Copper C101
Your guide to C101 Machining
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99.9% pure copper
Widely used in electronics applications as excellent conductivity
High impact strength and ductility
C101 can be challenging to machine, compared with other metals. An experienced machinist is essential.
It has excellent properties and is well suited to applications where high conductivity is needed. It's a comparitively expensive material so should only be selected where its properties are required.
Copper C101: Properties, Applications and Design Considerations
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What is C101?
C101, also commonly known as CW004A is 99.9% pure copper. After silver, it is the next best conductor of electricity and therefore widely used in electronics applications. It is also used in a wide range of engineering applications due to high impact strength and ductility as well as corrosion resistance.
C101 Machinability
Tooling and work surfaces to be used for copper should be cleaned thoroughly before use to prevent cross contamination which may effect corrosion resistance.
Machining C101 copper can be challenging compared to other metals which is where an experienced machinist is essential. When machining C101, we use sharp cutters and lots of coolant. Machining speeds and feeds are altered to allow efficient removal of swarf.
You may also see C101 referred to as:
- CW004A (CEN)
- HC (high conductivity copper)
- C11000 (UNS)
- Cu-ETP (ISO, Electrolytic Tough Pitch copper)
- BS1432
- BS1433
- BS6017
- 2.0060
- 2.0065
- NF A51-118-1
- Cu-a1 (FR)
- E-Cu57 (DE)
- E-Cu58 (DE)
Industry Examples: Electronics | Automotive | Appliances | General engineering | Marine
Typical Components & Applications: Instrument Windings | Heatsinks | Enclosures | Busbars | Switches | Electrical components | Terminals | Connectors | Transformers | Motor component | Building fascias | Domestic appliances
Main Attributes:
- Good to excellent corrosion resistance
- Excellent electrical conductivity
- Very good thermal conductivity
- High ductility
- High impact strength
- Recyclable and sustainable
- Poor weldability but otherwise easily joinable
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Distinctive smell and disagreeable taste
- Yellowish/red metal
- Subject to surface oxidation/patination
- Non magnetic
- Soft malleable metal
Note For Designers:
Relative to other metals, copper is more expensive and C101 is one of the most expensive grades of copper so should be chosen where its properties such as high conductivity are required.
The material price for copper is known to fluctuate so quotes are generally only valid for around one week.
C101 can be annealed or solution treated by heating to 370 - 650°C and then being rapidly cooled.
Soldering of C101 is excellent and brazing is very good. Other than gas shielded arc welding, welding is not recommended.
Finishing & Treatments:
Copper C101 is suitable to be finished in a wide range of treatments. It is subject to surface oxidation/patination - a blue-green layer that naturally develops over time and may or may not be desirable.
If the patina is desirable, its development can be accelerated by the use of oxiding agents. If undesirable, copper can be protected with a lacquer coating.
See our Finishing Processes page for further information on services that we can facilitate.
Can we meet your C101 machining needs? Contact us now
Further Reading & Resources
Copper C101 Machined Parts
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Penta Precision provides the following copper C101 machining services:
- CNC milling
- CNC turning
- Prototypes and batch runs
- Insert installation
- Part marking
- Manual milling
- Manual turning
- Machining design advice
- Design for manufacture service
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