Copper is a versatile metal that can be combined with other elements to create alloys with a range of desirable properties.
The primary groups of copper alloys are high copper alloys, brasses, bronzes, copper-nickels, copper-nickel-zinc, leaded copper and specialty alloys.
High Copper Alloys
These alloys have a copper content of more between 96 and 99% copper and do not belong to another alloy group. Cast high copper alloys have more than 94% copper content.
Brasses
Brasses are copper-zinc alloys.
Bronzes
The term bronze was historically a copper-tin alloy, but today the term bronze can refer to a copper alloy in which the major alloying element is something other than zinc or nickel. Common bronze groups include copper-tin-phosphorous bronzes, copper-tin-lead bronzes, copper-aluminum bronzes, and silicon bronze.
Copper-Nickels
Nickel adds strength and corrosion resistance.
Copper-Nickel-Zinc Alloys
This alloy group is often referred to as “nickel silvers.”
Leaded Coppers
Leaded coppers have superior friction properties and are easy to machine.
Special Alloys
Special copper alloys are those whose composition is not classified into any other category.
See details at copper.org:
