Copper

Phosphorus-deoxidized copper (DHP = Deoxidized High Phosphorus, 0.015-0.040% P). THE material for copper plumbing tubes worldwide (EN 1057). P prevents hydrogen embrittlement during brazing/welding — essential for plumbing/HVAC joints. Slightly lower electrical conductivity than Cu-ETP (85% IACS vs 101%) due to P content. UNS C12200. Used for plumbing tubes, heating systems, solar thermal, refrigeration tubes, and architectural roofing.

Electrolytic Tough Pitch copper — the most widely used copper grade worldwide. 99.90% Cu min with controlled oxygen content (~0.02-0.04%). Electrical conductivity ≥100% IACS. Used for busbars, motor windings, transformer coils, electrical conductors, roofing, and radiators. Caution: hydrogen embrittlement risk in reducing atmospheres above 370°C.

Electrolytic tough pitch copper — 99.90% Cu minimum with 0.02-0.04% oxygen from electrolytic refining. The standard electrical-grade copper worldwide (IACS 101% conductivity). Highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any commercial copper grade. Easy to cold form, hot form, and solder/braze. Cannot be welded in oxidizing atmosphere (embrittlement from oxygen). Used for electrical busbars, wire, cable, transformer windings, circuit boards, heat exchangers, roofing, and plumbing. ASTM: C11000, UNS C11000.

Oxygen-free high-conductivity copper. 99.95% Cu min with max 0.001% O — eliminates hydrogen embrittlement risk during welding/brazing in reducing atmospheres. Used for vacuum electronics, waveguides, particle accelerator components, cryogenic systems, and applications where welding in H2-containing atmospheres is required.

Silver-bearing copper — Ag 0.08-0.12% addition to high-conductivity copper. Ag raises the recrystallization/softening temperature by ~100°C without reducing electrical conductivity (>100% IACS). Used for electric motor commutators, soldered heat exchangers, and any Cu application requiring soldering/brazing without softening. Also welding electrodes and lead frames.

Cast nickel aluminium bronze — the premier marine copper alloy. 10% Al + 5% Fe + 5% Ni provides exceptional strength (UTS >600 MPa), outstanding seawater corrosion/erosion/cavitation resistance, and excellent anti-galling properties against stainless steel. Heat treatable for enhanced corrosion resistance. Retains properties at cryogenic temperatures. Used for marine valve bodies, pump impellers, propeller hubs, gear wheels, heavy-duty bearings, and offshore structural components. ASTM: C95500/C95800, BS: AB2.

The premium aluminium bronze grade. Exceptional combination of high strength (700+ MPa), excellent corrosion resistance (especially seawater), and wear resistance. Used for ship propellers, heavy-duty bearings and bushings, valve bodies, pump impellers, and offshore platform components.

Standard single-phase aluminium bronze — 8% Al + 3% Fe. Good balance of strength (UTS 500-600 MPa), corrosion resistance (especially seawater), and wear resistance. Fe refines grain and improves hot working. No Ni = lower cost than CuAl10Ni5Fe4 but still excellent marine performance. Used for pump impellers, valve bodies, marine hardware, bushings, and non-sparking tools. C61400 equivalent.

Standard aluminum bronze casting alloy — 9% Al, lower Ni (3%) and Fe (2%) than CuAl10Ni5Fe4 (NAB). Good strength and corrosion resistance at lower cost than NAB. Used for valve bodies, pump casings, bearing bushings, and marine fittings where NAB-level performance is not required. UNS C95400 equivalent.

THE highest-strength copper alloy — UTS up to 1400 MPa (200 ksi), approaching steel strength with copper's conductivity (22% IACS aged). Age-hardenable: solution treat 780-800°C, age 315-340°C → HRC 38-45. Non-sparking, non-magnetic. Trade names: Alloy 25 (Materion), BeCu25 (NGK). CAUTION: Be dust is carcinogenic — machining requires extraction. Used for non-sparking tools, mold inserts, springs, connectors, and resistance welding electrodes.

Chromium-zirconium copper alloy, precipitation hardened. High electrical/thermal conductivity (~80% IACS) with significantly higher strength and hardness than pure copper. Age-hardened: Rm 440–540 MPa, Rp0.2 380–480 MPa, HB 130–170. Softening temperature ~500°C. UNS C18150, EN CW106C. Applications: resistance welding electrodes and caps, continuous casting molds, circuit breaker contacts, lead frames, MIG welding tips. THE standard electrode material.

