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List of copper alloys
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Copper alloys are metal alloys that have copper as their principal component. They have high resistance against corrosion. Of the large number of different types, the best known traditional types are bronze, where tin is a significant addition, and brass, using zinc instead. Both of these are imprecise terms. Latten is a further term, mostly used for coins with a very high copper content. Today the term "copper alloy" tends to be substituted for all of these, especially by museums. [1]
Copper deposits are abundant in most parts of the world (globally 70 parts per million), and it has therefore always been a relatively cheap metal. By contrast, tin is relatively rare (2 parts per million), and in Europe and the Mediterranean region, even in prehistoric times, it had to be traded considerable distances and was expensive, sometimes virtually unobtainable. Zinc is even more common at 75 parts per million but is harder to extract from its ores. Bronze with the ideal percentage of tin was therefore expensive, and the proportion of tin was often reduced to save cost. The discovery and exploitation of the Bolivian tin belt in the 19th century made tin far cheaper, although forecasts for future supplies are less positive.
There are as many as 400 different copper and copper alloy compositions loosely grouped into the categories: copper, high copper alloy, brasses, bronzes, cupronickel, copper–nickel–zinc (nickel silver), leaded copper, and special alloys.
Composition
[edit]The similarity in external appearance of the various alloys, along with the different combinations of elements used when making each alloy, can lead to confusion when categorizing the different compositions. The following table lists the principal alloying element for four of the more common types used in modern industry, along with the name for each type. Historical types, such as those that characterize the Bronze Age, are vaguer, as the mixtures were generally variable.
| Family | Principal alloying element | UNS numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Copper alloys, brass | Zinc (Zn) | C1xxxx–C4xxxx,C66400–C69800 |
| Phosphor bronze | Tin (Sn) | C5xxxx |
| Aluminium bronzes | Aluminium (Al) | C60600–C64200 |
| Silicon bronzes | Silicon (Si) | C64700–C66100 |
| Cupronickel, nickel silvers | Nickel (Ni) | C7xxxx |
| Name | Nominal composition (percentages) | Form and condition | Yield strength (0.2% offset, ksi) | Tensile strength (ksi) | Elongation in 2 inches (percent) | Hardness (Brinell scale) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (ASTM B1, B2, B3, B152, B124, R133) | Cu 99.9 | Annealed | 10 | 32 | 45 | 42 | Electrical equipment, roofing, screens |
| Cold-drawn | 40 | 45 | 15 | 90 | |||
| Cold-rolled | 40 | 46 | 5 | 100 | |||
| Gilding metal (ASTM B36) | Cu 95.0, Zn 5.0 | Cold-rolled | 50 | 56 | 5 | 114 | Coins, bullet jackets |
| Cartridge brass (ASTM B14, B19, B36, B134, B135) | Cu 70.0, Zn 30.0 | Cold-rolled | 63 | 76 | 8 | 155 | Good for cold-working; radiators, hardware, electrical, drawn cartridge cases. |
| Phosphor bronze (ASTM B103, B139, B159) | Cu 89.75, Sn 10.0, P 0.25 | Spring temper | — | 122 | 4 | 241 | High fatigue-strength and spring qualities |
| Yellow or High brass (ASTM B36, B134, B135) | Cu 65.0, Zn 35.0 | Annealed | 18 | 48 | 60 | 55 | Good corrosion resistance |
| Cold-drawn | 55 | 70 | 15 | 115 | |||
| Cold-rolled (HT) | 60 | 74 | 10 | 180 | |||
| Manganese bronze (ASTM 138) | Cu 58.5, Zn 39.2, Fe 1.0, Sn 1.0, Mn 0.3 | Annealed | 30 | 60 | 30 | 95 | Forgings |
| Cold-drawn | 50 | 80 | 20 | 180 | |||
| Naval brass (ASTM B21) | Cu 60.0, Zn 39.25, Sn 0.75 | Annealed | 22 | 56 | 40 | 90 | Resistance to salt corrosion |
