Copper Alloy Classifications

January 18, 2025

Copper Alloy Classifications

  • C10000-C19999: Pure copper and low-alloy copper (e.g., oxygen-free copper, tough-pitch copper).
  • C20000-C49999: Brass (copper-zinc alloys), including leaded brass.
  • C50000-C59999: Bronze (copper-tin alloys) and other copper alloys.
  • C60000-C79999: Copper-nickel alloys and other specialty copper alloys.

Copper Alloy Standards and Properties

System USA (ASTM) China (GB) Europe (EN) International (ISO) Main Composition Properties
Copper C10100 TU0 Cu-OFE Cu-OF Cu≥99.99%, O≤0.0005% Ultra-high purity oxygen-free copper, excellent conductivity (≥101% IACS), low oxygen, no hydrogen embrittlement, excellent weldability/processability
C10200 TU1 Cu-OF Cu-OF Cu≥99.95%, O≤0.001%, Impurities≤0.05% High-purity oxygen-free copper, excellent conductivity/thermal conductivity, corrosion-resistant, hydrogen embrittlement resistant
C10300 TU2 Cu-PHC / Cu-OFP Cu-OFP Cu≥99.95%, P 0.001-0.012%, O≤0.003% Low-phosphorus oxygen-free copper, high conductivity (~100% IACS), good welding/brazing, hydrogen embrittlement resistant
C10500 Cu-OFP-Ag / Cu-OFS Cu-OF-Ag Cu Rem., Ag 0.027-0.072%, O≤0.001% Silver-containing oxygen-free copper, high conductivity, improved high-temperature softening resistance
C10700 Cu-OFP-Ag / Cu-OFS Cu-OF-Ag Cu Rem., Ag 0.068-0.12%, O≤0.001% High-silver oxygen-free copper, enhanced high-temperature softening/creep resistance, high conductivity
C10800 Cu-OFP Cu-OFP Cu Rem., P 0.005-0.012%, O≤0.003% Low-phosphorus oxygen-free copper (OFLP), high conductivity, good weldability, hydrogen embrittlement resistant
C10910 Cu ≥ 99.95% High-purity copper, high conductivity, good cold working/stamping performance
C11000 T2 Cu-ETP Cu-ETP Cu≥99.90%, O≈0.02%-0.04% Electrolytic tough-pitch copper (ETP), good conductivity (~100% IACS), easy to process, widely used
C12000 TP1 Cu-DLP Cu-DLP Cu≥99.90%, P≈0.004%-0.012% Low-phosphorus deoxidized copper (DLP), no hydrogen embrittlement, good weldability, corrosion-resistant
C12200 TP2 Cu-DHP Cu-DHP Cu≥99.90%, P≈0.015%-0.040% High-phosphorus deoxidized copper (DHP), no hydrogen embrittlement, excellent welding/brazing, corrosion-resistant
Brass C21000 H96 CuZn5 CuZn5 Cu~95%, Zn~5% 95/5 brass (Gilding Metal), golden color, excellent ductility, easy deep drawing
C22000 H90 CuZn10 CuZn10 Cu~90%, Zn~10% 90/10 brass (Commercial Bronze), light yellow, good ductility, corrosion-resistant
C23000 H85 CuZn15 CuZn15 Cu~85%, Zn~15% 85/15 brass (Red Brass), reddish color, good ductility, excellent cold working
C24000 H80 CuZn20 CuZn20 Cu~80%, Zn~20% 80/20 brass (Low Brass), yellowish, good cold working performance
C26000 H70 CuZn30 CuZn30 Cu~70%, Zn~30% 70/30 brass (Cartridge Brass), excellent deep drawing, superior cold working
C26800 H68 (CuZn32) CuZn33 CuZn33 Cu~67%, Zn~33% 67/33 brass (Yellow Brass), balanced strength/ductility, good cold working
C27000 H65 (CuZn35) CuZn36 CuZn35 Cu~65%, Zn~35% 65/35 brass (Yellow Brass), good overall performance, general-purpose brass
C27200 H63 CuZn37 CuZn37 Cu~63%, Zn~37% 63/37 brass (Yellow Brass), one of the most common brasses, good hot/cold working
C28000 – (H62 is CuZn38) CuZn40 CuZn40 Cu~60%, Zn~40% 60/40 brass (Muntz Metal), high strength, excellent hot working, poor cold working