Precipitation-hardened copper-iron alloy — THE semiconductor leadframe material since 1964. Fe precipitates give UTS up to 580 MPa while maintaining 60-65% IACS electrical conductivity. Resists softening to 350°C (critical for IC packaging). Also used for automotive connectors, pin grid arrays (PGA), and terminals. Trade names: Wieland K65, Aurubis PNA212.

90/10 copper-nickel alloy — the standard marine piping and condenser material. Outstanding resistance to seawater corrosion and biofouling. Used for seawater piping, heat exchangers, condensers, offshore platforms, and desalination plants. Old DIN number 2.0872.

Nickel-beryllium copper alloy, precipitation hardened. Higher strength than CuBe2 (CW101C) with better thermal conductivity. Age-hardened: Rm 690–850 MPa, Rp0.2 550–750 MPa, HB 200–280. Electrical conductivity ~50–60% IACS. Non-sparking. UNS C17510, EN CW110C. Applications: plastic injection mold inserts (core pins), resistance welding electrodes (for coated steel), springs, connectors, non-sparking tools, blow mold inserts.

Nickel-silicon precipitation-hardened copper — high conductivity (35-45% IACS) + high strength (UTS 600-750 MPa aged). THE lead-free alternative to CuBe2 for connectors where Be toxicity is a concern. Used for high-reliability connectors, relay springs, IC sockets, and automotive electrical contacts. Trade names: C70250 (Wieland), Corson alloy.

Nickel-silicon precipitation-hardened copper alloy combining high strength (UTS ~700 MPa aged) with good electrical conductivity (35–45% IACS) and excellent stress relaxation resistance at elevated temperatures. Lead-free and RoHS compliant — the modern replacement for CuBe2 in many connector applications where beryllium toxicity is a concern. Trade names: Wieland K55 (Wieland), C70250 (Olin Brass). Used for automotive high-current connectors, IC lead frames, relay springs, fuse clips and miniaturized electronic contacts.

70/30 copper-nickel alloy — the premium marine cupronickel. Higher Ni than 90/10 (CuNi10Fe1Mn) for superior seawater corrosion resistance, especially in polluted or high-velocity water (up to 4.5 m/s). Used for condenser tubes, desalination plant tubing, propeller sleeves, seawater piping, and heat exchangers in naval and offshore service.

High-tin phosphor bronze with 10% Sn. Higher strength and wear resistance than CuSn8 but better ductility than CuSn12. Used for bearings, worm gears, thrust washers, valve guides, and marine hardware. Available as wrought and cast forms.

High-tin phosphor bronze — the strongest in the CuSn series. 12% Sn for maximum wear resistance and strength among phosphor bronzes. Difficult to cold form. Primarily used as castings or hot-formed products. Used for heavy-duty bearings, worm gears, sliding surfaces, and marine hardware.

Low-tin phosphor bronze — the standard connector and spring material in the CuSn series. 4% Sn gives good spring properties, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. Better electrical conductivity than higher-Sn bronzes. Used for connectors, contact springs, switch parts, and precision bellows. ≈ UNS C51000.

Classic leaded gunmetal (Rotguss Rg5) — the universal copper casting alloy for bearings and fittings. 5% Sn + 5% Zn + 5% Pb provides good machinability, moderate strength, excellent corrosion resistance in fresh and sea water, and self-lubricating properties from lead phase. Used for plain bearings under low/medium loads, valve bodies, pump housings, pipe fittings, and general marine hardware. The economic workhorse of the bronze foundry. ASTM: C83600 (SAE 40), BS: LG2.

Phosphor bronze with 6% tin — better cold formability than CuSn8 at slightly lower strength. Excellent spring properties and fatigue resistance. Used for electrical connectors, spring contacts, switch parts, bellows, bourdon tubes, and precision springs.

The world's most common bearing bronze (Rg7). Higher tin (7%) and lead (7%) content than Rg5 provides superior bearing properties, better wear resistance, and improved self-lubrication under boundary lubrication. Good sliding properties even for occasional dry running during acceleration. Standard material per DIN 1850/ISO 4379 for plain bearings. Used for medium-load sliding bearings, bushings, guide bushings, valve seats, and worm gear nuts in general engineering, textile machinery, and agricultural equipment. ASTM: C93200.

Phosphor bronze with 8% tin. High mechanical strength, excellent wear resistance, good corrosion resistance (especially seawater). Self-lubricating sliding properties. Used for heavy-duty bearings, gears, worm wheels, springs, sliding elements, and connectors.