Overview
ISO 197-2:1983 - "Copper and copper alloys - Terms and definitions - Part 2: Unwrought products (refinery shapes)" is an ISO vocabulary standard that defines standard terms for unwrought copper and copper-alloy products. The document establishes clear, internationally agreed definitions for common refinery shapes used in downstream metallurgical processing and trade. These definitions were approved in principle by the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) to support the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System) revision for Chapter 74 (“Copper”).
Key Topics
This part of ISO 197 focuses on terminology and scope rather than manufacturing methods or material specifications. Key defined terms include:
- Unwrought products - general term for refinery shapes produced by refining, melting and casting, intended for further processing. Also called “refinery shapes.”
- Cathode - a rough, flat, unwrought product produced by electrolytic deposition, normally used for remelting.
- Wire bar - a cast product, typically of approximately square cross-section (may have tapered ends), principally used for rolling into drawing stock or flat products for wire, strip or profile production.
- Cake - a cast product of rectangular cross-section, generally used for rolling into plate, sheet, strip or profiles.
- Billet - a cast product of circular cross-section used for producing tube, rod, bar, profiles or forgings.
- Ingot - a cast product in a form suitable only for remelting, primarily for production of copper or copper alloys (also called “ingot bar”).
The standard supersedes ISO/TR 197/2-1976 and was developed by ISO/TC 26 (Copper and copper alloys).
Applications
Practical applications of ISO 197-2:1983 include:
- Harmonizing vocabulary for international trade documentation and customs classification (Harmonized System - Chapter 74).
- Standardizing terminology in contracts, procurement documents, product specifications and technical datasheets.
- Supporting consistency in metallurgical operations where refinery shapes are distinguished for downstream processing (remelting, rolling, drawing, forging).
- Aiding clarity in quality assurance, inspection reports, and logistics (product identification, handling and storage).
Who uses this standard
- Customs authorities and tariff classification specialists (Harmonized System users)
- Copper producers, refineries and smelters
- Metal processors: rolling mills, wire-drawing and forging shops
- Procurement, quality and compliance teams in manufacturing and trading companies
- Standards bodies and technical committees concerned with copper terminology
Related standards
- This document is Part 2 of ISO 197 series (vocabulary for copper and copper alloys) and replaces the earlier Technical Report ISO/TR 197/2-1976. It was prepared by ISO/TC 26.
Keywords: ISO 197-2:1983, copper, copper alloys, unwrought products, refinery shapes, cathode, wire bar, cake, billet, ingot, Harmonized System, CCC, terminology.
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