أنابيب ومواسير ولفائف ووصلات نحاسية
استعرض
Chromium Copper Alloy (CuCr) Sheets, Rods, Bars, Plates
Product Overview
Chromium Copper Alloy (CuCr) is a high-performance copper alloy engineered to deliver an excellent balance of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and high strength under heat and cyclic loading. R V Metal Corporation supplies CuCr in multiple mill forms including sheets, plates, rods, and bars for demanding industrial applications where pure copper is too soft and conventional alloys lose conductivity. CuCr is widely specified for resistance welding electrodes, spot/projection welding parts, current-carrying tooling, switchgear components, busbar contact parts, and high-duty electrical connectors because it maintains strength at elevated temperature while still carrying current efficiently. Common supply conditions include solution-treated and precipitation-hardened tempers to match wear, deformation resistance, and service life requirements. Sizes, tolerances, and test certification (MTC) can be offered as per relevant UNS/ASTM/EN requirements and OEM drawings.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification / Range |
|---|---|
| Material | Chromium Copper Alloy (CuCr) |
| UNS Designation | C18100, C18200 (application dependent) |
| Form Supplied | Sheets, Plates, Rods, Bars |
| Manufacturing Process | Hot Rolled / Cold Rolled / Extruded / Drawn / Machined |
| Chromium Content | 0.6 – 1.2 % (typical, grade specific) |
| Density | 8.90 g/cm³ |
| Electrical Conductivity | 70 – 85 % IACS (depending on temper) |
| Thermal Conductivity | 320 – 350 W/m·K |
| Tensile Strength | 420 – 560 MPa (age hardened) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Proof) | 350 – 480 MPa |
| Elongation | 8 – 20 % |
| Hardness | 110 – 180 HB (condition dependent) |
| Operating Temperature | Up to 450°C without significant softening |
| Heat Treatment | Solution Treated + Precipitation Hardened (Aged) |
| Surface Finish | Mill Finish / Pickled / Polished / Machined |
| Dimensional Tolerances | As per ASTM / EN / IS or customer drawing |
| Standards Compliance | ASTM B224 / B465, EN 12163 / 12164 / 12167 |
| Testing & Certification | Chemical, Mechanical, Conductivity, MTC as per EN 10204 3.1 |
| Typical Applications | Welding Electrodes, Electrical Contacts, Busbar Parts, Switchgear, High-Current Tooling |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Symbol | Typical Composition (%) | Maximum / Limits (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Cu | Balance | ≥ 98.5 |
| Chromium | Cr | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.4 – 1.5 |
| Iron | Fe | ≤ 0.05 | 0.10 max |
| Silicon | Si | ≤ 0.02 | 0.10 max |
| Nickel | Ni | ≤ 0.05 | 0.20 max |
| Zinc | Zn | ≤ 0.05 | 0.10 max |
| Lead | Pb | ≤ 0.01 | 0.05 max |
| Oxygen | O | ≤ 0.03 | 0.05 max |
| Other Impurities (Total) | — | ≤ 0.10 | 0.20 max |
UNS Codes & Grades
| UNS Code | Common Grade Name | Chromium Content (%) | Electrical Conductivity (% IACS) | Typical Product Forms | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C18100 | Chromium Copper | 0.6 – 1.2 | 45 – 80 | Sheets, Plates, Rods, Bars | High strength with excellent electrical conductivity; heat-treatable |
| C18200 | Chromium Copper – High Conductivity | 0.6 – 1.2 | 65 – 85 | Sheets, Plates, Rods, Bars | Optimized balance of conductivity and mechanical strength |
| C18400 | Chromium Copper (Modified) | 0.4 – 1.0 | 60 – 80 | Rods, Bars, Forged Components | Improved wear resistance and thermal stability |
| C18500 | Chromium Copper – Special Purpose | 0.5 – 1.0 | 55 – 75 | Custom Bars, Machined Parts | Designed for resistance welding and heavy-duty electrical use |
Mechanical, Physical & Fabrication Properties
| Property Category | Property | Typical Values | Remarks / Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Properties | Tensile Strength | 450 – 650 MPa | Depends on chromium content and aging condition (solution treated + aged) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Proof) | 350 – 550 MPa | High yield strength retained even at elevated temperatures | |
| Elongation | 10 – 25 % | Lower elongation than pure copper but adequate for forming and machining | |
| Hardness | 120 – 180 HB | Can exceed 200 HB after peak aging | |
| Fatigue Strength | ≈ 200 MPa (10⁷ cycles) | Suitable for resistance welding electrodes and cyclic electrical loads | |
| Physical Properties | Density | 8.90 g/cm³ | Comparable to electrolytic copper |
