Background

It is believed that copper has been mined for over 5000 years. It can be found in elemental form and in the minerals cuprite, malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite and bornite. Copper is also often found as a by-product of silver production. Basic Copper Properties Next to silver, copper is the next best conductor. It is a yellowish red metal that polishes to a bright metallic lustre. It is tough, ductile and malleable. Copper has a disagreeable taste and a peculiar smell. Copper is resistant to corrosion in most atmospheres including marine and industrial environments. It is corroded by oxidising acids, halogens, sulphides and ammonia based solutions. Alloy C101 C101 is the designation for moderate copper used in engineering applications. High ductility and impact strength also serve to make an extremely useful material. C101 is the base material that common brasses and bronzes are produced from. High Conductivity Copper C101 is also known as HC or high conductivity copper. It has a nominal conductivity of 100% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). C101 also has high thermal conductivity. C101 is therefore the material of choice for use in conductors and electrical components but not when the service environment is a reducing atmosphere.

Chemical Composition

Table 1. Typical chemical composition for copper alloy C101 % C101 Cu 99.9 min Pb - Sn - Fe - Al - Mn - Zn - Si - Ni - P -

Properties

Mechanical Properties Table 2. Typical mechanical properties for copper alloy C101 Grade C101 Tensile Strength (MPa) 200-360 Proof Stress 0.2% (MPa) 50-340 Elongation A5 (%) 42 Hardness VPN 40 Physical Properties Table 3. Typical physical properties for copper alloy C101 Property Value Density 8.91 g/cm3 Melting Point 1083 °C Modulus of Elasticity 117 GPa Electrical Resistivity 0.0171x10-6 Ω.m Thermal Conductivity 391.1 W/m.K at 100°C Thermal Expansion 16.9x10-6 /K at 100°C Alloy Designations HC copper corresponds to the following designations: CEN BS UNS ISO CW004A C101 C11000 Cu-ETP Corrosion Resistance Corrosion resistance is either good or excellent in most environments and atmospheres other than those containing ammonia ions. Fabrication Cold Working C101 can be readily cold worked. When in the annealed condition, it can be readily bent to shape and has excellent ductility. It work hardens relatively slowly and can be annealed in neutral or oxidising atmospheres. Hot Working C101 is very readily hot worked. Heat Treatment Solution treatment or annealing can be done by rapid cooling after heating to 370-650°C. Machinability C101 has a machinability rating of 20 when Alloy 360 FC Brass is 100. Welding Soldering of C101 is excellent. Brazability and butt welding are also rated as good. Gas shielded arc welding has a fair rating. All other welding processes are not recommended. Applications C101 is typically used in: · General engineering · Electronics · Automotive · Domestic Appliances · Cold formed components