What Material is C10100 copper

1. What Material is C10100?

C10100 is a high-purity oxygen-free copper (OFC) classified under the UNS (Unified Numbering System) for copper and copper alloys. It is renowned for its exceptional electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and ductility, with minimal impurity content (typically ≥99.99% copper purity). Unlike oxygen-bearing coppers (e.g., C11000), C10100 is produced through a deoxidation process that eliminates oxygen to avoid embrittlement at high temperatures or under reducing atmospheres. This material is widely recognized for its reliability in critical applications requiring low electrical resistance, excellent formability, and corrosion resistance in non-aggressive environments. It is equivalent to international standards such as ASTM B152 (USA), BS EN 13601 (Europe), and JIS H3100 (Japan) for oxygen-free copper grades.

2. Chemical Composition of C10100 (ASTM B152 Standard)

C10100 is defined by its ultra-high copper content and strict limits on trace impurities. The chemical composition (by weight percentage) is as follows:

Element	Content (%)	Notes
Copper (Cu)	≥99.99	Minimum purity requirement
Oxygen (O)	≤0.001	Key distinguishing feature of OFC
Phosphorus (P)	≤0.0005	Trace impurity, strictly controlled
Iron (Fe)	≤0.002	Maximum allowable trace metal
Lead (Pb)	≤0.001	Restricted for conductivity and purity
Zinc (Zn)	≤0.001	Trace impurity limit
Sulfur (S)	≤0.001	Controlled to prevent brittleness
Other Elements	≤0.005 (Total)	Sum of all other trace impurities

Note: The extremely low oxygen content (<0.001%) differentiates C10100 from lower-grade oxygen-free coppers (e.g., C10200 with ≤0.002% O) and ensures superior ductility and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement.

3. Hardness of C10100

The hardness of C10100 varies significantly based on its temper (heat treatment/mechanical working condition). Below are the typical hardness values for common tempers, tested using standard methods (Brinell Hardness Test, HB; Vickers Hardness Test, HV; Rockwell Hardness Test, HR):

Temper Designation	Description	Brinell Hardness (HB)	Vickers Hardness (HV)	Rockwell Hardness (HRF)
O (Annealed)	Fully soft, recrystallized	30–40	30–45	20–40
H01 (Lightly Cold Worked)	10–20% cold reduction	45–60	50–65	45–60
H02 (Moderately Cold Worked)	20–30% cold reduction	60–75	65–80	60–70
H04 (Heavy Cold Worked)	30–50% cold reduction	75–90	80–95	70–80

Key Notes on Hardness:

Annealed (O Temper): The most common form for C10100, offering maximum ductility and lowest hardness. Ideal for applications requiring extensive forming (e.g., bending, drawing, welding).

Cold-Worked Tempers (H01, H02, H04): Hardness increases with the degree of cold working (e.g., rolling, drawing) due to work hardening. However, electrical conductivity decreases slightly (still among the highest of all metals) as cold work increases.

Test Conditions: Hardness values are measured on polished surfaces with standard loads: Brinell (500 kgf load, 10 mm ball), Vickers (1 kgf load), Rockwell HRF (60 kgf major load, 1/16" ball indenter).

Heat Treatment Impact: Annealing C10100 at 400–600°C (752–1112°F) for 1–2 hours followed by slow cooling will restore softness (O temper) and reduce hardness after cold working.

C10100's combination of high purity, excellent conductivity, and tunable hardness makes it suitable for critical applications such as electrical connectors, high-frequency cables, vacuum tubes, and precision components requiring both formability and reliability.