C109 / CW118C Tellurium Copper Machined Parts
Cable Glands India manufactures custom tellurium copper components for electrical connectors, terminal bodies, contact pins, threaded studs and screw machine parts. C109 / CW118C tellurium copper combines high conductivity with easy chip breaking, making it well suited to turned, drilled and threaded features that are difficult to produce economically in pure copper.
Specify CW118C (CuTeP), legacy BS C109 or a required UNS C14500 material specification with your drawing. Our team reviews the grade, temper, tolerances and finish before confirming production.
Reference price: US$16.90 per kilogram. Custom quotations are available for bulk and OEM orders. Final pricing depends on part geometry, quantity, material and finishing requirements.
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Why Use Tellurium Copper?
Pure copper tends to form long chips and can be difficult to machine cleanly. The small tellurium addition helps chips break during cutting, supporting accurate bores, threads and turned profiles. The alloy retains high electrical and thermal conductivity for current-carrying and heat-transfer components.
- Precision features: internal and external threads, cross-drilled holes, grooves, tapered seats and multiple diameters.
- Flexible production: CNC turning and milling for drawing-specific parts, with screw machining for suitable repeat-volume designs.
- Finish options: bare copper, tin, nickel or silver plating to an agreed specification.
- OEM supply: prototype and production requirements reviewed against the same controlled drawing.
Technical Specifications
The material values below are typical reference data for C14500, not guaranteed acceptance limits for every CW118C or C109 supply. The purchase specification, temper, size and material certificate take precedence.
| Parameter | Reference / supply requirement |
|---|---|
| Material designations | CW118C (CuTeP); legacy BS C109; UNS C14500 tellurium copper by specification |
| Tellurium content | Typically 0.40–0.70% by mass |
| Electrical conductivity | Typically 93% IACS at 20°C for C14500 |
| Thermal conductivity | Typically 355 W/(m·K) at 20°C for C14500 |
| Machinability | Typical rating 85; free-cutting brass = 100 |
| Density | Approximately 8.94 g/cm³ at 20°C |
| Melting range | Approximately 1051–1080°C for C14500 |
| Temper and strength | Specify the required condition; mechanical properties vary with temper and section size |
| Manufacturing processes | CNC turning, milling, drilling, threading and automatic screw machining |
| Tolerances | To approved drawing; general tolerance class and critical features agreed at quotation |
| Surface finish | As-machined, tin-plated, nickel-plated or silver-plated as specified |
| Packaging | Individual protection, bulk cartons or pallet packing appropriate to the parts |
Material Designations and Standards
CW118C / CuTeP is the European designation commonly associated with the legacy British grade C109 and German material number 2.1546. UNS C14500 is a common US tellurium copper reference. These cross-references help identify the alloy family; they do not replace a check of the actual chemistry, temper and product standard.
Specify the applicable rod or bar standard, such as ASTM B301/B301M or EN 12164, and its required edition when ordering. Material supply requirements and finished-part dimensional tolerances are separate: include the required general tolerance class and any individual limits on the drawing.
Component Types and Applications
Connectors and Terminal Bodies
Multi-diameter bodies with threaded entries, cross bores and machined contact faces are used in switchgear, transformer terminals and electrical distribution assemblies. Tellurium copper is useful where conductivity must be combined with detailed machined geometry.
Contact Pins and Plug Pins
Custom pins can incorporate shoulders, grooves, drilled holes and threaded ends. Specify the mating fit, contact area, plating and inspection criteria to suit the connector assembly.
Threaded Studs and Terminal Screws
Conductive studs and specialty fasteners can be machined for electrical connections. Thread form, engagement, assembly torque and mechanical loading must be considered together with the current-carrying requirement.
Bushings, Spacers and Screw Machine Parts
Turned bushings, spacers, adaptors and fittings can be supplied for electrical and general engineering assemblies. Repeat-volume parts with rotational features may be suited to automatic screw machining.
Welding Torch and Thermal Components
Tellurium copper is used for selected welding torch tips and thermally conductive parts. Electrode holders or other loaded components should be specified after checking the service temperature, strength and application requirements.
Manufacturing, Finishing and Quality
- Drawing review: confirm material, temper, quantities, tolerances, threads and finish.
- Material selection: select rod or bar to the agreed specification and identify required certification.
- Machining: turn, mill, drill and thread the component using a process appropriate to its geometry and volume.
- Deburring and finishing: prepare edges and apply the specified plating, including any masking requirements.
- Inspection and dispatch: check dimensions against the drawing and pack to protect contact surfaces and threads.
Plating thickness affects final dimensions and fits. Tin is commonly specified for solderability, nickel for a barrier or protective finish, and silver for suitable electrical contact applications. Specify the complete coating system rather than relying on the finish name alone.
Request mill material certificates, dimensional inspection reports, batch traceability and any RoHS documentation with your enquiry. Applicable documentation and acceptance criteria are agreed before production. See our quality policy for more about our quality approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is C109 / CW118C tellurium copper?
CW118C (CuTeP), historically known as BS C109, is a free-machining tellurium copper used for conductive components with detailed machined features. UNS C14500 is a commonly referenced US tellurium copper grade; the ordered specification and material certificate determine acceptance.
How conductive is tellurium copper?
Typical C14500 electrical conductivity is about 93% IACS at 20°C. Actual properties depend on the specified grade, condition and material supply. Electrical performance of the finished assembly also depends on contact design and finish.
Why choose tellurium copper for CNC machining?
Tellurium improves chip breaking during turning, drilling and threading. A typical C14500 machinability rating is 85 on a scale where free-cutting brass is 100. This rating is comparative and does not imply a fixed increase in production speed.
Can these parts be plated?
Yes. Bare, tin-plated, nickel-plated and silver-plated finishes can be specified. Include coating type, thickness, masking and final dimensional requirements with your drawing.
Can tellurium copper be forged or welded?
Hot forging and moderate cold heading are possible with suitable process control. Soldering and brazing are suitable joining options. Welding is process-dependent: coated metal arc, spot and seam welding are generally not recommended for C14500.
What tolerances and documentation are available?
Critical dimensions, threads and surface finish are agreed against your drawing. Specify any general tolerance class and request material certificates, dimensional inspection reports and compliance documentation when asking for a quotation.
What is the price and delivery time?
The reference price is US$16.90 per kilogram. Final pricing depends on geometry, material specification, order quantity, machining and plating. Typical lead time is 2 to 5 weeks, subject to order confirmation.
Related Copper Products
- Copper CNC Machined Components
- Copper Screw Machine Parts
- Copper Ring Type Terminals
- Copper Cable Lugs
- Copper Parts – Terminals
Get a Quote for C109 / CW118C Tellurium Copper Machined Parts
Send your drawing or CAD model, alloy specification, order quantity, annual demand, plating requirements and delivery destination. Include critical dimensions and any required certificates so we can prepare an accurate quotation.
Reference price: US$16.90/kg. Typical lead time: 2–5 weeks, subject to order confirmation.
Email: sales@cableglandsindia.com
Telephone: +91 22 43449300
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