From the wires in your walls to the components in a satellite, the type of copper you choose can significantly affect performance, safety, and even long-term costs.
Two of the most commonly used copper types in electrical and high-performance environments are:
Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) – UNS C10100/C10200
ETP Copper (Electrolytic Tough Pitch) – UNS C11000
What is ETP Copper?
ETP (Electrolytic Tough Pitch) Copper, designated as C11000, is the most widely used grade of copper today.
Composition:
Contains ~99.9% pure copper
Includes a small, controlled amount of oxygen: typically, 150–400 ppm (0.02–0.04%)
The oxygen improves conductivity by helping oxidize and eliminate other harmful impurities during refining. However, in certain environments, it becomes a liability.
Properties:
Excellent electrical conductivity (~100% IACS)
Good ductility and formability
Susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement in high-temp + hydrogen-rich environments
Lower cost and widely available
Common Applications:
Power cables
Bus bars
Electrical wiring for buildings
Transformers and motor windings
General industrial uses
What is Oxygen-Free Copper?
Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) refers to high-purity copper that contains almost no oxygen-typically less than 10 ppm, and often as low as 1–5 ppm. Grades include C10100 and C10200.
Also called OFHC (Oxygen-Free High Conductivity) copper, this material is refined using special processes (like induction melting in an oxygen-free environment) to eliminate all traces of oxygen.
Properties:
≥ 99.95–99.99% purity
Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity
Superior resistance to hydrogen embrittlement
High ductility, creep resistance, and vacuum stability
Easy to weld and shape
Produces no copper flakes during fabrication
High-Performance Applications:
Aerospace components
Particle accelerators
High-voltage electrodes
Audio/Visual high-end cables
Vacuum tubes
MRI machines
Semiconductor equipment
Key Differences Between ETP and OFC Copper
| Feature | ETP Copper (C11000) | Oxygen-Free Copper (C10100/C10200) |
| Oxygen Content | 150–400 ppm | <10 ppm (often 1–5 ppm) |
| Purity | ~99.9% | 99.95–99.99% |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~100% IACS | ~100% IACS (with better high-temp stability) |
| Hydrogen Embrittlement | Susceptible in specific environments | Highly resistant |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| High-Temp Suitability | Moderate | Excellent |
| Common Applications | Wiring, cables, motors | Aerospace, vacuum systems, audio, medical |
Standards & Availability
Both ETP and oxygen-free copper conduct electricity superbly. But if your application involves:
| Copper Type | UNS Designation | ASTM Standard | Shapes Available |
| ETP Copper | C11000 | ASTM B170 | Rods, wires, tubes,busbars, strips, sheets |
| Oxygen-Free Copper | C10100 / C10200 | ASTM B170, B187 | Rods, tubes, wires, strips, custom forms |
FAQ
What is the price of C11000 copper?
The cost for C11000 copper products (like sheet or tube) typically falls within $8,500 to $11,500 USD per metric ton.
Is C110 copper bendable?
Yes, C110 copper is very bendable and ductile, especially in its annealed (soft) temper. It can be easily formed, bent, and stamped. In its harder tempers (half-hard, hard), it retains good formability but requires more force and has a greater tendency to spring back or work-harden during severe bending operations.
Is C11000 copper oxygen-free?
No, C11000 is explicitly not an oxygen-free copper. The "ETP" in its name stands for "Electrolytic Tough Pitch," which indicates the presence of oxygen. For oxygen-free copper, you must specify grades like C10100 (OFE), C10200 (OF), or C10300.
What is the difference between C11000 and C12200?
The main difference is the deoxidizing element. C11000 (ETP) contains oxygen. C12200 (DHP - Phosphorus Deoxidized) has phosphorus added (0.015-0.040%) to remove oxygen completely. This makes C12200 resistant to hydrogen embrittlement, superior for brazing and welding, and preferred for plumbing tubes and refrigeration applications where oxygen could cause problems.
Is C11000 pure copper?
C11000 is considered commercially pure copper (99.90% Cu), but it is not 100% pure. The controlled oxygen content technically makes it an alloy, albeit a very simple one. For most practical industrial, electrical, and thermal applications, it is treated and referred to as "pure copper," distinguishing it from brass, bronze, or other copper alloys.
Product Forms We Can Provide
| Product Category | Material Standards | Common Alloys | Key Specifications (Can be Customized) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Tubes | ASTM B75, B88, B280,B111; EN 12449, 12451; DIN EN 12735; JIS H3300 | C10100 (OFE), C11000 (ETP), C12200 (DHP), C23000, C70600,C71500 | OD: 3mm - 300mm Wall Thickness: 0.5mm - 20mm Temper: Soft (O), Half-Hard (H50), Hard (H80) Form: Straight Lengths, Coils, U-Bends |
| Copper Sheets / Plates | ASTM B152, B248, B248M; EN 1652; DIN 1787; JIS H3100, H3250 | C10100 (OFE), C11000, C10200 (OF), C26000, C86200 | Thickness: 0.3mm - 100mm Width: Up to 1200mm Length: Up to 3000mm (or coils) Surface: Mill, Polished, Brushed |
| Copper Rods / Bars | ASTM B187, B301, B411; EN 12163, 12164; DIN 17672; JIS H3250 | C10100 (OFE), C11000, C14500, C36000, C63000 | Diameter/Rect. Size: 3mm - 300mm Shape: Round, Square, Hexagonal, Rectangular Condition: Drawn, Extruded, Hot Rolled |
| Copper Wires | ASTM B1, B2, B3, B258; EN 13601; IEC 60228; JIS H3100 | C10100 (OFE), C11000, C14420, C14500 | Diameter: 0.1mm - 20mm Temper: Soft, Annealed, Hard-Drawn Form: Bare, Tinned, Stranded, on Spools |
| Copper Foils / Strips | ASTM B103, B370; EN 1652; DIN 1787; JIS H3100 | C10100 (OFE), C10200, C11000, C19400, C26800 | Thickness: 0.02mm - 2.0mm Width: Up to 600mm Temper: Rolled, Annealed |
| CNC Machining Parts | As per Customer Drawing/Req. | All Common Copper Alloys (including C10100, C11000, C86200, etc.) | Process: Turning, Milling, Drilling, Tapping Tolerance: ±0.005mm - ±0.1mm Post-Processing: Deburring, Polishing, Plating |
Our factory
Our manufacturing facility operates a comprehensive and modern production line, equipped with advanced continuous casting, precision rolling, high-speed drawing, and multi-axis CNC machining centers, enabling us to process copper and copper alloys (such as C10100, C11000, C12200, C71500,C70600 etc.) into a full range of products including tubes, sheets, rods, wires, and foils. To ensure top-tier quality, we have implemented a rigorous in-process and final inspection system, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment such as spectrometers for material verification, digital tensile testers for mechanical property checks, precision dimensional gauges, and eddy current or ultrasonic testers for defect detection, guaranteeing that every product meets or exceeds international standards such as ASTM, EN, and JIS, as well as specific customer requirements.
