What Is Cu-OFE
Cu-OFE, material number CR009A, is an unalloyed copper grade made from Cu-CATH-1 cathodes, CR001A, and represents oxygen-free electronic copper. It is covered by EN 1976 for cast unwrought copper products. With a minimum copper content of 99.99 percent, it is among the purest industrial copper grades and is specified where maximum conductivity and process stability are required.
Chemical Composition
The composition limits are extremely tight: iron 0.001 percent maximum, manganese 0.0005 percent, nickel 0.001 percent, phosphorus 0.0003 percent, sulfur 0.0015 percent, arsenic 0.0005 percent, lead 0.0005 percent, selenium 0.0002 percent, zinc 0.0001 percent, silver 0.0025 percent, antimony 0.0004 percent, bismuth 0.0002 percent, tin 0.0002 percent, tellurium 0.0002 percent, and cadmium 0.0001 percent, with copper minimum 99.99 percent.
Electrical Properties
The volume resistivity of Cu-OFE is 0.01707 ohm square millimeters per meter, corresponding to an electrical conductivity of about 101 percent IACS, the highest conductivity available in commercial copper. The absence of oxygen eliminates the risk of hydrogen embrittlement, known as hydrogen disease, during welding and brazing in reducing atmospheres.
Key Advantages
The combination of ultra-high purity, maximum conductivity, and freedom from oxygen makes Cu-OFE the preferred material for demanding electrical and electronic applications. It resists embrittlement during high-temperature processing, maintains stable conductivity, and provides excellent formability for fine wire and thin strip production.
Applications
Cu-OFE is used in high-end audio and video cables, coaxial and data transmission cables, semiconductor equipment components, vacuum tubes and electron tubes, superconducting magnet stabilization, research instruments, and other applications where maximum conductivity and purity are essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does OFE stand for?
A: Oxygen-free electronic.
Q: What is the copper content of CR009A?
A: Minimum 99.99 percent.
Q: What is the volume resistivity?
A: 0.01707 ohm square millimeters per meter, about 101 percent IACS.
Q: Why is oxygen-free copper better for welding?
A: No oxygen means no hydrogen embrittlement risk.
Q: What standard covers Cu-OFE?
A: EN 1976.
Q: What applications use Cu-OFE?
A: High-end cables, semiconductor equipment, and electron tubes.
Contact us for Cu-OFE CR009A wire, strip, and rod with certified purity and conductivity data.
