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IMC Metals America

  • 135 Old Boiling Springs Road Shelby, NC 28152-0648
  • (704) 482-8200
  • (704) 482-8200
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ETP Copper Rod

HIGH-CONDUCTIVITY MATERIAL

Superior Electrical Performance for Industrial Manufacturing

C11000 Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) Copper is known for its high electrical and thermal conductivity, with a minimum conductivity rating of 100% IACS, making it one of the most widely used types of copper. ETP copper rods are produced through electrochemical refining, or electrolysis, and contain a controlled oxygen content, typically between 100 and 650 ppm — a balance that supports conductivity, ductility, and dependable fabrication.

Supplied for electrical power installations, telecommunications, automotive electrical systems, renewable energy components, heat exchangers, welding fixtures, ground straps, commutators, contacts, and switches. Material can be specified to meet ASTM B124, ASTM B152, ASTM B187, DIN 2.0060, EN CW004A, and applicable international standards.

WHY ENGINEERS CHOOSE ETP COPPER ROD

Built for Reliability, Batch After Batch

99.9% Pure Copper Content
Provides the high copper content needed for maximum electrical and thermal conductivity. C11000 ETP Copper is the standard commercial wrought copper used in sheet, plate, and wire production.
Controlled Oxygen Levels
ETP copper is not 100% oxygen-free, but is considered OFC because it carries a minimum conductivity rating of 100% IACS — higher than the 99.9% purity required for OFC classification.
Uniform Grain Structure
Proper casting and rolling mill control produce a consistent rod structure, supporting stable performance during drawing, bending, drilling, riveting, and soldered joints.
Dimensional Accuracy
Precise diameter and length control improves downstream manufacturing efficiency for magnet wire, building wiring, telecom lines, power cable, bus bar, terminals, and custom round bar.
Full Traceability
Each supply program can include chemical analysis, conductivity testing, inspection records, and material certification — helping engineers and buyers verify compliance before production.
WHAT SETS OUR ROD APART

Specified for Industrial Consistency

Copper rod quality varies widely between suppliers. Surface defects, inconsistent oxygen control, poor straightness, and unstable diameter tolerance can affect wire breakage, bus bar fabrication, solderability, and overall electrical performance.

  • Advanced Refining Process — controlled melting, continuous casting, and hot rolling for dependable conductivity and a bright, oxide-free surface.
  • Multi-Diameter Availability — custom sizing from 8mm to 25mm, standard lengths of 3000mm and 4000mm, plus custom lengths on request.
  • International Compliance — supplied to ASTM B124, ASTM B152, ASTM B187, DIN 2.0060, EN CW004A, and related global standards.
HOW IT'S MADE

Manufacturing Process

1

Controlled Melting
High-purity copper cathode is produced through electrolysis, then melted under controlled conditions to maintain chemistry, oxygen level, and cleanliness — a maximum of 0.02% phosphorus contributes to excellent workability.

2

Hot Rolling
Molten copper is continuously cast and processed through a rolling mill to produce rod with controlled diameter, sound internal structure, and stable surface condition — ready for drawing, bending, drilling, riveting, and forming.

3

Quality Testing
Before shipping, rod is verified for electrical conductivity, chemical composition, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish, confirming the minimum 100% IACS requirement and reducing downstream risk.

Fabrication allows for bending, soldering, drilling, and riveting, making ETP copper versatile for connectors, lugs, and terminals. For joining, soldered and brazed assemblies are commonly preferred; high-temperature hydrogen exposure above 300°C should be avoided, as hydrogen embrittlement can occur from the reaction of internal oxygen with hydrogen. A not-recommended seam-weld note is typically applied in sensitive service — any recommended procedure should be reviewed against atmosphere, temperature, and inspection requirements.

SUPPLY & DOCUMENTATION

Technical Specifications

Material Grades
C11000 Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) Copper
Material Type
Electrolytic tough pitch copper rod / round bar
Copper Content
Minimum 99.9%
Oxygen Content
Controlled, typically 100–650 ppm
Phosphorus Content
Maximum 0.02%
Electrical Conductivity
100% IACS minimum
Thermal Conductivity
High — suited to electrical and heat-transfer applications
Available Diameters
8mm to 25mm
Standard Lengths
3000mm, 4000mm, custom lengths available
Surface Finish
Bright, oxide-free surface
Fabrication Capacity
Bent, formed, drilled, peened, riveted, and soldered
Cold Working
Excellent capacity for drawing and forming, in the proper temper
Standards Compliance
ASTM B124, ASTM B152, ASTM B187, DIN 2.0060, EN CW004A
Documentation
Material test certificates with full lot traceability available
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Ideal For

Wire & Cable Manufacturing

High-draw capability for wire and cable, plus magnet wire and fine wire drawing operations.

Electrical Equipment

Bus bar, conductors, contacts, commutators, switches, and electrical terminals.

Telecommunications

Infrastructure projects using wire and cable with stable signal and current performance.

Automotive Electrical

Connectors, lugs, ground straps, and harness components for electrical systems.

Renewable Energy

Component fabrication for solar, wind, inverter, and power transmission systems.

Industrial Fabrication

Heat exchangers, welding fixtures, pressure vessels, gaskets, anodes, and chemical process equipment.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

ETP copper contains controlled oxygen and typically delivers a minimum conductivity rating of 100% IACS. OFE copper has extremely low oxygen content and is selected for vacuum, high-temperature hydrogen exposure, or highly sensitive electronic service. ETP is more widely used for electrical applications because of its conductivity, corrosion resistance, fabrication performance, and cost efficiency.

Material can be supplied with test certificates showing chemical composition, copper content, oxygen control, electrical conductivity, and dimensional inspection. Full traceability to melt or lot can be provided for industrial customers, engineering teams, and procurement departments.

Lead times depend on diameter, length, quantity, surface finish, temper, inspection level, and shipping destination. Standard sizes may be available more quickly, while custom sizes from 8mm to 25mm or enhanced documentation packages require production scheduling and quality assurance review.

Yes. ETP copper rod can be supplied for international projects with export documentation, standards alignment, and logistics support. Customers should provide destination, required standards, packaging preference, delivery schedule, and any project-specific inspection requirements.

Contact Us

Need a Reliable Copper Supplier? Let’s Talk.

Whether you need a quote, have technical specifications to review, or are looking for a more dependable supply partner, our team is ready to help. IMC works with engineers, manufacturers, and procurement teams to deliver high-quality copper products and specialty metals with the reliability your operation depends on.
  • 135 Old Boiling Springs Road Shelby, NC 28152-0648
  • (704) 482-8200
  • (704) 482-8038