| Cold-drawn | 40 | 65 | 35 | 150 | |||
| Muntz metal (ASTM B111) | Cu 60.0, Zn 40.0 | Annealed | 20 | 54 | 45 | 80 | Condenser tubes |
| Aluminium bronze (ASTM B169 alloy A, B124, B150) | Cu 92.0, Al 8.0 | Annealed | 25 | 70 | 60 | 80 | — |
| Hard | 65 | 105 | 7 | 210 | |||
| Beryllium copper (ASTM B194, B196, B197) | Cu 97.75, Be 2.0, Co or Ni 0.25 | Annealed, solution-treated | 32 | 70 | 45 | B60 (Rockwell) | Electrical, valves, pumps, oilfield tools, aerospace landing gears, robotic welding, mold making [3] |
| Cold-rolled | 104 | 110 | 5 | B81 (Rockwell) | |||
| Free-cutting brass | Cu 62.0, Zn 35.5, Pb 2.5 | Cold-drawn | 44 | 70 | 18 | B80 (Rockwell) | Screws, nuts, gears, keys |
| Nickel silver (ASTM B122) | Cu 65.0, Zn 17.0, Ni 18.0 | Annealed | 25 | 58 | 40 | 70 | Hardware |
| Cold-rolled | 70 | 85 | 4 | 170 | |||
| Nickel silver (ASTM B149) | Cu 76.5, Ni 12.5, Pb 9.0, Sn 2.0 | Cast | 18 | 35 | 15 | 55 | Easy to machine; ornaments, plumbing [4] |
| Cupronickel (ASTM B111, B171) | Cu 88.35, Ni 10.0, Fe 1.25, Mn 0.4 | Annealed | 22 | 44 | 45 | – | Condenser, salt-water pipes |
| Cold-drawn tube | 57 | 60 | 15 | – | |||
| Cupronickel | Cu 70.0, Ni 30.0 | Wrought | – | – | – | – | Heat-exchange equipment, valves |
| Ounce metal[5] Copper alloy C83600 (also known as "Red brass" or "composition metal") (ASTM B62) | Cu 85.0, Zn 5.0, Pb 5.0, Sn 5.0 | Cast | 17 | 37 | 25 | 60 | — |
| Gunmetal (known as "red brass" in US) | Varies Cu 80-90%, Zn <5%, Sn ~10%, +other elements@ <1% |
| Family | CDA | Tensile strength [ksi] | Yield strength [ksi] | Elongation (typ.) [%] | Hardness [Brinell 10 mm-500 kg] |
Machinability [YB = 100] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. | Typ. | Min. | Typ. | |||||||
| Red brass | 833 | 32 | 10 | 35 | 35 | 35 | ||||
| 836 | 30 | 37 | 14 | 17 | 30 | 50–65 | 84 | |||
| 838 | 29 | 35 | 12 | 16 | 25 | 50–60 | 90 | |||
| Semi-red brass | 844 | 29 | 34 | 13 | 15 | 26 | 50–60 | 90 | ||
| 848 | 25 | 36 | 12 | 14 | 30 | 50–60 | 90 | |||
| Manganese bronze | 862 | 90 | 95 | 45 | 48 | 20 | 170–195† | 30 | ||
| 863 | 110 | 119 | 60 | 83 | 18 | 225† | 8 | |||
| 865 | 65 | 71 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 130† | 26 | |||
| Tin bronze | 903 | 40 | 45 | 18 | 21 | 30 | 60–75 | 30 | ||
| 905 | 40 | 45 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 75 | 30 | |||
| 907 | 35 | 44 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 80 | 20 | |||
| Leaded tin bronze | 922 | 34 | 40 | 16 | 20 | 30 | 60–72 | 42 | ||
| 923 | 36 | 40 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 60–75 | 42 | |||
| 926 | 40 | 44 | 18 | 20 | 30 | 65–80 | 40 | |||
| 927 | 35 | 42 | 21 | 20 | 77 | 45 | ||||
| High-leaded tin bronze | 932 | 30 | 35 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 60–70 | 70 | ||
| 934 | 25 | 32 | 16 | 20 | 55–65 | 70 | ||||
| 935 | 25 | 32 | 12 | 16 | 30 | 55–65 | 70 | |||
| 936 | 33 | 30 | 16 | 21 | 15 | 79-83 | 80 | |||
| 937 | 25 | 35 | 12 | 18 | 20 | 55–70 | 80 | |||
| 938 | 25 | 30 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 50–60 | 80 | |||
| 943 | 21 | 27 | 13 | 10 | 42–55 | 80 | ||||
| Aluminium bronze | 952 | 65 | 80 | 25 | 27 | 35 | 110–140† | 50 | ||
| 953 | 65 | 75 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 140† | 55 | |||
| 954 | 75 | 85 | 30 | 35 | 18 | 140–170† | 60 | |||
| 955 | 90 | 100 | 40 | 44 | 12 | 180–200† | 50 | |||
| 958 | 85 | 95 | 35 | 38 | 25 | 150-170† | 50 | |||
| Silicon bronze | 878 | 80 | 83 | 30 | 37 | 29 | 115 | 40 | ||
| † Brinell scale with 3000 kg load | ||||||||||
| Family | CDA | ASTM | SAE | SAE superseded | Federal | Military |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red brass | 833 | |||||
| 836 | B145-836 | 836 | 40 | QQ-C-390 (B5) | C-2229 Gr2 | |
| 838 | B145-838 | 838 | QQ-C-390 (B4) | |||
| Semi-red brass | 844 | B145-844 | QQ-C-390 (B2) | |||
