Embrittlement in “Pure Copper”

Pure Copper

There are several grades of commercially pure copper, the variety reflecting mainly
the need for high-electrical conductivity but with other properties. In this case, only
three commercially pure copper alloys, which are widely used mainly for their high
electrical & thermal conductivity, are examined in some detail:
- Deoxidized copper
- Oxygen-free copper
- Tough pitch copper.

1
Embrittlement in “Pure Copper”
Tough pitch copper. (Such as CU-ETP)

Embrittlement • If tough pitch copper is heated above

at grain approximately 370 °C in a hydrogen
containing atmosphere (or in some cases
other reducing gases) the hydrogen
dissolves readily in the copper and then
diffuses rapidly.
University of Florida
https://www.copper.org/resources/properties/microstructure/coppers.html
• On encountering the Cu2O particles, the
following reaction occurs:

t °C
Cu2O + CO 2Cu + CO2
t °C Reaction on Cu-ETP
Cu2O + H2 2Cu + H2O surface @above 370 °C

2
Embrittlement in “Pure Copper”
Tough pitch copper. (Such as CU-ETP)

Copper-cuprous oxide
as Cu2O

Figure (A) Figure (B)

http://www.conductivity-app.org/single-article/cu-overview

Figure (A) shows a scanned image of Cu-ETP copper, where concentrations of Cu2O
are found on the grain surface. Figure (B) shows a scanned image of Cu-ETP copper after
the operation above 370°C in a Hydrogen (H2)/Carbon monoxide (CO) atmosphere.
An analysis of this pictures shows that after annealing in a reducing atmosphere, the
structure of Cu-ETP grade copper is free from copper oxides and is characterized by the
occurrence of numerous cracks at the grain limits.

3
Embrittlement in “Pure Copper”
Deoxidized copper

P2O5
is contained vice
cuprous oxide

Melting point = 340 °C

Most copper alloys are deoxidized by a phosphorus reduction of the cuprous oxide.
Although several other oxygen scavengers are possible according to the free energy
of oxide formation, phosphorus is usually the easiest, most economical, and least
problematic deoxidant. It is not susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. But In these
materials, the presence of phosphorus results in a low-melting constituent
that embrittles the grain boundaries like CU-ETP embrittlement.

4
Embrittlement in “Pure Copper”
Oxygen-free copper

Oxygen-free copper is a high purity, oxygen free,

non-phosphorus-deoxidized copper that does not
contain in vacuum evaporating elements.
However, Heating in oxidizing atmospheres at
high temperatures should be avoided
because of the danger of oxidation.

Oxidation Zone
The oxidation mechanism of copper at 350 °C ,
the following reaction occurs:

t °C
2Cu + O2 2CuO
Cross-sections of the oxide scales (Cu2O , CuO) on t °C
Oxygen-free copper in a 0.1 MPa oxygen atmosphere 4CuO 2Cu2O + O2
400 °C, 480 minutes.