Copper 101 & 102 Manufacturing, Machining Properties & Tips

Copper 101 and 102 fall under the electronic grade alloy family known for their high thermal and electrical conductivity and ability to protect against corrosion.  These alloys are ductile and malleable. The corrosion resistant property of Copper Alloys makes them an important application to both indoor and outdoor architectural features. These alloys corrode at slim rates while affected by the outdoor elements such as pollution, water, acids, and organic chemicals 

Copper alloys possess malleable properties that allow them to produce microscopic wire with softening anneals. Copper alloys are utilized with the following techniques to create bathroom fixtures and other household products: deep drawing, coining, stretching, and bending. Copper 101 and 102 can be easily joined by utilizing soldering, brazing, welding, and bolting. Copper alloys are normally welded to be a vital component in heat exchangers and air-conditioning units. It is critical to consider joint area annealing and expansion during the copper alloy welding process. Copper alloys are heated to high temperatures or pressured to fuse metals together with another filler material through welding.  

Copper Alloys can be worked in hot and color temperatures. Copper alloys during hot working break down the dendritic solidification in castings. After this initial step, the components can be hot forged or machined. Through the process of extrusion, copper alloys are utilized in tubes in order to carry hydraulic fluids and refrigerants. Extrusion heats the casting above the alloy’s recrystallization temperatures; afterwards, the materials are submerged in a shaped die. Copper alloys are then incorporated to create a finish on the materials (please note that thickness is reduced after the addition of copper).  

Copper alloys utilize additions that can help to improve hardening and increase strength. Bending is a common method used in conjunction with copper alloys. Through the process of bending, a material is wrapped, wiped or formed with a die. Copper alloys are used through coining operations that compress a metal material between two dies to fill any open spaces in their surfaces. Copper 101 & 102 alloys are also utilized through spinning to produce metal cylinders, cones, and other shapes.  

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