Industrial
- Die Cast Copper Motor Rotors
- Casting Alloys
- Copper Alloy Molds
- Bronze Sleeve Bearings
- Selecting Bronze Bearing Materials
- Electronic Connector Design Guide
- Terms and Definitions
- Alloy Selection for Stress Relaxation
- Annealed Tempers
- The Brasses
- Cold Rolled Tempers
- Basic Electrical Concepts
- Conductivity of Alloy Classes
- Conductivity of Brass
- Conductivity of Phosphor Bronze
- Conductivity of Specialty Alloys
- Contact Force
- Contact Resistance When Using Tin Coatings
- Copper-Tin Intermetallic Compounds
- Copper Alloy Strip
- Alloy Designation and Chemical Composition
- Directionality of Formability
- Discussion of Conductivity
- Ductility
- Electrical and Thermal Conductivity
- Electrical Conductivity
- Factors Affecting Fatigue Strength
- Fatigue Strength
- Contact Finish
- Formability
- Friction When Using Tin Coatings
- Grain Size
- Higher Strength Alloys
- Initial Stress Level
- Interface Corrosion
- Beyond the Basics - Performance Over Time
- Plating and Common Related Failure Mechanisms
- Modulus of Elasticity
- Modulus Of Elasticity
- Orientation Affects Stress Relaxation
- Other Requirements
- Overview of Stress Relaxation
- Oxidation
- Phosphor Bronze
- Under-Plating
- Porosity
- Performance Requirements
- Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
- SCC Susceptable & Resistant Alloys
- Strength Versus Conductivity
- Stress Relaxation Tests
- Plating Summary
- Summary Table
- Class Definition Table
- Temper Affects Stress Relaxation
- Temper Affects Stress Relaxation
- Temperature Affects Stress Relaxation
- Tensile Strength
- Thermal Considerations
- Effect of Time and Temperature on Copper-Tin
- Time Affects Stress Relaxation
- Tin Coatings
- Wear
- Tin Whiskers
- Yield Strength
- Mold Design Guidelines
Properties of Copper & Copper Alloys:
Photo courtesy of IBM Copper possesses the highest electrical conductivity of all commonly found metals on earth. This property of copper when added to its inherent strength, formability and corrosion resistance make it and its alloys unique in their usefulness as conductors of electricity. This series of data sheets will discuss some of the basics of physical properties, fabrication and applications of copper and copper alloys in strip form. This series is presented as a general introductory guide to assist parts designers, materials engineers, metallurgists and material buyers to understand copper alloys and some of their basic properties. Additional technical information is also available in the Standards Handbooks published by Copper Development Association Inc., Metals Handbook published by ASM International and technical publications from suppliers of copper and copper alloys. The first part of this series will provide basic information on definitions and physical properties of copper alloys. Additional information on the Unified Numbering System (UNS) for copper alloys and physical properties can be found in the CDA Application Data Sheet, "Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys."
A basic understanding of the properties of copper and copper alloys will be very useful for the discussions on designing connectors in subsequent parts of this group of publications. Both physical and mechanical properties play an important role in the selection of an appropriate alloy and its subsequent processing, stamping, drawing, etc.
This design guide was written as a primer for understanding and selecting copper alloys used in the manufacture of electrical and electronic connectors. The editorial staff for this electronic connector design guide were: Nathan Church (consultant), John G. Cowie (CDA), Max Peel (Contech Research, Inc.), Laura Peragallo (CDA), Dianne P. Shannon (CDA), Robert D. Weed (CDA) and S. Paul Zarlingo (Z-Connection). AMP Incorporated, IBM, and Instron Corp generously provided photographs for this design guide.