| Electrical Conductivity | 45 – 85 % IACS | Maintains conductivity even after strengthening heat treatment | |
| Thermal Conductivity | 260 – 330 W/m·K | Excellent heat dissipation for welding and electrical contacts | |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 16.5 × 10⁻⁶ /°C | Low distortion under thermal cycling | |
| Melting Point | 1080 – 1085 °C | Close to pure copper; chromium does not significantly reduce melting range | |
| Softening Temperature | ≈ 500 – 550 °C | Significantly higher than ETP copper | |
| Fabrication Properties | Machinability | Good | Better than pure copper; recommended carbide tooling |
| Formability | Moderate | Cold forming possible in solution-treated condition | |
| Weldability | Good | TIG, MIG and resistance welding recommended | |
| Brazability | Excellent | Commonly brazed in electrical and welding assemblies | |
| Forgeability | Good (Hot) | Hot forging preferred; avoid excessive cold work | |
| Heat Treatability | Excellent | Solution treatment + aging essential to achieve strength |
Common Names & International Identifiers
| Category | Common / Trade Name | International Identifier | Standard / Region | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generic Name | Chromium Copper | CuCr | Global | Most widely used generic name in engineering and welding industries |
| UNS Designation | Chromium Copper Alloy | C18200 | UNS / ASTM (USA) | Primary UNS code for high-strength, high-conductivity chromium copper |
| EN Designation | Copper-Chromium Alloy | CuCr1 (CW105C) | EN 12163 / EN 12164 / EN 12165 | European standard equivalent of UNS C18200 |
| ISO Designation | Copper-Chromium | CuCr1 | ISO | Used in international technical documentation |
| DIN Designation | Chromkupfer | CuCr1 | DIN (Germany) | Legacy DIN naming still referenced in old EPC drawings |
| JIS Designation | Chromium Copper | Cr-Cu | JIS (Japan) | Used mainly in resistance welding electrode standards |
| BS Designation | Chromium Copper Alloy | CuCr1 | British Standards | Aligned with EN copper alloy system |
| Industry Term | RWMA Class 2 Copper | Class 2 | RWMA (Resistance Welding) | Commonly specified for resistance welding electrodes |
| Commercial Term | High Strength Copper | — | Commercial | Non-standard marketing term; always verify actual grade |
Standards & International Equivalents
| Region / System | Standard | Grade / Designation | Applicable Product Forms | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | ASTM B224 | UNS C18200 | Rods, Bars | Primary ASTM standard for chromium copper bars and rods |
| USA | ASTM B465 | UNS C18200 | Forgings | Used for forged CuCr components |
| USA | ASTM B194 | UNS C18200 | Sheets, Plates, Strips | Applicable to flat-rolled chromium copper products |
| USA | ASTM B552 | Class 2 (C18200) | Welding Electrodes | Resistance welding electrode standard (RWMA Class 2) |
| Europe (EN) | EN 12163 | CW105C (CuCr1) | Rods | European standard for copper alloy rods |
| Europe (EN) | EN 12164 | CW105C (CuCr1) | Extruded Profiles | Used for extruded sections and profiles |
| Europe (EN) | EN 12165 | CW105C (CuCr1) | Plates, Sheets, Strips | Flat products equivalent to ASTM B194 |
| Germany | DIN EN 12163 / 12165 | CuCr1 | Rods, Sheets, Plates | DIN-aligned EN copper alloy system |
| ISO | ISO 431 | CuCr1 | General | International designation reference |
| UK | BS EN 12163 / 12165 | CW105C | Rods, Sheets, Plates | British adoption of EN standards |
| Japan | JIS H3250 / H3100 | Cr-Cu | Rods, Sheets | Mainly referenced in welding and electrical applications |
| Resistance Welding | RWMA | Class 2 | Electrodes, Caps, Arms | Industry-critical classification for spot welding |
| India | IS 1897 / IS 613 (Reference) | Cu-Cr Alloy | Rods, Bars | Limited coverage; EN/ASTM usually specified instead |
Applications
| Industry / Sector | Application | Product Form Used | Why Chromium Copper (CuCr) Is Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance Welding | Spot welding electrodes, caps, holders, arms | Rods, Bars | High electrical conductivity combined with superior hot strength and wear resistance (RWMA Class 2) |
| Electrical Power | Busbar connectors, contact strips, terminal plates | Sheets, Plates, Bars | Handles high current loads with reduced softening at elevated temperatures |
| Automotive | Welding electrodes, current-carrying tooling, EV battery welding parts | Rods, Bars, Plates | Excellent thermal stability and resistance to electrode mushrooming |
