The chemical composition of C11000 copper is defined by a minimum of 99.90% Copper (including Silver) and a controlled Oxygen content between 0.02% and 0.04%. Officially classified as C11000 electrolytic tough pitch copper, this material is an unalloyed pure metal. Silver is counted as copper in this grade because it does not negatively impact electrical conductivity, ensuring the material meets the 101% IACS industry standard for power distribution.
Why is Oxygen content important in the C11000 chemical profile?
Unlike oxygen-free copper, C11000 (ETP) uses a small amount of oxygen as a refining agent during the melting process. This oxygen helps to sequester trace impurities that would otherwise increase electrical resistance. However, this chemistry makes the material unsuitable for high-temperature hydrogen brazing.
For vacuum electronics or specialized welding where oxygen must be eliminated, procurement teams should understand the difference between C11000 and C10100. For standard electrical busways and heat sinks, the oxygen-enriched structure of C11000 provides the best balance of performance and workability.
Chemical Composition Limits of UNS C11000 (ASTM B152 / B187)
| Element | Content (%) | Why it matters |
| Copper (Cu + Ag) | 99.90% Min | Core baseline for 101% IACS conductivity |
| Oxygen (O) | 0.005% - 0.04% | Optimizes the "Tough Pitch" refining process |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.005% Max | Ensures material is RoHS compliant C11000 copper |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.005% Max | Excessive iron significantly raises resistivity |
Does chemical purity affect the C11000 copper price?
Yes. Refining trace elements like Phosphorus (P) or Bismuth (Bi) out of the raw copper requires intensive electrolytic processing. The more energy required to reach the 99.90% purity, the higher the fabrication premium. This is why you will see daily fluctuations in the price of C11000 copper based on both LME cathode costs and mill-level refining intensity.
Sourcing from a china t2 copper plate factory often provides a price advantage because these facilities handle massive production volumes for the Asian electronics market, reducing the per-unit fabrication cost.
Are T2 copper and C11000 chemically identical?
Functionally, they are identical. In the global trade market, T2 (China), Cu-ETP (Europe), and C11000 (USA) all require the same 99.90% purity baseline. As we analyzed in our guide on international copper equivalents, these grades are interchangeable for 99% of electrical and mechanical projects.
Table 2: Chemical Standard Comparison for Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Grade Designation | Min Cu% | Typical Oxygen% |
| ASTM (USA) | C11000 | 99.90% | 0.04% |
| GB/T (China) | T2 Copper | 99.90% | 0.04% |
| EN (Europe) | CW004A / Cu-ETP | 99.90% | 0.04% Max |
FAQ
1. Does Silver (Ag) count as an impurity in C11000?
No. Silver is counted as part of the copper content. It improves the metal's softening temperature, which is beneficial for a transformer C11000 copper coil that operates under heat.
2. Can I verify the 99.90% purity on my Mill Test Certificate?
Yes. Every reputable ISO certified C11000 manufacturer must provide a document verifying the 99.90% purity and trace element limits. Always review this MTC before the material leaves the factory.
3. Does surface oxidation change the chemical grade?
No. Surface tarnish is a natural reaction. The internal copper c11000 chemical composition remains 99.90% pure. For aesthetic projects, we provide polished t2 copper sheet with protective coatings.
4. Is this composition suitable for precision milling?
C11000 is highly ductile, which makes it "gummy" during cutting. Procurement managers often outsource custom C11000 copper cnc machining to facilities with specialized cooling and tool geometry expertise.
5. Why is C11000 called "Electrolytic"?
This refers to the refining process (electrolysis) used to pull pure copper ions onto a cathode. This is the only way to reach the high-purity levels needed for a C11000 copper bar or plate used in high-voltage switchgear.
6. Does this grade contain restricted substances?
No. Because we maintain strict control over Lead and Mercury, our C11000 copper sheet and bar are fully RoHS and REACH compliant for global export.
Product Specifications & Range
| Product Category | Common Grades (Alloys) | Size Range (Dimensions) | Standards |
| Copper Rods | C11000, C12200, C10200, C14500 | Diameter: 3mm – 400mm<br>Shape: Round, Hexagonal, Square | ASTM B187, EN 12163 |
| Copper Tubes | C11000, C12200 (DHP), C10200 (OF), C27200 | OD: 2mm – 219mm<br>Wall Thickness: 0.2mm – 20mm | ASTM B280, EN 12735 |
| Copper Plates | C11000 (ETP), C10200, C12200 | Thickness: 0.1mm – 150mm<br>Width: Up to 2500mm | ASTM B152, DIN 1751 |
| Copper Wires | C11000, C10200, Brass Wire | Diameter: 0.05mm – 10.0mm<br>Form: Spool or Coil | ASTM B3, EN 13602 |
| Copper Strips | C11000, C12200, C26800 (Brass) | Thickness: 0.05mm – 3.0mm<br>Width: 5mm – 610mm | ASTM B19, EN 1652 |
Customization Note:
Custom Dimensions: We provide precision cutting and slitting services to meet your specific project requirements.
Tempers Available: Soft (O), Half-Hard (H02), Full Hard (H04), and Spring Hard (H08).
Surface Finish: Bright annealing, Polished, or Plated (Tin, Silver, Nickel) upon request.
Industrial-Grade Export Packaging
Maximum protection against oxidation, moisture, and transit damage.
1. Anti-Oxidation Protection
VCI Paper & Moisture-Proof Film: Every order is vacuum-sealed or wrapped in anti-corrosion materials to ensure the copper remains bright and tarnish-free during sea freight.
2. Reinforced Structural Support
Seaworthy Wooden Crates: We use reinforced, fumigation-free wooden cases (ISPM-15) and steel strapping for rods, tubes, and heavy plates to prevent bending or surface scratches.
3. Secure Handling & Loading
Forklift-Ready Pallets: All materials are secured on standardized export pallets for easy unloading and maximum stability in containers.
4. Clear Identification
Professional Labeling: Each package includes detailed labels with heat numbers, specifications, and net weight for efficient inventory management.
Advanced Manufacturing & Quality Control
1. Core Production Equipment
Up-casting & Continuous Casting Lines: Ensures high-purity oxygen-free copper rods and wires with uniform grain structure.
High-Precision Cold/Hot Rolling Mills: Automated thickness control for copper plates and strips with tolerances within ±0.01mm.
Large-Scale Extrusion & Drawing Machines: Capable of producing seamless copper tubes and rods in diverse diameters and shapes.
Atmospheric Controlled Annealing Furnaces: Bright annealing process to achieve specific tempers (Soft, Half-hard, Hard) without surface oxidation.
2. In-House Testing Center
Direct-Reading Spectrometers: Instant chemical composition analysis to guarantee Cu purity and precise alloying (Brass, Bronze, etc.).
Universal Tensile Testers: Verifying mechanical properties including tensile strength, elongation, and yield strength.
Eddy Current & Ultrasonic Testing: 100% non-destructive inspection for tubes and rods to detect internal cracks or flaws.
Conductivity & Hardness Testers: Ensuring electrical conductivity (IACS) and Vickers/Rockwell hardness meet international standards (ASTM, EN, DIN).
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