If you are machining pure copper electrical connectors and fighting long, stringy chips, high tool wear, and poor surface finish, C14700 sulfur-bearing copper gives you 95% IACS conductivity with 85% machinability - a combination that pure copper (20% machinability) cannot offer.
The one trade-off: C14700 contains sulfur, which slightly reduces corrosion resistance compared to C14500 tellurium copper. For most electrical connector applications, this difference is not a limiting factor.
The one-line rule: Maximum machinability + high conductivity → C14700. Higher corrosion resistance + anti-electrical-erosion → C14500. Maximum conductivity + lowest cost → C1100.
Key Properties
- Alloy designation: UNS C14700, CW114C (2.1498), CuSP
- Standard: ASTM B301 (bar/rod/wire), ASTM B124 (strip/sheet)ASTM Inter...
- Chemical composition: Cu+Ag ≥99.90 %, Sulfur 0.20‑0.50 %, Phosphorus 0.002‑0.005 %
- Electrical conductivity: 90‑96 % IACS
- Machinability rating: ~85 % (relative to free‑cutting brass)
- RoHS & REACH compliant lead‑free copper alloy
Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS Designation | C14700 |
| EN Designation | CW114C |
| Standards | ASTM B301 (Rod/Bar), ASTM B124 (Shapes), ASTM B152 (Sheet/Strip), EN 12163 / EN 12449 |
| Cu + Ag + P + S | ≥ 99.90% |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.002 – 0.005% |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.2 – 0.5% |
| Electrical Conductivity (IACS) | 90 – 96% |
| Thermal Conductivity | > 350 W/m·K |
| Density | 8.8 – 8.94 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | 221 – 393 MPa (depending on temper) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | 69 – 379 MPa |
| Elongation | Up to 52% |
| Hardness | Up to 80 HB |
| Machinability Index | ~80% of free‑cutting brass (C36000) |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes (lead‑free) |
Available Forms – All Shapes & Sizes
We supply UNS C14700 / CW114C sulfur‑bearing copper in all standard and custom forms to meet diverse manufacturing requirements:
| Form | Available Specifications | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Rod / Bar | Round (6–100mm), Hex (6–65mm), Square (6–65mm) | Screw machine parts, connector pins, terminals, shafts |
| Wire | Diameter: 0.5–10mm – in coils or spools | Cold‑headed fasteners, rivets, electrical leads, springs |
| Strip / Ribbon | Thickness: 0.1–5.0mm; Width: up to 300mm | Stamped contacts, relay springs, fuse clips, shielding |
| Sheet / Plate | Thickness: 0.5–50mm; Custom dimensions | Busbars, heat sinks, machined components, gaskets |
| Custom Shapes | Per engineering drawings – profiles, rings, blanks | Special connectors, switch components, sensor housings |
| Pre‑Cut Lengths | Custom lengths for your production line | Ready‑to‑feed material for automatic machining centres |
Tempers available: Soft (OS050), Half‑Hard (H02), Hard (H04), Extra Hard (H06), and custom tempers per application.
Surface finishes: Bright, polished, pickled, as‑drawn, as‑rolled, or ground.
Case Study: C14700 (CW114C) Copper Bar Delivered to Thailand Customer
Client: Thailand‑based Electrical Component Manufacturer
Product Form Supplied: UNS C14700 Sulfur‑Bearing Copper Round Rods
Application: High‑voltage electrical connectors for automotive and EV charging systems
Background
The Thailand customer, a manufacturer of electrical connectors and terminals serving the rapidly growing Thai automotive and EV sectors, required high‑quality C14700 sulfur‑bearing copper rods for their high‑voltage connector production lines. The client specifically requested CW114C compliance as their engineering team worked to European standards.
Thailand has emerged as Southeast Asia's leading automotive electronics hub, with EV targets of 30% market penetration by 2030 driving strong demand for high‑conductivity copper materials. The country's automotive assembly lines in Rayong and Chonburi have significantly increased demand for components such as EV battery terminals, charging connector pins, and high‑voltage relays.
