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Cadmium Copper (CuCd) Rods, Bars, Sheets & Contacts
Product Overview
Cadmium Copper (CuCd) is a high-conductivity copper alloy engineered to retain strength and wear resistance at elevated temperatures. It is widely specified for applications where pure copper is too soft, yet electrical performance must remain high—such as resistance welding electrodes and shanks, switchgear & contact tips, traction and motor components, and heavy-duty electrical connectors. R V Metal Corporation supplies CuCd in rods, bars, sheets/plates and contact forms with consistent chemistry control, clean surface finish, and tight dimensional tolerances suitable for machining, stamping, and fabrication. Material can be offered in solution treated/aged tempers as per requirement, with traceable test certificates on request.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Cadmium Copper (CuCd) |
| Typical Cadmium Content | 0.7 – 1.2 % (by weight) |
| Copper Content | Balance (≥ 98.5 %) |
| Available Product Forms | Rods, Round Bars, Flat Bars, Sheets, Plates, Electrical Contacts, Profiles |
| Manufacturing Process | Hot Rolled, Cold Drawn, Extruded, Solution Treated & Aged |
| Standard Tempers | Soft (Annealed), Half Hard, Hard, Heat Treated (HT) |
| Electrical Conductivity | 85 – 90 % IACS |
| Tensile Strength | 350 – 520 MPa (depending on temper) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | 250 – 450 MPa |
| Elongation | 8 – 25 % |
| Hardness | 90 – 150 HB |
| Density | ≈ 8.95 g/cm³ |
| Melting Range | 1080 – 1085 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | ≈ 330 – 350 W/m·K |
| Machinability | Good (Better than ETP Copper) |
| Weldability | Excellent (Resistance & Spot Welding Applications) |
| Corrosion Resistance | Very Good in Industrial & Electrical Environments |
| Surface Finish | Mill Finish, Bright Drawn, Polished (as required) |
| Dimensional Standards | ASTM / EN / IS or as per customer drawing |
| Testing & Certification | Chemical Analysis, Mechanical Tests, Electrical Conductivity, MTC as per EN 10204 3.1 |
| Typical Applications | Resistance Welding Electrodes, Electrical Contacts, Switchgear Parts, Traction Motors, High-Load Conductors |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Symbol | Composition (% by Weight) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Cu | Balance (≈ 98.8 – 99.3) | Base metal providing high electrical & thermal conductivity |
| Cadmium | Cd | 0.7 – 1.2 | Improves strength, wear resistance & softening temperature |
| Iron | Fe | ≤ 0.05 | Residual impurity |
| Nickel | Ni | ≤ 0.05 | Trace element |
| Lead | Pb | ≤ 0.02 | Restricted to maintain conductivity |
| Zinc | Zn | ≤ 0.02 | Residual impurity |
| Oxygen | O | ≤ 0.02 | Controlled to prevent embrittlement |
| Other Elements | — | ≤ 0.10 (total) | Each element typically ≤ 0.02 |
UNS Codes & Grades
| UNS Code | Common Grade / Designation | Cadmium Content (%) | Typical Forms | Key Characteristics | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C16200 | Cadmium Copper | 0.70 – 1.00 | Rods, Bars, Sheets, Strips | High conductivity with improved tensile strength | Electrical contacts, trolley wires, switch components |
| C16210 | High Strength Cadmium Copper | 1.00 – 1.20 | Rods, Bars, Plates | Higher softening temperature, better wear resistance | Heavy-duty electrical conductors, resistance welding parts |
| C16220 | Extra High Strength Cadmium Copper | 1.20 (max) | Bars, Forged Sections, Contacts | Maximum strength with acceptable conductivity | High-load electrical contacts, sliding current collectors |
| C16240 | Low Cadmium Copper | 0.40 – 0.70 | Sheets, Strips | Better conductivity, moderate strength | Precision electrical components, connectors |
| C16250 | Contact Grade Cadmium Copper | 0.80 – 1.10 | Contacts, Bars, Rods | Optimized for arc resistance and wear | Switchgear, circuit breaker contacts |
Mechanical, Physical & Fabrication Properties
| Property Category | Property | Typical Value / Range | Remarks / Engineering Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Properties | Tensile Strength | 380 – 520 MPa | Significantly higher than ETP copper; suitable for load-bearing conductors |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Proof) | 300 – 420 MPa | Improved resistance to permanent deformation | |
