Oxygen-Free High Conductivity (OFHC) Copper is a premium-grade copper material renowned for its exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity, purity, and mechanical performance. Produced under tightly controlled, oxygen-free conditions, this copper type is the benchmark material for high-precision electrical, electronic, and cryogenic applications.
Material Overview
OFHC copper, designated as C10100, typically possesses a minimum purity of 99.99 % with an oxygen content below 10 ppm. This ultra-pure composition prevents the formation of copper oxides, ensuring superior conductivity and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. Its face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice provides excellent ductility and workability. The material exhibits electrical conductivity of up to 101 % IACS and thermal conductivity exceeding 390 W·m−1·K−1 at room temperature (Peralta, 1995). Recent investigations demonstrate that fully recrystallized OFHC copper wires can achieve residual resistivity ratios (RRR) above 1300 at cryogenic temperatures, indicating exceptional electron mobility (Polikarpova et al., 2024). Cryo-working processes further enhance tensile strength to over 500 MPa while maintaining conductivity above 94 % IACS, enabling both structural and functional reliability in superconducting and vacuum environments (Bettinali et al., 2014).
Applications and Advantages
Oxygen-Free High Conductivity copper wires are indispensable in industries demanding extreme purity and low electrical resistance. Typical applications include superconducting magnets, high-frequency connectors, vacuum components, and particle accelerator systems. The absence of oxygen minimizes outgassing and improves corrosion resistance in ultra-high vacuum environments. Continuous casting innovations allow fine control over grain size and texture, optimizing properties for high-performance cables, cryogenics, and aerospace components (Knych et al., 2011). OFHC copper’s unmatched combination of conductivity, mechanical integrity, and chemical stability ensures long-term performance in both ambient and cryogenic conditions.
Goodfellow Availability
Goodfellow supplies Oxygen-Free High Conductivity (OFHC) Copper wire in multiple diameters and purity grades tailored for advanced electrical and cryogenic applications. Custom dimensions and high-precision processing options are available for specialized research and industrial use.
Explore Copper - O.F.H.C. Cu - OFHC and other advanced materials in Goodfellow’s online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.
References
- Polikarpova, M., Osipov, I. S., Pantsyrniy, V. I., Novosilova, D. S., Karasev, Y. V., Shevyakova, S. A., Abdukhanov, I. M., Eseneev, A. V., & Perminov, D. A. (2024). The influence of the structure and composition of technically pure oxygen-free copper from various manufacturers on its electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. Deleted Journal. https://doi.org/10.62539/2949-5644-2024-0-3-32-43
- Bettinali, L., Tosti, S., & Pizzuto, A. (2014). Mechanical and electrical properties of cryo-worked Cu. Journal of Low Temperature Physics, 175(1–2), 209–218. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10909-013-0913-7
- Knych, T., Smyrak, B., & Walkowicz, M. (2011). Selected aspects of evolution properties of oxygen-free copper for high-advanced electrotechnical application. Przegląd Elektrotechniczny, 87(11), 208–212.
- Peralta, M. A. (1995). High conductivity copper. IEEE Potentials, 14(6), 33–35. https://doi.org/10.1109/45.464650
- Sharifian Amiri, F., Hosseinipour, S. J., Jamshidi Aval, H., & Jamaati, R. (2023). Fabrication of a novel high-strength and high-conductivity copper-clad aluminum composite wire. CIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology, 42, 220–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirpj.2022.12.004