Browse the coppers and copper alloys below, grouped by property, or use the Alloy Properties Table to link to information on individual alloys, including specifications, mechanical and physical properties, available product forms and applications.

Very High Conductivity

The standard copper for conducting electricity via wire, cables and busbars, with 100% IACS, is Cu-ETP. For special applications, such as vacuum, Cu-OF is used. Very small additions of alloying elements (e.g. silver, tin, tellurium) increase softening resistance at the expense of conductivity, whilst Cu-C offers a high conductivity (98% IACS) cast option. The coppers listed here have a minimum conductivity of 98% IACS.

• Oxygen-free High Conductivity Copper Cu-OF | Cu-OFE
• Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper Cu-ETP | Cu-ETP1
• Oxygen-free Extra Low Phosphorus Copper Cu-PHC
• Silver-bearing Tough Pitch Copper CuAg0.04 | CuAg0.10
• Silver-bearing Oxygen-free Copper CuAg0.04(OF) CuAg0.07(OF) CuAg0.10(OF)
• Phosphorus-deoxidised Tough Pitch Copper Cu-DLP
• Copper-tin CuSn0.15Te
• Cast Copper Cu-C

High Conductivity + High Tensile Strength

Small additions of alloying elements (e.g. tin, magnesium, chromium, iron, zirconium) increase the strength of copper at the expense of conductivity. Applications include overhead grooved contact wires for trams and railways and high duty power cables. The coppers listed in this section have a minimum conductivity of 64% IACS and a minimum tensile strength of 460 N/mm².

• Copper-tin CuSn0.15 | CuSn0.2 | CuSn0.5
• Copper-magnesium CuMg0.2 | CuMg0.5
• Copper-chromium-zirconium CuCr1Zr
• Copper-iron CuFe2P
• Copper-iron-phosphorus-magnesium CuFePMg
• Copper-iron CuFe0.1P
• Copper-iron CuFe2P

High to Very High Conductivity + Resistance to Softening

Small additions of alloying elements (e.g. tin, silver, chromium, zirconium, iron) increase the softening resistance of copper at the expense of conductivity. Applications include electric motors, generators, power cables and welding electrodes which run at high temperatures, whilst requiring excellent conductivity. Coppers in this section have a conductivity ranging from 64–100% IACS and a temperature limit minimum of 250°C.

• Copper-chromium-zirconium CuCr1Zr
• Copper-zirconium CuZr
• Copper-tin-tellurium CuSn0.15Te
• Silver-bearing Oxygen-free Copper CuAg0.10(OF)
• Silver-bearing Tough Pitch Copper CuAg0.10

High Conductivity + Resistance to Softening + High Tensile Strength

A small addition of iron gives the best combination of resistance to softening, strength and conductivity. The main application of this alloy is in leadframes. This copper has a conductivity of 90% IACS, a temperature limit of 360°C and a tensile strength of 500 N/mm².

• Copper-iron CuFe0.1P

Good to High Conductivity + High Tensile Strength

The addition of small amounts of beryllium, nickel and silicon give heat treatable alloys of very high strength with good conductivity. Applications include contact springs, switchgear and stressed automobile components. These alloys also have the highest fatigue strength. The copper alloys in this section have a conductivity ranging from 44-98% IACS and a minimum tensile strength of 500N/mm².

• Copper-beryllium CuCo1Ni1Be | CuCo2Be | CuNi2Be
• Copper-nickel-silicon CuNi1Si | CuNi2Si CuNi3Si
• Copper-tin CuSn0.2
• Copper-iron CuFePCoSn
• Copper-iron CuFe0.1P
• Copper-iron CuFe2P
• Copper-iron-phosphorus-magnesium CuFePMg
• Copper-chromium-zirconium CuCr1Zr
• Copper-magnesium CuMg0.5

High Conductivity + Good Machinability

Additions of tellurium or sulphur to copper provide free machining properties needed for high precision CNC machining of components such as semi-conductor mounts, vacuum interrupters, plasma nozzles and resistance welding tips. These coppers range in conductivity from 64–98% IACS and have a minimum machinability index of 80%.

• Copper-tellurium CuTeP
• Copper-sulphur CuSP

High Hardness

For components such as press-fit pins and contact springs, high strength and hardness with good conductivity is given by copper-nickel-silicon and copper-beryllium. These alloys range in conductivity from 45–60% IACS and have a minimum hardness of 220 HV.

• Copper-beryllium CuCo1Ni1Be | CuCo2Be | CuNi2Be
• Copper-nickel-silicon CuNi1Si | CuNi2Si | CuNi3Si

Very High Conductivity + Good Castability

For complex shapes such as electrical switch gear which cannot be made by the use of wrought alloys, cast copper with a conductivity of up to 98% IACS may be used.

• Cast Copper Cu-C

Low Conductivity + Excellent Castabilty

These brasses are much easier to cast for heavy duty components which only require low conductivity. They have conductivities in the region of 20% IACS.

• Copper-zinc CuZn35Mn2Al3Fe-C
• Copper-zinc CuZn33Pb2-C
• Copper-zinc CuZn39Pb1Al-C

Low Conductivity + Excellent Machinability

This leaded brass has the best machinability of any metallic alloy and offers a more cost-effective solution when only low conductivity is required. It has a conductivity of 22% IACS and a machinability index of 100%.

• Copper-zinc CuZn39Pb3

Low to Good Conductivity

The binary copper-zinc brasses are a cost effective choice for electrical applications which require a low (28% IACS) to good (56% IACS) electrical conductivity.

• Copper-zinc CuZn5, CuZn10, CuZn20, CuZn30