| 848 | B145-848 | QQ-C-390 (B1) | ||||
| Manganese bronze | 862 | B147-862 | 862 | 430A | QQ-C-390 (C4) | C-2229 Gr9 |
| 863 | B147-863 | 863 | 430B | QQ-C-390 (C7) | C-2229 Gr8 | |
| 865 | B147-865 | 865 | 43 | QQ-C-390 (C3) | C-2229 Gr7 | |
| Tin bronze | 903 | B143-903 | 903 | 620 | QQ-C-390 (D5) | C-2229 Gr1 |
| 905 | B143-905 | 905 | 62 | QQ-C-390 (D6) | ||
| 907 | 907 | 65 | ||||
| Leaded tin bronze | 922 | B143-922 | 922 | 622 | QQ-C-390 (D4) | B-16541 |
| 923 | B143-923 | 923 | 621 | QQ-C-390 (D3) | C-15345 Gr10 | |
| 926 | 926 | |||||
| 927 | 927 | 63 | ||||
| High-leaded tin bronze | 932 | B144-932 | 932 | 660 | QQ-C-390 (E7) | C-15345 Gr12 |
| 934 | QQ-C-390 (E8) | C-22229 Gr3 | ||||
| 935 | B144-935 | 935 | 66 | QQ-C-390 (E9) | ||
| 937 | B144-937 | 937 | 64 | QQ-C-390 (E10) | ||
| 938 | B144-938 | 938 | 67 | QQ-C-390 (E6) | ||
| 943 | B144-943 | 943 | QQ-C-390 (E1) | |||
| Aluminium bronze | 952 | B148-952 | 952 | 68A | QQ-C-390 (G6) | C-22229 Gr5 |
| 953 | B148-953 | 953 | 68B | QQ-C-390 (G7) | ||
| 954 | B148-954 | 954 | QQ-C-390 (G5) | C-15345 Gr13 | ||
| 955 | B148-955 | 955 | QQ-C-390 (G3) | C-22229 Gr8 | ||
| 958 | QQ-C-390 (G8) | |||||
| Silicon bronze | 878 | B30 | 878 |
The following table outlines the chemical composition of various grades of copper alloys.
| Family | CDA | AMS | UNS | Cu [%] | Sn [%] | Pb [%] | Zn [%] | Ni [%] | Fe [%] | Al [%] | Other [%] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red brass | 833 | C83300 | 93 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 4 | |||||
| C83400[8] | 90 | 10 | |||||||||
| 836 | 4855B | C83600 | 85 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||
| 838 | C83800 | 83 | 4 | 6 | 7 | ||||||
| Semi-red brass | 844 | C84400 | 81 | 3 | 7 | 9 | |||||
| 845 | C84500 | 78 | 3 | 7 | 12 | ||||||
| 848 | C84800 | 76 | 3 | 6 | 15 | ||||||
| Manganese bronze | C86100[9] | 67 | 0.5 | 21 | 3 | 5 | Mn 4 | ||||
| 862† | C86200 | 64 | 26 | 3 | 4 | Mn 3 | |||||
| 863† | 4862B | C86300 | 63 | 25 | 3 | 6 | Mn 3 | ||||
| 865 | 4860A | C86500 | 58 | 0.5 | 39.5 | 1 | 1 | Mn 0.25 | |||
| Tin bronze | 903 | C90300 | 88 | 8 | 4 | ||||||
| 905 | 4845D | C90500 | 88 | 10 | 0.3 max | 2 | |||||
| 907 | C90700 | 89 | 11 | 0.5 max | 0.5 max | ||||||
| Leaded tin bronze | 922 | C92200 | 88 | 6 | 1.5 | 4.5 | |||||
| 923 | C92300 | 87 | 8 | 1 max | 4 | ||||||
| 926 | 4846A | C92600 | 87 | 10 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| 927 | C92700 | 88 | 10 | 2 | 0.7 max | ||||||
| High-leaded tin bronze | 932 | C93200 | 83 | 7 | 7 | 3 | |||||
| 934 | C93400 | 84 | 8 | 8 | 0.7 max | ||||||
| 935 | C93500 | 85 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0.5 max | |||||
| 937 | 4842A | C93700 | 80 | 10 | 10 | 0.7 max | |||||
| 938 | C93800 | 78 | 7 | 15 | 0.75 max | ||||||
| 943 | 4840A | C94300 | 70 | 5 | 25 | 0.7 max | |||||
| Aluminium bronze | 952 | C95200 | 88 | 3 | 9 | ||||||
| 953 | C95200 | 89 | 1 | 10 | |||||||
| 954 | 4870B 4872B |
C95400 | 85 | 4 | 11 | ||||||
| C95410[10] | 85 | 4 | 11 | Ni 2 | |||||||
| 955 | C95500 | 81 | 4 | 4 | 11 | ||||||
| C95600[11] | 91 | 7 | Si 2 | ||||||||
| C95700[12] | 75 | 2 | 3 | 8 | Mn 12 | ||||||
| 958 | C95800 | 81 | 5 | 4 | 9 | Mn 1 | |||||
| Silicon bronze | C87200[13] | 89 | Si 4 | ||||||||
| C87400[14] | 83 | 14 | Si 3 | ||||||||
| C87500[15] | 82 | 14 | Si 4 | ||||||||
| C87600[16] | 90 | 5.5 | Si 4.5 | ||||||||
| 878 | C87800[17] | 80 | 14 | Si 4 | |||||||
| C87900[18] | 65 | 34 | Si 1 | ||||||||
| † Chemical composition may vary to yield mechanical properties | |||||||||||
Brasses
[edit]



Brass is an alloy of copper with zinc. Brasses are usually yellow in color. The zinc content can vary between few % to about 40%; as long as it is kept under 15%, it does not markedly decrease the corrosion resistance of copper.
