Copper CuETP
Description of CUETP copper
CuETP (Electrolytic Tough-Pitch) is pure copper. This copper is electrolytically refined and has a high electrical and thermal conductivity. It is suitable for products intended to act as electrical conductors. It will therefore be used in electrical installations (switchboards and cabinets). It is also sometimes referred to as electrolytic copper.
It is characterised by a minimum copper content of 99.90% and an electrical conductivity of 100% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). Only silver has a higher electrical conductivity (106% IACS).
However, it contains oxygen, which makes it sensitive to reducing atmospheres and therefore lacks ductibility after annealing in the presence of hydrogen. Indeed, it does not withstand operations requiring heating at high temperatures (over 300°C) such as with a blowtorch. However, the oxygen present in copper at levels of a few hundred ppm gives it certain special properties.
Cu ETP can be easily welded (under appropriate conditions) but inert gas or laser welding remains difficult. It has good machinability, and its suitability for electrolytic or hot tin plating is excellent. It also has very good cold forming properties, allowing it to be adapted to almost any production requirement.
CuETP and its standards
At the international level, the standards are different and Cu ETP is designated in different ways:
- France (AFNOR): CuA1 / Cu-ETP
- Germany (DIN): E-Cu 58
- Europe (EN): CW004A
- ASTM : C11000
Properties of the CU ETP
Copper CuETP has many advantages, not least because it contains oxygen: it is particularly resistant to corrosion, conducts heat very well and has excellent electrical conductivity. However, welding CuETP (especially with a torch) is not recommended because it is sensitive to heat in a reducing atmosphere.
Field of application of Cu-ETP
CuETP is the most widely used alloy in the electrical field, manufacturing stamped parts for electrical contacts, strips for cables, transformers, windings.
| Hot deformability | Good |
| Cold deformability | Excellent |
| Cold reduction before annealing | 90% max |
|
Machinability (Basic reference: brass from
bar turning CuZn39Pb2 =100)
|
20 |
| Soft soldering | Excellent |
| Hard soldering | Good |
| Arc welding in a gaseous atmosphere | Medium |
| Arc welding with coated wire electrode | Not recommended |
| Electric resistance welding : | |
| Per point | Not recommended |
| Placed end to end | Good |
| Corrosion resistance : | |
| Acetic acids | Good |
| Hydrochloric acid | Medium |
| Sea water | Good |
| 60% sulphuric acid | Medium |
| Acidic waters | Good |
| Chemical composition in % | Physical characteristics (at 20°C) | ||
| Cu + Ag | > 99.90 | Density (kg/dm3) | 8.9 |
| O² | 0.005 - 0.04 | Electrical conductivity (%IACS) | >100 |
| Pb | 0.005 max | Electrical resistivity (MS/m) | <1.72 |
| Total other impurities | 0.03 max | Thermal conductivity (W/m.K) | 393.6 |
| Modulus of elasticity (Kn/mm²) | 120 | ||
| Coef. of thermal expansion (10-6/K) | 16.8 | ||
| Melting temperature (°C) | 1083 | ||
| Shear modulus (kN/mm²) | 45 | ||
Supplier of copper CuA1 or CuETP
Metal Rolling Services, supplier of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, offers you the possibility to place your order for copper CuA1 or CuETP according to your real needs. You benefit from a tailor-made product in terms of the thickness, width, length and hardness of the copper you require.
Our other copper alloys to order
We offer other copper alloys to be ordered according to your real needs and avoid unnecessary stocks :
CuOF - CuDHP - CuDLP - CuPHC - CUZN10 - CUZN30 - CUZN33 - CUZN36 - CUZN37 - Maillechort