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BRASSBURG · MATERIALS GUIDE

Copper Alloy Atlas

Alloy families, constituent elements and representative grades.

Alloy families
16
Selected grades
46
Alloying elements
20

Families & elements

16 Alloy families
Pure copper · Cu01Low-alloy & high-copper alloys · Cu–Te / Cu–S / Cu–Fe–P02Brass & modified brasses · Cu–Zn03Leaded brass & red brass · Cu–Zn–Pb / Cu–Sn–Zn–Pb04Tin & phosphor bronze · Cu–Sn / Cu–Sn–P05Leaded tin bronze · Cu–Sn–Pb06Aluminium & nickel aluminium bronze · Cu–Al / Cu–Al–Ni–Fe07Silicon bronze · Cu–Si08Copper-nickel · Cu–Ni09Nickel silver · Cu–Ni–Zn10Copper-beryllium · Cu–Be11Copper-nickel-silicon · Cu–Ni–Si12Chromium & zirconium copper · Cu–Cr / Cu–Zr / Cu–Cr–Zr13Copper-nickel-tin · Cu–Ni–Sn14Copper-titanium · Cu–Ti15Copper-manganese resistance alloys · Cu–Mn–Ni / Cu–Mn–Sn16

Filter by element

Elements indicate additions used across a family, rather than a composition shared by every grade. Colours distinguish families.

Alloy families / 01Cu

Pure copper

Unalloyed copper grades used for electrical conduction, heat transfer and formed products. Oxygen content and deoxidation distinguish important grades.

Cu

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Electrical conductivity
  • Heat transfer
  • Cold formability

Typical applications

  • Busbars and conductors
  • Heat exchangers
  • Plumbing tube

Grade & application notes

Oxygen-free, tough-pitch and phosphorus-deoxidized copper have different processing and conductivity characteristics.

Representative grades

3
C10100Oxygen-free electronic copperWrought alloysC11000Electrolytic tough-pitch copperWrought alloysC12200Phosphorus-deoxidized copperWrought alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 02Cu–Te / Cu–S / Cu–Fe–P

Low-alloy & high-copper alloys

Small additions adjust machining, strength or resistance to softening while retaining a high copper content. This group covers systems outside the dedicated families in the atlas.

CuTeSFePAg

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Targeted alloy additions
  • Machining or strength
  • Conductivity balance

Typical applications

  • Machined electrical parts
  • Leadframes
  • Contacts

Grade & application notes

Tellurium and sulfur coppers are machining grades; copper-iron-phosphorus alloys serve a different strength and conductivity requirement.

Representative grades

3
C14500Tellurium copperWrought alloysC14700Sulfur-bearing copperWrought alloysC19400Copper-iron-phosphorusWrought alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 03Cu–Zn

Brass & modified brasses

Copper-zinc alloys range from cold-forming sheet to forged and cast engineering grades. Tin, silicon, aluminium or other additions create specialised subgroups.

CuZnSnSiAlMnBi

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Forming and forging
  • Broad product range
  • Modified compositions

Typical applications

  • Fittings and valves
  • Heat-exchanger tube
  • Hardware and bearings

Grade & application notes

Tin brass and silicon brass remain copper-zinc systems. “Manganese bronze” is a traditional name for high-strength brass; copper-bismuth cast grades also sit within the UNS brass group.

Representative grades

8
C23000Red brassWrought alloysC26000Cartridge brassWrought alloysC28000Muntz metalWrought alloysC44300Arsenical admiralty brassWrought alloysC46400Naval brassWrought alloysC69300Copper-zinc-silicon brassWrought alloysC86300High-strength yellow brassCast alloysC89835Copper-tin-zinc-bismuth alloyCast alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 04Cu–Zn–Pb / Cu–Sn–Zn–Pb

Leaded brass & red brass

Lead additions support chip formation in machined brass parts. Cast red and semi-red brasses can also contain substantial tin.

CuZnPbSn

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Machinability
  • Forging grades
  • Cast pressure parts

Typical applications

  • Precision turned parts
  • Valve bodies
  • Hardware

Grade & application notes

Names such as architectural bronze or gunmetal do not identify chemistry on their own. Lead restrictions must be checked for the intended product and market.

Representative grades

4
C36000Free-cutting brassWrought alloysC37700Forging brassWrought alloysC38500Architectural bronze (leaded brass)Wrought alloysC83600Leaded red brassCast alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 05Cu–Sn / Cu–Sn–P

Tin & phosphor bronze

Tin strengthens copper. Wrought phosphor bronzes are established spring materials; cast tin bronzes serve gears, bearings and other wear components.