Brasses can be sensitive to selective leaching corrosion under certain conditions, when zinc is leached from the alloy (dezincification), leaving behind a spongy copper structure.
Bronzes
[edit]A bronze is an alloy of copper and other metals, most often tin, but also alumnium and silicon.
- Aluminium bronzes are alloys of copper and aluminum. The content of aluminum ranges mostly between 5% and 11%. Iron, nickel, manganese and silicon are sometimes added. They have higher strength and corrosion resistance than other bronzes, especially in marine environments, and have low reactivity to sulfur compounds. Aluminum forms a thin passivation layer on the surface of the metal.
- Bell metal
- Brastil[19][20]
- Phosphor bronze
- Nickel bronzes, e.g. nickel silver and cupronickel
- Speculum metal
- UNS C69100
Precious metal alloys
[edit]Copper is often alloyed with precious metals like gold (Au) and silver (Ag).
| Name | Cu [%] | Au [%] | Ag [%] | Other [%] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auricupride | † | † | ||
| Ashtadhatu | † | † | † | Fe†, Hg†, Sn†, Zn† |
| Billon | † | † | Hg† | |
| Chinese silver | 58 | 2 | 17.5 Zn, 11.5 Ni, | |
| Corinthian bronze | † | † | † | |
| CuSil | 28 | 72 | ||
| Dymalloy | 20 | 80 | C (type I diamond) | |
| Electrum, Green gold | 6-23 | 75-80 | 0-15 | 0-4 Cd |
| Grey gold | † | † | Mn† | |
| Guanín | 25 | 56 | 18 | |
| Hepatizon | † | trace | trace | |
| Niello | † | † | Pb sulfides† | |
| Panchaloha | † | † | † | Fe†, Sn†, Pb†, Zn†, |
| Rose, red, and pink gold | 20-50 | 50-75 | 0-5 | |
| Spangold | 18-19 | 76 | 5-6 Al | |
| Shakudō | 90-96 | 4-10 | ||
| Shibuichi | 40-77 | 0-1 | 23-60 | |
| Tibetan silver | † | † | Ni†, Sn† | |
| Tumbaga | 3-97 | 3-97 | ||
| White gold | † | † | Ni†, Zn† |
† amount unspecified
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ British Museum, "Scope Note" for "copper alloy"
- ^ Lyons, William C. and Plisga, Gary J. (eds.) Standard Handbook of Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering, Elsevier, 2006
- ^ National Bronze & Metals | Beryllium Copper
- ^ Lewis Brass & Company | Copper Alloy Data Archived 2021-05-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Cast copper alloy C83600 (Ounce Metal) substech.com
- ^ a b c Industrial Investment Castings - Franklin Bronze, retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ Brass and Bronze Alloys, archived from the original on 2009-08-25, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C83400, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C86100, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C95410, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C95600, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C95700, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C87200, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C87400, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C87500, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C87600, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C87800, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ UNS C87900, retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ "Doehler-Jarvis Company Collection, MSS-202".
- ^ Woldman’s Engineering Alloys, 9th Edition 1936, American Society for Metals, ISBN 978-0-87170-691-1
Bibliography
[edit]- Oberg, Erik; Jones, Franklin D.; Horton, Holbrook L. (1992). Machinery's Handbook (24 ed.). New York: Industrial Press Inc. p. 501. ISBN 0-8311-2492-X.
