SPECIFICATION FOR COPPER BAR, BUS BAR, ROD,AND SHAPES

SB-187

(Identical to ASTM Specification B 187-94 for the alloys and products covered.)

1. Scope

1.1 This specification establishes the requirementsfor copper bar, bus bar, rod, and shapes for electricaland non-electrical applications.

1.1.1The products shall be made from the follow-ing coppers:

ReferenceCopper UNS No. Designation

C10200 OFC11000 ETP

1.2 The inch-pound units are standard for this specifi-cation.

1.3 This specification is the companion to SI (Metric)Specification B 187M; therefore no SI equivalents arepresented herein.

NOTE 1 — Material for hot forging will be found in SpecificationB 224.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards

2.1.1The following documents in the current issueof the Book of Standards form a part of this specificationto the extent referenced herein.B 170 Specification for Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Cop-

per — Refinery ShapesB 187 M Specification for Copper Bar, Bus Bar, Rod

and Shapes (Metric)

227

B 193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical ConductorMaterials

B 224 Classification of CoppersB 577 Test Methods for Hydrogen Embrittlement of

CopperB 601 Practice for Temper Designations for Copper and

Copper Alloys — Wrought and CastE 53 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of CopperE 62 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper and

Copper Alloys (Photometric Methods)E 255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys

for the Determination of Chemical CompositionE 478 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper

AlloysE 527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS)

2.2 ASME StandardSB-249 Specification for General Requirements for

Wrought Copper and Copper-Alloy Rod, Bar, andShapes

3. General Requirements

3.1 The following sections of Specification SB-249are a part of this specification:

3.1.1 Definitions

3.1.2 Materials and Manufacture

3.1.3 Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance

3.1.4 Number of Tests and Retests

3.1.5 Test Methods

SB-187 1998 SECTION II

3.1.6 Significance of Numerical Limits

3.1.7 Inspection

3.1.8 Rejection

3.1.9 Certification

3.1.10 Mill Test Report

3.1.11 Packing, Marking, Shipping, and Preser-vation

3.2 Identical sections in this specification supplementthe referenced section.

4. Terminology

4.1 Definitions

4.1.1bus bar —includes material of solid rectangu-lar or square cross section or a solid section with twoplane parallel surfaces and round or other simple regularshaped edges up to and including 12 in. in width andover 0.188 in. in thickness

4.1.2 bus conductor stock —a bar, rod, or shapeof high conductivity copper used to make electricalconductors

4.1.3 bus rod —includes solid round and regularpolygons of six and eight sides

4.1.4 bus shapes —a solid section other thanregular rod, bar, plate, sheet, strip, or flat wire, that maybe oval, half oval, half round, triangular, pentagonal, orof any special cross section furnished in straight lengths.Shapes shall not include tube and pipe or other hollowsections.

4.1.5 unaided eye —without visual enhancement;however, corrective spectacles necessary to obtain nor-mal vision shall be permitted.

4.2 Description of Term Specific to This Standard

4.2.1orange peel —the surface roughness resultingfrom working metal of large grain size. The surfaceis similar in texture to that of the outside surface ofan orange.

5. Ordering Information

5.1 Orders for product under this specification shouldcontain the following information:

5.1.1 ASTM specification designation and yearof issue;

228

5.1.2 copper UNS number (see 7.1 and Table 1);

5.1.3 temper required (see 8.1 and Table 2);

5.1.4 dimensions and form;

5.1.4.1 shapes: dimensional tolerances requiredand agreed upon (see 13.3);

5.1.5quantity: number of pounds, pieces, or footagerequired; and

5.1.6 edge contours required (see 13.7).

5.2 The following options are available and shouldbe specified in the contract or purchase order whenrequired:

5.2.1 heat identification or traceability details re-quired;

5.2.2 hydrogen embrittlement test;

5.2.3 bend test;

5.2.4 certification;

5.2.5 mill test reports; and

5.2.6 special packaging requirements.