CuSnP

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Spring behaviour
  • Wear resistance
  • Wrought and cast grades

Typical applications

  • Connector springs
  • Gears
  • Bearings

Grade & application notes

A spring strip and a cast gear bronze require different product specifications, even when both are described as tin bronze.

Representative grades

4
C51000Phosphor bronze AWrought alloysC51900Phosphor bronzeWrought alloysC52100Phosphor bronze CWrought alloysC90700Cast tin bronzeCast alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 06Cu–Sn–Pb

Leaded tin bronze

Copper-tin alloys with lead for bearing and machining applications. The group includes wrought leaded phosphor bronze and cast high-leaded tin bronze.

CuSnPb

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Bearing compatibility
  • Machinability
  • Anti-seizing behaviour

Typical applications

  • Bushings
  • Plain bearings
  • Machined components

Grade & application notes

Load, speed and lubrication conditions determine bearing suitability. A familiar bronze designation is not a drinking-water approval.

Representative grades

3
C54400Leaded phosphor bronzeWrought alloysC93200High-leaded tin bronzeCast alloysC93500High-leaded tin bronzeCast alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 07Cu–Al / Cu–Al–Ni–Fe

Aluminium & nickel aluminium bronze

Aluminium is the defining addition. Nickel and iron are used in important engineering grades for demanding wear and corrosion conditions.

CuAlNiFe

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Mechanical strength
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Wear resistance

Typical applications

  • Marine hardware
  • Pump and valve parts
  • Bushings and gears

Grade & application notes

Wrought C63000 and cast C95800 are separate specifications. Nickel aluminium bronze must not be confused with nickel-rich Cu–Ni–Al alloys.

Representative grades

3
C63000Wrought nickel aluminium bronzeWrought alloysC95400Cast aluminium bronzeCast alloysC95800Cast nickel aluminium bronzeCast alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 08Cu–Si

Silicon bronze

Copper-silicon alloys combine forming and joining characteristics with corrosion resistance. Common wrought grades include low- and high-silicon bronze.

CuSiMn

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Formability
  • Joining
  • Corrosion resistance

Typical applications

  • Fasteners
  • Architectural work
  • Welded components

Grade & application notes

Silicon bronze and silicon brass are different systems: zinc is a substantial constituent of silicon brass.

Representative grades

2
C65100Low-silicon bronzeWrought alloysC65500High-silicon bronzeWrought alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 09Cu–Ni

Copper-nickel

Nickel is the principal addition. The family includes marine copper-nickels and specialised resistance or strengthened copper-nickel systems.

CuNiFeMnAl

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Marine corrosion resistance
  • Weldable grades
  • Specialised electrical behaviour

Typical applications

  • Seawater piping
  • Heat exchangers
  • Marine fittings

Grade & application notes

90/10 and 70/30 are common marine group names. Cu–Ni–Al engineering alloys have different strengthening mechanisms and should be assessed separately.

Representative grades

3
C7060090/10 copper-nickelWrought alloysC7150070/30 copper-nickelWrought alloysC96400Cast 70/30 copper-nickelCast alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 10Cu–Ni–Zn

Nickel silver

Copper-nickel-zinc alloys with a silver-like appearance. They are used for formed hardware, decorative parts and instrument components.

CuNiZn

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Silver-like colour
  • Cold forming
  • Plating base

Typical applications

  • Instrument parts
  • Decorative hardware
  • Musical instrument parts

Grade & application notes

“Nickel silver” is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy name; it does not imply silver content.

Representative grades

2
C74500Nickel silver 65-10Wrought alloysC75200Nickel silver 65-18Wrought alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 11Cu–Be

Copper-beryllium

Precipitation-hardenable copper alloys supplied as high-strength or higher-conductivity grades. Processing and heat-treatment condition are central to their performance.

CuBeNiCo

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Precipitation hardening
  • Spring strength
  • Stress-relaxation resistance

Typical applications

  • Spring contacts
  • Precision connectors
  • Industrial tooling

Grade & application notes

High-strength C17200 and higher-conductivity C17510 serve different priorities; one family-wide property value would be misleading.

Representative grades

2
C17200High-strength copper-berylliumWrought alloysC17510Copper-nickel-berylliumWrought alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 12Cu–Ni–Si

Copper-nickel-silicon

Strengthened copper alloys used where electrical contacts require both conductivity and mechanical performance. Often described as Corson-type alloys.

