.051″ Copper Sheet – 38 OZ -16 Gauge

Copper Sheet – .051" Thickness, 38 oz, 16 Gauge

This copper sheet is supplied in a nominal thickness of .051 inch (approximately 1.3 mm), which corresponds to 16 gauge and a weight of about 38 ounces per square foot. It is made from commercially pure C11000 (ETP) copper with a minimum copper content of 99.9%, offering excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, outstanding formability and a warm reddish-gold finish that is prized in both functional and decorative work.

At this thickness, the sheet is rigid enough to hold its shape yet soft enough to be cut, bent, rolled, formed and soldered with common tools. It is a popular choice for architectural details, flashing and roofing accents, electrical shielding and grounding plates, heat-transfer components, metal crafts, jewelry, repoussé work and general workshop fabrication. Each listing in this category corresponds to a specific sheet size, so you can select the dimensions that best fit your project.

Key Features and Benefits

• Nominal thickness .051" (about 1.3 mm), 16 gauge, approximately 38 oz per square foot (about 2.4 lb/ft²).
• Commercially pure C11000 / ETP copper, minimum 99.9% Cu.
• Very high electrical and thermal conductivity (100% IACS minimum).
• Excellent formability: easy to cut, bend, hammer, emboss, spin and roll.
• Reliable corrosion resistance; develops a natural brown patina and eventually a green verdigris outdoors.
• Can be soldered, brazed and joined mechanically with rivets or fasteners.
• Smooth surface suitable for polishing, patinating, etching, lacquering or leaving natural.

Typical Properties of Copper C11000 (ETP)

• Copper content: 99.90% minimum (including silver), with a small controlled oxygen content of about 0.02–0.04%.
• Electrical conductivity: 100% IACS minimum in the annealed condition – the international benchmark for electrical-grade copper.
• Thermal conductivity: approximately 391 W/m·K at room temperature.
• Density: approximately 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³).
• Melting point: approximately 1,083 °C (1,981 °F).
• Corrosion resistance: excellent resistance to atmospheric exposure, fresh water and many non-oxidizing chemical environments.
• Related designations: C11000, Alloy 110, ETP (Electrolytic Tough Pitch) copper, Cu-ETP / CW004A, UNS C11000.

Common Applications

• Architecture and building: flashing, roof accents, gutters, cladding details, cupolas and decorative trim.
• Electrical and electronics: grounding plates, shielding enclosures, contact plates and heat spreaders.
• Heat transfer: cold plates, thermal shields, cookware components and equipment panels.
• Arts and crafts: jewelry, sculpture, repoussé, embossing, lamps, signs and custom home décor.
• Fabrication and repair: patch panels, gaskets, shims, brackets and prototype parts.
• Education and DIY: workshops, experiments and creative projects.

Working with Copper Sheet

Cut copper sheet with tin snips, shears, a jeweler’s saw or a power shear, and file or sand the edges smooth after cutting. Copper hardens as it is worked; if the metal becomes stiff, anneal it by heating evenly to a dull red glow and then cooling it, which restores its softness. Clean the surface with a mild abrasive or a copper cleaner before soldering, and use flux with the appropriate solder. To keep the bright finish, apply a clear lacquer or wax; to achieve an antique look, use a patina solution. Keep protective film or paper on the sheet until you are ready to work, and handle by the edges to avoid fingerprints.

Cutting, Handling and Ordering Notes

Dimensions are nominal and listed in inches. As with all drawn and rolled copper products, small dimensional tolerances apply, and the surface of the metal naturally develops a darker oxide patina over time without affecting performance. Wear gloves when handling to keep the surface clean, store the material in a dry place, and keep it separated from steel and other dissimilar metals during storage to avoid surface staining. If you need a quantity, length or size that is not listed, please contact us and we will be glad to help.