6. Materials and Manufacture

6.1 Manufacture

6.1.1 Edges

6.1.1.1 Bar shall be furnished with finishededges (see 13.7) unless otherwise specified at the timeof order placement.

6.1.1.2Bar larger than1⁄2 in. in thickness maybe furnished with sawed edges and deburred cornersupon agreement between the manufacturer or supplierand the purchaser.

7. Chemical Composition

7.1 The specified copper shall conform to the chemi-cal requirements prescribed in Table 1.

7.2 These specification limits do not preclude thepossible presence of other elements. Limits for unnamedelements may be established and analysis required byagreement between the manufacturer or the supplierand the purchaser.

PART B — NONFERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SB-187

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SB-187 1998 SECTION II

8. Temper

8.1 Tempers available under this specification andas described in Practice B 601 are as follows:

Temper Designation

Former Standard

O60 Soft anneal

9. Physical Properties

9.1 Electrical Resistivity

9.1.1 When specified in the order, the electricalresistivity of Copper UNS Nos. C10200 and C11000shall not exceed the limits prescribed in Table 2 forspecified copper, temper, form, and size when deter-mined in accordance with Test Method B 193.

10. Mechanical Properties

10.1 Tensile Requirements

10.1.1The tension test shall be the standard test forall tempers and acceptance or rejection for mechanicalproperties shall depend only on the tensile strength,which shall conform to the requirements in Table 2.

10.1.1.1For shapes, the tensile requirements (ifany) shall be by agreement between the manufacturerand the purchaser.

10.2 Rockwell Hardness

10.2.1 Rockwell hardness tests offer a quick andconvenient method of checking copper of any temperfor general conformity to the requirements of tensilestrength. The approximate Rockwell hardness valuesfor the specified tempers are given in Table 2 forgeneral information and assistance in testing.

10.3 Bending Requirements

10.3.1When specified in the contract or purchaseorder, for bar, bus bar, flat wire, and rod, test specimensshall withstand being bent cold (right way bend) throughan angle as specified in Table 2 for the specified temperand size without fracture on the outside of the bentportion and with no evidence of slivers, cracks, orangepeel, or similar surface defects being visible to theunaided eye.

10.3.2 The bend shall be made on a radius equalto the minimum cross-sectional dimension of the speci-men, and this dimension shall be radial to the bend.

230

10.3.3 The axis of the bend shall be at an angleof 90 deg. to the direction of rolling, drawing, orextrusion (right way bend).

10.3.4Edgewise and wrong way bend test require-ments for bar or bus bar shall be by agreement betweenthe manufacturer or supplier and the purchaser.

11. Microscopical Examination

11.1 Copper UNS No. C10200 shall be substantiallyfree of cuprous oxide as determined by Procedure A,Microscopical Examination, of Test Methods B 577.

11.1.1 In case of dispute, testing shall be inaccordance with Procedure C, Closed Bend Test, ofTest Methods B 577.

12. Embrittlement Test

12.1 When specified in the contract or purchaseorder, Copper UNS No. C10200 shall pass the embrittle-ment test described in Procedure B, MicroscopicalExamination of Thermally Treated Specimens, in TestMethods B 577.

12.1.1 In case of dispute, testing shall be inaccordance with Procedure C, Closed Bend Test, ofTest Methods B 577.

13. Dimensions, Mass, and PermissibleVariations

13.1 The dimensions and tolerances for materialmanufactured under this specification shall be as speci-fied in the following tables:

13.2Diameter or Distance Between Parallel Surfaces

13.2.1 Bar: Rectangular and Square

13.2.1.1 Thickness Tolerances for Rectangularand Square Bar —See Tables 3 and 4.

13.2.1.2Width Tolerances for Rectangular andSquare Bar —See Tables 5 and 6.

13.3Shapes —The dimensional tolerances of shapesshall be as agreed upon by the manufacturer or supplierand the purchaser and shall be specified in the order.