CuNiSiMgCr

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Strength and conductivity
  • Contact performance
  • Heat-treatment response

Typical applications

  • Automotive connectors
  • Electrical terminals
  • Spring contacts

Grade & application notes

Additional magnesium, chromium or other elements vary by grade. Copper-nickel-silicon grades occur in more than one broad UNS number range.

Representative grades

2
C64775Copper-nickel-siliconWrought alloysC70250Copper-nickel-siliconWrought alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 13Cu–Cr / Cu–Zr / Cu–Cr–Zr

Chromium & zirconium copper

Copper alloys designed for conductivity together with strength and resistance to softening. Chromium, zirconium or both are used in distinct grades.

CuCrZr

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Electrical and thermal conduction
  • Heat-treatment strengthening
  • Softening resistance

Typical applications

  • Resistance-welding electrodes
  • Electrical contacts
  • Heat-loaded tooling

Grade & application notes

C15000 is zirconium copper, C18200 chromium copper and C18150 chromium-zirconium copper. Welding can alter the hardened condition.

Representative grades

3
C15000Zirconium copperWrought alloysC18150Chromium-zirconium copperWrought alloysC18200Chromium copperWrought alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 14Cu–Ni–Sn

Copper-nickel-tin

Copper-nickel-tin alloys include spinodal-hardened systems for high-strength spring and mechanical components.

CuNiSn

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Spinodal strengthening
  • Mechanical strength
  • Spring applications

Typical applications

  • Connectors
  • Springs
  • Loaded mechanical parts

Grade & application notes

C72700 and C72900 differ in nickel and tin content. Temper and hardening route must accompany any property comparison.

Representative grades

2
C72700Copper-nickel-tinWrought alloysC72900Copper-nickel-tinWrought alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 15Cu–Ti

Copper-titanium

High-strength copper alloys used for compact spring contacts and electronic connectors. Titanium content and processing control spring and relaxation behaviour.

CuTiFe

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • High-strength strip
  • Spring performance
  • Stress-relaxation resistance

Typical applications

  • Electronic connectors
  • Compact spring parts
  • Contact components

Grade & application notes

High strength does not imply pure-copper conductivity. Product datasheets distinguish each grade and temper.

Representative grades

2
C19900Copper-titaniumWrought alloysC19910Copper-titanium-ironWrought alloys

Grade links provide composition limits and detailed information.

Alloy families / 16Cu–Mn–Ni / Cu–Mn–Sn

Copper-manganese resistance alloys

Copper-manganese systems developed for controlled electrical resistance and stable measurement. Nickel or tin may be added for specific resistance characteristics.

CuMnNiSn

Elements cover different subgroups, rather than a single grade composition.

Material characteristics

  • Controlled resistivity
  • Resistance stability
  • Precision measurement

Typical applications

  • Current shunts
  • Precision resistors
  • Current sensing

Grade & application notes

Examples include CuMn12Ni2 resistance alloys. This is not the copper-zinc family traditionally called “manganese bronze”; no UNS equivalence is assigned here.

Representative grades

0

This family is documented by system references; no representative UNS grade is listed yet.

Family index

REFERENCE NOTES

Scope & references

The atlas groups major copper-base alloy systems, covering wrought and cast materials. Families are an editorial navigation structure; listed grades are representative examples, rather than an exhaustive standards register.

Composition, properties and supply requirements depend on the grade, specification, product form and temper. A UNS number does not establish equivalence to a GB or EN grade.

Lead-free status, dezincification resistance (DZR) and drinking-water suitability require separate checks. Element combinations identify alloy systems, rather than complete compositions or percentages.

Classification and grade references draw on public technical information from copper industry bodies and material producers.

CDA — Unified Numbering System for copper alloysCDA — Wrought and cast alloy classificationCDA — Copper alloy properties databaseCDA — C11000 electrolytic tough-pitch copperCDA — C19400 copper-iron alloyCDA — Copper in Architecture: alloy familiesCDA — C36000 free-cutting brassCDA — C51900 phosphor bronzeCDA — C90700 cast tin bronzeCDA — C93200 high-leaded tin bronzeCDA — C95800 nickel aluminium bronzeCDA — C65500 high-silicon bronzeCDA — C70600 copper-nickelCDA — C75200 nickel silverCDA — C17200 copper-berylliumCDA — C70250 copper-nickel-siliconCDA — Welding high-copper alloysCDA — C72900 copper-nickel-tinJX Advanced Metals — Copper titanium C19900Lebronze alloys — Copper-manganese resistance alloysCDA — C69300 copper-zinc-silicon alloyCDA — C89835 copper-bismuth casting alloyReferences reviewed: October 2026