Copper Based Alloys

Created at : Aug 19, 2024

Copper Based Alloys
Copper is well known for its electrical conducting properties and claims the top position for building wire electrification systems globally. However, there are currently over 400 active alloys of copper, i.e. copper-based alloys used for a multitude of applications.
 Before delving into alloys, understanding copper's intrinsic properties is crucial:
•    Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity: This makes copper ideal for electrical wiring and heat exchange applications.
•    Good ductility and malleability: Enabling its shaping into various forms.
•    Corrosion resistance: Particularly in reducing environments. 
•    Biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties: Making it suitable for medical implants.

Copper Alloying Elements and Their Effects
The addition of alloying elements significantly modifies copper's properties: a few examples 
•    Zinc: Increases strength and hardness but reduces ductility and conductivity.
•    Chromium: Improves hardness and softening resistance.
•    Zirconium: Greatly improves softening resistance and improves creep resistance.
•    Beryllium: Improves strength and hardness more than any other alloying addition,
•    Tin: Improves strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance.
•    Aluminum and silicon: Enhances strength and corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments.
•    Nickel: Increases strength and corrosion resistance, often used in high-temperature applications.
•    Lead, sulfur, and tellurium: Improves machinability but reduces strength and conductivity.
Some Very Special Copper Alloys (heat-treatable copper-based alloys): The addition of the following alloying elements yields some unique copper- based alloys with very good strength and electrical conductivity.
o    Beryllium - 0.5 to 2.0 % - very high strength, very high hardness, moderate conductivity, hardenable by heat treating
    C17510, C17200
o    Chromium - at 0.3 to 1.5%, very good electrical conductivity and good hardness and strength, hardenable by heat treating 
    C18200
o    Zirconium - at 0.15% excellent conductivity with moderate hardness and strength
    C15000
o    Chromium and Zirconium - Cr at 1% and Zr 0.1% very good hardness and conductivity with good high-temperature creep properties
    C18150
o    Nickel, Silicon, Chromium-at 2% Ni, .5% Si, .3% Cr, high strength and hardness with moderate conductivity
    C18000
CNC machines are among the most in-demand manufacturing for metals today primarily because of their high accuracy, precision and compatibility with a broad range of metals and metal alloys. 
Pure copper offer excellent ductility and workability but can be difficult to machine while copper based alloys  can be  challenging to manufacture due lower ductility  and work hardening. A ton of copper-based alloys now exist that offer better properties than pure copper and are relatively easy to fabricate using CNC machines.  You will have no problem choosing an ideal copper alloy for your design requirements as long as you understand the properties, benefits and drawbacks of each alloy.