Copper Alloy C16200

General Characteristics
C16200 offers a unique combination of high tensile strength and high electrical conductivity in wire for an industry where these properties are generally considered incompatible and diametrically opposed. The cadmium noticeably increases the copper’s strength and resistance to softening and stress relaxation with minimal decrease in its electrical conductivity. It also produces an alloy noted for its malleability and toughness and spring quality.

Because of its good strength and wear resistance, C16200 was used for low load transmission lines in rural areas for its earliest application. Here, line loss due to the lower conductivity of this alloy was offset by the added tensile strength which required fewer poles between spans, thus lower cost per mile of line. Today, it is commonly used to make trolley wire.
Typical Chemical Composition

Weight % Cu Cd Fe

minimum 98.78 0.70 —

maximum 99.30 1.20 0.020

Weight %	Cu	Cd	Fe
minimum	98.78	0.70	—
maximum	99.30	1.20	0.020

Characteristics		English	Metric
Nominal density (68°F/20°C)		0.321 lbs/in³	8.89 g/cm³
Melting range		1890 – 1969 °F	1030 – 1076 °C
Specific heat (212 °F/100°C)		0.09 BTU/lb – °F	380 J/KG- °K
Coefficient of thermal expansion	68°F – 212°F 20°C – 100°C	9.4 micro in/in- °F	17.0 micro m/m- °K
	68°F – 392°F 20°C – 200°C	9.6 micro in/in- °F	17.3 micro m/m- °K
	68°F – 572°F 20°C – 300°C	9.8 micro in/in- °F	17.7 micro m/m- °K
Thermal conductivity	20°C / 68°F	208 BTU/ft- hr – °F	360 W/m – °K
Electrical conductivity	Volumetric: 20°C / 68°F	90% IACS
Electrical resistivity	20°C / 68°F	19.2 nΩ · m

Temper	Size	Tensile					Hardness	Shear		Fatigue
		Ultimate		Yield		Elongation in 50 mm (2 in.)	Rockwell B	Shear strength		Fatigue strength
		KSI	MPa	KSI	MPa	%		KSI	MPa	KSI	MPa
OSO50 (0.050 mm grain size)	13 mm (0.50 in.) diameter	35	240	7	48	56	46 HRF	27	185	14.5	100
OSO25 (0.025 mm grain size)		36	250	12	83	57	46 HRF	—	—	—	—
H01 – ¼ hard		58	400	45	310	12	65	—	—	—	—
H04 – Hard		73	505	68.7	474	9	73	56	385	30	205

Copper Alloy C16200 Sales:+972 4 618 2000

General Characteristics
C16200 offers a unique combination of high tensile strength and high electrical conductivity in wire for an industry where these properties are generally considered incompatible and diametrically opposed. The cadmium noticeably increases the copper’s strength and resistance to softening and stress relaxation with minimal decrease in its electrical conductivity. It also produces an alloy noted for its malleability and toughness and spring quality.

Because of its good strength and wear resistance, C16200 was used for low load transmission lines in rural areas for its earliest application. Here, line loss due to the lower conductivity of this alloy was offset by the added tensile strength which required fewer poles between spans, thus lower cost per mile of line. Today, it is commonly used to make trolley wire.
Typical Chemical Composition

Weight % Cu Cd Fe

minimum 98.78 0.70 —

maximum 99.30 1.20 0.020

Weight %	Cu	Cd	Fe
minimum	98.78	0.70	—
maximum	99.30	1.20	0.020

Characteristics		English	Metric
Nominal density (68°F/20°C)		0.321 lbs/in³	8.89 g/cm³
Melting range		1890 – 1969 °F	1030 – 1076 °C
Specific heat (212 °F/100°C)		0.09 BTU/lb – °F	380 J/KG- °K
Coefficient of thermal expansion	68°F – 212°F 20°C – 100°C	9.4 micro in/in- °F	17.0 micro m/m- °K
	68°F – 392°F 20°C – 200°C	9.6 micro in/in- °F	17.3 micro m/m- °K
	68°F – 572°F 20°C – 300°C	9.8 micro in/in- °F	17.7 micro m/m- °K
Thermal conductivity	20°C / 68°F	208 BTU/ft- hr – °F	360 W/m – °K
Electrical conductivity	Volumetric: 20°C / 68°F	90% IACS
Electrical resistivity	20°C / 68°F	19.2 nΩ · m

Temper	Size	Tensile					Hardness	Shear		Fatigue
		Ultimate		Yield		Elongation in 50 mm (2 in.)	Rockwell B	Shear strength		Fatigue strength
		KSI	MPa	KSI	MPa	%		KSI	MPa	KSI	MPa
OSO50 (0.050 mm grain size)	13 mm (0.50 in.) diameter	35	240	7	48	56	46 HRF	27	185	14.5	100
OSO25 (0.025 mm grain size)		36	250	12	83	57	46 HRF	—	—	—	—
H01 – ¼ hard		58	400	45	310	12	65	—	—	—	—
H04 – Hard		73	505	68.7	474	9	73	56	385	30	205