External links
[edit]- Corrosion tests and standards: application and interpretation
- Copper Development Association
- [1]
- Copper Binary Phase Diagrams generation code (batch file - http://www.gotrawama.eu/copperNIMS/ramefabio.txt ) using open thermodynamic databases available at NIMS https://cpddb.nims.go.jp/cpddb/periodic.htm and a commercial software, Computherm Pandat, available for free at https://computherm.com/ help for useat https://computherm.com/docs/pandat_manual.pdf Images of the 34 binary phase diagrams are available at http://www.gotrawama.eu/copperNIMS/PNG/
List of copper alloys
View on GrokipediaOverview and Classification
General Composition
Copper alloys primarily consist of copper (Cu) combined with one or more alloying elements to achieve desired properties. Coppers contain ≥99.3% Cu, while high-copper alloys have 96–99.3% Cu (wrought) or >94% Cu (cast). Brasses are copper-zinc alloys with 3–40% Zn, often including subtypes like alpha (up to 37% Zn) and alpha-beta (38–45% Zn). Bronzes include copper-tin alloys (1–12% Sn), phosphor bronzes (Cu-Sn-P), aluminum bronzes (5–12% Al with Fe, Ni), and silicon bronzes (3% Si). Cupronickels contain 5–30% Ni with Fe and Mn for corrosion resistance, and nickel silvers are Cu-Ni-Zn alloys (10–25% Ni, 5–30% Zn) without silver. These compositions are standardized to ensure consistency in properties like strength, conductivity, and machinability.[4][1]Designation Systems
Copper alloys are designated using standardized systems to ensure consistent identification, facilitate international trade, and support material specifications across industries. These systems categorize alloys based on composition, processing, and properties, replacing earlier inconsistent trade names that varied by manufacturer and region.[3] The primary system in North America is the Unified Numbering System (UNS), developed jointly by ASTM International and SAE International and published as a recommended practice in 1974 to unify disparate alloy numbering. Under UNS, copper and copper alloys are assigned five-digit numbers prefixed by "C," ranging from C10000 to C79999 for wrought alloys and C80000 to C99999 for cast alloys. Subgroups within the wrought range delineate alloy families by major alloying elements: C1xxx for coppers (e.g., C10100 for oxygen-free electronic copper), C2xxx for binary copper-zinc alloys (brasses), C3xxx for leaded copper-zinc alloys, C4xxx for copper-tin alloys (bronzes), C6xxx for copper-aluminum alloys (aluminum bronzes), and C7xxx for copper-nickel-zinc (nickel silvers) and copper-nickel (cupronickels) alloys. This compositional grouping allows quick identification of alloy types without listing full chemical breakdowns.[3][5][6] In Europe, the EN numbering system, standardized by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), uses a six-character alphanumeric code starting with "Cu" for chemical symbols or "CW" for wrought and "CC" for cast alloys, followed by numbers indicating composition and a letter for the alloy group. For instance, brasses are denoted as CuZn (e.g., CuZn37 for a 63% copper-37% zinc alloy, equivalent to CW508L), while leaded variants include "Pb" (e.g., CuZn39Pb3 as CW614N). This system, based on ISO/TR 7003 for unified formats, promotes compatibility with computer systems and replaced national standards like those in Germany (DIN) and the UK (BS) by the early 1990s.[7] ASTM International provides additional designations through its B-series specifications, which focus on product forms and tempers rather than broad alloy families. Examples include B1 for hard-drawn copper wire, B3 for annealed copper wire, and B16 for free-cutting brass rod and shapes (covering UNS C36000). These are often used alongside UNS for procurement and testing.[8] ISO classifications emphasize compositional nomenclature under standards like ISO 197-1, dividing materials into unrefined copper, refined copper, and copper alloys with specific alloying limits (e.g., alloys with less than 5% other elements as "copper alloys," and higher as "various copper alloys"). This system supports global harmonization but is more descriptive than numeric.[9][10] Generic naming conventions persist alongside formal systems, with "brass" typically reserved for copper-zinc alloys and "bronze" for copper-tin or other copper alloys excluding significant zinc, often qualified by additives like "leaded" (for improved machinability) or "phosphor" (for deoxidized tin bronzes). These terms originated in historical metallurgy but are now aligned with UNS and EN groups for precision.[11] The evolution from ad hoc trade names—such as "Muntz metal" for a specific brass—to structured systems began in the mid-20th century amid growing industrialization, culminating in the UNS to address inconsistencies across ASTM, SAE, and other bodies. Cross-referencing is common; for example, the free-cutting brass UNS C36000 (60% copper, 3% lead, balance zinc) corresponds to EN CW603N (CuZn36Pb3).[12][13]Coppers and High-Copper Alloys
Pure Coppers
