Pure & Low-Alloy Copper
UNS C18100, C18150, C15600 · CuCr1Zr, CuCrZr, CuCoP · ASTM B624
Low-alloy copper grades for parts that must carry current or heat while keeping their strength.
Alloy family
What this family is good at
Copper's conductivity, with strength added
Pure copper sets the reference for electrical conductivity, at 100% IACS, but it stays soft. A small addition of chromium and zirconium, or of cobalt and phosphorus, makes the alloy age hardenable, a heat treatment that raises its strength. The grades of this family keep 75 to 92% IACS, with a guaranteed minimum tensile strength of 320 to 450 MPa.
Where these grades work
Chromium-zirconium copper is the usual choice for resistance welding electrodes, which carry a high current and take the heat of the weld. The same grades go into connectors, rotor bars of asynchronous motors and high-performance cabling, including aerospace wire and defence cabling. Cobalt-phosphorus copper strip serves electrical contacts, terminals and heat sinks, where it keeps its strength at elevated temperature.
Three grades, three forms
CRM16 (CuCr1Zr, UNS C18100 and C18150) is our chromium-zirconium bar grade, compliant with CW106C and BS 2874. In the TER temper it is guaranteed at a minimum of 440 MPa tensile strength and 140 HB, at 75% IACS.
UC500 (CuCrZr, compliant with ASTM B624) is drawn into rods and wires. It holds the highest conductivity of the family, 92% IACS, with a guaranteed minimum tensile strength of 450 MPa, and it is non-magnetic. Cuprofor® (CuCoP, UNS C15600) is rolled into strip for stamped and formed parts, at 85% IACS and a guaranteed minimum of 320 MPa.
Choosing between conductivity and strength
Every grade in this family gives up a little conductivity to gain strength. The right balance depends on the current your part carries, the temperature it sees and the load it takes. Our engineers work through these points with yours, then recommend a grade, a temper and a form, and say what still has to be tested.
Conductivity from 75 to 92% IACS across the family, with guaranteed minimum tensile strengths of 320 to 450 MPa.
Three grades in three forms: CRM16 bars, UC500 rods and wires, Cuprofor® strip.
Grades free of lead, cadmium and beryllium.
Range at a glance
The extent of this family's measured properties across its active variants — a range, never a single figure.
140 – 500 MPa
68/106 measured
200 – 650 MPa
75/106 measured
2 – 25 %
65/106 measured
65 – 190 HB
40/106 measured
30 – 100 %IACS
75/106 measured
8.9 – 8.94 g/cm³
79/106 measured
245 – 390 W/m·K
71/106 measured
All Pure & Low-Alloy Copper references
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Used in
- Aerospace
- automotive
- Electronics & Connectors
- industry
- oil-gas
- Energy & Nuclear
- Defence
Specify it with an engineer
Tell us what your part must carry
Send the drawing, the current or heat load and the temperature in service. Our engineers recommend the closest grade, its form and its guaranteed minimum values.