Copper Alloys
Copper and copper alloys are widely used in a variety of products that enable and enhance our everyday lives. They have excellent electrical and thermal conductivities, exhibit good strength and formability, have outstanding resistance to corrosion and fatigue, and are generally nonmagnetic. They can be readily soldered and brazed, and many can be welded by various gas, arc and resistance methods. They can be polished and buffed to almost any desired texture and luster. Pure copper is used extensively for electrical wire and cable, electrical contacts and various other parts that are required to pass electrical current. Coppers and certain brasses, bronzes and copper nickels are used extensively for automotive radiators, heat exchangers, home heating systems, solar collectors, and various other applications requiring rapid conduction of heat across or along a metal section. Because of their outstanding ability to withstand corrosion, coppers, brasses, bronzes and copper nickels are also used for pipes, valves and fittings in systems carrying potable water, process water or other aqueous fluids, and industrial gases
Key Properties of Copper Alloys
Copper is a tough, ductile and malleable material. These properties make copper extremely suitable for tube forming, wire drawing, spinning and deep drawing. The other key properties exhibited by Copper and its alloys include:
~ Excellent heat conductivity~ Excellent electrical conductivity
~ Good corrosion resistance
~ Good biofouling resistance
~ Good machinability
~ Retention of mechanical and electrical properties at cryogenic temperatures
~ Non-magnetic
Other Properties
~ Copper and Copper alloys have a peculiar smell and disagreeable taste. These may be transferred by contact and therefore should be kept clear of foodstuffs, although some cooking pans do use these metals.~ Most commercially used metals have a metallic white or silver colour. Copper and Copper alloys have a range of yellow/gold/red colours.
Copper Alloys Grades
For detail of stainless steel products of Calico Metal stock range select the relevant product group