Pure coppers are defined as unalloyed or minimally processed copper materials containing at least 99.3% copper by weight, with total impurities limited to less than 0.7%, and are designated under the Unified Numbering System (UNS) as C10100 through C15999.[14] These materials prioritize maximum purity to achieve superior performance in applications requiring high conductivity, distinguishing them from high-copper alloys that incorporate intentional additions exceeding 0.7% of other elements for enhanced strength or other properties. The primary types of pure coppers include oxygen-free high-conductivity (OFHC) copper, designated UNS C10100, which achieves 99.99% copper purity with oxygen content below 0.0005%.[15][16] Electrolytic tough pitch (ETP) copper, UNS C11000, contains approximately 99.9% copper and includes about 0.04% oxygen as a residual from refining, providing a balance of conductivity and workability.[17] Phosphor-deoxidized (DHP) copper, UNS C12200, features 99.9% copper with 0.015-0.040% phosphorus added during processing to remove oxygen and prevent hydrogen embrittlement.[18] Another variant is zirconium copper, UNS C15000, with 99.6-99.92% copper and 0.08-0.3% zirconium to improve softening resistance, weldability, and strength at elevated temperatures while retaining high conductivity (85-95% IACS).[19] OFHC and ETP coppers exhibit the highest levels of electrical conductivity, rated at 100-101% of the International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS), along with excellent thermal conductivity exceeding 390 W/m·K, while DHP and zirconium coppers have somewhat lower values at ~85% IACS and ~340 W/m·K due to alloying elements.[20][21] They also demonstrate outstanding ductility, allowing extensive cold working without fracture, and superior corrosion resistance in non-oxidizing environments such as water or neutral atmospheres.[22] Common forms of pure coppers include wrought products like sheets, strips, rods, and wires, as well as cast shapes for specific uses; they are widely applied in electrical wiring, busbars, heat exchangers, and electronic components where minimal resistance and reliable performance are essential. Zirconium copper is particularly used in aerospace components and RF shielding due to its formability and thermal stability.[23] Production of pure coppers begins with electrolytic refining of copper anodes in sulfuric acid electrolytes, yielding cathodes of 99.95-99.99% purity by selectively depositing copper while impurities remain in solution or form sludge.[24] To mitigate embrittlement risks from oxygen absorption during melting and casting, deoxidation processes are employed: OFHC uses vacuum or inert atmospheres to exclude oxygen entirely, while DHP incorporates phosphorus as a scavenger, ensuring the material retains its ductility and conductivity during fabrication. Zirconium additions in C15000 are introduced during melting to refine grain structure without deoxidation needs.[25]Alloyed High-Copper Variants
Alloyed high-copper variants, designated under the Unified Numbering System (UNS) as C16000 to C19999, are copper-based materials containing more than 96% copper by weight, with total alloying elements limited to 2-4% to preserve exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity while enhancing mechanical properties such as strength, hardness, and resistance to fatigue and softening at elevated temperatures.[26][6] These alloys differ from pure coppers by incorporating deliberate minor additions of elements like beryllium, chromium, or zirconium, which enable precipitation hardening and other heat treatments to achieve tailored performance without significantly compromising the base metal's inherent advantages. Unlike higher-alloyed systems, these variants prioritize conductivity levels often exceeding 80% of the International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS) in annealed states, making them suitable for demanding electrical and thermal applications.[20] Prominent examples include beryllium copper alloys in the UNS C17000-C17500 series, which typically contain 0.2-2.0% beryllium (with higher-conductivity grades at 0.2-0.7% and high-strength grades at 1.6-2.0%), balanced by copper and minor nickel or cobalt for improved stability.[27][28] These provide remarkable springiness and non-magnetic behavior due to the fine precipitation of beryllium-rich phases during aging. Chromium-zirconium copper, designated UNS C18100, features 0.4-1.2% chromium and 0.08-0.25% zirconium, enhancing resistance to recrystallization and creep at high temperatures while maintaining near-pure copper conductivity.[29] These alloys exhibit electrical conductivities ranging from 40-90% IACS, depending on composition and temper, with high-strength variants like beryllium copper achieving 20-60% IACS post-hardening and conductivity-optimized ones like chromium-zirconium copper reaching 80-90% IACS.[30] Tensile strengths can exceed 1200 MPa after precipitation hardening, particularly in beryllium copper, which also demonstrates superior fatigue endurance (up to 10^7 cycles at 400 MPa stress) and corrosion resistance in humid or saline environments due to the protective oxide layers formed by alloying elements.[31] Chromium-zirconium variants offer creep resistance up to 500°C, retaining over 80% of room-temperature strength.[32] Common applications leverage these balanced properties: beryllium copper serves in high-reliability electrical connectors, bellows, and precision springs in electronics and aerospace, where its non-sparking nature and dimensional stability under repeated flexing are critical.[30] Chromium-zirconium copper is favored for resistance welding electrodes and high-temperature bus bars in automotive and power distribution systems, benefiting from its wear resistance and thermal stability.