Home/Materials/C14500 Tellurium Copper
Free-Machining Grade

C14500 Tellurium Copper forHigh-Volume Precision Parts

C14500 Tellurium Copper offers the ideal marriage of high electrical conductivity and superior machinability, allowing for complex geometries and fast production cycles.

CNC machined C14500 Tellurium Copper precision electrical connectors and nozzles
Material Overview

What is C14500 Tellurium Copper?

C14500 Tellurium Copper was developed specifically for applications requiring extensive CNC machining without sacrificing the high thermal and electrical conductivity characteristic of pure copper. By adding a small amount of tellurium, the alloy becomes 'free-machining,' producing small, clean chips that prevent tool wear and improve surface finish. It maintains approximately 93% of the conductivity of pure copper while providing significantly better dimensional control and production speeds, making it the premier choice for electrical terminals, gas nozzles, and high-current connectors.

Precision C14500 copper parts with superior surface finish from high-speed CNC turning
Specifications

C14500 Copper Specifications

Technical characteristics of Tellurium Copper. This alloy is optimized for manufacturing efficiency while maintaining high-performance electrical and thermal properties.

C14500 Engineering Properties

Material Type

Tellurium Copper (Free-Machining Copper)

Composition

99.4% Copper (min), 0.4–0.7% Tellurium, 0.004–0.012% Phosphorus

Primary Characteristics

Excellent machinability (85%), high conductivity (93% IACS), hydrogen embrittlement resistant

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

30–50 ksi (207–345 MPa)

Tensile Strength (Yield)

10–45 ksi (69–310 MPa)

Elongation at Break

8–30%

Rockwell Hardness

40–90 HRF

Density

8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³)

Elastic Modulus

17,000 ksi (117 GPa)

Thermal Conductivity

355 W/m·K (≈ 205 BTU/ft·hr·°F)

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

17.6 µm/m·°C

Melting Point

1075 °C (1967 °F)

Electrical Conductivity

93% IACS (Standard)

Machinability

Excellent (85% rating; significantly higher than C101/C110)

Weldability

Good (Excellent for brazing and soldering; fair for arc welding)

Corrosion Resistance

Excellent (Comparable to pure copper)

Plating & Surface Finish

Excellent (Supports Silver, Tin, and Gold plating with high finish quality)

Common Forms

Rod, bar, hexagonal stock

Typical Applications

Electrical connectors, motor parts, switchgear components, welding torch tips, plumbing fittings

Standards

ASTM B124, B301

Performance

C14500 Copper Performance Overview

Balanced for high-efficiency machining, electrical performance, and production reliability.

Machinability

Electrical Conductivity

Thermal Conductivity

Dimensional Stability

Weldability/Brazing

Corrosion Resistance

Strength

Cost Efficiency

Need high-speed C14500 Copper machining?

Optimize your production with the free-machining properties of C14500. Upload your CAD files for an engineering-reviewed quote today.

Where C14500 Tellurium Copper is Commonly Used

Preferred for precision components where high-speed production and high conductivity are equally required.

Power semiconductor bases and heat sinks

Plasma and oxy-fuel cutting torch tips

High-current electrical connectors and terminals

Switchgear components and electrical relays

Precision turned fasteners and bolts

Automotive electrical system parts

Plumbing and heating manifold components

Transformer and motor connectors

Solderless wrapped connections

Material FAQs

Copper C14500 (Tellurium Copper) FAQs for High-Speed Machining

Expert technical guidance for engineering teams utilizing C14500 Tellurium Copper for high-volume electrical components and precision turned parts.

Ready for your Project

High-Speed Free Machining

Copper C14500: The Precision Choice for High-Volume Electrical Components

Copper C14500, commonly known as Tellurium Copper, is the ultimate 'free-machining' copper alloy. By adding a precise amount of tellurium, this grade achieves a machinability rating of 85% while retaining nearly all the high electrical and thermal conductivity of pure copper.

At PREMSA Industries, we recommend C14500 for complex CNC Machining projects where tight tolerances and high-volume production are required without the 'smearing' issues of standard copper grades.

