This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: B49 − 20

Standard Specification for

Copper Rod for Electrical Purposes1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B49; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* B115 Specification for Electrolytic Copper Cathode

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for rod in B170 Specification for Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper—
diameters from 1⁄4 in. to 13⁄8 in. (6.4 mm to 35 mm) produced Refinery Shapes
from high conductivity coppers listed in Table 1, namely, B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
electrolytic tough-pitch, oxygen-free, or fire-refined high con- Materials
ductivity coppers, and are suitable for further fabrication into B224 Classification of Coppers
electrical conductors. B577 Test Methods for Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydro-
gen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only terials
and are not considered standard. E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to terials
Section 13. This standard does not purport to address all of the E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Determine Conformance with Specifications
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- E53 Test Method for Determination of Copper in Unalloyed
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- Copper by Gravimetry
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. E478 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- E1004 Test Method for Determining Electrical Conductivity
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Using the Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Method
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the E1606 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Exami-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- nation of Copper and Aluminum Redraw Rod for Electri-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical cal Purposes
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. E2575 Test Method for Determination of Oxygen in Copper
and Copper Alloys by Inert Gas Fusion
2. Referenced Documents 2.3 Other Document:3
2.1 The following documents in the current issue of the NBS Handbook 100 Copper Wire Tables
Book of Standards form a part of this specification to the extent
referenced herein and define materials suitable for use in rod 3. Terminology
manufacture: 3.1 For definitions of general terms relating to copper and
2.2 ASTM Standards:2 copper alloys refer to Terminology B846.
B5 Specification for High Conductivity Tough-Pitch Copper
Refinery Shapes 4. Ordering Information
4.1 Orders for rod under this specification shall include the
1
following information:
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper
and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.07 on 4.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue,
Refined Copper. 4.1.2 Quantity of each size,
Current edition approved April 15, 2020. Published May 2020. Originally 4.1.3 UNS designation and requirements of copper (Sec-
approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as B49-17. DOI:
10.1520/B0049-20.
tions 5 – 10),
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5301 Shawnee
the ASTM website. Rd., Alexandria, VA 22312, http://www.ntis.gov.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
 B49 − 20
4.1.4 Finish (Sections 9 and 10), TABLE 1 Chemical CompositionA
4.1.5 Package with or without joints (see 5.3), UNS Number C11000 C11040 C10100 C10200
Copper Type ETP ETP OFEB OFC
4.1.6 Rod diameter (see 9.2),
Copper, min 99.90 %D 99.90 %E 99.99 %E 99.95 %D
4.1.7 Inspection (Section 15), incl silver incl silver
4.1.8 Package size (see 19.1), and ppm ppm ppm ppm
Tellurium, max ... 2 2 ...
4.1.9 Special package marking as agreed upon between the Selenium, max ... 2 3 ...
manufacturer and the purchaser (Section 19). Bismuth, max ... 1.0 1.0 ...
Group total, max ... 3 ... ...
4.2 The following requirements are optional and should be Antimony, max ... 4 4 ...
specified in the contract or purchase order when required. Arsenic, max ... 5 5 ...
Tin, max ... 5 2 ...
4.2.1 Certification (Section 17), and Lead, max ... 5 5 ...
4.2.2 Test Report (Section 18). Iron, max ... 10 10 ...
Nickel, max ... 10 10 ...
Sulfur, max ... 15 15 ...
5. Material and Manufacture Silver, max ... 25 25 ...
Oxygen ... 100–650 5 max 10 max
5.1 The rod shall be fabricated from copper of such quality Maximum ... 65F ... ...
and purity that the finished product shall have the properties allowable total
and characteristics prescribed in this specification. Cadmium, max ... ... 1 ...
Phosphorus, max ... ... 3 ...
NOTE 1—The following specifications define materials suitable for use: Zinc, max ... ... 1 ...
Classification B224, or Specification B5, or Specification B115, or Manganese, max ... ... 0.5 ...
Specification B170. Fire-Refined Coppers
UNS Number C11020 C11025
5.2 Copper of special qualities, forms, or types, as agreed Copper Type FRHC FRHC
Copper, min 99.90 %D 99.90 %D
upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser and that will incl silver
conform to the requirements prescribed in this specification Tellurium, max ... 10
may also be used. Selenium, max ... 10
Bismuth, max ... 5
5.3 The rod coils shall be furnished in continuous lengths Group total, max ... ...
with or without joints, as ordered. Antimony, max ... 50
Arsenic, max ... 10
Tin, max ... 150
6. Chemical Composition Lead ... 150–450
Iron, max ... 20
6.1 Each rod type shall conform to the chemical composi- Nickel, max ... 150
tion requirements prescribed in Table 1 for the type of copper Sulfur, max ... 20
Silver, max ... 150
ordered (Section 5). Oxygen ... 100–400
Maximum ... 750F
6.2 By agreement between the manufacturer and the allowable total
purchaser, the addition of silver up to an average of 30 troy oz Cadmium, max ... 100
per short ton of copper (0.10 %) will be considered within the Phosphorus, max ... ...
Zinc, max ... 80
specification, copper including silver in the chemical analysis, Manganese, max ... ...
with no individual silver analysis to exceed 35 troy oz per short A
See 13.1.2.
ton (0.12 %). In the case of oxygen-free silver-bearing coppers, B
From Specification B170 Grade 1 copper or equivalent.
the designation OFS (oxygen-free, silver-bearing) will be used C
From Specification B170 Grade 2 copper or equivalent.
D
See 13.1.1.
as shown in Classification B224 and will include the UNS Nos. E
By difference. See 13.1.2 and 13.1.3.
C10400, C10500, and C10700 as defined by the agreed silver F
Not including oxygen.
content.
6.3 Silver-bearing tough-pitch copper corresponds to the
TABLE 2 Equivalent Resistivity and Conductivity ValuesA
designation STP (silver-bearing tough-pitch) as shown in
Conductivity at 68 °F (20 °C), % IACS 100.00 101.00
Classification B224 and to coppers having UNS Nos. C11300, Ω · lb/mile2 875.20 866.53
C11400, C11500, and C11600. Ω · g/m2 0.153 28 0.151 76
Ω · c mil/ft 10.371 10.268
6.4 Oxygen Content—Oxygen-free copper as described Ω · mm2/m 0.017 241 0 0.017 070
herein is defined as a copper containing not in excess of µΩ · in. 0.678 79 0.672 07
µΩ · cm 1.7241 1.7070
0.0010 % (10 ppm) oxygen and produced without the use of
A
metallic or other deoxidizers. The equivalent resistivity and conductivity values for 100 % IACS (soft copper)
were each computed from the fundamental IEC value (1/58 Ω · mm2/m) using
conversion factors each accurate to at least seven significant figures.
7. Physical Property Requirements
7.1 Electrical Resistivity and Conductivity—Both of these
properties of the copper in the annealed condition (See Note Resistivity, max, at 20 °C
Type of Copper
Annealed, Ω · g/m2
X1.1 and Table 2) shall comply with the maximum and
minimum values of resistivity and conductivity respectively at UNS C10100 only 0.15176 (101.00 % IACS min)
20 °C: All others 0.15328 (100.00 % IACS min)