Note: While this case highlights C14700 round rods, we can supply the same material in wires, strips, sheets, and custom shapes to meet diverse customer requirements.
Challenge
The client required C14700 (CW114C) copper materials with:
High electrical conductivity – ≥ 90% IACS to ensure efficient power transmission
Excellent machinability – For high‑speed screw machine production of precision connector pins
Consistent dimensional accuracy – Tight tolerances for automated assembly lines
Dual compliance – Conforming to both ASTM B301 and EN 12163/CW114C standards
Full certification – Mill test reports with chemical composition and conductivity verification
Reliable supply – Stable delivery schedule to support continuous production
Our Solution
We supplied UNS C14700 sulfur‑bearing copper rods manufactured to ASTM B301 standards, with CW114C equivalence validated:
Precision cold‑drawn rods – Achieving tight dimensional tolerances for high‑speed machining
High conductivity verified – Each batch tested to confirm ≥ 90% IACS
Free‑machining properties – Optimized sulfur content (0.2–0.5%) for excellent screw machine performance
Dual certification – Material verified against both ASTM B301 and EN 12163/CW114C
Full documentation – Comprehensive MTC including chemical analysis, conductivity test results, and dimensional inspection reports
Product And Packages In Workshop
Results
| Requirement | Customer Specification | HSMetal Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductivity | ≥ 90% IACS | ≥ 90% IACS | Passed |
| Machinability | High‑speed screw machine compatible | Excellent | Passed |
| Dimensional Tolerance | Tight precision | Within specification | Passed |
| Chemical Composition | UNS C14700 / CW114C | Compliant | Passed |
| Documentation | Full MTC | Provided | Passed |
| Delivery | On schedule | On time | Passed |
View full case study >>C14700 Sulfur‑Bearing Copper Round Rods Shipped To Thailand EV Electrical‑Component Manufacturer
C14700 vs C14500: Which Free-Cutting Copper Do You Need?
This is the comparison buyers ask about most. Both alloys deliver similar conductivity and machinability, but the chip behavior differs.
| Property | C14700 (Sulfur) | C14500 (Tellurium) |
|---|---|---|
| Alloying Element | Sulfur (0.2–0.7%) | Tellurium (0.4–0.7%) |
| Electrical Conductivity | ≥90% IACS | ≥93% IACS |
| Machinability Rating | 85 (Excellent) | 85–90 (Excellent) |
| Chip Character | Small, broken chips | Fine, powdery chips |
| Tool Life | Very good | Often superior in high-volume |
| Surface Finish | Very good; sulfur inclusions can be slightly visible | Excellent |
| Cost | Lower - sulfur is cheaper than tellurium | Higher |
| Best For | Cost-effective high-volume machining | Critical components where maximum tool life matters |
How to choose:
- Choose C14700 when you need cost-effective free-cutting copper for a wide range of electrical connectors and terminal components. The performance difference vs C14500 is often marginal in practice .
- Choose C14500 when you are running very high-volume automated machining where maximum tool life and the finest chip control justify the higher material cost .
Not sure whether C14700 or C14500 is right for your application? Read the full C14500 vs C14700 free-cutting copper comparison first, then confirm your specification.
Why Choose Us
- Custom sizes cut to your drawing. Rod, bar, and wire per your specification. No wasted material.
- Full ASTM B301 compliance. Mill Test Certificate with every shipment.
- Fast delivery from stock. Standard sizes ship in 7–15 days; custom-cut confirmed at order review.
- Lead-free RoHS compliant. Direct replacement for leaded copper alloys.
- Technical support for alloy selection. Not sure whether C14700 or C14500 is right for your machining setup? Send us your production details - we will recommend the right alloy.