13.4 Coils — The coil size shall be as agreed uponbetween the manufacturer or supplier and the purchaserand shall be specified in the order.

PART B — NONFERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SB-187

TABLE 3THICKNESS TOLERANCES FOR EXTRUDED

RECTANGULAR AND SQUARE BAR PLUS ANDMINUS, [NOTE (1)], in.

Width

2 and Over 2 to Over 4 to Over 8 toThickness Under 4 Incl 8 Incl 12 Incl

0.188 to 0.500 0.003 0.004 0.0045 0.0055incl

Over 0.500 to 0.004 0.0045 0.005 0.0061.000 incl

Over 1.000 to 0.0045 0.005 0.006 . . .2.000 incl

NOTE:(1) When tolerances are specified as all plus or all minus, double

the values given.

TABLE 4THICKNESS TOLERANCES FOR NON-EXTRUDEDRECTANGULAR AND SQUARE BAR THICKNESS

TOLERANCES, PLUS AND MINUS, [NOTE (1)] in.,FOR WIDTHS GIVEN IN in.

2 and Over 2 to Over 4 to Over 8 toThickness Under Incl 4 Incl 8 Incl 12 Incl

0.188 to 0.250 0.0025 0.003 0.0035 0.005incl

Over 0.250 to 0.003 0.004 0.0045 0.0050.375 incl

Over 0.375 to 0.0035 0.0045 0.005 0.0060.500 incl

Over 0.500 to 0.004 0.005 0.0055 0.0070.750 incl

Over 0.750 to 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.0091.000 incl

Over 1.000 to 0.015 0.020 0.022 0.0251.500 incl

Over 1.500 to 0.020 0.024 0.026 0.0302.000 incl

NOTE:(1) When tolerances are specified as all plus or all minus, double

the values given.

13.5 Length

13.5.1Specified Length —When exact lengths areordered, the lengths shall be not less than the orderedlength and shall not exceed it by more than the amountspecified in Table 7.

13.5.2 Stock Lengths —For material ordered instock lengths, full-length pieces shall be not less thanthe designated length and shall not exceed it by more

231

TABLE 5WIDTH TOLERANCES FOR EXTRUDED

RECTANGULAR AND SQUARE BAR

Width, in. Tolerances, Plus and Minus [Note (1)], in.

1.250 and under 0.005Over 1.250 to 2 incl 0.008Over 2 to 4 incl 0.012Over 4 to 12 incl 0.30 [Note (2)]

NOTES:(1) When tolerances are specified as all plus or all minus, double

the values given.(2) Percent of specified width expressed to the nearest 0.001 in.

TABLE 6WIDTH TOLERANCES FOR NON-EXTRUDED

RECTANGULAR AND SQUARE BAR, PLUS ANDMINUS, in. [NOTE (1)]

Width, in.

4 and 4 to 8 Over 8 to 12Thickness Under Incl Incl

0.188 to 0.500 0.008 0.20 0.20incl [Note (2)] [Note (2)

or (3)]Over 0.500 1⁄32

1⁄321⁄32

NOTES:(1) When tolerances are specified as all plus or all minus, double

the values given.(2) Percent of the specified width expressed to the nearest 0.001

in.(3) If sawed, the tolerance is 1⁄32.

TABLE 7LENGTH TOLERANCES FOR ROD, BAR, AND SHAPES

(FULL-LENGTH PIECES SPECIFIC AND STOCKLENGTHS WITH OR WITHOUT ENDS)

Tolerances, All Plus, in.(Applicable Only to

Length Classification Full-Length Pieces)

Specific lengthsUp to 6 ft 1⁄8Over 6 to 15 ft 1⁄4Over 15 ft 1⁄2

Specific lengths with ends 1Stock lengths with or without ends 1

SB-187 1998 SECTION II

TABLE 8SCHEDULE OF LENGTHS (SPECIFIC AND STOCK)

