Free-Machining Copper — Tellurium

C14500 Tellurium Copper

Tellurium Copper — CuTeP / ASTM B301

C14500 (CuTeP, CW118C) is tellurium copper to ASTM B301: 0.4–0.7% tellurium raises machinability to 85% while retaining 93% IACS electrical conductivity. Copper conductivity with brass-like machinability. 0.4–0.7% tellurium forms chip-breaking inclusions that lift machinability to 85% — versus ~20% for pure copper — while keeping 93% IACS electrical conductivity. The grade of choice for machined electrical components. EN equivalent: CW118C (CuTeP).

⚡ 93% IACS Conductivity
⚙️ 85% Machinability
✅ RoHS — No Exemption
📋 ASTM B301
🌍 ≡ CW118C
93%
IACS electrical conductivity
85%
Machinability — vs ~20% for pure Cu
0.4–0.7%
Tellurium — chip-breaking inclusions
RoHS ✓
No exemption required
Chemical Composition

C14500 — ASTM B301 Limits

Weight %. Tellurium inclusions break chips without seriously degrading conductivity; a trace of phosphorus deoxidizes the melt.

ElementSymbolMin %Max %Typical %
Copper (incl. Ag)Cu99.299.699.4
TelluriumTe0.400.700.55
PhosphorusP0.0040.0120.008
Copper (Cu)
~99.4%
Tellurium
~0.55%
Mechanical Properties

Typical for rod (varies by temper)

PropertyConditionValueUnit
Tensile Strengthsoft → hard230–400MPa
Yield Strengthsoft → hard70–350MPa
Elongationby temper8–45%
Electrical Conductivityannealed~93% IACS
Thermal Conductivity~355W/(m·K)
Machinabilityvs C36000 = 10085%
Density8.94g/cm³
Melting Rangesolidus–liquidus~1050–1075°C
Typical Applications
  • Machined electrical connectors, terminals, and contact pins
  • Resistance-welding electrodes and torch/plasma tips
  • EV charging and busbar hardware machined to drawing
  • Data-center and switchgear current-carrying components
  • Heat-sink and thermal parts needing machinability plus conductivity
Why choose C14500?

Copper conductivity, screw-machine productivity

  • 85% machinability — tellurium inclusions break chips; pure copper rates only ~20%
  • 93% IACS — gives up just 7% conductivity versus C11000 for a 4× machining gain
  • ASTM B301 standardised — the recognised free-machining copper for rod, bar and shapes
  • Lead-free and RoHS compliant — no exemption needed, unlike leaded copper C18700
  • EN twin: CW118C — CuTeP on European drawings, same metallurgy
RoHS & Compliance

Compliance Status

RoHS
✓ Fully Compliant
No lead addition — tellurium and phosphorus are not restricted substances.
Conductivity Trade-Off
93% IACS vs 100% for C11000
For maximum conductivity busbars, stay with C11000 and accept slower machining; for complex machined geometry, C14500 usually wins overall.
Pure copper alternative
C11000 — Cu-ETP, 100% IACS
International Equivalents

C14500 Cross-Reference

StandardDesignation
UNS / ASTM (USA)C14500 — ASTM B301
EN — equivalentCW118C / CuTeP
Related pure copperC11000 / Cu-ETP
Trade nameTellurium Copper / Te-Cu
C14500 conductivity is quoted for the annealed condition; cold-worked tempers trade a little conductivity for strength. State both the temper and the minimum %IACS your application needs on the drawing.
← Pure copper
C11000
Cu-ETP — 100% IACS, ~20% machinability
Free-machining brass →
C36000
The 100% machinability benchmark
↑ All alloys
Materials Library
Frequently Asked Questions

C14500 — common questions

What is C14500 tellurium copper?

C14500 is free-machining copper per ASTM B301 — 99.2–99.6% copper with 0.4–0.7% tellurium and a trace of phosphorus. The tellurium forms inclusions that break chips, lifting machinability to 85% (versus ~20% for pure copper) while retaining 93% IACS electrical conductivity.

When should I choose C14500 over pure copper (C11000)?

Choose C14500 whenever the part has real machined geometry — threads, cross-holes, grooves, small diameters. The 7% conductivity penalty versus C11000 is usually invisible in service, while cycle times, tool life, and surface finish improve dramatically. Keep C11000 for simple high-current busbars where every %IACS counts.

What is the EN (CW) equivalent of C14500?

The EN designation is CW118C (CuTeP) — the same tellurium-copper metallurgy. Bar stock typically certifies to either designation; we confirm certificate wording at quotation.

Can Brassland machine C14500 parts?

Yes — C14500 suits our sliding-head CNC and Swiss-type machines well, and is our recommended grade for machined electrical components such as connectors, terminals, and welding-torch parts. Parts are made to your drawing; send it for a quote within 24 hours.

C14500 machined in Jamnagar

Free-machining copper for electrical components — 93% IACS, made to your drawing. ISO 9001:2015. Quote within 24 hours.

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Sources & References

Verify this datasheet against the primary source

Composition ranges, mechanical properties, machinability ratings and regulatory data on this page are cross-referenced against the publishers below. Tolerances and minimum values are taken from the relevant published standard at the time of writing — for procurement specification, always reference the current published edition.

Copper Development Association
CDA C14500 alloy datasheet — composition & properties
Wieland Concast
C14500 tellurium copper — producer datasheet
MatWeb
Independent material property database — by temper
European Copper Institute
Copper Alliance EU — EN alloy designation system
SteelNumber.com
EN material designation cross-reference
CEN / CENELEC
EN 12164, EN 12165, EN 12167 — EN rod standards
EU RoHS Directive 2011/65
Annex III Exemption 6(c) — valid to 30 Jun 2027
ECHA REACH SVHC List
Lead is on the candidate list (Article 33)
NSF/ANSI/CAN 61
Drinking water system components (US/CA)
Brassland — Standards Guide
Plain-English explainer for every standard above

Last reviewed: June 2026. EN/ISO/ASTM standards are updated periodically. This datasheet reflects the editions listed; for safety-critical or contract-critical applications, always verify against the current published edition of the standard. For project-specific deviations or supplier-specific composition windows, request a Type 3.1 mill certificate (EN 10204) with your order.

Made by Brassland
Need parts in C14500?

Brassland machines C14500 into brass turned parts and CNC machined components to your drawing in Jamnagar, India, including precision turned brass components on 28+ Swiss-type lathes, with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate on every shipment.

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