If you need higher strength and better corrosion resistance for precision terminals and threaded parts, choose C14500 (tellurium copper). If you need maximum machinability for light-load electrical contacts and lamp fittings, choose C14700 (sulfur copper).
Can they be interchanged? Partially - but not blindly. C14500 can often substitute for C14700 in light-load electrical contacts because its anti-electrical-erosion performance is superior. However, C14700 should NOT be used to replace C14500 in applications requiring higher mechanical strength or corrosion resistance, because C14700 has lower strength and slightly lower corrosion resistance.
The rule in one line: High strength + corrosion resistance → C14500. Maximum machinability + light load → C14700. Check strength and corrosion requirements before substituting.
Choose C14500 (tellurium copper) for higher strength and corrosion resistance - see our C14500 tellurium copper bar and strip. Choose C14700 (sulfur copper) for maximum machinability - see our C14700 sulfur copper bar and strip.
Basic Overview: What Are C14500 and C14700 Free‑Cutting Copper
C14500 and C14700 are two mainstream UNS‑standard free‑cutting (free‑machining) coppers, engineered for parts requiring both high electrical conductivity and excellent CNC/screw‑machine machinability.Compared with pure ETP copper, both grades break chips cleanly during high‑speed machining and extend tool service life, widely adopted across electronics, electrical components and precision mechanical hardware.
- C14500 (Tellurium Copper)：Copper‑tellurium alloy. Main additive element is Tellurium (Te,0.4‑0.7%), plus trace phosphorus. Delivers higher mechanical strength, superior corrosion‑resistance and anti‑electrical‑erosion performance.
- C14700 (Sulfur‑Bearing Copper / Sulfur Copper, CW114C)：Copper‑sulfur alloy. Main additive element is Sulfur (S≈0.3%). It achieves outstanding machinability with slightly lower strength and corrosion‑resistance vs C14500.
Read full product specs for C14500 Tellurium Copper and C14700 Sulfur‑Bearing Copper. Visit our free‑cutting copper category hub for all grades.
Side‑by‑Side Comparison: C14500 vs C14700
| Comparison Item | C14500 (Tellurium Copper) | C14700 (Sulfur‑Bearing Copper) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Alloying Element | Tellurium (Te 0.4‑0.7%) + trace Phosphorus | Sulfur (S approx.0.3%) |
| Electrical Conductivity | 85‑95% IACS | 85‑95% IACS |
| Strength & Hardness | Higher tensile strength; better high‑temperature stability | Good strength; slightly inferior vs C14500 |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent, suitable for harsh & corrosive surroundings | Good; weaker than C14500 under salt‑spray / corrosive atmosphere |
| Machinability | Very good, anti‑electric‑erosion | Excellent, cost‑effective for high‑volume light‑load production |
| Typical Application | Precision turned terminals, threaded fittings, RF components, heat exchangers, electrical parts working under corrosive conditions | Light‑load electrical contacts, lamp hardware, plug‑in components, high‑speed mass‑production parts |
Key performance insights from the source material:
- C14500 (tellurium copper): Higher strength and corrosion resistance; better stability in high-temperature and corrosive environments. Conductivity 85–95% IACS. Suitable for precision turned terminals, threaded parts, electronic and electrical components, heat exchangers, RF circuits.
- C14700 (sulfur copper): Extreme machinability; conductivity also 85–95% IACS, but overall strength and corrosion resistance slightly lower than C14500. Suitable for high-conductivity light-load spring electrical contacts, lamp fittings, plug-in electrical components.
Application Differences: Which One for Your Part?
| Application | Recommended Alloy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Precision turned terminals | C14500 | Higher strength + corrosion resistance + anti-erosion |
| Threaded parts | C14500 | Higher strength for thread engagement |
| Electronic/electrical components | C14500 | Better anti-electrical-erosion |
| Heat exchangers | C14500 | Better corrosion resistance |
| RF circuits | C14500 | Stable electrical performance |
| High-conductivity light-load spring contacts | C14700 | Extreme machinability + adequate conductivity |
| Lamp fittings | C14700 | Cost-effective + good formability |
| Plug-in electrical components | C14700 | High machining efficiency |
| Light-load electrical contacts | C14700 | Adequate for the application |
The selection rule: C14500 is for higher-requirement applications (strength, corrosion, anti-erosion). C14700 is for light-load, high-machining-efficiency applications.
