Materials - Descriptions and Common Applications

RWMA Class Common Name Material Designation  a Description General Application b Availability
Group A - Copper Base Alloys
1 Zirconium Copper C15000 A specially heat-treated zirconium copper alloy. electrodes for welding aluminum alloys, brass and bronzes, coated materials and magnesium alloys.  Can be used for both spot and seam welding. Forgings, Rod and Bar
2 Chromium-Zirconium Copper C18150 A specially heat treated chromium-zircomium copper alloy that meet the minimum electrcal and hardness specifications of Class 2 material.  Should be used in the fully heat-treated condition. These materials are stronger than Class 1 material, have slightly lower connductivity.  They are used for spot and seam welding of cold and hot rolled steel, stainless steel and low conductivity brass and bronze.  They are also used as flash welding dies, and as electrodes for the welding of galvanized steel and other coated materials. Castings, Forging, Rod, Bar and Plate
Chromium Copper C18200 A high conductivity chromium copper alloy.  Its optimum properties are obtained through a combination of both heat treatment and cold work.  Should be used in fully heat-treated condition. Casting, Forging, Rod, Bar, Plate and Tube
3    Cobalt-Berylium Copper C17500 Heat treatable copper alloys with a combination of high tensile strength and good electrical and thermal properties.  They should be used in the fully heat-treated condition. Their high hardness makes them ideal electrodes for spot and seam welding of high resistance materials such as stainless steels, Nichrome, Inconel, and Monel.  As a casting, they are used for flash, butt and projection welding electrodes and fixtures.  They are also used as welding gun components, seam welding bearings and other current carrying structural parts. Castings, Forging, Rod, Bar, Plate and Tube
Nickel-Beryllium Copper C17510
Nickel-Cobalt-Berylium copper C17540
Nickel-Silicon-Chromium Copper C18000
4 Beryllium Copper C17200 Heat treatable copper alloy having the unusual combination of very high hardness, high strength and lower electrical conductivity than Class 3 materials.  Should be used in fully heat-treated condition. Electrode material for flash, upset-butt and projection welding applications where pressures are extremely high and wear is severe, but where heat is not excessive.  They are used frequently in the form of inserts and facings.  They may also be used for seam welding bushings. Strength, mechanical wear and conduction are their strong attributes. Castings, Forgings, Rod and Bar, Plate, Tube
Group B - Refractory Metals
10 Copper Tungsten N/A c A Powder metallurgical composite of 45% copper and 55% refractory metal tungsten.  Not a true alloy.  The tungsten provides the structural strength and heat resistance while the copper is the electrical and heat conductor.  This combination produces dense, hard metals of superior wear resistance and strength at elevated temperatures.  In addition, they possess good thermal and electrical conductivity. Flash and butt welding electrodes where good electrical and thermal conductivity is necessary and where a degree of malleability is desired. Rod, Bar and Inserts
11 Copper Tungsten ASTM B702 C1D A powder metal composite of 25% copper and 75% refractory metal tungsten.  Not a true alloy.  The tungsten provides the structural strength and heat resistance while the copper is the electrical and heat conductor.  This combination produces dense, hard metals of superior wear resistance and strength at elevated temperatures.  In addition, they possess good thermal and electrical conductivity. Projection welding electrodes, flash and butt welding elctrodes, light upsetting and seam welding bushings.  Harder than Class 10 and used where moderate pressure is required.  This material can also be used for spot welding low conductivity steels, such as stainless. Rod, Bar and Inserts
12 Copper Tungsten ASTM B702 C1E A powder metal composite of 20% copper and 80% refractory metal tungsten.  Not a true alloy.  The tungsten provides the structural strength and heat resistance while the copper is the electrical and heat conductor.  This combination produces dense, hard metals of superior wear resistance and strength at elevated temperatures.  In addition, they possess good thermal and electrical conductivity. Heavy duty projection welding electrodes, electro-forming and electroforging electrode facings for the upsetting of studs and rivets cross wire welding of large diameter wire and rod. Rod, Bar and Inserts
13 Tungsten N/A Tungsten is extremely hard and has low ductility.  In addition, tungsten is very heat resistant and maintains its strength at very high temperatures.  It cannot be machined with cutting tools but can be ground to required contours.  It does not alloy with nonferrous materials.   Cross wire welding of copper and brass, resistance brazing and some upsetting.  Welding of braided copper wire to other materials. Rod, Bar and Inserts
14 Molybdenum ASTMB387 Type 360 Not as hard as Class 13 and can be drilled and machined to special contours.  Has similar heat resistance approaching Class 13 capabilities and very good strength at elevated temperatures.   Cross wire welding of copper and brass, resistance brazing and some upsetting.  Welding of braided copper wire to other materials. Rod, Bar and Inserts
Group C - Specialty Materials
20 Dispersion Strengthened Copper  C15760 A powder metallurgy material consisting of copper and aluminim oxide with high temperature hardness and physical properties different than copper alloys.  Not a true alloy. Welding of metallic coated metal such as galvanized steel, terne plate, etc. Rod, Bar and Plate
21 Dispersion Strengthened Copper  C15715 Applications requiring the highest electrical and thermal conductivities along with good elevated temperature strength Rod, Bar and Plate
22 Dispersion Strengthened Copper  C15725 Welding of metallic coated metal such as galvanixed steel, terne plate, etc. Rod, Bar and Plate

Notes:

a. Numbers with the alloy designation CXXXX are UNS numbers managed by the Copper Development Association (CDA), numbers with ASTM designations are ASTM. 

b. This table provided general comments about common applications of various class materials. More specific information may be obtained from material, electrodes, and equipment manufacturers. 

c. N/A is not assigned.