Copperbased

Copper-based materials are a class of materials in which copper is the primary element. They include pure copper and a wide range of copper alloys, where copper is the dominant constituent. The main families are bronzes (copper-tin or alloys with other elements) and brasses (copper-zinc), as well as cupronickel, aluminum bronze, and other copper-nickel alloys. Bronze tends to be harder and more wear-resistant than pure copper; brass is generally more malleable and has a distinctive yellowish color.

Copper has high electrical and thermal conductivity, good ductility, and corrosion resistance in many environments; alloys can improve strength, hardness, heat resistance, and creep properties. Pure copper is often used where high conductivity is essential, while alloys tailor mechanical properties for specific applications. Patination and tarnishing can affect appearance and surface properties, though many copper alloys resist corrosion well in marine and industrial environments.

Limitations of copper-based materials include relatively low strength-to-weight compared with some other metals, and, in certain environments, corrosion or dezincification of brass or dezoxidation of copper can occur without protective measures. Alloying and heat treatment are common methods to address these limitations and to achieve desired hardness, wear resistance, and mechanical performance.

Applications span electrical wiring, electronics, plumbing, and heat exchangers, as well as coins, architectural hardware, bearings and bushings, cookware, and several catalysts in chemical processing. In many cases, copper-based materials are chosen for the combination of conductivity, formability, and long-term durability.

Processing and production involve smelting and refining to high-purity copper, followed by alloying with tin, zinc, nickel, aluminum, or other elements, and subsequent heat treatment or cold working. These materials are highly recyclable, contributing to sustainable metal supply chains.