Copper grades

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.

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.

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.

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-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.

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.

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.

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.

High-tin phosphor bronze — Sn 7.5-8.5% + P 0.01-0.4%. Higher Sn than CuSn6 = higher strength (UTS 600-800 MPa spring-hard) and better wear resistance. THE spring connector and bearing bronze. Used for precision springs, connectors, switch parts, sliding bearings, and membranes. Excellent fatigue resistance. Also known as PB102 (BS) / C52100.

Low-zinc brass (Tombak/Gilding Metal) — 85/15 Cu-Zn. Rich golden color, excellent cold formability, and good corrosion resistance. Lower Zn than CuZn20 — closer to pure copper in color and properties. Used for ammunition cartridge cases, decorative hardware, coins/medals, jewelry components, and architectural trim where a rich gold appearance is desired.

Gilding brass / 80-20 brass — the highest-Cu common brass. Excellent cold formability (best of all brasses), good corrosion resistance, and attractive golden color. Used for architectural trim, bullet jackets, jewelry, zippers, coins, and decorative hardware. ≈ UNS C24000.

Single-phase alpha brass — Cu 72%, Zn 28%. Excellent cold formability (deep drawing, spinning, bending). Better corrosion resistance than higher-Zn brasses (CuZn37, CuZn40). Used for cartridge cases (hence "cartridge brass"), musical instruments, lamp fittings, radiator cores, and decorative hardware. Good dezincification resistance.

Admiralty Brass — 70/28/1 Cu-Zn-Sn. The 1% Sn addition provides excellent resistance to dezincification in seawater and brackish water. THE condenser tube material for power plants and ships. Also known as Admiralty Metal. Used for condenser tubes, heat exchanger tubes, distiller tubes, and marine hardware.

70/30 Brass — the "Cartridge Brass." Best cold formability of all brasses. Excellent deep drawing properties. Good corrosion resistance (better than higher-Zn brasses). Used for cartridge cases, radiator cores, lamp fittings, musical instruments, and decorative hardware. ≈ UNS C26000.

Free-cutting leaded brass — the benchmark for non-ferrous machinability (rated 100%). Lead particles act as chip breakers for excellent surface finish. Used for screw machine parts, fittings, valves, watch components, precision mechanics, and electrical connectors. Old DIN number 2.0375.