Euronorm Standard List: Copper Materials

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Understanding European Copper Standardization

The creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) fundamentally transformed how technical standards are established and implemented across Europe. This transformation made it essential to develop common standards known as "European Norms" (EN), effectively standardizing the technical language used throughout the continent. The harmonization process represents a significant milestone in European industrial cooperation and quality assurance.

For more information on the EN designation system see Introduction to the Euronorm Standard Designation System.

The Evolution of Mandatory European Standards

Since 1988, a comprehensive series of mandatory European standards (EN) has been systematically developed and implemented. These new standards serve a crucial purpose: replacing diverse national standards such as BS (British Standards), DIN (German Industrial Standards), SS (Swedish Standards), and NF (French Standards) throughout 18 countries of Western Europe. This standardization initiative ensures consistency, compatibility, and quality across European markets.

CEN: The Foundation of European Copper Standards

European copper standards achieve unification through a sophisticated system developed by the Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN). This European standardization body plays a pivotal role in establishing technical specifications that govern copper materials across the continent. The European standard comprehensively specifies the composition, mechanical properties, and other relevant characteristics of different castings and ingots of copper and its alloys.

For comprehensive information regarding the EN designation system, readers should consult the Introduction to the Euronorm Standard Designation System, which provides detailed guidance on understanding and applying these standards.

Comprehensive Coverage of Copper Applications

The standards listed below provide extensive coverage of copper materials and applications, encompassing several critical areas.

The standards address a comprehensive range of copper alloys designed for general use and multiple applications across various industries. These versatile materials serve numerous purposes in manufacturing, construction, and industrial processes.

Specialized copper alloys used in various electrical applications receive particular attention within the standards framework. These materials must meet stringent requirements for electrical conductivity, thermal properties, and reliability in electrical systems.

The standards also cover numerous alloys specifically designed for the production of rods, sheets, and tubing. These materials serve both general and specialized applications, ensuring that manufacturers have access to standardized materials that meet specific performance requirements.

Table 1. The EN Standards for Copper and Copper Alloys

Standard Number	Last version	Description
EN 1044	1999	Brazing - Filler metals
EN 1057	2006	Copper and copper alloys - Seamless, round copper tubes for water and gas in sanitary and heating applications
EN 1172	1996	Copper and copper alloys - Sheet and strip for building purposes
EN 1173	2008	Copper and copper alloys - Material condition or temper designation
EN 12163	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Rod for general purposes
EN 12164	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Rod for free machining purposes
EN 12165	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Wrought and unwrought forging stock
EN 12166	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Wire for general purposes
EN 12167	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Profiles and rectangular bar for general purposes
EN 12168	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Hollow rod for free machining purposes
EN 12420	1999	Copper and copper alloys - Forgings
EN 12449	1999	Copper and copper alloys - Seamless, round tubes for general purposes
EN 12450	1999	Copper and copper alloys - Seamless, round copper capillary tubes
EN 12451	1999	Copper and copper alloys - Seamless, round tubes for heat exchangers
EN 12452	1999	Copper and copper alloys - Rolled, finned, seamless tubes for heat exchangers
EN 12861	1999	Copper and copper alloys - Scrap
EN 12893	2000	Copper and copper alloys - Determination of spiral elongation number
EN 13147	2001	Copper and copper alloys - Determination of residual stresses in the border area of slit strip
EN 13148	2001	Copper and copper alloys - Hot-dip tinned strip
EN 13347	2002	Copper and copper alloys - Rod and wire for welding and braze welding
EN 13599	2002	Copper and copper alloys - Copper plate, sheet and strip for electrical purposes
EN 13600	2002	Copper and copper alloys - Seamless copper tubes for electrical purposes
EN 13601	2002	Copper and copper alloys - Copper rod, bar and wire for general electrical purposes
EN 13602	2002	Copper and copper alloys - Drawn, round copper wire for the manufacture of electrical conductors
EN 13604	2002	Copper and copper alloys - Products of high conductivity copper for electronic tubes, semiconductor devices and vacuum applications
EN 13605	2002	Copper and copper alloys - Copper profiles and profiled wire for electrical purposes
EN 14436	2004	Copper and copper alloys - Electrolytically tinned strip
EN 1652	1997	Copper and copper alloys - Plate, sheet, strip and circles for general purposes
EN 1653	1997	Copper and copper alloys - Plate, sheet and circles for boilers, pressure vessels and hot water storage units
EN 1654	1997	Copper and copper alloys - Strip for springs and connectors
EN 1758	1997	Copper and copper alloys - Strip for lead frames
EN 1971	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Eddy current test for tubes
EN 1976	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Cast unwrought copper products
EN 1977	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Copper drawing stock (wire rod)
EN 1978	1998	Copper and copper alloys - Copper cathodes
EN 1981	2003	Copper and copper alloys - Master alloys
EN 1982	2008	Copper and copper alloys - Ingots and castings