Phone:973-278-1666
Email:sales@lfawire.com
Technical Data
Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Wire
    • Beryllium Copper Wire
      • Heat Treatable, Alloy 25 (C17200 and C17300)
      • Tempered, Alloy 25 (C17200)
    • Nickel Wire
      • 80-20 Copper-Nickel C71000
      • COPPER-NICKEL-TIN C72500
      • Nickel 205 Grade A
    • Phosphor Bronze Wire
      • Phosphor Bronze, C51000 Grade A
      • Phosphor Bronze C52100 Grade C
      • Phosphor Bronze, C50700 Grade E
    • Brass Wire
      • 70-30 Brass, C26000
    • Copper Wire
      • Copper, Oxygen Free High Conductivity C10200
      • Copper, C11000, ETP
      • Zirconium Copper Wire
    • Copper Alloy Wire
      • C 18080 K-88 Alloy
      • C 18150 Copper Chromium Zirconium (ZCC)
  • Plating
  • Straight And Cut
  • Request Quote
  • Sales Terms
  • Contact
  • Chinese Catalog
CLOSE
Home  >  Beryllium Copper Wire Blog  >  Wire Blog  >  The Main Differences Between Metal Alloy Compounds (Copper, Bronze, Brass)

The Main Differences Between Metal Alloy Compounds (Copper, Bronze, Brass)

When people refer to red metals, they are talking about brass, bronze, and copper (characterized by their reddish tint). Only copper is a pure metal of the three, whereas brass and bronze are considered copper alloys.

  • Bronze – a combination of tin and copper
  • Brass –  a combination of zinc and copper

Brass, bronze, and copper all demonstrate unique performance abilities that make them ideal for many applications and industries. What are the distinct qualities of each, and when should they be used?

beryllium copper

Copper is an element, which means that it does not have a chemical formula, and it is represented with the symbol Cu on the periodic table (atomic number 29). The material is soft and malleable and also has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Compared to brass and bronze, copper offers the best conductivity, ductility, and flexibility. Bronze and brass offer better machinability, so you should avoid copper if that is an important requirement.

Brass, as an alloy, varies in the number of raw materials. This allows alloys to achieve different characteristics depending on their composition. Brass is a mailable alloy, more so than bronze. It has a low melting point and reliable flow characteristics. Brass is ideal for casting applications. The total density of brass is between 8.4 – 8.7 g/cm3. When aluminum is added to brass, the alloy becomes corrosion resistant due to having a layer of aluminum oxide covering the surface.

Bronze typically contains about 12% tin, and then other metals are mixed into the alloy to create highly unique characteristics (zinc, nickel, aluminum, manganese). Modern bronze, often mixed with 88% copper, is less brittle than cast iron. The material only oxidized superficially after a copper oxide layer has formed.

The right type of metal for a specific application is incredibly important. Making the wrong choice leads to issues down the road. Which is the right material for you?

Related Reading

  • The Benefits of Using Tinned Copper Wire
  • Four Common Types of Heat Treatments for Metal
  • What are the Most Commonly Used Copper Alloys?
  • Copyright © Little Falls Alloys
  • 171-191 Caldwell Avenue
    Paterson NJ 07501
  • Tel: (973) 278-1666
    Fax: (973) 278-7345
  • Email:sales@lfawire.com
Beryllium Copper Wire | Phosphor Bronze Wire | Nickel Wire | Brass Wire | Copper Wire | Zirconium Copper Wire | Zirconium Chromium Wire | Site Map | Wire Blog
Little Falls Alloys, Inc. is committed to offer top quality straighten and cut wire, plated wire and beryllium copper, Contact Us.