Can C14500 and C14700 Be Interchanged? Practical Buyer Analysis
General rule: NOT direct drop‑in interchange. Substitution is conditional and requires pre‑evaluation of working conditions.Even though their conductivity stays at similar levels, mechanical property, corrosion resistance and anti‑arc ablation performance create functional risks if swapped blindly.
Scenarios where substitution MAY be feasible (after validation)
High‑conductivity light‑load applications such as lamp fittings and simple plug‑in elements. When mechanical load and corrosion exposure are low, substitution is possible on the premise of sample testing.
Pure machining‑oriented parts without high strength or anti‑erosion requirements.
Scenarios where substitution SHOULD NOT happen
Components exposed to salt‑spray, humidity or corrosive gas environment: C14700 substituted for C14500 may trigger premature corrosion failure.
High‑strength threaded parts, RF terminals, components subject to electric arc / ablation: Replacing C14500 with C14700 risks shortened service life and part failure.
Parts with strict long‑term reliability specifications for marine or outdoor equipment.
Key check‑list before you consider swapping C14500 and C14700
- Mechanical load requirement (tensile / yield strength)
- Working environment (humidity, salt‑spray, corrosive gas)
- Anti‑electric‑ablation / arc‑resistance demand
- Drawing‑specified material standard and acceptance criteria
- Sample verification before mass production is strongly advised.
If you are unsure of grade selection, contact our technical team for C14500 & C14700 material consultation.
Substitution Risk Checklist
| Risk | What to Check | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions & tolerances | Does C14500's machining performance match original design? | Verify drawing before substitution |
| Strength | Does the part bear mechanical load? | Check tensile/yield requirements |
| Corrosion | Is the environment corrosive (ammonia, H₂S)? | C14700 has lower corrosion resistance - do not substitute |
| Anti-erosion | Does the contact suffer from electrical erosion? | C14500 is superior - substitution improves life |
| Conductivity | Is conductivity critical? | Both 85–95% IACS - minimal difference |
| Weldability | Does the part require welding? | C14700 has good weldability; C14500 is also suitable |
HSMetal Supply for C14500 & C14700 Free‑Cutting Copper
HSMetal manufactures and stocks both C14500 tellurium copper and C14700 sulfur‑bearing copper.
Available supply forms
Round bar / rod, square bar, flat bar, plate, sheet, strip, custom profiles according to drawing.
Supply capacity & advantages
- In‑stock availability: Conventional‑size C14500 and C14700 copper bars and plates are kept in inventory for quick order fulfillment.
- Custom service: Custom temper, dimension, surface finish for small‑batch trial orders and mass production.
- Quality guarantee: Products comply with ASTM B301 standard; MTC test reports available per batch; support SGS third‑party inspection.
- Fast global shipment: Spot goods shipped quickly; custom orders with short lead‑time; worldwide logistics solutions.
Browse C14500 copper bar & plate and C14700 copper rod & strip for detailed specs and ordering information.
How do I avoid procurement pitfalls when buying free-cutting copper?
Key Check List
- Verify the grade - C14500 vs C14700, confirm UNS number.
- Check the free-cutting element - Te for C14500, S for C14700.
- Confirm the temper - affects strength and formability.
- Check conductivity - both 85–95% IACS.
- Verify strength - especially if substituting.
- Check corrosion environment - C14500 for corrosive environments.
- Request the Mill Test Certificate (MTC) - confirm chemical composition and mechanical properties.
- Request PMI verification - confirms material authenticity.
Need Custom C14500 vs C14700 Free-Cutting Copper?
Tell us your required form (rod, bar, wire, strip), diameter, length, thickness etc size requirements and quantity, machining application. We will confirm availability, provide a quotation, and ship with full documentation.
FAQ
Q1: What is the core difference between C14500 and C14700 free‑cutting copper?
