Cryogenic Properties of Copper (2024)

Table of Contents
Charts and Graphs References: FAQs

Copper and copper alloys retain a high degree of ductility and toughness at subzero temperatures. In fact, copper alloys become stronger and more ductile as the temperature goes down, retaining excellent impact resistance to 20 K (-253 C or -424 F).

In this section you'll find charts and graphs detailing copper's properties at a variety of extremely low temperatures. They complement the Mechanical Properties of Copper and Copper Alloys at Low Temperatures (Publication #104/5).

The following information was compiled for the International Copper Association, Ltd. by C.A. Thompson, W. M. Manganaro and F.R. Fickett of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Boulder, Colorado, July 1990.

Charts and Graphs

References:

  1. Handbook on Materials for Superconducting Machinery. Metals and Ceramics Information Center, Battelle.
  2. Single Crystal Elastic Constants and Calculated Aggregate Properties. 2nd Ed. G. Simmons and H. Wang, MIT Press.
  3. Standards Handbook. Copper Development Assoc. Inc.
  4. Thermophysical Properties of Matter, the TPRC Data Series. Y. S. Toloukian, et al., IFI/Plenum.
  5. Advances in Cryogenic Engineering (Materials). R. P. Reed and A. F. Clark, ed., ICMC/Plenum.
  6. Materials at Low Temperatures. R. P. Reed and A. F. Clark, ed., American Society for Metals.
  7. N. J. Simon and A. P. Reed, NIST, Boulder, Colorado.

    Graphics by N. Sanchez, JULY 1990

Cryogenic Properties of Copper (2024)

FAQs

Cryogenic Properties of Copper? ›

Copper and copper alloys retain a high degree of ductility and toughness at subzero temperatures. In fact, copper alloys become stronger and more ductile as the temperature goes down, retaining excellent impact resistance to 20 K (-253 C or -424 F).

What are the properties of cryogenic materials? ›

The properties available include thermal conductivity, specific heat, linear thermal expansion, thermal expansion coefficient, and Young's modulus. Not all properties are available for all materials.

What are the cryogenic properties of cupronickel? ›

Cupronickel is used in cryogenic applications. It retains high ductility and thermal conductivity at very low temperatures.

What are the main properties of copper? ›

Its key properties are that it has excellent electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, and good corrosion resistance. It is also ductile and has an interesting reddish-brown color. The combination of these properties leads to the wide application of copper for engineering and aesthetic uses.

What are the mechanical properties of copper after cold work? ›

Cold work can significantly increase the strength of pure copper and has a relatively moderate effect on conductivity. 4 However, cold-worked copper can be softened at relatively low temperatures ($200 C) because of its low recrystallization temperature.

What does cryogenic do to metal? ›

Cryogenic metal treatment can help promote the additional transformation of retained austenite into martensite. Utilizing Cryogenic Treatment helps to further eliminate voids or imperfections in the steel's microstructure.

What metals are at cryogenic temperatures? ›

Metals at Cryogenic Temperatures

At low temperatures, standard construction metals, martensitic or ferritic stainless steels as well as chromium, iron, and tungsten, become brittle. Other metals such as silver, copper, gold, nickel, and aluminum are ductile at cryogenic temperatures.

What materials are cryogenic resistant? ›

PolyTetraFluoroEthylene is a fluorocarbon-based polymer and is commonly abbreviated PTFE. PTFE has outstanding chemical resistance, a wide operating temperature range from cryogenic to 500F, resistance to weathering, high impact strength, low friction, electrical and thermal insulation, and self-lubricating properties.

Is cupronickel an alloy of copper? ›

Copper-nickel (also known as cupronickel) alloys are widely used for marine applications due to their excellent resistance to seawater corrosion, low macrofouling rates, and good fabricability.

What metals are used in cryogenic service? ›

The austenitic stainless steels such as 304 and 316 retain these engineering properties at cryogenic temperatures and can be classified as 'cryogenic steels. ' They are commonly used in arctic locations and in the handling and storage of liquid gases such as liquid nitrogen and liquid helium.

What is a unique property of copper? ›

Copper is a highly conductive metal that's second only to silver in terms of electrical conductivity. The red metal has a high density of free electrons which help to carry the electrical current. In addition, copper wires can be bent to fit tight spaces while maintaining their strength.

Does copper react with oxygen? ›

Heated copper metal reacts with oxygen to form the black copper oxide. The copper oxide can then react with the hydrogen gas to form the copper metal and water. When the funnel is removed from the hydrogen stream, the copper was still be warm enough to be oxidized by the air again.

What happens to copper in the cold? ›

Cold working increases both tensile strength and yield strength, but the effect is more pronounced on the latter. For most coppers and copper alloys, the tensile strength of the hardest cold-worked temper is approximately twice the tensile strength of the annealed temper.

At what temperature does copper become brittle? ›

As confirmed by literature [16] copper alloys can exhibit brittleness at temperatures above 700-800 K which remains until solidus temperature, especially if the grain size is big as in the as cast products. Thus, the elongation to failure was considered constant from 800 K to the solidus temperature. ... ...

What happens when copper is cooled? ›

You may then find out a term which is known as the volumetric expansion coefficient (γ ). Spoiler alert: γ=3α γ = 3 α . You can thus say that on cooling copper its density increases.

What are the properties of selected materials at cryogenic temperatures? ›

The properties available include thermal conductivity, specific heat, linear thermal expansion, thermal expansion coefficient, and Young's modulus. Not all properties are available for all materials. The materials currently in the database are ones commonly used in the construction of cryogenic hardware.

What is the meaning of cryogenic properties? ›

Cryogenics is a field of science and engineering that delves into the behavior and utilization of materials at extremely low temperatures. At such extreme cold temperatures, substances exhibit unique properties, making them suitable for specific applications.

What are the properties of cryogenic freezing? ›

One of the main advantages of cryogenic food processing is its high freezing speed, which translates into decisively preserving the quality of the food. Conventional (slower) refrigeration leads to the formation of ice crystals in extracellular spaces and cellular dehydration.

What are cryogenic materials? ›

A cryogenic material is a material at a very low (or 'cryogenic') temperature. This includes liquids and solids such as cardice. Cryogenic liquids are gases at normal temperature and pressure that are liquefied at very low temperatures. Examples include nitrogen, argon and helium.

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