| Aerospace | Electrical contacts, heat-resistant current conductors | Sheets, Bars | Maintains conductivity and strength under cyclic thermal loads |
| Steel & Metal Processing | Continuous casting molds, cooling plates, contact shoes | Plates, Bars | High thermal conductivity with improved mechanical life |
| Electronics | Switchgear components, relay contacts, contact springs | Sheets, Strips | Low contact resistance and stable performance over long duty cycles |
| Railways | Current collectors, traction motor contacts | Bars, Plates | Superior resistance to arcing and thermal fatigue |
| Renewable Energy | Solar inverter contacts, wind turbine electrical connectors | Sheets, Bars | High conductivity with better mechanical reliability than pure copper |
| Defense | High-current electrical interfaces, weapon system contacts | Bars, Plates | Reliable performance under shock, heat, and high current |
| Industrial Machinery | Electrode holders, conductive wear parts | Rods, Bars | Long service life due to hardness retention at operating temperature |
| Die & Mold Industry | Heat sinks, cooling inserts, conductive mold components | Plates, Bars | Rapid heat dissipation with better strength than ETP copper |
| Power Distribution | High-load connectors, switch contacts | Sheets, Plates | Reduced contact wear and improved arc resistance |
Common Chromium Copper Alloy (CuCr) Forms & Dimensions Chart
| Product Form | Supply Condition | Common Thickness / Diameter Range | Common Width / Size Range | Common Length / Sheet Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheets | Hot Rolled / Cold Rolled | 0.30 – 6.00 mm | 100 – 1000 mm | 500 – 3000 mm (or cut-to-length) | Used for contacts, plates, busbar parts, laser/waterjet cutting. |
| Plates | Hot Rolled / Machined | 6 – 150 mm | 200 – 1500 mm | 500 – 4000 mm (or cut-to-size) | Used for welding blocks, heavy conductive tooling, heat sinks. |
| Round Rods | Extruded / Drawn / Turned | Ø 6 – 200 mm | Round | 1 – 4 m (std), cut-to-length | RWMA Class-2 electrode rods, holders, pins, turned parts. |
| Bars / Flats | Extruded / Rolled | 3 – 100 mm | 10 – 300 mm | 1 – 6 m (std), cut-to-length | Busbars, connectors, contact arms, conductive wear parts. |
| Square Bars | Extruded / Machined | 10 × 10 – 150 × 150 mm | Square | 1 – 3 m (std) | Often supplied as cut blocks for tooling / electrodes. |
| Cut Blocks | Sawn / CNC Machined | As per drawing | As per drawing | As per drawing | Most EPC / OEM orders are drawing-based for CuCr. |
| Parameter | Value | Units | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density (ρ) | 8.89 | g/cm³ | Default for theoretical weight calculations |
| Density (ρ) | 8890 | kg/m³ | Same value in SI form |
| Form | Formula | Inputs | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet / Plate | Weight (kg) = L(m) × W(m) × T(m) × 8890 | L, W, T in meters | Total kg |
| Flat Bar | Weight (kg) = L(m) × W(m) × T(m) × 8890 | L, W, T in meters | Total kg |
| Round Rod | Weight (kg) = L(m) × (π/4) × D²(m²) × 8890 | D in meters | Total kg |
| Square Bar | Weight (kg) = L(m) × A²(m²) × 8890 | A = side (m) | Total kg |
| Diameter (mm) | Weight (kg/m) | Diameter (mm) | Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0.251 | 30 | 6.284 |
| 8 | 0.397 | 35 | 8.555 |
| 10 | 0.698 | 40 | 11.17 |
| 12 | 1.005 | 45 | 14.13 |
| 16 | 1.787 | 50 | 17.43 |
| 20 | 2.792 | 60 | 25.10 |
| 25 | 4.363 | 75 | 39.18 |
| Size (Width × Thickness) mm | Weight (kg/m) | Size (Width × Thickness) mm | Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 × 3 | 0.533 | 50 × 6 | 2.667 |
| 25 × 3 | 0.667 | 60 × 6 | 3.200 |
| 25 × 6 | 1.333 | 80 × 6 | 4.267 |
| 30 × 3 | 0.800 | 100 × 6 | 5.333 |
| 30 × 5 | 1.333 | 100 × 10 | 8.890 |
| 40 × 5 | 1.778 | 120 × 10 | 10.67 |
| 50 × 5 | 2.223 | 150 × 12 | 16.00 |
| Thickness (mm) | Weight (kg/m²) | Thickness (mm) | Weight (kg/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 4.445 | 6 | 53.34 |
| 1 | 8.890 | 10 | 88.90 |
| 2 | 17.78 | 12 | 106.68 |
| 3 | 26.67 | 20 | 177.80 |
| 4 | 35.56 | 25 | 222.25 |
| 5 | 44.45 | 50 | 444.50 |
NOTE (Theoretical Weight Disclaimer):
- All weights shown are theoretical, calculated using CuCr density 8.89 g/cm³ (8890 kg/m³).
- Actual weight may vary due to manufacturing tolerances, surface finish, edge conditioning and machining allowances.
- For EPC/OEM projects, final weight is based on supplied dimensions, tolerance class, and inspection standards.