| Elongation | 6 – 15 % | Lower than pure copper due to cadmium strengthening | |
| Hardness | 90 – 140 HB | Depends on temper (annealed to hard-drawn) | |
| Fatigue Resistance | Good | Suitable for cyclic electrical loading | |
| Wear Resistance | Good | Preferred for sliding electrical contacts | |
| Physical Properties | Electrical Conductivity | 85 – 90 % IACS | Excellent balance of conductivity and strength |
| Thermal Conductivity | 300 – 340 W/m·K | Efficient heat dissipation in current-carrying parts | |
| Density | 8.9 g/cm³ | Comparable to pure copper | |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 16.5 × 10⁻⁶ /°C | Stable under thermal cycling | |
| Melting Point | 1080 – 1085 °C | Slightly lower than pure copper | |
| Softening Temperature | ≈ 300 – 350 °C | Higher than ETP copper; retains strength at elevated temperatures | |
| Fabrication Properties | Machinability | Good | Better than pure copper; clean chip formation |
| Cold Working | Good | Can be drawn and rolled with intermediate annealing | |
| Hot Working | Fair | Controlled temperatures required to avoid cracking | |
| Weldability | Limited | Cadmium fumes are hazardous; welding generally avoided | |
| Brazing / Soldering | Excellent | Preferred joining methods for CuCd components | |
| Formability | Moderate | Lower than pure copper due to alloy strengthening |
Common Names & International Identifiers
| Region / Standard System | Common Name | Grade / Designation | Product Forms | Notes / Industry Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General / Trade | Cadmium Copper | CuCd | Rods, Bars, Sheets, Contacts | High-strength, high-conductivity copper alloy |
| UNS (USA) | Cadmium Copper Alloy | C16200 | Rods, Bars, Sheets, Electrical Contacts | Most widely referenced UNS grade for CuCd |
| ASTM | Cadmium Copper | ASTM B441 / B442 | Bars, Rods, Profiles | Used in electrical and mechanical applications |
| EN / DIN | Cadmium Copper | CuCd1 | Sheets, Strips, Bars | European designation; restricted under RoHS |
| BS (UK) | Cadmium Copper | BS C162 | Rods, Bars | Legacy British standard |
| JIS (Japan) | Cadmium Copper | CDA C1620 | Electrical Contacts, Conductors | Limited modern use due to environmental norms |
| IS (India) | Cadmium Copper | IS 282 / IS 613 (legacy) | Rods, Bars, Contacts | Mainly for legacy electrical infrastructure |
| ISO | Cadmium Copper Alloy | ISO CuCd1 | Sheets, Strips, Bars | Rarely specified in new international projects |
| Electrical Industry | High-Strength Copper Contact Alloy | — | Switchgear Contacts, Spot Welding Tips | Chosen where wear resistance is critical |
Standards & International Equivalents
| Standard Body / Region | Standard Number | Grade / Designation | Equivalent / Closest Match | Typical Product Forms | Remarks (Engineer-Level) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNS (USA) | UNS | C16200 | Primary Reference Grade | Rods, Bars, Sheets, Electrical Contacts | Benchmark CuCd alloy used globally; high strength + conductivity |
| ASTM (USA) | ASTM B441 / B442 | C16200 | UNS C16200 | Bars, Rods, Shapes | Specified for wrought cadmium copper products |
| EN (Europe) | EN 12163 / EN 12164 | CuCd1 | UNS C16200 | Bars, Rods, Profiles | Restricted in EU under RoHS / REACH for new designs |
| DIN (Germany) | DIN 17666 | CuCd1 | EN CuCd1 | Bars, Sections | Legacy DIN reference; superseded by EN standards |
| BS (United Kingdom) | BS 2874 / BS 2875 | C162 | UNS C16200 | Rods, Bars | Older British standard, rarely used in new EPC specs |
| ISO | ISO 1634 | CuCd1 | EN CuCd1 | Sheets, Strips | Mainly referenced in legacy international documentation |
| JIS (Japan) | JIS H3250 | C1620 | UNS C16200 | Electrical Contacts, Conductors | Limited modern use due to environmental regulations |
| IS (India) | IS 282 / IS 613 | Cu-Cd Alloy | UNS C16200 (Closest) | Rods, Bars, Electrical Parts | Used mainly in railways and legacy electrical systems |
| GB (China) | GB/T 5231 | CuCd1 | EN CuCd1 | Bars, Contacts | Still supplied for industrial & power equipment use |
Applications
| Industry / Sector | Product Form | Typical Applications | Why Cadmium Copper (CuCd) is Used | Critical Notes (Engineer-Level) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Power & Transmission | Rods, Bars | High-current bus connectors, switchgear components | High electrical conductivity combined with improved strength | Preferred where pure copper lacks mechanical durability |
