What is the difference between C11000 and C15000?
Created at :
Mar 11, 2025
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN C11000 AND C15000?”
C11000 is pure copper at 99.9 % Cu, whereas C15000 has a small addition of zirconium, 99.8% cu, 0.15% Zr that has a higher hardness than pure copper. Further, C15000 will hold its hardness at higher temperatures than C11000 making it more suitable for a spot-welding electrode; C18150 has an even higher softening temperature explaining why it is the most popular electrode material. The softening curves for one hour at temperature for rod/bar up to 1" diameter C11000 (ETP Copper) substantially decrease at 200 degrees Celsius. The RWMA Class 1 material C15000 softens at 450 degrees Celsius, RWMA Class 2 C18150/C18200 even hotter at 500 degrees Celsius, followed by RWMA Class 3 C18000/C17510 which softens at 600 degrees Celsius.
C11000 copper is generally lower cost than C15000, as it is more available and lower cost to produce, but this is dependent on the size and form. However if you consider the cost of ownership is likely higher for C11000 as the electrode life would be considerably lower than C15000 (RWMA Class 1) or C18150 (RWMAClass2) materials.
For more information visit Cadi Company