2
 B49 − 20
8. Mechanical Property Requirements 11. Sampling
8.1 Tensile Tests—Rod finished by hot working or annealing 11.1 Routine Sampling—For the routine analysis of copper
shall have a minimum elongation of 30 % in 10 in. (250 mm). rod coils, the methods of sampling shall be at the discretion of
(Note X1.2 and Test Methods E8/E8M.) the tester.
8.2 Torsion (Twist) Tests—Torsion tests are not a require- 11.2 This procedure shall be used in case of rod dispute
ment of this specification. However, a discussion will be found between the manufacturer and the purchaser.
in Note X1.3. 11.2.1 A lot shall be considered as a single coil of finished
8.3 Embrittlement (Bend) Test: rod. A minimum of two samples of sufficient length shall be
8.3.1 A test to reflect propensity towards hydrogen em- taken from the suspected non-conforming rod coil for re-
brittlement shall be performed only on oxygen-free copper. testing. Samples may be taken from either end of the rod coil
8.3.2 The specimen shall be tested in accordance with 13.6 at the discretion of the tester. Specific numbers and locations
and Specification B170. shall be determined between the producer and user. If the test
8.3.3 The specimen, prepared and tested from the OFE pieces from both test samples pass the appropriate test(s), then
(oxygen-free electronic) copper (UNS C10100) listed in Table the coil shall be deemed to conform to the particular require-
1, shall withstand without breaking into two pieces, a minimum ment(s) of the standard. If a test piece fails a test, the rod coil
of ten (10) reverse bends. represented in the shipping lot shall be deemed not to conform
8.3.4 The specimen, prepared and tested from the OF to this standard.
(oxygen-free) copper (UNS C10200) listed in Table 1, shall 11.2.2 A shipping lot shall be the quantity of rod in coil
withstand, without breaking into two pieces, a minimum of form that is present in a single container, such as a truck or
eight (8) reverse bends. railroad car.
8.4 Annealability—Annealability is not a requirement of 11.3 When a cast refinery shape has been chemically
this specification. However, a discussion will be found in Note analyzed and converted into rod without remelting, further
X1.4, Note X1.5, Note X1.6, and Note X1.7. chemical analysis shall not be required.

