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OFHC Copper Rod
Available Configurations
Properties common to all products in this list
| Purity | Diameter | Length | Temper ⓘ | Other Variant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.95% (3N5) to 99.99% (4N) | 2mm to 100mm | 10mm to 3000mm | Annealed As Drawn |
Standard High-Purity Copper |
Need custom configurations? Please contact us.
Key Features
OFHC Copper Rod is available in purities from 3N5 (99.95%) to 4N (99.99%), produced with an oxygen content below 0.001% — delivering the highest electrical and thermal performance available in a copper rod format with full compatibility with vacuum processing, high-temperature brazing, and reducing-atmosphere environments:
Maximum Electrical & Thermal Performance (101% IACS, 401 W/m·K)
With electrical resistivity of 1.69 µΩ·cm, thermal conductivity of 401 W/m·K, and conductivity at 101% IACS, OFHC Copper Rod reliably delivers the highest performance available in a copper rod format — properties preserved because eliminating dissolved oxygen removes the cuprous oxide inclusions that scatter electrons and reduce conductivity in standard grades.
Oxygen Content Below 0.001% Prevents Hydrogen Embrittlement
Producing the rod with an oxygen content below 0.001% prevents the hydrogen embrittlement that causes standard copper to crack and blister when exposed to reducing atmospheres or high-temperature processing — making OFHC Copper Rod the material of choice wherever standard copper rod would fail under brazing, vacuum processing, or electron beam welding conditions.
3N5 Grade for Precision Electrical & Vacuum Applications
The 3N5 grade suits precision electrical conductors, vacuum feedthroughs, cryogenic current leads, and high-frequency transmission components where oxygen-free processing is essential for processing reliability and maximum conductivity, but the absolute highest purity level is not required by the application.
4N Grade for Superconducting, Accelerator & Research Applications
The 4N grade steps up for superconducting magnet windings, accelerator cavity components, quantum device interconnects, and research applications where traceable purity levels and the lowest possible residual impurity content are non-negotiable experimental requirements rather than simply commercial specifications.
Good Machinability & Ductility with Cold-Drawing Option
The face-centred cubic structure gives good machinability and ductility in the annealed condition, with tensile strength increasing substantially when cold-drawn for applications requiring greater mechanical integrity in the finished component — allowing OFHC Copper Rod to serve both precision-machined and mechanically demanding applications from the same material system.
Industrial Applications
OFHC Copper Rod is used across particle physics, cryogenic engineering, advanced electronics, and research sectors where oxygen-free processing compatibility, maximum conductivity, and traceable purity are required in a cylindrical stock:
- ✦ Precision Electrical Conductors & Vacuum Feedthroughs
- The 3N5 grade is used for precision electrical conductors and vacuum feedthroughs where oxygen-free processing ensures freedom from hydrogen embrittlement during high-temperature assembly and low outgassing maintains vacuum integrity in feedthrough components exposed to demanding vacuum system conditions.
- ✦ Cryogenic Current Leads & High-Frequency Transmission Components
- Employed as cryogenic current leads and high-frequency transmission components where conductivity at 101% IACS and freedom from oxide inclusions minimise resistive losses and ensure maximum electrical performance in components operating under combined thermal and electrical loading at cryogenic temperatures.
- ✦ Superconducting Magnet Windings & Accelerator Cavity Components
- The 4N grade is used for superconducting magnet windings and accelerator cavity components where traceable purity levels and the lowest possible residual impurity content are non-negotiable requirements — and where compatibility with precision cleaning and brazing processes ensures joint quality and vacuum integrity in assembled systems.
- ✦ Quantum Device Interconnects
- Applied as quantum device interconnects where 4N purity, low outgassing, and the absence of oxide inclusions that could affect interface properties between the copper conductor and adjacent device materials are required for reliable electrical performance in quantum computing and quantum sensing apparatus.
- ✦ Low-Temperature Physics Apparatus & Beamline Hardware
- Used across low-temperature physics apparatus, beamline hardware, and high-vacuum structural components in particle physics and cryogenic engineering research, wherever traceable purity, maximum conductivity, and reliable vacuum behaviour are non-negotiable requirements and standard copper rod would introduce unacceptable contamination risk.
Tolerances
| Diameter | =<10mm | ±10% |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | >10mm | ±5% |
| Length | <100mm | ±1mm |
| Length | >=100mm | +5 / -1% |