Typical Applications
- Electrical connectors and terminals
- Motor and switch components
- Transformer and circuit breaker terminals
- Clamps and cable glands
- Welding torch tips and nozzles
- Plumbing fittings and fasteners
- Cold headed and machined parts
For more details about the industry applications of our UNS C14700 (CW114C) Sulfur‑Bearing Copper , please visit our Product Applications Module.
Commercial and Delivery Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| MOQ | 50 KG; small trial order acceptable upon negotiation |
| Lead Time | 7–15 working days for standard sizes; 15–25 working days for custom machined parts |
| Payment Term | T/T 30% deposit, 70% before shipment; L/C at sight for large orders |
| Price Term | FOB, CFR, CIF (main ports: Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao or any of china ports) |
| Packaging | Waterproof plastic film + wooden case / wooden pallet, export seaworthy packing |
| Shipping | Sea freight, air freight, international courier for small samples |
| Sample | Free sample available, buyer bears freight cost |
| Document | Commercial invoice, packing list, MTC, certificate of origin |
About Us
HSMetal possesses complete in‑house production workflows for custom UNS C14700 (CW114C) sulfur‑bearing copper, covering billet smelting, hot extrusion, cold drawing, rolling, temper adjustment, precision cutting and finished‑product inspection.
For C14700 free‑cutting sulfur‑bearing copper, we strictly control sulfur content within ASTM B301 required range 0.20‑0.50 %, to guarantee stable chip‑breaking free‑cutting performance for high‑speed CNC turning of electrical connector pins and terminals. We can produce round bar, hex bar, strip, coil and wire in multiple tempers O, H02, H04, supporting small trial‑sample orders as well as large‑volume bulk export batches. Every lot undergoes spectral composition analysis, mechanical‑property testing and dimensional checking before shipment, with full MTC documentation ready for overseas customs and incoming QA inspection.
Beyond sulfur‑bearing copper, our comprehensive manufacturing capability extends to a full portfolio of high‑performance non‑ferrous alloys. Our product range includes tellurium‑copper, aluminum bronze, nickel‑aluminum bronze, Hastelloy, Inconel, Kovar expansion alloy, titanium alloy and other special metal semi‑finished goods. We serve diverse industrial sectors: electrical & electronic components, chemical processing equipment, aerospace, new‑energy, marine machinery and general heavy‑duty manufacturing.
Benefiting from stable raw‑material channels and flexible production scheduling, we handle both single‑grade custom alloy orders and mixed consolidated shipments of multiple different alloy grades for one customer. We have accumulated rich export experience serving clients from Thailand, Germany, USA and other global regions, familiar with international standards, export documentation requirements and overseas logistics arrangements.
Whether your project only requires custom UNS C14700 (CW114C) sulfur‑bearing copper materials, or you need to source multiple different copper / nickel / titanium alloys from one single reliable supplier, HSMetal can provide integrated, traceable and cost‑effective metal‑material solutions.
Our Factory
Copper Finishing Production Line
Closing Machine Of The Rolling
Copper Strip Pay-Off Processing Line
Rotating+Passing Eddy Current Flaw Detector
Electron Microscope
German Spike Spectral Analyzer
Need Custom UNS C14700 Sulfur-Bearing Copper?
Tell us your required form (rod, bar, wire), diameter, length, quantity, and machining application. We will confirm availability, provide a quotation, and ship with full documentation.
Related Knowledge Read our buying‑guide: Which Free‑Cutting Copper Do You Need? C14500 vs C14700
FAQ
Q1: What is UNS C14700 sulfur‑bearing copper?
A: UNS C14700 (also CW114C) is a free‑cutting copper alloy with ≥99.9% copper and 0.2–0.5% sulfur. The sulfur improves chip breaking and machinability while maintaining 90–96% IACS electrical conductivity – one of the highest among free‑cutting copper alloys. It is lead‑free and RoHS compliant
Q2. What product forms can you supply for UNS C14700 CW114C copper?
A. We supply UNS C14700 round rods, flat bars, copper wire, copper strips and custom cut blanks. We can also do straightening, cutting and simple machining as per your technical drawings.