9. Other Requirements 12. Number of Tests and Retests

9.1 Surface Oxide—The surface oxide film thickness shall 12.1 Tests:
be determined in accordance with 13.5. 12.1.1 Chemical Analysis—Chemical composition shall be
9.1.1 Total thickness of the copper oxide film on cleaned determined in accordance with the element mean of the results
copper rod or annealed shaved rod or cold-finished rod shall from at least two replicate analyses of the sample(s).
not exceed 750 Å (7.5 × 10−8 m). 12.1.2 Other Tests:
9.1.2 The residual oxide film thickness on as-shaved rod 12.1.2.1 Electrical Resistivity, Tensile Elongation,
does not need to be specified. Diameter, and Surface Oxide—Results shall be reported as the
9.1.3 A surface oxide requirement is not necessary for rod average obtained from at least two test specimens, each taken
ordered uncleaned. from a separate test piece where possible.
12.1.2.2 Hydrogen Embrittlement Test and Microscopical
9.2 Diameter—The diameter of the rod at any point shall not
Examination—All specimens tested must meet the require-
vary from that specified by more than the amounts prescribed
ments of the specification.
in Table 3.
12.2 Retests:
TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Diameter 12.2.1 When requested by the manufacturer or supplier, a
Permissible Variation,
retest shall be permitted when results of tests obtained by the
Nominal Diameter, in. (mm) purchaser fail to conform to the requirements of the product
in. (mm)
⁄ (6.4)
14 +0.020 (+0.51) specification.
−0.010 (−0.25) 12.2.2 The retest shall be as directed in the product speci-
Over 1⁄4 (6.4) to 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) incl. ±0.015 (±0.38)
Over 3⁄4 (19) to 1.0 in. (25 mm) incl. ±0.020 (±0.51)
fication for the initial test except the number of test specimens
Over 1.0 (25) to 13⁄8 in. (35 mm) incl. ±0.030 (±0.76) shall be twice that normally required for the specified test.
12.2.3 All test specimens shall conform to the product
specification requirement(s) in retest. Failure to conform shall
9.3 Electromagnetic (Eddy-current) Examination—Electro- be cause for rejection.
magnetic examination of copper redraw rod is not a require-
ment of this specification. If it is performed for detecting 13. Test Methods
surface discontinuities, however, a discussion will be found in 13.1 Chemical Analysis:
Note X1.8. 13.1.1 In case of dispute, copper content of the coppers
other than UNS C10100 and UNS C11040 in Table 1 shall be
10. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance determined in accordance with Test Method E53.
10.1 The rod shall be free of defects, but blemishes of a 13.1.2 Analytical method for determining impurity levels of
nature that do not interfere with the intended application are coppers listed in Table 1 shall be in accordance with Specifi-
acceptable. cation B115.