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Classification of copper alloys

Dr. Dmitri Kopeliovich

Classification of copper alloys is determined by the Unified Numbering System (UNS),developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Copper Development Association (CDA).

The designation system uses five-digit numbers preceded by the prefix letter C.

The numbers from C10000 through C79999 define the wrought copper alloys.

The numbers from C80000 through C99999 define the cast copper alloys.

Wrought copper alloys designation


Generic name Major components UNS designation number
Coppers >= 99.3% Cu C10100…C15999
High-copper alloys > 96% Cu but
<99.3% Cu
C16000…C19999
Brasses Yellow Brasses Cu-Zn C21000…C28999
Leaded Brasses Cu-Zn-Pb C30000…C39999
Tin Brasses Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb C40000…C49999
Bronzes Phosphor Bronzes Cu-Sn-P C50000…C52999
Lead Phosphor Bronzes Cu-Sn-Pb-P C53000…C54999
Copper-Phosphorous alloys Cu-P, Cu-P-Ag C55000…C55299
Copper-Silver-Zinc Alloys Cu-Ag-Zn C55300…C60799
Aluminum Bronzes Cu-Al-Ni-Fe-Si-Sn C60800…C64699
Silicon Bronzes and Silicon Brasses Cu-Si-Sn C64700…C66199
Other copper-zinc alloys Cu-Zn-… C66200…C69999
Copper-Nickels (Copper-Nickel-Iron Alloys)
Spinodal Bronzes
Cu-Ni-Fe
Cu-Ni-Sn
C70000…C73499
Nickel Silvers Cu-Ni-Zn C73500…C79999

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Cast copper alloys designation


Generic name Major components UNS designation number
Coppers >= 99.3% Cu C80000…C81399
High-Copper Alloys > 96% Cu but
<99.3% Cu
C81400…C83299
Brasses Red Brasses and Leaded Red Brasses Cu-Sn-Zn
Cu-Sn-Zn-Pb
C83300…C84999
Yellow Brasses Cu-Zn C85000…C85999
Bronzes Manganese Bronzes and Leaded Manganese Bronzes Cu-Zn-Mn-Fe-Pb C86000…C86999
Silicon Bronzes and Silicon Brasses Cu-Zn-Si C87000…C87999
Copper-Bismuth
Copper-Bismuth-Selenium alloys
Cu-Bi
Cu-Bi-Se
C88000…C89999
Tin Bronzes and Leaded Tin Bronzes Cu-Sn-Zn
Cu-Sn-Zn-Pb
C90000…C94500
Nickel-Tin Bronzes Cu-Ni-Sn-Zn-Pb C94600…C94999
Aluminum Bronzes Cu-Al-Ni-Fe C95000…C95999
Copper-Nickels (Copper-Nickel-Iron Alloys)
Spinodal Bronzes
Cu-Ni-Fe
Cu-Ni-Sn
C96000…C96999
Nickel Silvers Cu-Ni-Zn-Pb-Sn C97000…C97999
Copper-Lead Alloys Cu-Pb C98000…C98999
Special alloys Cu-… C99000…C99999

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