Copper alloy sheets are widely used in various industries due to their excellent electrical
conductivity, corrosion resistance, and malleability. Copper alloys are formed by adding
elements like zinc, tin, aluminum, nickel, or beryllium to improve specific properties such as
strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance.
Here’s an overview of the standards, material grades, and specifications for copper alloy
sheets:
1. Common Standards for Copper Alloy Sheets:
ASTM B36/B36M: This standard covers copper and copper-alloy plates, sheets, strips, and rolled
bars. Common alloys under this standard include C11000 (Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper), C26000
(Cartridge Brass), and C28000 (Muntz Metal).
ASTM B152/B152M: Standard for copper sheets and strips for general applications, covering
electrolytic tough pitch copper (C11000), deoxidized copper (C12200), and others.
ASTM B248/B248M: Specifies general requirements for copper and copper-alloy plates, sheets,
strips, and rolled bars for industrial applications.
EN 1652: European standard for copper and copper alloy sheets, strips, and plates for general
purposes.
DIN 17670: German standard for copper and copper alloy sheets and strips, including brass and
bronze.
JIS H3100: Japanese standard for rolled copper and copper alloy sheets, plates, and
strips.
2. Material Grades for Copper Alloy Sheets:
Copper alloys are categorized by their composition and properties. Some of the most common
copper alloys include:
a. Copper (C10100, C11000, C12200):
C10100: Oxygen-free electronic copper with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.
C11000 (Electrolytic Tough Pitch - ETP): The most common copper alloy, widely used in electrical
applications.
C12200 (Deoxidized Copper): Phosphorus-deoxidized copper, primarily used in plumbing and heat
exchangers due to its good corrosion resistance.
b. Brass (C26000, C28000, C27000):
C26000 (Cartridge Brass): Composed of 70% copper and 30% zinc, used in applications requiring
high ductility and corrosion resistance, like ammunition casings, fasteners, and decorative
items.
C28000 (Muntz Metal): Composed of 60% copper and 40% zinc, used in marine environments and
architectural applications due to its corrosion resistance.
C27000 (Yellow Brass): Used in mechanical applications, electrical components, and plumbing.
c. Bronze (C51000, C51900, C54400):
C51000 (Phosphor Bronze): Contains tin and phosphorus, offering excellent wear resistance and
fatigue strength. It's used in springs, electrical connectors, and bearings.
C51900: A phosphor bronze with higher tin content, suitable for electrical and mechanical
applications.
C54400 (Beryllium Bronze): Contains beryllium for improved hardness and strength. Used in tools,
springs, and electrical connectors where non-sparking properties are essential.
d. Nickel-Silver Alloys (C74500, C75200):
C74500 (Nickel Silver): Composed of copper, nickel, and zinc, used in decorative applications,
coins, and musical instruments.
C75200: Nickel-silver alloy with higher nickel content, used for its corrosion resistance and
aesthetic appeal.
e. Copper-Nickel Alloys (C70600, C71500):
C70600 (90/10 Copper-Nickel): Composed of 90% copper and 10% nickel, offering excellent
corrosion resistance in seawater. Commonly used in marine applications, heat exchangers, and
desalination plants.
C71500 (70/30 Copper-Nickel): With 70% copper and 30% nickel, this alloy provides superior
resistance to seawater corrosion and is used in shipbuilding, offshore industries, and condenser
tubes.
3. Mechanical Properties:
The mechanical properties of copper alloys vary depending on the alloying elements and their
proportions. Below is a general overview of key properties:
Tensile Strength: Can range from 200 MPa for pure copper (C11000) to 1000 MPa for stronger
alloys like C54400 (Beryllium Bronze).
Yield Strength: Varies from around 50 MPa for soft, pure copper to over 800 MPa for harder
alloys like phosphor bronzes.
Hardness: Pure copper is soft (40–60 Brinell hardness), but with alloying elements like tin,
zinc, and beryllium, the hardness can increase significantly (up to 200+ Brinell for
bronzes).
Elongation: Pure copper has excellent elongation properties (up to 45%), whereas harder alloys
may have lower elongation (10-20%).
4. Specifications:
Thickness: Copper alloy sheets are available in thicknesses ranging from thin foils (0.1 mm) to
thick plates (50 mm or more).
Width and Length: Standard sheet dimensions are often 1000 mm or 1220 mm wide and lengths up to
3000 mm, although custom sizes can be produced.
5. Properties of Common Copper Alloy Sheets:
Alloy |
Composition |
Tensile Strength (MPa) |
Yield Strength (MPa) |
Common Applications |
C11000 (ETP Copper) |
99.9% Copper |
210-275 |
33-50 |
Electrical, plumbing, roofing, industrial |
C26000 (Cartridge Brass) |
70% Copper, 30% Zinc |
300-400 |
90-130 |
Ammunition, fasteners, decorative items |
C51000 (Phosphor Bronze) |
94% Copper, 5% Tin, 0.3% Phosphorus |
430-550 |
250-370 |
Springs, bearings, electrical connectors |
C70600 (90/10 Copper-Nickel) |
90% Copper, 10% Nickel |
300-450 |
105-140 |
Marine, heat exchangers, desalination plants |
C71500 (70/30 Copper-Nickel) |
70% Copper, 30% Nickel |
485-600 |
150-275 |
Marine, shipbuilding, condenser tubes |
C54400 (Beryllium Bronze) |
97.5% Copper, 2.5% Beryllium |
1100-1300 |
860-1000 |
Tools, electrical components, springs |
6. Corrosion Resistance:
Marine Environments: Copper-nickel alloys (C70600, C71500) are commonly used in marine
environments due to their excellent resistance to seawater corrosion and biofouling.
Chemical Resistance: Brass and phosphor bronze have good resistance to atmospheric and mild
chemical environments, making them suitable for architectural and industrial applications.
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity: Copper and its alloys retain excellent electrical and
thermal conductivity, with pure copper (C11000) being the best conductor.
7. Applications:
Electrical Applications: Pure copper (C11000) is used for electrical wiring, cables, and
conductive components due to its superior conductivity.
Marine and Offshore: Copper-nickel alloys (C70600, C71500) are used in marine hardware,
desalination plants, and heat exchangers due to their corrosion resistance.
Ammunition and Fasteners: Brass (C26000) is used for ammunition casings and fasteners because of
its workability and corrosion resistance.
Springs and Bearings: Phosphor bronze (C51000, C51900) is commonly used in electrical
connectors, springs, and bearings for its wear resistance and fatigue strength.
Aerospace and Automotive: Beryllium bronze (C54400) is used in aerospace components, electrical
switches, and non-sparking tools due to its hardness and strength.
8. Coatings and Surface Treatments:
Tin Plating: Tin-plated copper alloys improve corrosion resistance and solderability in
electrical applications.
Electroplating: Copper alloys are often electroplated with nickel or chrome for decorative and
protective purposes in various industries.
Summary of Standards and Applications:
Standard |
Material |
Common Applications |
ASTM B36/B36M |
Copper Alloy Sheets |
General industrial, marine, and architectural uses |
ASTM B152/B152M |
Pure Copper Sheets |
Electrical applications, heat exchangers |
ASTM B248/B248M |
Brass and Bronze Sheets |
Electrical components, ammunition, springs |
EN 1652 |
Copper and Copper Alloys |
General mechanical, decorative, and industrial purposes |
JIS H3100 |
Rolled Copper Alloys |
Electrical connectors, architectural features |