Copper is often a top pick for wiring and electrical applications due to its excellent electrical conductivity. Its ability to conduct electrical currents effectively with little resistance makes it a dependable choice for electrical cables, electronics, power distribution, and telecommunications.
Besides, copper wire also has good ductility, impact strength, solderability and corrosion resistance. MWS offers copper wire in several grades like ETP (electrolytic-tough pitch) copper, OFHC (oxygen-free high thermal conductivity) copper and its alloys like Beryllium Copper, Zirconium Copper, Cartridge Brass, Phosphor Bronze in several shapes and sizes.
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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 | 99.85 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) | 0.323 | 0.323 | 0.323 | 0.321 | 0.298 | 0.308 | 0.32 |
| Electrical Conductivity (% IACS @ 68°F ) | 101 | 101 | 100 | 93 | 22 | 28 | 15 |
| Electrical Resistivity (OHMS/CMF) | 10.3 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 11.2 | 46.2 | 37.0 | 69.1 |
| Approximate Melting Point (°C) | 1,083 | 1,083 | 1,065 | 980 | 866 | 916 | 954 |
| 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.
Product Spotlight
Copper and Copper Alloys
Certified OFHC
CDA 10100
Certified OFHC (oxygen-free high thermal conductivity) is an unalloyed, high purity copper magnet wire.
- Good conductivity, solderability and corrosion resistance.
- Excellent forming and brazing characteristics, as well as resistance to hydrogen embrittlement at elevated temperatures.
- Available in round, square and rectangular shapes.
Used in/for:
- High Current Applications, high-performance devices
- Power distribution and telecommunications.
- Cryogenics and superconductors
Available in Annealed and Hard per ASTM B170
OFHC Copper
CDA 10200
OFHC (oxygen-free high thermal conductivity) has 99.95% minimum copper (Ag counted as Cu) and is produced by converting cathodes in a continuous casting and rolling process into copper rod.
- Low oxygen content minimizes the risk of oxidation, ensuring that the wire maintains its conductivity over time.
Used in/for:
- Bus bars or any electrical conductor
- May be specified as a special copper magnet wire conductor.
- Cryogenics and superconductors.
Available in Annealed and Hard per ASTM B170
ETP Copper
(CDA 11000)
ETP (Electrolytic-Tough Pitch) copper is alloyed with oxygen to achieve the best combination of conductivity, capacity for being cold worked, and economy.
- Good ductility, impact strength, and corrosion resistance.
- Available in round, square and rectangular shapes.
Used in/for:
- The most widely used copper for wire conductors.
Available in Annealed and Hard per ASTM B1 (hard), ASTM B2 (medium drawn), and ASTM B3 (soft)
Zirconium Copper
CDA 15000
This copper alloy exhibits high conductivity, excellent solderability, and good strength.
- Good performance at high operating temperatures
- Zirconium copper resists softening at higher temperatures, unlike ETP and OFHC.
Used in/for:
- Switches, high current interconnects, terminal pins, welding tips, and other applications where high temperatures exist.
Available in Annealed and Hard per ASTM B747
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.
- Available as bare wire, or it can be film insulated.
Used in/for:
- Typical uses include switch parts, springs, fuse clips, connectors, and contacts.
Available in Annealed and Hard per ASTM B197/ASTM B250
Cartridge Brass
CDA 26000
Cartridge brass has good conductivity and strength, but poor solderability due to its high zinc content.
Used in/for:
- Widely used for cold-headed products such as machine and wood screws, rivets, and fasteners.
- May also be used as an economical spring material.
Available in Annealed and Hard per ASTM B19
Phosphor Bronze
CDA 51000
Phosphor Bronze is a strong and durable alloy widely used for most types of springs
- High strength
- Good resistance to corrosion and fatigue.
Used in/for:
- Springs
- Switches
- Relays
- Contacts
- Fasteners
Available in Annealed and Hard per ASTM B159/ASTM B250
Special Processes
Ask a sales representative about any special temper or wire finish.
Wire is available in sizes 14 – 44 AWG with the following options:
- Soft/Hard Temper
- Bare
- Insulated
- Shaped
- Plated
- Bondable
Copper Alloy Wire Data
Need more info about chemical composition? See our Data Sheet.
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Quick and Right Answers.
We invest heavily in our customer service and engineering team so that we can give you the right answers and the most effective customized solutions. Our success, as well as our very purpose, is directly linked to the long-term satisfaction of our customers using our wire products.
Unrivaled Availability, Low Minimum Order Quantity, and Quick Delivery.
MWS has one of the largest inventories of stainless-steel wire and other wire products. We provide wire from 1/4lb to 50lb spools. Ninety percent of our stock orders go out within a week. Short production runs and quick turnarounds are our specialty.
Pre-cut Wire Lengths and Other Custom Orders.
We can provide straight wire cuts from one inch to 6-foot lengths holding the tolerances you require for your specific application. Need shaped wire? We have a variety of special shapes including square wire, flat wire, and ribbon wire. Special coatings and finishes are available as well.
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Let us help you satisfy your customer’s needs for clear and comprehensive compliance documentation including RoHS, REACH, DFARS, MADE IN USA, USMCA, etc. Chemical and physical testing reports are also available upon request.
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