CDA385: Also commonly referred to as CZ121, CW614N, UNS C38500, CuZn40Pb2, or even architechtural bronze. This is a high speed, free machining alloy commonly used for most of todays engineering requirement where high speed machining of copper alloys is critical and where small swarf or chip development is of utmost importance. Machinability is rated at 100%

CDA360: Also commonly referred to as CZ124, CW603N, UNS C36000, CuZn36Pb3, or even free cutting or free machining brass. With a slightly higher copper content when compared to CDA385, this copper alloy is far more suited where bending application becomes a requirement and CDA385 can no longer be of service. Swarf or chip size still remains small and the machinability rating remains at 100%. This copper alloy is the standard to which all other copper alloys are rated in terms of machinability.

CDA377: Also commonly referred to as CZ122, CW617N, UNS C37700, CuZn40Pb2, or even forging brass. With a copper content similar to that of CDA385 this alloy has a reduced lead content to promote hot forging or hot stamping of the alloy whilst still maintaining a 80% machinability rating. This copper alloy is the standard to which all other copper alloys are rated in terms of forgability.

CDA35330: Also commonly referred to as CZ132, CW602N, UNS C35330, CuZn35Pb2As, or even dezincification resistant brass. Dezincification is a phenomenon whereby the zinc content of the copper alloys, with zinc content of 15% and more, is leached out leaving only the copper behind and thus creating porosity. To combat this the copper alloy is inhibited to protect against this leaching and improve the service of the brass in water. With a moderate addition of lead the machinability is vastly improved and this copper alloy finds great use in the plumbing industry.

The name "Copper" was derived from the Latin symbol cuprum (Island of Cyprus famed for its copper mines). A great percentage of copper finds its use in electrical engineering and domestic electricity applications, as well as some water supplies. Copper is a unique material in that it has excellent ductility enabling the manufacture of a vast number of shapes and sizes with ease, as well as the advantage of excellent electrical and thermal conductivity second only to silver. Electrical conductivity is paramount to the efficient transmission of electrical energy and the use of electrical cable and wiring. It is for this reason that copper has been further developed to increase mechanical and corrosion properties whilst maintaining the highest possible electrical conductivity rating. Consequently there are a number of different copper alloys available on the market today, amongst which NFM are proud to supply CDA120 and CDA122, each a derivative of ph osphorus alloyed copper. The phosphorus addition, in small quantities, enables the effective removal of oxygen from the melt allowing the product to be used in equipment at high temperatures. The addition also plays a key role in welding or brazing of copper with hydrocarbon gasses since any copper oxide present in the metal begins to react with Hydrogen at just over 300°C, reducing the copper oxide to metallic copper and steam whilst embrittling the grain structure in the process - Hydrogen Embrittlement of copper.

The NFM Extrusion Division has been extruding copper and copper alloys in many shapes and sizes since the inception of the extrusion plant and have developed a vast number of years of expertise in the manufacture and supply of copper and copper alloys to industries world wide. Our ISO 9001:2000 rating ensures that our customers have total peace of mind no matter what their end product. For further information please see our list of copper and copper alloys on offer.