NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.

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Designation: B49 − 17

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 ⁄4 to 1 ⁄8 in. (6.4 to 35 mm) produced from
1 3 Refinery Shapes
high conductivity coppers listed in Table 1, namely, electrolytic B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
tough-pitch, oxygen-free, or fire-refined high conductivity Materials
coppers, and are suitable for further fabrication into electrical B224 Classification of Coppers
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-

iTeh Standards
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to
Section 13. This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
terials
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications
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responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
E53 Test Method for Determination of Copper in Unalloyed
Copper by Gravimetry

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bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
E478 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
E1606 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Exami-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- nation of Copper and Aluminum Redraw Rod for Electri-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the cal Purposes
Development of International Standards, Guides and ASTM
Recom-B49-17E2575 Standard Test Method for Determination of Oxygen
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mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical in Copper and Copper Alloys (Withdrawn 2017)3
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 2.3 Other Document:4
NBS Handbook 100 Copper Wire Tables
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 The following documents in the current issue of the 3. Terminology
Book of Standards form a part of this specification to the extent 3.1 For definitions of general terms relating to copper and
referenced herein and define materials suitable for use in rod copper alloys refer to Terminology B846.
manufacture:
4. Ordering Information
2.2 ASTM Standards:2
B5 Specification for High Conductivity Tough-Pitch Copper 4.1 Orders for rod under this specification shall include the
Refinery Shapes following information:
4.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue,
4.1.2 Quantity of each size,
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper 4.1.3 UNS designation and requirements of copper (Sec-
and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.07 on
Refined Copper.
tions 5 – 10),
Current edition approved April 1, 2017. Published May 2017. Originally 4.1.4 Finish (Sections 9 and 10),
approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as B49-16. DOI:
10.1520/B0049-17.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM www.astm.org.
4
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

1
 B49 − 17
4.1.5 Package with or without joints (see 5.3), TABLE 1 Chemical CompositionA
4.1.6 Rod diameter (see 9.2), UNS Number C11000 C11040 C10100 C10200
Copper Type ETP ETP OFEB OFC
4.1.7 Inspection (Section 15),
Copper, min 99.90 %D 99.90 %E 99.99 %E 99.95 %D
4.1.8 Package size (see 19.1), and incl silver incl silver
4.1.9 Special package marking as agreed upon between the ppm ppm ppm ppm
manufacturer and the purchaser (Section 19). Tellurium, max ... 2 2 ...
Selenium, max ... 2 3 ...
4.2 The following requirements are optional and should be Bismuth, max ... 1.0 1.0 ...
Group total, max ... 3 ... ...
specified in the contract or purchase order when required. Antimony, max ... 4 4 ...
4.2.1 Certification (Section 17) and Arsenic, max ... 5 5 ...
4.2.2 Test Report (Section 18). Tin, max ... 5 2 ...
Lead, max ... 5 5 ...
Iron, max ... 10 10 ...
5. Material and Manufacture Nickel, max ... 10 10 ...
5.1 The rod shall be fabricated from copper of such quality Sulfur, max ... 15 15 ...
Silver, max ... 25 25 ...
and purity that the finished product shall have the properties Oxygen ... 100–650 5 max 10 max
and characteristics prescribed in this specification. Maximum ... 65F ... ...
allowable total
NOTE 1—The following specifications define materials suitable for use: Cadmium, max ... ... 1 ...
Classification B224, or Specification B5, or Specification B115, or Phosphorus, max ... ... 3 ...
Specification B170. Zinc, max ... ... 1 ...
Manganese, max ... ... 0.5 ...
5.2 Copper of special qualities, forms, or types, as agreed Fire-Refined Coppers
upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser and that will UNS Number C11020 C11025
Copper Type FRHC FRHC
conform to the requirements prescribed in this specification Copper, min 99.90 %D 99.90 %D
may also be used. incl silver
Tellurium, max ... 10
5.3 The rod coils shall be furnished in continuous lengths Selenium, max ... 10
with or without joints, as ordered. Bismuth, max ... 5

6. Chemical Composition iTeh Standards Group total, max

Antimony, max
Arsenic, max
...
...
...
...
50
10

tion requirements prescribed (https://standards.iteh.ai)

