Copper and Copper Alloys Equivalents Chart
Copper is one of the oldest and most used metals in the world. It has been found in artifacts dating back to 8000 BC and is still used today in many applications such as electrical wiring, coins, cookware and even in jewelry. Copper and its alloys are some of the most versatile materials in the world, with a long history of use due to their strength, corrosion resistance, malleability, and conductivity.
When it comes to buying and selling copper and its alloys, one of the main concerns is proper labeling. Each country has its own system for labeling and categorizing copper and copper alloys. This copper and copper alloys equivalent chart aims to provide a quick comparison of copper and copper alloy equivalents in various countries.
In Europe, copper and copper alloys are generally referred to as standard materials according to the EN (European Norm) standard. Generally, these are categorized by Standard number and material number. Materials are further divided into component material types and specific alloys. For example, EN 1652 consists of pure copper (Cu) and alloys such as brass, bronze and cupronickel.
In the United States, copper and copper alloys are labeled with ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) or ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) designations. Copper and copper alloys are usually classified under the category AB according to their alloy content. Within this category, pure copper materials are labeled with CB, which stands for copper base, and alloys are labeled with CA, which stands for copper alloy.
In Japan, copper and copper alloys are labeled according to JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) designations. Copper and copper alloys are classified under the category F (for ferrous metal) and are then sub-classified according to their alloy content. The letter G stands for copper materials, and the letters D, E and F stand for alloy materials.
Finally, in China, copper and copper alloys are labeled according to the GB (Chinese national standards) designations. Copper and copper alloys are generally classified under the W category and are then divided according to their alloy content. The letter WW stands for pure copper and the letters WG, WM and WL stand for alloy materials.
This copper and copper alloys equivalent chart wraps up the main labeling systems used in the major copper trading countries. Knowledge of these standards will help buyers and sellers understand the different grades of copper and copper alloys during international trading.
Table 1: Copper and Copper Alloys Equivalents Chart
Country Standard Number Alloy Type EN/EU (Material Number) CB – Copper Base CA – Copper Alloy ASME/ASTM (Category AB>Sub-category) CB – Copper Base CA – Copper Alloy JIS (Category F) G – Copper Alloy D – Copper-Aluminum Alloy E – Copper-Nickel Alloy F – Copper-Zinc Alloy GB (Category W) WW – Copper WG – Copper-Aluminum Alloy WM – Copper-Nickel Alloy WL – Copper-Zinc Alloy