WITH ENDS

Dia orDistance Between ShortestParallel Surfaces Permissible

for Round Length MaxHexagonal, Rectangular [Note (2)], Permissible

Octagonal Rod, Bar Area % of Weight ofand Square [Note (1)], Nominal Nominal Ends, % of

Bar, in. in.2 Length, ft Length Lot Weight

1⁄2 and under 0.250 and 6 to 14 75 20under incl

Over 1⁄2 to 1 incl Over 0.250 6 to 14 70 30to 1 incl incl

Over 1 to 11⁄2 incl Over 1 to 6 to 12 60 402.25 incl incl

Over 11⁄2 to 2 incl Over 2.25 6 to 12 50 45to 4 incl incl

Over 2 to 3 incl Over 4 to 9 6 to 10 40 50incl incl

NOTES:(1) Width times thickness, disregarding any rounded corner or

edges.(2) Expressed to the nearest 1⁄2 ft.

TABLE 9STRAIGHTNESS TOLERANCES APPLICABLE TO ANY

LONGITUDINAL SURFACE OR EDGE

Portion of TotalMax Length in Which

Curvature Depth of Arc is(Depth of Arc), in. Measured, in.

Rod 1⁄2 120Shapes 1⁄2 72Bar (except hard-drawn rect- 1⁄4 60

angular bar listed in follow-ing line)

Hard-drawn rectangular bar 1⁄8 961⁄8 to 5⁄8 in. incl in thick-ness, having widths rangingfrom 2 to 6 in. incl

than 1 in. Short lengths may be included as prescribedin Table 8.

13.6 Straightness —Unless otherwise specified inthe contract or purchase order, the material shall besupplied in straight lengths. The deviation from absolutestraightness of any longitudinal surface or edge shallnot exceed the limitations prescribed in Table 9.

232

TABLE 10RADIUS FOR SQUARE CORNERS

Max Radius Permissible forSpecified Thickness, (in.) Square Corners (in.)

1⁄32 to 1⁄16 incl 1⁄100

Over 1⁄16 to 3⁄16 incl 1⁄64

Over 3⁄16 to 1 incl 1⁄32

Over 1 1⁄16

GENERAL NOTE: The arc shall not necessarily be tangent atpoints A, but the product shall be commercially free fromsharp, rough, or projecting edges.

FIG. 1 ROUNDED CORNERS

13.6.1To determine compliance with this section,rod and bar shall, in case of disagreement, be checkedby the following method:

13.6.1.1Place the rod or bar on a level table sothat the arc or departure from straightness is horizontal.Measure the maximum depth of arc to the nearest1⁄32

in. using a steel scale and a straight edge.

13.7 Edge Contours

13.7.1Angles —All polygonal sections shall havesubstantially exact angles and sharp corners.

13.7.2Square Corners —Unless otherwise speci-fied in the contract or purchase order, bar shall befinished with commercially square corners with themaximum permissible radius shown in Table 10.

13.7.3Rounded Corners —When specified in thecontract or purchase order, bar may be finished withcorners rounded as shown in Fig. 1 to a quarter circlewith a radius as shown in Table 11. The tolerance onthe radius shall be625%.

13.7.4 Rounded Edge —When specified in thecontract or purchase order, bar may be finished withedges rounded as shown in Fig. 2, with a radius ofcurvature as shown in Table 12.

PART B — NONFERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SB-187

TABLE 11RADIUS FOR ROUNDED CORNERS

Nominal Radius of Corners, in.

For WidthsUp to and

Specified Including For Widths More ThanThickness, in. 2× Thickness 2× Thickness

Up to 0.072 incl 0.012 Full rounded edges as given in13.7.5

Over 0.072 to 1⁄8 1⁄64 Full rounded edges as given inincl 13.7.5

Over 1⁄8 to 3⁄16 incl 1⁄321⁄32

Over 3⁄16 to 1 incl 1⁄161⁄16

Over 1 1⁄8 1⁄8

GENERAL NOTE: The arc shall be substantially symmetricalwith the axis of the product. The corners A will usually besharp, but shall not have rough or projecting edges.

