Copper and Copper Alloys Properties
| CDA Alloy No. | C10100 | C10200 | C11000 | C15000 | C17200 | C26000 | C51000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy Name | Certified OFHC Copper | OFHC Copper | ETP Copper | Zirconium Copper | Beryllium Copper | Cartridge Brass | Phosphor Bronze |
| Chemical Composition (%) | 99.99 Cu Min. | 99.95 Cu Min. | 99.90 Cu Min. .04 O | 98.95 Cu .15 Zr | 98.1 Cu 1.9 Be | 70 Cu 30 Zn | 94.8 Cu 5.0 Sn .2 P |
| Density (lbs./in.³) | .323 | .323 | .323 | .321 | .298 | .308 | .320 |
| Electrical Conductivity (% IACS @ 68°F ) | 101 | 102 | 100 | 93 | 22 | 28 | 15 |
| Resistivity (Ω/circ. mil/ft) | 10.3 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 11.2 | 46.2 | 37.0 | 69.1 |
| Approximate Melting Point (° F ) | 1981 | 1981 | 1981 | 1796 | 1590 | 1680 | 1750 |
| Tensile Strength Hard Temper (kpsi) | 55 | 55 | 55 | 64 | 152 | 109 | 110 |
| Tensile Strength Soft Temper (kpsi) | 34 | 34 | 34 | 30 | 68 | 52 | 51 |
| Yield Strength Hard Temper (kpsi) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 62 | 125 | 68 | 85 |
| Yeild Strength Soft Temper (kpsi) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 28 | 21 | 21 |
| Elongation Hard Temper (%) | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1.5 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Elongation Soft Temper (%) | 36 | 36 | 36 | 30 | 42 | 30 | 49 |
Properties are nominal values and should not be used for specification purposes
Elongation values are generally size dependent.