About copper
After gold, copper is the metallic material with the best electrical conductivity. It is available in sufficient quantities and at acceptable cost. Copper is mined as ore and refined to make electrolytic copper. The copper is rolled into a copper band in a hot-rolling process (red hot) and can then be processed further by cold-rolling methods.
Copper is a very soft material that is only used in pure form when it can remain static after forming.
4 copper types are part of our range
Cu-ETP (also called E- or electrolyte copper) Copper content of >99.90%, high conductivity, but not weldable, as it contains oxygen.
Cu-PHC (also called SE-copper) Copper content of >99.90%, high conductivity, weldable, as deoxidated with phosphorus.
Cu-DHP (also called SF-copper) Copper content >99.90%, lower conductivity than ETP/PHC-Cu, weldable, very good for soft and hard-soldering, deoxidated with phosphorus.
CuZn0,5 – like DHP/SF copper, with an additional 0.1 – 1.0 zinc; zinc can evaporate during welding.
The alloy to be used is normally specified by an engineer during the development of a punched part, as he knows the mechanical and electrical requirements for the final product and will take into account the market prices for the raw material. This applies less to Cu-DHP and CuZn0,5, as these are primarily used for the building industry, where properties such as corrosion resistance, good ductility and ease of welding tend to be expected.
Application examples
Application examples
Cu-ETP: Power rails, electrical clamps electrical distributors, plug connectors, electrical contacts, electrical motors
Cu-DHP: Similar to EPT, but can also be welded.
Cu-PHC and CuZN0,5: Gutters, downpipes, building facades, accessories, very well suited for welding, soft-soldering and hard-soldering.
Physical properties
Physical properties
| Alloy | Density g/cm3 | Electrical conductivity MS/m - %IACS | Heat conductivity W/mk | Heat expansion coefficient 106/k | Modulus of elasticity KN/mm2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cu-ETP | 8.9 | >55 | 101 | 391 | 17 |
| Cu-PHC | 8.9 | >55 | 99 | 386 | 17 |
| Cu-DHP | 8.9 | >46 | 92 | 350 | 17 |
| CuZn0,5 | 8.9 | 48 | - | - | - |
Chemical composition
Chemical composition
| Aloy | Cu % | O % | Zn % | Sn % | P % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cu-ETP | >99,90 | <0,040 | - | - | - |
| Cu-PHC | >99,90 | - | - | - | 0,005 – 0,013 |
| Cu-DHP | >99,90 | - | - | - | 0,015 – 0,040 |
| CuZn0,5 | Rest | - | 0,1 – 1,0 | - | >0,02 |