C34000 CuZn35Pb1 CuZn35Pb1 Cu~65%, Zn~34%, Pb~1% Leaded brass, good machinability
C34200 CuZn35Pb2 CuZn34Pb2 Cu~64%, Zn~34%, Pb~2% Leaded brass, excellent machinability, moderate strength/ductility
C35000 HPb60-2 CuZn38Pb2 CuZn37Pb2 Cu~61%, Zn~37%, Pb~2% Leaded brass, excellent machinability, good hot forging
C36000 HPb63-3 CuZn36Pb3 CuZn36Pb3 Cu~61.5%, Zn~35.5%, Pb~3% Free-cutting brass, best machinability, suitable for automated processing
C37700 HPb60-2 CuZn39Pb2 CuZn38Pb2 Cu~58%, Zn~39%, Pb~2% Forging brass, excellent hot forging, good machinability
C38000 HPb59-1 CuZn40Pb2 CuZn40Pb2 Cu~60%, Zn~38%, Pb~2% Leaded brass, good hot working, good machinability
C38500 HPb58-2.5 CuZn39Pb3 CuZn39Pb3 Cu~57%, Zn~40%, Pb~3% Architectural bronze, excellent hot working, good machinability
C44300 HSn70-1 CuZn28Sn1As CuZn28Sn1 Cu~70%, Zn~29%, Sn~1%, As~0.06% Admiralty brass, tin improves seawater corrosion resistance, arsenic inhibits dezincification
C46400 HSn60-1 CuZn39Sn1 CuZn39Sn1 Cu~60%, Zn~39%, Sn~1% Naval brass, good strength, excellent seawater corrosion resistance, hot workable
Tin Bronze C51000 CuSn5 CuSn5 Cu Rem., Sn 4.2-5.8%, P 0.03-0.35% 5% tin bronze, high strength, elasticity, fatigue/corrosion resistance
C51100 QSn4-0.3 CuSn4 CuSn4 Cu Rem., Sn 3.5-4.5%, P 0.03-0.35% 4% tin bronze, lower strength/elasticity than C51000, better ductility, corrosion-resistant
C51900 QSn6.5-0.1 CuSn6 CuSn6 Cu Rem., Sn 5.5-7.0%, P 0.03-0.35% 6% tin bronze, higher strength/elasticity than C51000, fatigue/corrosion resistant
C52100 QSn8-0.3 CuSn8 CuSn8 Cu Rem., Sn 7.0-9.0%, P 0.03-0.35% 8% tin bronze, high strength, elasticity, wear/fatigue resistance, stress relaxation resistant
C52400 QSn10-1 CuSn10 CuSn10 Cu Rem., Sn 9.0-11.0%, P 0.03-0.35% 10% tin bronze, extremely high strength, elasticity, wear/fatigue resistance
C54400 QSn4-4-2.5 (approx) CuSn4Pb4Zn3 CuSn4Pb4Zn3 Cu 87.0-90.0%, Sn 3.5-4.5%, Pb 3.5-4.5%, Zn 1.5-2.5% Free-cutting tin bronze, excellent machinability, good strength/wear resistance
Aluminum Brass C68700 HAl77-2 CuZn20Al2As CuZn20Al2 Cu~77%, Zn~20.5%, Al~2%, As~0.06% Aluminum brass, excellent seawater corrosion/erosion resistance, arsenic inhibits dezincification
Silicon Brass C69400 (Approx) CuZn31Si1 CuZn31Si1 Cu~81%, Zn~16%, Si~3% Silicon brass, high strength, corrosion-resistant, hot workable/weldable
Copper-Nickel Alloys C70600 BFe10-1-1 CuNi10Fe1Mn CuNi10Fe1Mn Cu Rem., Ni 9-11%, Fe 1-1.8%, Mn≤1% 90/10 copper-nickel, excellent seawater corrosion resistance, especially against impingement, moderate strength, good processability
C71500 BFe30-1-1 CuNi30Mn1Fe CuNi30Mn1Fe Cu Rem., Ni 29-33%, Fe 0.4-1%, Mn≤1% 70/30 copper-nickel, better seawater corrosion resistance, higher strength, high-temperature resistance
Nickel Silver C75700 BZn12-24 CuNi12Zn24 CuNi12Zn24 Cu~65%, Ni~12%, Zn~23% Nickel silver, attractive, corrosion-resistant, moderate strength, good formability
C76400 BZn18-18 CuNi18Zn20 CuNi18Zn20 Cu~62%, Ni~18%, Zn~20% Nickel silver, attractive, corrosion-resistant, higher strength, good elasticity
C77000 BZn12-26 CuNi18Zn27 CuNi18Zn27 Cu~55%, Ni~18%, Zn~27% Nickel silver, highest strength, good elasticity, corrosion-resistant, silver-white color

Classifications

Copper (C10000-C19999)