| Electrical Contacts | Contacts, Plates | Circuit breaker contacts, relay contacts | Excellent arc resistance and low contact wear | Legacy designs only; restricted in new EU-compliant systems |
| Railway Electrification | Rods, Bars, Profiles | Overhead line fittings, contact system hardware | Maintains conductivity under mechanical stress and vibration | Still used in Indian Railways and older infrastructure |
| Resistance Welding | Rods, Bars | Welding electrodes, electrode holders | High softening temperature with good electrical performance | Increasingly replaced by CuCrZr in modern welding lines |
| Industrial Electrical Equipment | Sheets, Bars | High-load terminals, current-carrying components | Balances conductivity, wear resistance, and strength | Use justified only where CuCrZr or CuAg is unavailable |
| Aerospace & Defense (Legacy) | Rods, Sheets | Specialized electrical connectors and contacts | Stable performance under high electrical and thermal loads | Mostly legacy approvals; rarely specified in new designs |
| Heavy Engineering | Bars, Flats | Current leads, power distribution parts | Lower deformation under sustained electrical load | Compliance check mandatory before export use |
| Maintenance & Replacement Markets | All Forms | Spare parts for existing CuCd-based equipment | Exact material match required for compatibility | Main commercial demand today is replacement, not new projects |
Common Cadmium Copper (CuCd) Forms & Dimensions Chart
| Product Form | Shape / Type | Standard Size Range | Standard Length / Sheet Size | Supply Condition | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rods | Round | Ø 6 mm to Ø 150 mm | 3 m / 4 m / 6 m (cut-to-length) | Hot Extruded / Drawn / Straightened | Terminals, electrodes, current leads |
| Bars | Flat / Rectangular | 10×3 mm to 200×50 mm | 3 m / 4 m / 6 m (cut-to-length) | Extruded / Milled / Planed edges (optional) | Power distribution parts, connectors |
| Bars | Square | 6×6 mm to 80×80 mm | 3 m / 4 m / 6 m | Extruded / Straightened | Machined components, heavy terminals |
| Sheets | Hot Rolled / Cold Rolled | Thickness 0.5 mm to 25 mm | 1000×2000 / 1220×2440 / cut blanks | Mill Finish / Pickled / Brushed (optional) | Bus parts, contact plates, fabrication |
| Plates | Rolled Plate | Thickness 25 mm to 150 mm | Cut plates / blocks | Rough sawn / Machined (optional) | Heavy current blocks, welding fixtures |
| Contacts | Contact Tips / Buttons / Segments | As per drawing / OEM spec | Custom | Pre-machined / Silver-faced (optional) | Circuit breakers, relays (legacy systems) |
| CuCd Round Rod – Theoretical Weight (kg/m) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter (mm) | Area (mm²) | Weight (kg/m) | Reference Formula |
| 6 | 28.27 | 0.251 | kg/m = 0.00698 × D² |
| 8 | 50.27 | 0.447 | |
| 10 | 78.54 | 0.698 | |
| 12 | 113.10 | 1.005 | |
| 16 | 201.06 | 1.787 | |
| 20 | 314.16 | 2.792 | |
| 25 | 490.87 | 4.363 | |
| 30 | 706.86 | 6.283 | |
| CuCd Flat / Rectangular Bar – Theoretical Weight (kg/m) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size (W×T) mm | Area (mm²) | Weight (kg/m) | Weight (kg/6m) | Reference Formula |
| 10×3 | 30 | 0.267 | 1.602 | kg/m = 0.00889 × (W×T) |
| 20×3 | 60 | 0.533 | 3.198 | |
| 25×5 | 125 | 1.111 | 6.667 | |
| 30×5 | 150 | 1.334 | 8.004 | |
| 40×6 | 240 | 2.134 | 12.804 | |
| 50×6 | 300 | 2.667 | 16.002 | |
| 60×10 | 600 | 5.334 | 32.004 | |
| 100×10 | 1000 | 8.890 | 53.340 | |
| CuCd Sheets / Plates – Theoretical Weight (kg/m²) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness (mm) | Weight (kg/m²) | Weight for 1000×2000 mm Sheet (kg) | Reference Formula |
| 0.5 | 4.45 | 8.89 | kg/m² = 8.89 × Thickness(mm) |
| 1.0 | 8.89 | 17.78 | |
| 2.0 | 17.78 | 35.56 | |
| 3.0 | 26.67 | 53.34 | |
| 5.0 | 44.45 | 88.90 | |
| 8.0 | 71.12 | 142.24 | |
| 10.0 | 88.90 | 177.80 | |
| 20.0 | 177.80 | 355.60 | |
NOTE (Important):
- Density used for theoretical weights: 8.89 g/cc (8890 kg/m³). Actual weight can vary with tolerance, surface condition, and alloy chemistry.
- Weights are theoretical and intended for estimation, logistics, and costing. For invoicing, actual weighment applies.
- Compliance warning: Cadmium-containing copper alloys may be restricted for certain regions and industries. For EPC/export projects, confirm regulatory acceptance and specify approved alternative grades when required.
