Oxygen-Free Copper (C10100)

Oxygen-free high thermal conductivity (OFHC) C10100 copper is used for electrical and electronic conductors, wave guides, cavity resonators, super conductor matrixes, vacuum tube and solid-state devices, and glass to metal seals. Oxygen-free copper C10100 has a conductivity rating of 101% IACS—the highest among coppers. The chemical composition of oxygen-free copper C10100 is 99.99 copper—nearly pure copper. The physical properties of C10100 include the density and melting point. The density of C10100 is 8.89 to 8.94 grams per cubic centimeter. The melting point is 1083 degrees Celsius.

Copper C101 MSDS

Why Oxygen-Free Copper?

Oxygen-free high conductivity (OFC) copper C10100 is a type of copper that has been refined in an electrically charged solution of copper sulfate and sulfuric acid. This process is known as electrolytic refining. Electrolytic tough pitch copper, or ETP copper, has an exceptionally low level of oxygen, often with less than 0.001% oxygen content.

Oxygen-free copper C10100 is commonly used in consumer electronics. Specifically, oxygen-free copper is most frequently found in high-end audio-visual systems. In addition, oxygen-free copper wiring custom cable accessories are also on the market for the pickiest of customers. Oxygen-free copper is used for speaker wires, audio/video connector cable assemblies, and amplifier wires. Due to its high purity, it is supposed to have higher conductivity and a better ability to transfer low-frequency sounds. Some manufacturers also state that oxygen-free copper wiring provides better clarity of sound, and lasts longer than other, less pure, copper wires.

Although this reasonably deems oxygen-free copper as the most important for music lovers, it has little practical use in the consumer world. Strong advertising solely for oxygen-free copper wiring in music is likely to stick around.

With less applications that’s some other copper alloys, C10100 copper is still the purest. It can be purchased in large quantities or used in specific items, such as cables. Oxygen-free copper is largely distributed in North America, both in copper sheet and copper bar forms, and is easily available.

Fabrication Properties

The fabrication properties of C10100 include:

• Machining
  • The machinability rate of Copper C10100 is 20%.
• Welding
  • Soldering, brazing, gas shielded arc welding, oxyacetylene welding and butt welding are recommended for C10100 copper. Coated metal arc welding, spot welding and seam welding are not recommended.
• Forging
  • C10100 copper is forged at temperatures ranging from 760 to 871 degrees Celsius. The forging rate of C10100 copper is 65%.
• Hot Working
  • C10100 copper has excellent hot working properties.
• Cold Working
  • C10100 copper has excellent cold working properties.
• Annealing
  • Annealing of C10100 copper occurs at temperatures from 371 to 649 degrees Celsius.