MATERIAL TEKNIK ( MAT )

Cu and Cu Alloys

Cecep Ruskandi
Generic Cu-based metals
 The properties of pure Copper
It is ductile, malleable
It has a very good electrical conductivity
But it castability is poor molten Cu absorbs much
gases which will increase casting porosity
It also has a good weldability, soldering and brazing
Corrosion resistant
It reacts with HNO3 and S. It is poisonous when
reacts with organic acid
Its tensile strength is of 160-200 MPa
Its Hardness is 340-450 MPa
 The physical properties of copper

Density 8.93 gr/cm3

Colour : reddish brown
Melting point 1083oC
 The electrical conductivity properties
The electrical conductivity properties of Copper is
influenced by :
The purity of copper.
The higher the purity level of copper the greater is its
electrical conductivity.
The working temperature
The higher is the working temperature of copper the
lower is its electrical conductivity.
 Metallurgy of Copper
Copper is produced from Cu2S and/or Cu2O minerals
Both Cu2S and Cu2O are products resulted from processing ore
such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite (Cu5FeS4), chalcocite
(Cu2S) etc

Concentrated
Minerals Grinding
by flotation
Concentrate
with
25~30% Cu
Oxidize Fe & S 1250oC
Blister matte
copper, Converting Smelting
60%Cu
98,5%Cu
High purity
Refining &
copper with
electrolysis
99.95%Cu
 Smelting & converting process
2CuFeS2+O2 Cu2S + 2FeS + SO2
The above reaction result in matte which contain 50-75%Cu
Converting matte into blister Cu:
First stage :
FeS is converted into slag by the addition of SiO2, thus :
2FeS + 3O2 + 2SiO2 2FeSiO2 + 2SO2
Second stage :
Cu2S + O2 2Cu + SO2
 Purifying of Copper
The purification of copper could be done in two methods ;
- remelting process followed by polen process
- Electrolisys
Purifying Cu by electrolysis
Anode : Unpurified copper ingots
Cathode : High purity copper
Electrolyte : Copper sulphate and sulphuric acid
Electrical current
Process :
When current is applied copper in the anodes is
electrochemically dissolve in electrolyte and then plated as
pure copper on cathodes.
 Polen Process
Why polen process is necessary ?
The presence of Oxygen in copper which is more than 0.1%
will reduce its bending strength
Polen process is used to reduce the oxygen content in copper.
How is it done ?
by adding sticks of wood into molten copper with the
dimension of 10 m length and 0.3 width. A 1000 kg molten
copper needs approximately one and a half stick.

Cu2O + C 2Cu + CO
 Limitation: This process generates H2 gas which is harmfull to
copper by increasing the porosity. This gas exists due to air
condensation around the wood stick and the molten copper.
Polen process result in high purity copper. Its purity is up to
99.9%Cu.
 Groups of Copper and Copper Alloys
1. Coppers, which contain a minimum of 99.3% Cu
2. High Coper alloys, which contain up to 5% alloying elements
3. Copper-Zinc alloys ( Brasses) which contain up to 40% Zn
4. Copper-tin alloys (phosphor bronzes) which contain up to 10%Sn and
0.2%P
5. Copper-Aluminum alloys (Aluminum bronzes) which contain up to 10%Al
6. Copper-Silicon alloys (silicon bronzes) which contain up to 3%Si
7. Copper-Nickel Alloys, which contain up to 30% Ni
8. Copper-Zinc-Nickel alloys (nickel silvers) which contain up to 27%Zn and
18%Ni
9. Special alloys which contain alloying elements to enhance a specific
property such as machinability.
 UNS designation
1. C1xxxx
2. C2xxxx
3. C3xxxx
4. C4xxxx Wrought copper alloys
5. C5xxxx
6. C6xxxx
7. C7xxxx
8. C8xxxx
Cast copper alloys
9. C9xxxx
 Other specification
According to British standard; BS 1400:1985
CT : copper-tin (bronze)
PB : phosphor bronze
LB : lead bronze
G : Gunmetal
AB : Aluminum bronze
CN : copper nickel
Cu-Zn alloy
Cu-Sn alloy
Cu-Sn-P alloy
Cu-Al alloy
Cu-Sn-Zn-Pb alloy
 Cu-Ni alloy
Copper-nickels; copper nickel alloys where Ni
is the major alloying element.
Used for marine application in severe
condition for example for pipework.
Product examples

Contains no oxide and very high resistance to

hydrogen embrittlement

An alloy containing 85%Cu, 10%Al, 5%Ni and iron

Application : best applied for heavy load, friction,
corrosion and wear.
Product examples

Contains 60%Cu, 75%Sn, 40% Zn

Application : for marine construction which need
strong, hard and corrosion resistance material

An alloy containing 80%Cu, 11%Al, 4%Ni and

4%Fe
Application : best applied for heavy load, friction,
corrosion and wear.
Product examples

Contains 91%Cu, 7%Al, 2% Si

An alloy containing 90%Cu, 10%Zn

 Product examples

96-97%Cu, 4-3% Si
Copper alloys with Chrom finished
 Product examples

Cast copper alloys