C11000 Equivalent Designations
C11000 is the unified numbering system (UNS) grade for electrolytic tough pitch copper (ETP). It is the baseline industrial copper used in electrical busbar, transformer windings, plumbing tube, heat exchangers, general sheet metal, and most copper rod and wire products. Before any price discussion, it is worth confirming that the same material is called different names in different standards.
| Standard system | Grade code | Other common names | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNS (USA) | C11000 | Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) | ASTM B152, B187, B49, B280 base grade |
| EN (Europe) | CW004A | Cu-ETP | EN 1652, EN 12163, EN 12449 |
| GB/T (China) | T2 | - | GB/T 5231, GB/T 1527/1530/2040 |
| JIS (Japan) | C1100 | - | JIS H3100, H3200, H3300 |
| DIN (Germany) | 2.0065 | E-Cu58 | DIN 1787 / EN 13601 |
| BS (UK) | C101 | - | BS EN 1652 |
| ISO | Cu-ETP | - | ISO 1336 |
If a drawing or purchase order references any of the grades above, the chemistry, conductivity, and processing behavior are materially the same. The certificate of analysis should show minimum 99.90% copper and residual oxygen in the range that defines tough pitch. The important exception is brazed or hydrogen-atmosphere service: for those applications, C12200 (DHP) should be specified instead, because residual oxygen in C11000 can cause hydrogen embrittlement.
Where C11000 Sits in Historical Price Context
The chart below combines two pieces of information. The left panel shows the annual average LME 3-month copper price from 2020 through the 2026 year-to-date.
Left: annual average LME 3-month copper, 2020-2026. Source: LME, public market data, industry analysis.
Key takeaways from the historical panel
2020 average: $6,181/t - the pandemic demand shock.
2021-2023: $8,488-$9,320/t - the post-Covid recovery followed by rate-hike pressure.
2024-2025: $9,261-$10,180/t
2026 YTD: $14,370/t - driven by physical tightness, low visible inventory, and the front-loading of metal into the United States ahead of the refined-copper decision.
The current C11000 price is therefore not just "high relative to last month." It is high relative to the entire post-pandemic period, and it is being supported by a policy-driven shift in global copper flows rather than by Chinese demand alone.
Market Snapshot: September 28, 2026
| Indicator | Latest | Context |
|---|---|---|
| LME 3-month copper | $14,455 / tonne | -2.7% from all-time high of $14,858.50 on Sept 10 |
| LME 2026 YTD average | $14,370 / tonne | +41% over 2025 average |
| LME cash vs 3-month | ~$10 backwardation | Mild front-end tightness |
| COMEX copper | $6.62 / lb (~$14,595/t) | US premium still positive vs LME |
| COMEX copper stocks | ~762,000 tonnes | Historic high; policy-driven inflow |
| LME registered stocks | ~234,000 tonnes | Multi-year low outside the US |
| SHFE copper stocks | ~43,900 tonnes | Lowest since 2023 |
| Yangshan copper premium | $124 / tonne | Near four-year high |
| Shanghai spot #1 cathode | 117,320 yuan / tonne | Firm despite higher LME |
| Section 232 deadline | Sept 30, 2026 | 90-day presidential decision window closes |
Two numbers stand out. First, COMEX stocks near 762,000 tonnes show how aggressively metal has been moved into the United States. Second, LME/SHFE stocks near multi-year lows show how much supply has been removed from the rest of the world. The market is effectively split: metal inside the US carries a tariff-policy premium; metal outside the US is scarce.
What This Means for C11000 Buyers
Regardless of the September 30 outcome, the current C11000 market is defined by one structural fact: non-US physical copper is tight, and prices already discount that tightness. A tariff decision will determine how long the tightness lasts and where the metal sits, but it will not immediately solve the underlying shortage.
For procurement teams, the practical implications are:
Do not compare this week's quote to a 2024 or 2025 baseline. The 2026 price regime is structurally higher. Benchmarking against $9,000-10,000/t historical averages will make every current offer look expensive.
Separate the metal from the premium. Ask your supplier to itemize the LME reference, the regional premium, and the conversion premium. The conversion premium for C11000 wire rod, tube, strip, or sheet is where the supplier relationship shows up; the metal component is largely market-driven.
Assume volatility, not a steady drift. A binary event two days away means prices can gap. If you must cover October-November requirements, consider splitting orders rather than waiting for a single "better" price.
Factor in the tariff path for North American shipments. If your C11000 product is destined for the United States, confirm whether your supplier's quote is structured for delivery before January 2027, after the potential first tariff step, or under a clause that allows renegotiation if duties change.
Watch SHFE stocks and the Yangshan premium as real-time gauges. Rising Yangshan premiums mean Chinese import demand is competing for the same metal you are trying to buy. Falling SHFE stocks mean the competition is intensifying.
C11000 Product Range and Typical Specifications
We supply C11000 across the full range of industrial forms. The table below summarizes standard specification ranges. Non-standard sizes, tempers, and tighter tolerances are available on request, and every shipment is accompanied by a mill test certificate confirming UNS designation, temper, conductivity, and chemistry.
| Product form | Standard sizes | Temper range | Applicable standards | Common applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper tubes | OD 3–219 mm, wall 0.3–10 mm | O60, H55, H80 | ASTM B88, B280, B111; EN 1057, EN 12449 | Plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, general purpose |
| Copper plates & sheets | Thickness 0.4–150 mm, width up to 3,000 mm | O60, H00, H02, H04 | ASTM B152, B187; EN 1652 | Busbar, switchgear panels, heat spreaders |
| Copper bars & rods | Diameter 3–400 mm (round, square, hex) | O60, H02, H04 | ASTM B49, B133, B301; EN 12163 | Machined parts, electrical connectors, bushings |
| Copper wires & rods | Diameter 0.05–12 mm | Soft and hard drawn | ASTM B1, B2, B3, B8; IEC 60228 | Power cable, magnet wire, grounding conductors |
| Copper strips & foils | Thickness 0.05–3.0 mm, width up to 620 mm | O60, H00, H02, H04, H06 | ASTM B36, B152; EN 1652 | Connectors, terminals, battery tabs |
| Heat exchanger tubes | OD 6–57 mm, wall 0.4–4.0 mm | O60, H55 | ASTM B111, B359, B543; EN 12451 | Condensers, evaporators, cooling coils |
Request a C11000 Quote
Send us your specification, quantity, and delivery destination. We will return a fully itemized C11000 quote with LME reference, regional premium, and conversion premium separated.
