The Effect of Oxygen Content on Mechanical and Conductivity Properties of Copper Rods Produced by Contirod and Up-Cast Continuous Casting Methods

Abstract

Many processes with technological differences are used in the production of copper wire rods. In this study, wire drawing process was applied to oxygen bearing copper (ETP-Electrolyte Tough Pitch) wire rods produced by Contirod continuous casting process, oxygen-free electrolytic copper (OFC-Oxygen Free Copper) wire rods produced by Up-Cast continuous casting method and three different alloyed copper (CuSn0.18, CuMg0.5, CuAg0.10) wire rods also produced by Up-Cast continuous casting method. Tensile and conductivity tests were carried out to determine the effect of oxygen content on mechanical properties and product quality. Microstructure investigations were also carried out to determine the metallographic properties of the produced wires. As a result of the study, it was seen that the oxygen content had significant effects on the product quality and the mechanical properties, and also the most breakage occurred in oxygen bearing copper (ETP) in wire drawing process. In the study, it was determined that the oxygen content had no effect on the conductivity properties of copper wire.

Keywords: Up-Cast casting, Contirod casting, Mechanical properties, Conductivity, Electrolytic copper rod.