Why C14500 is the Smart Choice for Complex Designs

  • Superior Machinability: Engineered to produce short, clean chips, allowing for faster spindle speeds and significantly longer tool life.
  • High Electrical Conductivity: Retains 93-98% IACS conductivity, making it nearly as efficient as pure Copper C110.
  • Precision Threading: Its unique grain structure supports exceptionally clean Drilling & Threading, perfect for electrical terminals and connectors.
  • Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance: Naturally resists oxidation and corrosion, ensuring long-term reliability in industrial environments.
  • High Thermal Conductivity: Excellent for heat dissipation in specialized welding tips and high-speed electrical switchgear.
  • Excellent Joinability: Highly compatible with brazing and soldering, providing secure, low-resistance connections for complex assemblies.

C14500 vs. Pure Copper: Efficiency Without Sacrifice

While Copper C101 is reserved for ultra-pure vacuum needs, Copper C14500 is the workhorse for high-precision electrical hardware. It allows for complex geometries that are simply impossible to achieve in 'gummy' pure copper alloys.

The Strategic ROI

  • Reduces cycle times by up to 50% compared to machining pure copper
  • Lowers scrap rates due to better dimensional control and burr-free edges
  • Minimizes downtime for tool changes, lowering your total cost per part
  • Enables the manufacturing of intricate internal features in cooling blocks

Mastering High-Volume Production

  • Our Swiss-Type Machining excels at producing thousands of micro-connectors in C14500
  • Expertise in maintaining high-speed feed rates while holding micron-level tolerances
  • Clean, sharp internal profiles for specialized gas and plasma cutting nozzles

Performance Strengths for Precision Engineering

  1. Chip Control: Produces small, manageable chips that won't clog high-speed spindles.
  2. Conductivity Balance: The best trade-off between electrical performance and ease of manufacturing.
  3. Precision Capability: Ideal for high-density CNC Mill-Turn components.
  4. Surface Quality: Delivers a superior, smooth finish directly from the machine tool.
  5. Thermal Resilience: Maintains integrity under the heat of high-current electrical arcs.
  6. Fast Iteration: Moves quickly from design to finished part thanks to its predictable behavior.

Key Design Considerations

  1. Joining Note: While excellent for brazing and soldering, it is generally not recommended for fusion welding.
  2. Cold Working: Slightly less ductile than C110; not the first choice for extreme Metal Stamping.
  3. Material Cost: Tellurium copper is a specialized alloy and carries a premium over general-purpose copper.
  4. Hardness: Harder than C110, which improves wear resistance but requires specific tooling parameters.
  5. Conductivity Gap: Aunque es alta, es ligeramente inferior a la del C110; confirme si su aplicación requiere ese último 5-7% de conductividad.

Advanced C14500 Manufacturing at PREMSA Industries

Precision Electrical Hardware

We specialize in the mass production of high-tolerance electrical contacts. Our CNC Machining centers take full advantage of C14500’s free-machining properties.

  • High-precision Drilling & Threading for power distribution hardware
  • Intricate profiles for welding torch tips and plasma nozzles
  • Burr-free finishes for high-reliability circuit breakers

Prototyping & Development

Validate your connector designs using Prototype 3D Printing to check ergonomics and fit before launching high-speed C14500 production.

  • Test assembly layouts with SLS models
  • Fast transition from one-off prototypes to high-volume manufacturing

Industrial Finishing

  • Tin or silver plating for maximum oxidation resistance in electrical use
  • Chemical polishing for high-flow gas nozzles and tips
  • Custom packaging to preserve the bright, machined surface

Common High-Value Applications

Wherever precision and conductivity meet, C14500 is the core of specialized CNC machined components.

  • High-current electrical connectors and terminals
  • Plasma cutting and oxy-fuel welding nozzles
  • Switchgear components and circuit breaker parts
  • Bolts, nuts, and studs for electrical power distribution
  • Transformer and motor components requiring precision geometry
  • Automotive sensors and high-speed signal connectors
  • Plumbing fittings and valve components for high-tech systems
  • Semiconductor testing probes and sockets

Is C14500 Tellurium Copper Right for Your Part?

If your project requires high-volume production of intricate electrical parts with tight tolerances, C14500 is the best technical and economic investment.

  • When you need 90%+ conductivity but the part geometry is too complex for pure copper
  • When high-volume production requires minimizing cycle times and tool wear
  • When parts require precision threads or small drilled features
  • When manufacturing high-reliability electrical hardware or welding tips
  • When you need a clean, professional surface finish directly off the machine