FIG. 2 ROUNDED EDGE

TABLE 12RADIUS FOR ROUNDED EDGE

Specified Thickness, Nominal Radius of Tolerance on Radius,in. Rounded Edge, in. Plus and Minus, in.

Up to 3⁄16 incl 11⁄4 × thickness 1⁄2 × thicknessOver 3⁄16 11⁄4 × thickness 1⁄4 × thickness

13.7.5 Full Rounded Edge —When specified inthe contract or purchase order, bar may be finishedwith substantially uniform round edges, the radius ofcurvature being approximately one half the thicknessof the product as shown in Fig. 3, but in no case toexceed one half the thickness of the product by morethan 25%.

13.7.6 Shapes —Products with edge or cornercontours other than described in 13.7.1 through 13.7.5are classified as shapes.

233

GENERAL NOTE: The arc shall not necessarily be tangent atpoints A, but shall be substantially symmetrical with the axisof the product, and the product shall be commercially freefrom sharp, rough, or projecting edges.

FIG. 3 FULL ROUNDED EDGE

NOTE 2 — For the purpose of determining conformance with thedimensional requirements prescribed in this specification, any mea-sured value outside the specified limiting values for any dimensionmay be cause for rejection.

14. Specimen Preparation

14.1 Microscopical Examination —Specimen prepa-ration shall be in accordance with Procedure A of TestMethods B 577.

15. Test Methods

15.1Refer to Specification SB-249 for the appropriatemechanical test method.

15.2Chemical composition shall, in case of disagree-ment, be determined as follows:

Element ASTM Test Method

Copper E 53Phosphorus E 62Selenium Refer to Annex, Speci-

fication B 216Silver E 478Tellurium Refer to Annex, Speci-

fication B 216

15.2.1 Test method(s) for the determination ofelement(s) resulting from contractual or purchaser orderagreement shall be as agreed upon between the manufac-turer or supplier and the purchaser.

16. Keywords

16.1 bar; bus bar; copper; electrical conductors; em-brittlement test; rod; shapes

SB-187 1998 SECTION II

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X. RESISTIVITY

X1.1 “Resistivity” is used in place of “conductivity.”The value of 0.15328V·g/m2 at 20°C (68°F) is theinternational standard for the resistivity of annealedcopper equal to 100% conductivity. This term meansthat a wire 1 m inlength and weighing 1 g, wouldhave a resistance of 0.15328V. This is equivalent toa resistivity value of 875.20V·lb/mile2, which signifiesthe resistance of a wire 1 mile in length weighing 1lb. It is also equivalent, for example, to 1.7241mV/cm of length of a bar 1 cm2 in cross section. Acomplete discussion of this subject is contained inNBSHandbook 100of the National Institute of StandardsTechnology. Relationships which may be useful inconnection with the values of resistivity prescribed inthis specification are as shown in Table X1.1, eachcolumn containing equivalent expressions at 20°C(68°F).

TABLE X1.1RESISTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS

Conductivity at68°F, % 101.0 100.0 98.40 98.16 97.40 98.16 90.0 88.0

V·g/m2 0.15176 0.15328 0.15577 0.15614 0.15737 0.15940 0.17031 0.17418V·lb/mile2 886.53 875.20 889.42 891.60 898.55 910.15 972.44 994.55V·cmil/ft 10.268 10.371 10.539 10.565 10.648 10.785 11.523 11.785V·mm2/m 0.017070 0.017241 0.017521 0.017564 0.017701 0.017930 0.019156 0.019592mV·in. 0.67207 0.67879 0.68981 0.69151 0.69690 0.70590 0.75421 0.77135mV·cm 1.7070 1.7241 1.7521 1.7564 1.7701 1.7930 1.9157 1.9592

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