[33] Heat treatment is essential for optimizing these alloys, with beryllium copper primarily relying on precipitation (age) hardening: a solution anneal at 780-830°C followed by rapid quenching, then aging at 300-350°C for 2-3 hours to precipitate coherent phases that boost strength without brittleness.[34] Chromium-zirconium coppers undergo similar solution annealing at 900-980°C and aging at 450-550°C, though they may include cold working for additional refinement, ensuring peak properties like 500-800 MPa yield strength.[32][35] These processes, standardized by bodies like ASTM B768 for beryllium copper, allow precise control over microstructure for specific end-use demands.[36]| Alloy | UNS Designation | Key Alloying Elements | Typical Conductivity (% IACS) | Max Tensile Strength (MPa) | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beryllium Copper | C17000-C17500 | 0.2-2.0% Be | 20-60 (hardened); 50-60 (high-conductivity) | Up to 1400 | Springiness and fatigue resistance |
| Chromium-Zirconium Copper | C18100 | 0.4-1.2% Cr, 0.08-0.25% Zr | 80-90 | 400-600 | High-temperature strength |
Copper-Zinc Alloys
Wrought Brasses
Wrought brasses are deformable copper-zinc alloys in the UNS C20000 to C49999 series, typically containing 20-40% zinc, that are processed through rolling, drawing, or extrusion to achieve desired shapes and properties.[37] These alloys exhibit two primary microstructures: alpha phase, which is single-phase and offers high ductility for cold forming, and alpha-beta phase, which is two-phase and provides greater strength but reduced cold formability, suitable for hot working.[38] The zinc content influences the phase structure, with lower levels (up to about 35% Zn) favoring alpha for excellent machinability and formability, while higher levels (around 40% Zn) promote alpha-beta for enhanced rigidity.[37] Key examples include cartridge brass (UNS C26000), with approximately 30% zinc (68.5-71.5% Cu, remainder Zn), renowned for its deep drawing capabilities due to superior ductility in the alpha structure.[38] Muntz metal (UNS C28000), containing 40% zinc (59-63% Cu, remainder Zn), features an alpha-beta structure that excels in hot working applications requiring moderate strength and corrosion resistance.[39] Naval brass (UNS C46400), with 39% zinc plus 1% tin (59-62% Cu, 0.5-1.0% Sn, remainder Zn), enhances corrosion resistance through the tin addition, making it ideal for marine environments.[40] Admiralty brass (UNS C44300), incorporating 28% zinc, 1% tin, and trace arsenic (70-73% Cu, 0.9-1.2% Sn, remainder Zn), provides arsenical inhibition against dezincification in seawater.[41] These alloys generally offer good tensile strength ranging from 300 to 500 MPa in various tempers, balancing durability with workability, alongside moderate electrical conductivity of about 28% IACS, which supports non-critical electrical uses.[38] Inhibited variants, such as those with tin or arsenic, exhibit strong resistance to dezincification, ensuring longevity in corrosive settings like aqueous or atmospheric exposure.[40] Machinability is favorable, particularly in alpha alloys, rated around 30-40 on standard scales, while formability allows complex shaping without cracking.[39] Processing involves annealing at 800-1400°F to restore ductility after cold working, which increases strength through strain hardening, or hot working at 1150-1550°F for alpha-beta alloys to leverage their hot formability.[38] Applications span ammunition casings and radiator components from cartridge brass, plumbing fittings and architectural trim from Muntz metal, and marine hardware like propellers from naval brass.[39] Admiralty brass finds use in condenser and heat exchanger tubes for its seawater compatibility.[41]| Alloy (UNS) | Composition (wt%) | Microstructure | Key Property Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| C26000 (Cartridge Brass) | 68.5-71.5 Cu, rem. Zn | Alpha | High ductility (up to 65% elongation), tensile strength 300-540 MPa |
| C28000 (Muntz Metal) | 59-63 Cu, rem. Zn | Alpha-Beta | Hot formability, tensile strength 370-510 MPa, 28% IACS conductivity |
| C46400 (Naval Brass) | 59-62 Cu, 0.5-1.0 Sn, rem. Zn | Alpha-Beta | Seawater corrosion resistance, tensile strength 380-600 MPa |
| C44300 (Admiralty Brass) | 70-73 Cu, 0.9-1.2 Sn, rem. Zn (+ trace As) | Alpha | Dezincification resistance, thermal conductivity 64 Btu/sq ft/hr/°F |
Cast Brasses
Cast brasses are copper-zinc alloys in the UNS C83300 to C89999 series, typically containing 5-40% zinc, often with lead, tin, or other additions for enhanced castability, machinability, and corrosion resistance.[42] These alloys are produced by pouring molten metal into molds to form intricate shapes and feature cast microstructures, including alpha, beta phases, or eutectoid structures influenced by zinc content, cooling rate, and alloying elements. Lower zinc levels (5-15%) produce red brasses with high copper for superior corrosion resistance, while higher zinc (20-40%) results in yellow brasses offering cost-effectiveness and strength.[43] Lead additions (1-8%) improve machinability by forming chips that break easily, and tin (up to 6%) enhances strength and wear resistance without compromising castability.[44] Key examples include leaded red brass (UNS C83600), with 84-86% Cu, 4-6% Zn, 4-6% Pb, and 4-6% Sn, noted for its good bearing qualities and resistance to corrosion in non-oxidizing environments.[43] Leaded semi-red brass (UNS C84400), containing 78-82% Cu, 7-10% Zn, 6-8% Pb, and 2.3-3.5% Sn, balances machinability and moderate strength for hardware applications.