Glossary

Copper alloy is a metal made by combining copper with one or more additional elements to improve strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, machinability, conductivity, or formability. Pure copper is highly conductive and corrosion resistant, but it is also relatively soft, so alloying it with elements such as zinc, tin, aluminum, nickel, silicon, beryllium, or phosphorus allows the material to perform better in demanding industrial and fastener applications.

Common copper alloys include brass, which is primarily copper and zinc; bronze, which is traditionally copper and tin but may include other elements; silicon bronze, which offers good corrosion resistance and strength; phosphor bronze, known for fatigue resistance and spring properties; copper-nickel alloys, used in marine and corrosive environments; and beryllium copper, valued for high strength, electrical conductivity, and non-sparking properties.

In fasteners, copper alloys are often selected when corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, appearance, or non-magnetic behavior is important. They may be used for screws, nuts, bolts, washers, electrical connectors, marine hardware, grounding components, spring contacts, and specialty parts exposed to moisture or chemicals. While copper alloys generally do not match the high tensile strength of alloy steel fasteners, they provide a useful balance of conductivity, durability, corrosion resistance, and workability in applications where ordinary carbon steel or stainless steel may not be the best fit.