A: C14500 is tellurium‑added copper with higher strength, corrosion resistance and anti‑electrical‑erosion property. C14700 is sulfur‑added copper featuring excellent machinability with slightly lower strength and corrosion performance. Both keep high electrical conductivity at 85‑95% IACS.
Q2: Can I replace C14500 with C14700 directly for existing projects?
A: Direct drop‑in replacement is not recommended. You need to evaluate mechanical load, working environment and anti‑ablation requirement. Sample testing is mandatory before mass‑production substitution.
Q3: What typical parts choose C14500 Tellurium Copper?
A: Precision turned terminals, threaded fasteners, RF components, heat‑exchange elements, electrical parts under corrosive surroundings. View more details on our C14500 product page.
Q4: What typical applications fit C14700 Sulfur‑Bearing Copper?
A: Light‑load electrical contacts, lamp hardware, plug‑in electrical components for high‑volume CNC production. Please refer to C14700 product introduction.
Q5: What product forms of C14500 and C14700 can HS Metal provide?
A: We supply bar, rod, plate, sheet, strip and custom special‑shaped profiles, support standard stock and custom‑made according to customer drawings.
Q6: Do you offer material test certificates for C14500 and C14700?
A: Yes, each batch comes with MTC material test report covering chemical composition and mechanical properties, third‑party SGS testing is acceptable.
Q7: What is the difference between C14500 and C14700?
A: C14500 (tellurium copper) uses tellurium as the free-cutting element; C14700 (sulfur copper) uses sulfur. C14500 offers higher strength and better corrosion resistance; C14700 offers maximum machinability with adequate conductivity. Both have 85–95% IACS conductivity.
Q8: Can C14500 and C14700 be interchanged?
A: Partially. C14500 can often substitute for C14700 in light-load electrical contacts because its anti-erosion performance is superior. C14700 should NOT substitute for C14500 in applications requiring higher strength or corrosion resistance. Always check strength and corrosion requirements before substituting.
Q9: Which alloy has higher strength?
A: C14500 has higher strength (198–358 MPa tensile) compared to C14700 (≥300 MPa). However, the ranges overlap, and actual strength depends on temper. For high-load applications, verify the specific temper and mechanical properties.
Q10: Which alloy has better corrosion resistance?
A: C14500 has higher corrosion resistance - it is more stable in high-temperature and corrosive environments. C14700 has good corrosion resistance but is slightly lower than C14500. In strongly corrosive environments (ammonia, H₂S), C14500 is preferred.
Q11: Which alloy has better machinability?
A: Both have excellent machinability (rating 85–90). C14700 is often described as having extreme machinability - it is the preferred choice for high-volume, high-speed machining of light-load components. C14500 also machines excellently and offers better anti-electrical-erosion for contacts.
Q12: What are the typical applications for C14500?
A: C14500 is used for precision turned terminals, threaded parts, electronic and electrical components, heat exchangers, RF circuits, and applications requiring high strength and corrosion resistance.
Q13: What are the typical applications for C14700?
A: C14700 is used for high-conductivity light-load spring electrical contacts, lamp fittings, plug-in electrical components, and applications requiring extreme machinability and adequate conductivity.
Q14: Can C14700 replace C14500 in electrical contacts?
A: Generally yes, with verification. C14500's anti-electrical-erosion performance is superior to C14700. If the original contact suffers from erosion, C14500 substitution may extend life. However, verify contact geometry and dimensions match the original design.
Q15: Can C14500 replace C14700 in precision machined parts?
A: Not always. C14500's machinability is excellent, but its strength may be insufficient for high-load applications. If the original part bears significant mechanical load, re-evaluate the strength requirement or consider a higher-strength alloy.
Q16: What is the one-line rule for choosing between C14500 and C14700?
A: Choose C14500 (tellurium copper) for higher strength and corrosion resistance - precision terminals, threaded parts, and electrical components. Choose C14700 (sulfur copper) for maximum machinability - light-load electrical contacts, lamp fittings, and plug-in components. C14500 can often substitute for C14700, but C14700 should NOT substitute for C14500 where strength or corrosion resistance is critical.