[44] Leaded yellow brass (UNS C85200), with 70-74% Cu, 20-27% Zn, 1.5-3.8% Pb, and 0.7-2.0% Sn, provides excellent fluidity for complex castings and a pleasing yellow color.[45] These alloys generally exhibit tensile strengths of 200-300 MPa, with elongations of 15-30% and Brinell hardness around 60-80, alongside electrical conductivity of 15-25% IACS. They offer good corrosion resistance in freshwater and atmospheric conditions, with machinability ratings of 80-90, making them suitable for precision machining.[43] Processing involves melting at 1750-2000°F and casting into sand, permanent, or centrifugal molds, followed by annealing if needed to relieve stresses. Applications include plumbing fixtures, valves, pump components, ornamental hardware, and bearings, capitalizing on their ability to produce detailed castings with good surface finish.[45]| Alloy (UNS) | Composition (wt%) | Microstructure | Key Property Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| C83600 (Leaded Red Brass) | 84-86 Cu, 4-6 Zn, 4-6 Pb, 4-6 Sn | Cast alpha | Corrosion resistance, tensile strength 240-310 MPa (typical), machinability 84 |
| C84400 (Leaded Semi-Red Brass) | 78-82 Cu, 7-10 Zn, 6-8 Pb, 2.3-3.5 Sn | Cast multiphase | High machinability 90, tensile strength 200-235 MPa, elongation 18-26% |
| C85200 (Leaded Yellow Brass) | 70-74 Cu, 20-27 Zn, 1.5-3.8 Pb, 0.7-2.0 Sn | Cast alpha-beta | Good castability, tensile strength 240-260 MPa (typical), machinability 80 |
Copper-Tin Alloys
Phosphor Bronzes
Phosphor bronzes are a family of copper-tin alloys that incorporate phosphorus as a deoxidizing agent and strength enhancer, classified under the Unified Numbering System (UNS) as C5xxxx series alloys. These materials typically contain 0.5% to 11% tin and 0.01% to 0.35% phosphorus, with the remainder being copper, enabling both wrought and cast forms suitable for demanding mechanical applications.[46] The addition of phosphorus not only facilitates deoxidation during melting to prevent porosity but also promotes grain refinement for improved castability and forms hard intermetallic compounds that enhance wear resistance and stiffness.[46][47] These alloys exhibit high fatigue strength, often reaching up to 600 MPa in certain tempers, alongside excellent wear resistance and moderate electrical conductivity ranging from 13% to 40% of the International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS).[48][47] Their good cold formability allows for extensive shaping through drawing, rolling, or bending, while heat treatment is primarily achieved via cold working to develop spring-like properties, with annealing at 900–1250°F for stress relief.[47] Compared to base tin bronzes, phosphor variants offer superior corrosion resistance and mechanical durability due to the phosphorus-induced microstructure.[46] Key phosphor bronze alloys include Grade A (UNS C51000), which features approximately 5% tin for high-strength springs; Grade C (UNS C52100), with about 8% tin suited for bushings and gears; and the leaded variant (UNS C54400), containing 3–4% lead alongside 3.5–4.5% tin to improve machinability. The table below summarizes their nominal compositions and representative properties in a common H02 temper for flat products:| UNS Designation | Nominal Composition (wt%) | Tensile Strength (ksi) | Yield Strength (ksi) | Elongation (%) | Electrical Conductivity (% IACS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C51000 (Grade A) | Cu rem., Sn 4.2–5.8, P 0.03–0.35 | 66 | 54 | 24 | 15 |
| C52100 (Grade C) | Cu rem., Sn 7.0–9.0, P 0.03–0.35 | 77 | 64 | 34 | 13 |
| C54400 (Leaded) | Cu rem., Sn 3.5–4.5, Pb 3.0–4.0, P 0.01–0.50 | 58 | 40 | 24 | 19 |
Leaded Tin Bronzes
Leaded tin bronzes are a family of cast copper-tin alloys with added lead to improve machinability and provide lubricity, classified under the Unified Numbering System (UNS) as C92000 to C94500 series alloys. These materials typically contain 4% to 20% tin, 5% to 25% lead, with the remainder primarily copper, often including zinc, iron, or nickel for enhanced properties.[50] The lead exists as discrete particles that act as a solid lubricant, aiding in chip breaking during machining and improving embeddability in bearing applications to trap dirt and abrasives. Phosphorus may be present in small amounts (up to 0.15%) as a deoxidizer in some alloys.[51] These alloys offer good strength, moderate ductility, excellent wear and corrosion resistance, and high machinability, making them suitable for heavy-duty components. Typical mechanical properties in the sand-cast condition include tensile strength of 30-50 ksi (207-345 MPa), yield strength of 14-25 ksi (97-172 MPa), and elongation of 10-30%. They are not typically heat treated but can be annealed for stress relief.[52][51] Key leaded tin bronze alloys include C92200 (also known as naval brass or gun metal), with 6% tin and 6% lead for valve and pump applications; and C93200 (bearing bronze, SAE 660), with 7% tin and 7% lead for high-load bearings and bushings. The table below summarizes their nominal compositions and typical properties in the sand-cast condition:| UNS Designation | Nominal Composition (wt%) | Tensile Strength (ksi) | Yield Strength (ksi) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C92200 | Cu 86.0-90.0, Sn 5.5-6.5, Pb 1.0-2.0, Zn 3.0-5.0 | 40 | 20 | 30 |
| C93200 | Cu 81.0-85.0, Sn 6.3-7.5, Pb 6.0-8.0, Zn 1.0-4.0 | 35 | 18 | 20 |