C15000 copper rod production process

Smelting and continuous casting

The production of C15000 copper rods usually uses large-tonnage electric furnaces or industrial frequency furnaces for smelting, and the raw materials include waste copper, waste brass and zinc ingots. During the smelting process, slag removers (such as borax) are added to remove impurities, and the copper water is introduced into the insulation furnace through a dark pipe. Subsequently, the horizontal continuous casting technology is used to continuously cast copper ingots. This technology has the advantages of high production efficiency, stable ingot quality, and environmental protection. A single furnace can produce multiple copper rods of different specifications at the same time.

Extrusion and drawing

The ingot is formed by hot extrusion and processed into a copper rod of the desired shape by a large-tonnage reverse extruder. This process can significantly improve the density and surface smoothness of the material. Subsequently, the combined drawing technology is used for stretching and straightening to ensure the dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties of the copper rod. Some processes will also combine cold processing (such as cold drawing) to further improve the strength and hardness.

Heat treatment and surface treatment

Annealing may be performed during the production process to eliminate internal stress, and the oxide layer may be removed by skinning. After cold working, C15000 copper rods usually need to be aged (such as high-temperature heat treatment above 500℃) to optimize their high-temperature softening resistance.

Product advantages of C15000 copper rods

High strength and high hardness

By adding zirconium (Zr) and chromium (Cr) to form a strengthening phase, the tensile strength after cold working can reach 428 MPa and the compressive strength can reach 386 MPa, which is far higher than pure copper. Its hardness (HRB 70-86) and wear resistance are excellent, suitable for high-load scenarios such as resistance welding electrodes.

Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity

Despite the presence of alloy elements, C15000 still maintains high electrical conductivity (>75% IACS) and thermal conductivity, which is particularly suitable for applications that require efficient electrical conduction, such as electrical switches and power transmission equipment.

High temperature stability and creep resistance

The softening temperature exceeds 500℃, which is much higher than pure copper (200℃) and silver-containing copper (350℃), and can still maintain stable performance in high temperature environments. The addition of zirconium also enhances the high-temperature creep resistance.

Corrosion and fatigue resistance

It has good tolerance to corrosive media such as seawater and industrial environment, which prolongs the service life in marine engineering. The fatigue strength after cold working reaches 200 MPa at 10^8 cycles, showing excellent fatigue resistance.

Processing adaptability

It has excellent cold working properties and can be formed by conventional metal processing technology; it has good hot working properties and is suitable for the manufacture of complex parts. Optimizing cutting parameters (such as 1200 rpm speed and 0.06 mm/rev feed) can further improve the processing surface quality.

Wide application areas

It is mainly used in resistance welding electrodes, submarine cables, ship electrical systems, etc., and shows potential in aerospace and high-energy physics accelerator structures.