Problem:
Even at room temperature, pure copper has a tendency of recrystallizing when hard.
Effect:
→ Transformation from hard back into soft condition
→ Loss of mechanical strength
Solution:
The addition of minor amounts of alloy components leads to
- hard-drawn materials recrystallizing at a much higher temperature than pure copper
- preserving a better tensile strength even at higher ambient temperatures
but also to a
- change in the resistance and, consequentially, the conductivity of the material
Ag - Silver
Comparison of copper-based alloys with different amounts of silver added:
CuAg alloys - description and link to the relevant specifications:
Mg - Magnesium
Comparison of copper-based alloys with different amounts of magnesium added:
CuMg alloys - description and link to the relevant specifications:
Ni - Nickel
Comparison of copper-based alloys with different amounts of nickel added:
CuNi alloys - description and link to the relevant specifications:
Sn - Tin
Comparison of copper-based alloys with different amounts of tin added:
CuSn alloys - description and link to the relevant specifications:
Zn - Zinc
Comparison of copper-based alloys with different amounts of zinc added:
CuZn alloys - description and link to the relevant specifications:
Benefits of adding zinc to copper-based alloys:
- Signal cables
- Brass wires can be found in a most diverse range of applications
- spark erosion wire (conductive materials are vaporized by applying sparks allowing for the conductor to be cut in this state)
- brushes made from brass wire (high mechanical strength and malleability, particularly suited for processing soft metals such as gold, brass or copper)
- decoration (e.g. the color of LEONI Histral® H26 looks very much like gold)
- grids and sieves made from brass wire
All Data depend on coating conditions, degree of cold working and thermal treatments during manufacturing process.