Name Definition Features Size Range Common ASTM Grades Main Applications
Copper Plate/Sheet Flat copper plate (thickness >6mm) or sheet (thickness 0.15-6mm) Smooth surface, easy to cut, stamp, weld; high conductivity and corrosion resistance Thickness: 0.15-100mm
Width: 100-2000mm
C11000, C10200, C10100, C12200, C10300, C10800, C10910 Electrical panels, roofing, heat exchangers, decorative parts
Copper Foil/Strip Continuous copper foil or cut narrow strip (width <600mm) Flexible, suitable for continuous processing and precision stamping; high conductivity and surface quality Thickness: 0.1-3mm
Width: 10-600mm
C11000, C10200, C10100, C10300, C10800, C10910 Electronic connectors, stamped parts, radiators, springs
Copper Pipe/Tube Hollow round or shaped copper, Pipe for large diameter, Tube for small diameter Corrosion-resistant, pressure-resistant, easy to weld; excellent thermal conductivity, suitable for fluid transport Wall thickness: 0.5-10mm
Outer diameter: 3-200mm
C12200, C12000, C10200, C11000, C10100 Water pipes, AC pipes, heat exchangers, gas pipelines
Copper Bar/Rod Solid long copper, Rod for round, Bar for square/rectangular/hexagonal High strength, easy to machine, forge; good conductivity, suitable for processing and load-bearing Diameter/Side length: 3-100mm
Length: 1-6m
C11000, C10200, C10100, C10300, C10800, C10500, C10700 Busbars, grounding rods, shafts, bolts, valve parts
Copper Wire Thin solid copper, round cross-section, single or multi-strand twisted High conductivity, flexible, easy to draw and wind; suitable for small-diameter conductors and windings Diameter: 0.05-10mm
Length: Continuous or customized
C11000, C10200, C10100, C10300, C10800, C10500, C10700, C10910 Electrical wires, motor windings, magnet wires, welding wires

Brass (C20000-C49999)

Name Definition Features Size Range Common ASTM Grades Main Applications
Brass Plate/Sheet Flat brass plate (thickness >6mm) or sheet (thickness 0.15-6mm) Glossy surface, easy to stamp, bend; stronger and more corrosion-resistant than pure copper Thickness: 0.15-100mm
Width: 100-2000mm
C26000, C27200, C27000, C26800, C23000, C22000, C28000, C44300, C46400 Decorative panels, nameplates, heat exchanger plates, architectural finishes
Brass Foil/Strip Continuous brass foil or cut narrow strip (width <600mm) Flexible, suitable for continuous stamping and precision processing; high surface quality Thickness: 0.1-3mm
Width: 10-600mm
C26000, C27200, C27000, C26800, C21000, C22000 Electronic connectors, springs, heat sinks, decorative strips
Brass Pipe/Tube Hollow round or shaped brass, Pipe for large diameter, Tube for small diameter Corrosion-resistant, easy to weld; stronger than pure copper, suitable for liquid transport Wall thickness: 0.5-10mm
Outer diameter: 3-200mm
C44300, C46400, C23000, C28000, C26000, C27000 Water pipes, musical instrument tubes (e.g., trumpets), heat exchanger tubes
Brass Bar/Rod Solid long brass, Rod for round, Bar for square/rectangular/hexagonal High strength, easy to machine, forge; suitable for mechanical processing Diameter/Side length: 3-100mm
Length: 1-6m
C36000, C37700, C27200, C38500, C34200, C46400, C26000, C28000 Bolts, valves, gears, mechanical parts

Bronze (C50000-C59999)

Name Definition Features Size Range Common ASTM Grades Main Applications
Bronze Plate/Sheet Flat bronze plate (thickness >6mm) or sheet (thickness 0.15-6mm) High strength, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant; suitable for stamping and wear applications Thickness: 0.15-100mm
Width: 100-2000mm
C51000, C51100, C51900, C52100, C52400 Wear plates, ship panels, molds, decorative parts
Bronze Foil/Strip Continuous bronze foil or cut narrow strip (width <600mm) High elasticity, fatigue-resistant, suitable for precision stamping and spring manufacturing Thickness: 0.1-3mm
Width: 10-600mm
C51000, C51900, C51100, C52100, C52400 Springs, electrical connectors, diaphragms, musical instrument parts
Bronze Pipe/Tube Hollow round or shaped bronze, Pipe for large diameter, Tube for small diameter Corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, high strength; suitable for high-pressure fluid transport Wall thickness: 0.5-10mm
Outer diameter: 3-200mm
C51900, C52100, C52400 Marine pipelines, hydraulic tubes, pump tubes, heat exchanger tubes
Bronze Bar/Rod Solid long bronze, Rod for round, Bar for square/rectangular/hexagonal High strength, wear-resistant, easy to process; suitable for heavy-duty parts Diameter/Side length: 3-100mm
Length: 1-6m
C54400, C52100, C52400, C51900 Bearings, gears, shafts, valve parts, marine fittings
Index