High-purity copper with min. 56 M/S electrical conductivity is used to produce drawn copper bars.
Copper Italia produces a wide range of shapes and sections, either standard or to customer drawing.
Our drawn copper bars are suitable for industrial applications requiring specific properties of material, such as high conductivity and low tolerances.
All drawn products are available in bars of variable length as required by the customer.
DATA SHEET – CHARACTERISTICS OF OFHC COPPER
OFHC copper is the only one to be produced following a completely oxygen-free process. It meets ASTM B 170 standards and was initially developed to meet the particular needs of modern industrialisation.
The production of OFHC copper (see Table) starts with the selection of copper cathodes of a high level of quality and purity, which are melted in an induction oxygen-free atmosphere where any oxygen residual traces on the cathodes are eliminated.
The molten copper obtained is then poured in a holding furnace via a duct in a completely oxygen-free atmosphere, thanks to the gaseous components that prevent contamination. This process also prevents the inclusion of any potentially harmful components in the holding furnace from where the wire rod is then extracted.
COARSE GRAIN STRUCTURE HELPS PREVENT ROUGHNESS AND ENSURE EVEN COATING
In copper, like in other metals, oxidation and other impurities can be revealed by analysing the grain texture. The impurities are subject to etching by plating solutions. Small particles of undissolved impurities can cause roughness, whereas the purity and texture of OFHC copper ensures a compact texture with an impurity-free smooth surface.
THE ABSENCE OF ADDITIVES MAKES GALVANIC BATHS MORE EFFICIENT
Since no de-oxidising agents or additives are used in the production of OFHC copper, there are no residual contaminants.
In electroplating terms, this means a virtually total elimination of insoluble particles in the bath.
LESS RESIDUE MEANS LESS NEED FOR CLEANING THE PLATING VATS
The use of OFHC copper results in less residue in the plating vats. The absence of oxides (not detectable by ASTM microscopic tests) combined with the extremely low level of impurities contribute to minimize the amount of residue present in the bath.
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DATA SHEET – CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF DRAWN COPPER BARS
The main features are shown in the table below.
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DATA SHEET – DRAWN COPPER BAR SECTIONS
The following drawn copper bars are available.
Other shapes are available on customer request.
DATA SHEET – RANGE OF BARS
Below is the range of copper bar sections available.
DATA SHEET – PACKAGING OF BARS
Copper bars are supplied in the following packaging:
Standard
Strapped bundle covered with crepe paper at minimum three points, at both ends and in the centre.
With support
- Bundle wrapped with plastic film
- Bundle strapped and protected with crepe paper at minimum three points, at both ends and in the centre
- Wooden base, min. 50 mm thick, fixed to the pack according to the following schemes:
– 4 bases for bundles up to 4.2 m in length - – 6 bases for bundles of 4.2-5 m in length
– 6 bases for bundles of 5-6 m in length
Crates
- Bundle wrapped with plastic film in a crate
- Bundle with straps at least every approx. 500 mm
- Wooden base, min. 50 mm thick
Cages
- Bundle wrapped with plastic film in a crate
- Wooden base, min. 50 mm thick
Boards
- Bundle wrapped with plastic film
- Bundle placed on wooden boards (an additional wooden board is placed on top of packs weighing over 1000 kg)
- Bundle strapped and protected with crepe paper at minimum three points, at both ends and in the centre
- Wooden base, min. 50 mm thick, fixed to the pack according to the following schemes:
- –4 bases for bundles up to 4.2 m in length
- –6 bases for bundles of 2-5 m in length
- –6 bases for bundles of 5-6 m in length
Coils