Copper Supplier

This material goes by a number of names, including Cu-OFE, Cu-OF, OFC, and OFHC for oxygen-free, high-conductivity copper. Through electrolytic copper refining, manufacturers eliminate nearly all the oxygen within the copper so that you end up with over 99% copper and ≤0.0005% oxygen. The two basic oxygen-free copper grades, based on oxygen content, are Cu-OF (C10200) and Cu-OFE (C10100) grade copper. They contain up to 99.95% and 99.99% copper, respectively.

Due to its excellent purity levels, alloy 101 oxygen-free copper offers beneficial properties that exceed those of standard coppers. OFC lends applications good impact strength, ductility, electrical and thermal conductivity, and machinability. Highly compatible with electronic device manufacturing, common applications for oxygen-free copper include the following:

Bus and Hollow Conductors

Coaxial Cables

Lead-in Wiring

Medical Components

Transistor Parts

Waveguides

The most common copper variety available on the market, electrolytic tough pitch (ETP) copper is a commercially pure copper choice. It consists of ≥99.9% copper and, while it contains more oxygen than OFC copper, its oxygen content is still lower than that of other copper types. Also referred to as C11000 copper or alloy 110 ETP copper, it’s exceptionally conductive for optimal electrical efficiency. The material also offers thermal conductivity, smooth directional flow, and resistance to both corrosion and metal fatigue.

As for processing it, ETP copper delivers good workability and solderability, and manufacturers can also heat-treat it to enhance its stress resistance. A common material for electrical systems as well as industrial projects, ETP copper is useful for producing the following:

• Anodes
• Busbars
• Commutators
• Grounding straps
• Motor and transformer windings
• Welding fixtures

Deoxidized high-phosphorus (DHP) copper, otherwise known as 122 copper or C12200, is another commercially pure copper variety with material properties enhanced by the phosphorus deoxidation process. Made up of ≥99.9% copper, 0.015% to 0.040% phosphorus, and some silver, alloy 122 DHP copper offers good corrosion resistance and heat transfer. It’s not a highly conductive material, nor does it tend to experience hydrogen embrittlement.

This copper variety is a good fit for forming processes, as well as welding and brazing. Ideal for both industrial and residential applications, versatile DHP copper is a common material in the following:

• Air conditioning systems
• Condensers
• Gas and water supply lines
• Heat exchanger tubing
• Plumbing tubes
• Refrigerators

Another name for 145 half-hard tellurium, alloy 145, C14500, or TeCu, tellurium copper contains between 0.4% and 0.7% tellurium and 0.004% to 0.120% phosphorus. The copper-based alloy is both electrically and thermally conductive, resists atmospheric corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement, and maintains its structural integrity in temperatures as high as 350° C.

Alloy 145 has high machinability with good formability for hot and cold forming techniques. It’s also compatible with brazing and soldering, but it’s not a good choice for welding operations. This high-performance material is well-suited to electrical, plumbing, and welding applications. Typical examples of components utilizing tellurium copper include:

• Clamps
• Electrical connectors and switches
• Fasteners
• Pins
• Relay parts
• Sprinkler heads