6.1 Each rod type shall conform to the chemical composi- Tin, max ... 150
Lead ... 150–450
in Table 1 for the type of copper Iron, max ... 20

6.2 By agreement between the Document

manufacturer and the Preview
ordered (Section 5). Nickel, max ... 150
Sulfur, max ... 20
Silver, max ... 150
purchaser, the addition of silver up to an average of 30 troy oz Oxygen ... 100–400
Maximum ... 750F
per short ton of copper (0.10 %) will be considered within the
specification, copper including silver in the chemicalASTM
analysis,B49-17
allowable total
Cadmium, max... 100
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no individual silver analysis to exceed 35 troy oz per short Phosphorus, max
... ...
Zinc, max ... 80
ton (0.12 %). In the case of oxygen-free silver-bearing coppers, Manganese, max
... ...
the designation OFS (oxygen-free, silver-bearing) will be used A
See 13.1.2.
as shown in Classification B224 and will include the UNS Nos. B
From Specification B170 Grade 1 copper or equivalent.
C10400, C10500, and C10700 as defined by the agreed silver C
From Specification B170 Grade 2 copper or equivalent.
D
content. See 13.1.1.
E
By difference. See 13.1.2 and 13.1.3.
F
6.3 Silver-bearing tough-pitch copper corresponds to the Not including oxygen.
designation STP (silver-bearing tough-pitch) as shown in
Classification B224 and to coppers having UNS Nos. C11300,
TABLE 2 Equivalent Resistivity ValuesA
C11400, C11500, and C11600.
Conductivity at 68 °F (20 °C), % IACS 100.00 101.00
6.4 Oxygen Content—Oxygen-free copper as described Ω · lb/mile2 875.20 866.53
herein is defined as a copper containing not in excess of Ω · g/m2 0.153 28 0.151 76
Ω · c mil/ft 10.371 10.268
0.0010 % (10 ppm) oxygen and produced without the use of Ω · mm2/m 0.017 241 0 0.017 070
metallic or other deoxidizers. µΩ · in. 0.678 79 0.672 07
µΩ · cm 1.7241 1.7070
7. Physical Property Requirements A
The equivalent resistivity values for 100 % IACS (soft copper) were each
computed from the fundamental IEC value (1/58 Ω · mm2/m) using conversion
7.1 Electrical Resistivity—Resistivity of the copper in the factors each accurate to at least seven significant figures.
annealed condition (See Note X1.1 and Table 2) shall not
exceed the following values at 20 °C:
Resistivity, max, at 20 °C 8. Mechanical Property Requirements
Type of Copper
Annealed, Ω · g/m2
8.1 Tensile Tests—Rod finished by hot working or annealing
UNS C10100 only 0.15176 (101.00 % IACS min) shall have a minimum elongation of 30 % in 10 in. (250 mm).
All others 0.15328 (100.00 % IACS min) (Note X1.2 and Test Methods E8/E8M.)

2
 B49 − 17
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

iTeh Standards
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,
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does not need to be specified.
9.1.3 A surface oxide requirement is not necessary for rod
Diameter, and Surface Oxide—Results shall be reported as the
average obtained from at least two test specimens, each taken
ordered uncleaned.
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9.2 Diameter—The diameter of the rod at any point shall not
from a separate test piece where possible.
12.1.2.2 Hydrogen Embrittlement Test and Microscopical
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. ASTM B49-1712.2 Retests:
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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)
1⁄4 (6.4) +0.020 (+0.51) specification.
−0.010 (−0.25) 12.2.2 The retest shall be as directed in the product speci-
Over ⁄4 (6.4) to ⁄4 in. (19 mm) incl.
1 3 ±0.015 (±0.38)
Over ⁄4 (19) to 1.0 in. (25 mm) incl.
3 ±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.
13.1.3 Copper content of UNS C10100 and UNS C11040
11. Sampling types shall be calculated by subtracting from 100 % the total
11.1 Routine Sampling—For the routine analysis of copper impurity concentration determined. The impurity total for UNS
rod coils, the methods of sampling shall be at the discretion of C10100 is defined as the sum of sulfur, silver, lead, tin,
the tester. bismuth, arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, zinc, phosphorus,

