OFE Copper Products
OFE-OK® high purity oxygen-free copper
OFE-OK® certified grade high-purity grade copper has a minimum electrical conductivity as high as 101.5% IACS, making it ideal for demanding electronic applications (OFHC). Its impurity content is less than 40 ppm (0.0040%), with no single impurity exceeding 25 ppm (0.0025%). The content of volatile elements in vacuum at high temperatures Cd, Hg and Zn is a maximum of 1 ppm. To ensure high resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, the maximum oxygen content is restricted to 5 ppm (0.0005%). Properties of Certified Grade OFE-OK Copper:
- High purity
- Highest possible electrical and thermal conductivity (OFHC)
- Excellent formability and impact strength
- Excellent weldability, brazability and solderability
- Excellent for high-vacuum applications
- Immune to hydrogen embrittlement
- Very adherent oxide scale
- High homogeneity and reliability
Certified Grade OFE-OK follows a different manufacturing, control and inspection process from regular grade oxygen–free copper. Only specially selected cathode copper is used, and ingots are produced in the middle of the operating period – when conditions are most stable.
Luvata OFE-OK® is tested during all steps of the manufacturing process; casting, extrusion/forging, drawing and once again at the end of the process to ensure the integrity of the material. Even small impurities or defects from extrusion may cause scattering of the beam from the optical component and cause rejection after a great deal of time and effort has been spent. Using OFE-OK® ensures the highest possible yield in the process.
OFE-OK is well-suited for electronic and other demanding applications
The low content of highly volatile elements such as P, Pb, S, Zn, Cd or Hg results in low volatility under high vacuum and makes certified grade OFE-OK well-suited to the electronics and laser optic industries, and vacuum technology applications.
It is readily joined by brazing in vacuum or inert gas furnace with hydrogen without risk of hydrogen embrittlement vacuum leakage. OFE-OK is suitable for all welding processes and it is the optimum grade of copper for electron beam welding.
The electronics industry uses glass-to-copper seals, which require an adherent oxide film on the surface. This film may be rendered non-adherent if traces of phosphorous, (which is commonly used as an oxidant) are present. To prevent this, OFE-OK contains less than 3 ppm (0.0003%) of phosphorous.
OFE-OK copper is the ideal material for:
- Microwave devices: klystrons, magnetrons, thyratrons, etc.
- X-ray tubes
- Vacuum applications including vacuum interrupters and capacitors
- Particle accelerator components
- Laser mirrors
- Superconductors and other cryogenic applications
- Audio power cables
| Alloy | EN | ASTM | GOST | Electrical conductivity | Thermal conductivity | |
| MS/m | IACS% | W/Km | ||||
| OFE-OK | CW009A | C10100 | M00б | 58,6 | 101,5 | 391 |
Specifications
ASTM F68 ‘Oxygen Free Copper in Wrought Forms for Electron Devices’. Alloy UNS C10100.
EN 13604 ‘Copper and copper alloys. Products of high conductivity copper for electronic tubes, semiconductor devices and vacuum applications’. Alloy Cu-OFE EN CW009A
GOST 859 ‘Copper grades’. Alloy M00б
ASTM B577 ‘Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper ’
ASTM B170 ‘Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper – Refinery Shapes ’
At cryogenic temperatures the electrical and thermal properties of OFE-OK are superior to any other copper grade. High purity of raw material alone is not a proof of high RRR value in copper but also the balance of the impurities is important as well the manufacturing history.
By selecting the purest raw material and controlling the level and balance of the most harmful impurities OFE-OK® can be produced with min RRR value up to 400 providing highest possible electrical and thermal conductivity in cryogenic temperature. High value of RRR ensure best possible performance of a cryogenic component.
Luvata has 100% microscopic inspection throughout the manufacturing process that guarantees that each piece of the material meet metallographic contamination complying with either Class 1 or Class 2 of ASTM F68 and EN 13604. Inspection according to ASTM B170 is made for each cut piece after casting, for each product after hot deformation or in the final stage of manufacturing.
OFE-OK certified copper carries 3.1 Inspection Certificate complying EN 10204, which is a guarantee that impurities in the material are held below the specified limits and the material is oxygen-free and immune to hydrogen embrittlement.
Luvata OFE-OK copper is available in following forms
| Billets | dia 178 - 850 mm |
| Cakes | up to 250 x 1065 mm |
| Rods | dia 4,5 – 250 mm |
| Tubes | OD x wall thickness: 3,5 x 0,6 mm up to 750 x 150 mm |
| Wires | dia 1 - 25 mm |
| Forged | up to 5000 kg |
Relevant industries for OFE Copper Products
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Did you know?
.01
RRR valueThe ratio of electrical resistivity measured at room temperature (296 K) divided by value measured at 4,2 K is called Residual Resistance Ratio value – RRR. Typical RRR value in standard pure copper grades range from 20 – 100 depending on material purity and the processing history. A copper conductor made of copper with RRR value 50 - is 50 times better electrical conductor in 4,2 K temperature than in room temperature. -
Did you know?
.02
Luvata OFE-OK® is tested during all steps of the manufacturing processLuvata OFE-OK® is tested during all steps of the manufacturing process; casting, extrusion, drawing and once again at the end of the process to ensure the integrity of the material. Even small impurities or defects from extrusion may cause scattering of the beam from the optical component and cause rejection after a great deal of time and effort has been spent. Using OFE-OK® ensures the highest possible yield in the process.