Copper Alloy

Copper Alloy

Copper alloy is a metallic material made from a combination of copper and another element, in which copper is the main component. Several hundred different kinds of copper alloys, loosely grouped into larger categories, are possible. Some of the most common copper alloy categories include brasses, copper nickels, and bronzes.

Brass is an alloy made from a combination of copper and zinc. Although the specific compositions among versions vary, brass consistently contains more copper than zinc. Bronze, on the other hand, is a copper alloy composed of copper and tin. The chemical composition of bronze typically hovers around 60% copper material and 40% tin, although it can contain small amounts of various other elements. Copper nickel alloys, often called cupronickel, are made from a combination of copper, nickel, and minute quantities of other elements, such as iron.

Copper is noted for its conductive abilities and is therefore often used in electric and heating applications, especially for the manufacture of electric cords and cables. Because it resembles gold, brass is used most often for decorative reasons. Bronze, in contrast, is often employed to make musical instruments, sculptures, and various small components. Unlike some other copper alloys, cupronickel resists corrosion from salt water, and for this reason is often used to make components for the marine industry.