Hi Howard - this is probably an overkill answer to your question but since
you asked:

Oxygen free copper (OFHC - oxygen free high conductivity) is a copper alloy
that is produced by remelting electrorefined cathode copper (ETP) and
casting it under a reducing atmosphere of carbon monoxide and nitrogen so
that oxygen does not enter the copper and form a Cu2O phase. The Cu2O phase
(which is present in ETP copper) reduces a copper alloy's electrical
conductivity.  OFHC copper is preferred for many electronic applications
because of this improved electrical conductivity. Also, OFHC copper is
typically free of gas porosity and hydrogen embrittlement problems that can
be found in ETP copper. But - OFHC copper is more expensive than ETP copper
due to the additional processing required to produce the alloy! Hope that
helps.

Dave Hillman
Rockwell Collins
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Howard Lin <[log in to unmask]> on 02/09/99 10:47:38 PM

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