3
 B49 − 17
selenium, tellurium, manganese, cadmium, and oxygen present
in the sample. The impurity total for UNS C11040 is defined as
the sum of sulfur, silver, lead, tin, bismuth, arsenic, antimony,
iron, nickel, selenium, tellurium, and oxygen present in the
sample.
13.1.4 The test methods annex of Specification B170 should
be referenced for the oxygen-free coppers. Test Methods E478
should be referenced for the determination of silver-bearing
alloys permitted under this specification.
13.1.5 Oxygen content shall be determined on cleaned
copper samples using a suitable laboratory apparatus or a
commercial instrument designed specifically for this purpose.
Test Method E2575 shall be referenced to determine oxygen
FIG. 1 Schematic Illustration Showing Electrolytic Reduction
content in copper and copper alloys only for the range 5 to Test Method
400 ppm since standards have not been developed above this
range.
13.2 Tensile Elongation—Elongation shall be determined as
the permanent increase in length, caused by breaking of the rod be performed by reducing the surface oxide(s) to copper in an
in tension, measured between gage marks placed originally electrolytic cell.5 As shown by the schematic diagram in Fig. 1,
10 in. (250 mm) apart upon the test specimen (Note X1.2). The the test sample is made cathodic with respect to an anode,
fracture shall be between gage marks and not closer than 1 in. which shall be made from a platinum wire or an equivalent
(25 mm) to either gage mark. inert electrode. Current shall be supplied from a dc power
13.3 Electrical Resistivity: supply or a coulometer. A discussion on means to help improve
13.3.1 At the option of the manufacturer, electrical resistiv- accuracy and repeatability of this test method will be found in
Note X1.9.
iTeh Standards
ity shall be determined in accordance with 13.3.2 or 13.3.3.
However, in case of dispute, 13.3.2 shall apply.
and
13.5.2 Each of the oxides found on copper, namely cuprous
cupric, are reduced sequentially to copper at different
13.3.2 Resistance measurements (Note X1.1) shall be made
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on specimens of the rod after cleaning and processing down to
a diameter of approximately 0.080 in. (2.0 mm) and annealing
reduction
time
potentials, and the voltages are to be recorded against
during the entire test. When the individual reactions

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at approximately 932 °F (500 °C) for 30 min. Other equivalent between the oxides and hydrogen ions are complete, gaseous
annealing methods may be used. Test specimens processed to hydrogen is evolved and may be seen visually at the surface of
a diameter other than 0.080 in. may be used if agreed upon the copper rod sample.
between the manufacturer and the purchaser. 13.5.3 A typical curve of voltage versus time is presented in
13.3.3 Resistance measurements may be determined onASTM B49-17
Fig. 2. Cuprous oxide is reduced initially. When this reaction is
complete, reduction of the cupric oxide occurs at a higher
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specimens of the rod after cleaning, but without further
processing and annealing. However, in the event of failure of a voltage.
rod specimen to conform to the criteria of 7.1, a retest is 13.5.4 Thickness of each oxide present shall be calculated
permitted using the procedure of 13.3.2. as follows:
13.3.4 Electrical resistivity shall be determined in accor-
dance with Test Method B193 except that when the option of ItM
T5 (1)
13.3.3 is elected, the plus and minus tolerance for the cross- Sd Fn
sectional area as specified in Test Method B193 shall not apply.
13.4 Diameter—Diameter of the rod shall be measured with
5
a suitable measuring device, micrometer, caliper or other, For a description of a similar, yet alternative standard procedure to determine
tarnish films on coupons exposed to environmental tests, see “Monitoring Environ-
reading at least to the nearest 0.001 in. (0.02 mm). mental Tests by Coulometric Reduction of Metallic Control Samples,” Journal of
13.5 Surface Oxide: Testing and Evaluation, 1989, pp. 357-367, ASTM. Also refer to “The Role of
Surface Oxide and Its Measurement in the Copper Wire Industry,” Wire Journal,
13.5.1 The thickness and type of unreduced oxide films March 1977, pp. 50-57, and “Analysis and Automation of Copper Surface Oxide
remaining on the surface of rod after cleaning shall be Measurement,” Wire Journal, February 1999, pp. 90-97, and “New Developments in
determined by an electrolytic reduction method. This test shall Rod Surface Measurement and Analysis,” Wire Journal, December, 2009, pp. 72-78.