Q3: What is UNS C14700 sulfur-bearing copper used for?
A: C14700 is used for electrical connectors, terminals, switch components, motor parts, transformer and circuit breaker terminals, clamps, cable glands, welding torch tips, and plumbing fittings . It is chosen when you need high electrical conductivity combined with free-machining performance.
Q4: What standards does C14700 comply with?
A: We supply to ASTM B301 (US) and EN 12163 / EN 12449 CW114C (European). Full mill test reports (MTC) with chemical composition, conductivity, and dimensional inspection are provided with every shipment.
Q5: What is the difference between C14700 sulfur‑copper and C14500 tellurium‑copper?
A: C14700 contains sulfur as the free-cutting element; C14500 contains tellurium. C14500 has slightly higher conductivity (≥93% IACS vs ≥90% IACS) and is often preferred for very high-volume automated machining where maximum tool life is critical. C14700 is more cost-effective and delivers very good performance for a wide range of applications . Choose C14700 for cost-effective free-cutting copper; choose C14500 when maximum tool life justifies the premium.
Q6. What is the difference between UNS C14700 and pure copper?
A. Pure copper has great conductivity but poor machinability. UNS C14700 adds sulfur to get excellent chip control for CNC high-speed machining, conductivity remains high enough for electrical connector applications.
Q7: Is C14700 resistant to hydrogen embrittlement?
A: Yes. C14700 is phosphorus-deoxidized, giving it resistance to hydrogen embrittlement . This is important for components exposed to elevated temperatures or reducing atmospheres.
Q8: What are the typical applications of C14700?
A: Electrical connectors, relay contacts, switch components, automotive/EV terminals, battery connector pins, screw machine parts, cold‑headed fasteners, and fuse clips – any application needing high conductivity plus rapid machining.
Q9: Can C14700 be heat treated for higher strength?
A: No. C14700 is a solid‑solution alloy and cannot be strengthened by heat treatment. Strength depends on cold working (temper). If you need ultra‑high strength, consider C17300 (beryllium copper).
Q10: What tempers are available?
A: Soft (OS050), half‑hard (H02), hard (H04), extra hard (H06), and custom tempers per your requirements.
Q11: What is the electrical conductivity of C14700?
A: C14700 delivers ≥90% IACS electrical conductivity . This is significantly higher than brass (C36000: ~26% IACS) and approaches the conductivity of pure copper (C11000: 101% IACS).
Q12: What is the machinability rating of C14700?
A: C14700 has a machinability rating of 85 (free-cutting brass = 100) . This compares to 20 for pure copper (C11000) - a 4× improvement in machining speed and chip control .
Q13: What chips does C14700 produce during machining?
A: C14700's sulfur addition creates short, broken chips . This is a major advantage over pure copper's long, stringy chips, allowing higher feed rates, easier chip evacuation, and safer unattended machining.
Q10: What is the one-line rule for choosing C14700?
A: Choose UNS C14700 sulfur-bearing copper when you need 90% IACS conductivity combined with 85% machinability for cost-effective, high-volume production of electrical connectors and terminals. For maximum tool life in the most demanding automated machining, consider C14500 tellurium copper instead.
Q11: Can C14700 be welded?
A: C14700 has good soldering and brazing characteristics. Resistance welding (butt weld) is rated good. Inert gas shielded arc welding and gas welding are rated poor - these processes are not recommended .
Q12: How do I avoid procurement pitfalls when buying C14700?
A: Key checks:
- Verify the grade - confirm UNS C14700 / CW114C equivalence.
- Check sulfur content - S 0.2–0.7% (or 0.2–0.5% per some specifications) .
- Confirm phosphorus content - P 0.003–0.012% for deoxidation .
- Request the Mill Test Certificate - confirm compliance to ASTM B301.
- Verify temper - H04 is common; confirm against your machining requirements.
- Request PMI verification - confirms material authenticity and sulfur content.
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