Copper and Copper Alloy Specifications Wire

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Grade Designations and Chemical Composition for Copper and Copper Alloys Header

Material Designation
EN 12166 : 1998		 Nearest Fit Cu Be Co Fe
max		 Mn
max		 Ni P Pb
max		 Sn Zn Others Impurities
max
Symbol Number UNS BS 2873
COPPER
Cu-ETP CW 004A C 10100 C 101 99.90 min             0.005     O 0.040 max 0.03
Cu-OF (Copper Oxygen Free) CW 008A C 10300 C 103 99.95 min             0.005     O min 0.03
BRASS
Cu Zn 30 CW 505 L C 26000 CZ 106 69 – 71     0.05   0.30 max   0.005 0.10 max rem Al 0.02 max 0.1
Cu Zn 37 CW 508 L C 27200 CZ 108 62 – 64     0.1   0.30 max   0.1 0.10 max rem Al 0.05 max 0.1
PHOSPHOR BRONZE
Cu Sn 5 CW 451 K C 51000 PB 102 rem     0.1   0.20 max 0.01 – 0.40 0.02 4.5 – 5.5 0.2 max   0.2
Cu Sn 6 CW 452 K C 51900 PB 103 rem     0.1   0.20 max 0.01 – 0.40 0.02 5.5 – 7.0 0.2 max   0.2
NICKEL SILVER
Cu Ni 10 Zn 27 CW 401 J C 74500 NS 103 61 – 64     0.3 0.5 9.0 – 11.0   0.005   rem   0.2
Cu Ni 12 Zn 24 CW 403 J C 75700 NS 104 63 – 66     0.3 0.5 11.0 – 13.0   0.03 0.03 max rem   0.2
Cu Ni 18 Zn 20 CW 409 J C 75200 NS 106 60 – 63     0.3 0.5 17.0 – 19.0   0.03 0.03 max rem   0.2
BERYLLIUM COPPER
Cu Be 2 CW 101 C C 17200 CB 101 rem 1.8 – 2.1 0.30 max 0.2   0.30 max           0.5

Mechanical Properties for Copper and Copper Alloys Header

Material Designation EN 12166 : 1998 Nearest Fit Material Condition U.T.S Rm N/mm² Elongation A50 % min;
Symbol Number UNS BS 2873
COPPER
Cu-ETP CW 004A C 10100 C 101 Annealed 220 – 260 33
Cu-OF CW 008A C 10300 C 103 Annealed 220 – 260 33
BRASS
Cu Zn 30 CW 505 L C 26000 CZ 106 Annealed 310 – 410 40
1/2 Hard 540 – 640
Hard 620 – 720
Cu Zn 37 CW 508 L C 27200 CZ 108 Annealed 300 – 380 35
1/2 Hard 560 – 700
Hard 700 min
PHOSPHOR BRONZE
Cu Sn 5 CW 451 K C 51000 PB 102 Annealed 330 – 420 45
1/2 Hard 500 – 600
Hard 690 – 850
Spring Hard 850 min
Cu Sn 6 CW 452 K C 51900 PB 103 Annealed 360 – 440 60
1/2 Hard 530 – 630
Hard 740 – 900
Spring Hard 900 min
NICKEL SILVER

Cu Ni 10 Zn 27

Cu Ni 12 Zn 24

CW 401 J

CW 403 J

C 74500

C 75700

NS 103

NS 104

 Annealed 370 – 480 30
1/2 Hard 560 – 660
Hard 660 – 780
Cu Ni 18 Zn 20 CW 409 J C 75200 NS 106 Annealed 420 – 540 30
1/2 Hard 600 – 700
Hard 700 – 800
BERYLLIUM COPPER
Cu Be 2 CW 101 C C 17200 CB 101 Annealed 400 – 600 30
Annealed and aged 800 – 1200
Spring Hard 800 – 1200
Spring Hard and aged 1200 – 1600

Service Properties and Applications for Copper and Copper Alloys Header

Material Designation
EN 12166 : 1998		 Nearest Fit Service Properties Applications
Symbol Number UNS BS 2873
COPPER
Cu-ETP CW 004A C 10100 C 101 Excellent formability and conductivity but can be embrittled if heated in reducing atmospheres because of the presence of Oxygen Electrical components. Knitting, braiding, weaving, conductors, transformer windings, wire shapes.
Cu-OF CW 008A C 10300 C 103 Reduced oxygen to prevent embrittlement. Similar formability to Cu-ETP. Electrical and electronic components.
BRASS
Cu Zn 30 CW 505 L C 26000 CZ 106 70/30 Brass. Maximum ductility of the CuZn alloys. Good deep drawing properties. Model making, ferrules, connectors, switches
Cu Zn 37 CW 508 L C 27200 CZ 108 General purpose alloy for simple forming operations. Contacts, springs, knitting and weaving for RFI applications
PHOSPHOR BRONZE
Cu Sn 5 CW 451 K C 51000 PB 102 Good formability combined with resistance to corrosion and fatigue Springs, contacts, wire shapes, lock levers, switches
Cu Sn 6 CW 452 K C 51900 PB 103 Extra tin giving improved wear properties, corrosion resistance and tensile strength. Generally used for more severe service conditions than CuSn5 Springs, contacts, switches, brushes
NICKEL SILVER

Cu Ni 10 Zn 27

Cu Ni 12 Zn 24

CW 401 J

CW 403 J

C 74500

C 75700

NS 103

NS 104

 Alloys notable for their good corrosion resistance and attractive colour. Good formability, readily soldered or brazed. Springs, contacts, model making, jewellery
Cu Ni 18 Zn 20 CW 409 J C 75200 NS 106 The range of alloys becomes progressively whiter with increased nickel content. Properties as for NS103/104 above Brush anchor wire, pins, jewellery
BERYLLIUM COPPER
Cu Be 2 CW 101 C C 17200 CB 101 Precipitation hardening alloy with excellent strength, elasticity and fatigue resistance. Usually formed and then heat treated but can also be formed in the aged condition. Springs, contacts, switches, connector pins.

Wire Stockists

Knight Precision Wire is part of Knight Group, a group of companies that specialise in the processing and supply of precision metals. Quality is of the utmost importance and Knight Precision Wire operates a vigorous quality management system.

People outside the wire industry may be unaware of the sheer number of wire variations out there. Wire is an essential commodity in numerous sectors and appears in many different forms. Sectors that KPW supply wire for include the Aerospace, Medical, Petrochemical, Industrial and Heat Treatment industries. For the aerospace sector, KPW have been approved as aerospace wire suppliers by Rolls Royce, British Aerospace and Westlands. Two of the primary products supplied to the aerospace industry are locking wire and aerospace cable. You can see case study examples of how the services provided by KPW have benefited the different sectors on the website.

Below is a list of the different wire products offered by KPW :

  • Stainless Steel
  • Carbon Steel
  • Nickel & Nickel Alloys
  • Copper & Copper Alloys
  • Special Wire Materials

Visit the stainless wire product page to see more information about the different stainless wires we produce. To see all of KPW's steel wires products then visit the products page.

In addition to providing wire products to many different companies and sectors, KPW also offer wire processing services. These services include :

  • Cut to Length Wire
  • Flat Wire
  • Square and Shaped Wire
  • Stranding and Bunching
  • Rewinding and Spooling
  • Polishing & Cleaning

To find out how KPW can help you with your special wire needs, send an enquiry using the form on the contact page.