Explore key differences and uses of copper bronze and brass with detailed properties corrosion resistance and applications for your projects.

Quick Comparison Table: Copper vs Bronze vs Brass

Material	Alloy Composition	Color Tone	Hardness (Brinell)	cURL Too many subrequests.	cURL Too many subrequests.	Price Level
cURL Too many subrequests.	99.9% pure copper (C101, C110)	Reddish-orange	35-40	Moderate; develops green patina over time	Electrical wiring, roofing, plumbing, art	$$$
cURL Too many subrequests.	Copper + tin, phosphorus, aluminum, or silicon	Reddish-brown to goldish-brown	60-130	Excellent; highly resistant to saltwater and wear	Bearings, marine hardware, sculptures, bells	$$$$
cURL Too many subrequests.	Copper + zinc (varies 5-45%)	Yellow to golden	55-100	Good; less corrosion-resistant than bronze	Fittings, valves, musical instruments, decorative trim	$$-$$$

Key Takeaways:

• cURL Too many subrequests. shines with its electrical conductivity and flexible reddish tone but is softer and less corrosion-resistant.
• cURL Too many subrequests. offers higher strength and superior corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments.
• cURL Too many subrequests. is prized for its bright golden color, excellent machinability, and good corrosion resistance at a lower cost.

This quick guide helps you see at a glance which metal suits your project’s needs based on material makeup, appearance, toughness, and price.

What is Pure Copper (C101, C110, Oxygen-Free)?

Pure copper is a naturally reddish metal known for its outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity. The most common grades you’ll see in the US market include C10100 (Electrolytic Tough Pitch or ETP), C11000 (Oxygen-Free Copper), and Oxygen-Free variants designed for highly specialized uses.

Properties and Advantages

• Excellent Conductivity: Copper leads in electrical and heat conduction, making it ideal for wiring and heat exchangers.
• High Corrosion Resistance: It naturally forms a protective oxide layer, resisting rust and wear over time.
• Ductility & Malleability: Pure copper can be bent or shaped without breaking, perfect for forming into wires, sheets, or tubes.
• Antimicrobial: It has natural antimicrobial properties, increasingly valued in healthcare applications.

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• Softness: Pure copper is relatively soft and can wear or dent under heavy mechanical stress, which limits its use where high strength is critical.
• Cost: Copper generally costs more than common alloys like brass but less than precious metals.
• Patina Development: It develops a greenish patina (verdigris) over time when exposed to the elements, which may or may not be desirable based on your project.

Common Forms

Pure copper is widely available in forms suited to a variety of industries and needs:

• Sheet and Plate: Used in roofing, art, and electronics casings.
• Busbar: For electrical distribution where large current loads require reliable conduction.
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Thanks to these qualities, bronze is widely used for:

• Bearings and bushings requiring durable wear resistance
• Marine hardware that must withstand saltwater corrosion
• Artistic sculptures and statues needing long-term surface stability
• Bells and musical instruments valued for their unique tonal qualities

Bronze’s balance of strength and corrosion resistance makes it perfect for demanding industrial and decorative uses alike. For projects needing precision and quality materials, exploring custom manufacturing options can help you get exactly the bronze grade and form you need. Check out our custom manufacturing services for tailored solutions.

What is Brass?

Brass is a well-known copper + zinc alloy family prized for its distinctive golden tones and versatility. Common grades include C260 (commercial brass), C360 (free-cutting brass), C385 (commercial bronze, sometimes classed with brasses), Admiralty Brass, and Naval Brass. Each offers unique benefits, but overall brass is valued for its attractive appearance and excellent machinability—especially C360 free-cutting brass, which is designed for precision machining and smooth finishes.

Brass also has great acoustic properties, making it a favorite for musical instruments like trumpets and saxophones. Beyond looks and sound, brass is widely used in practical applications such as fittings, valves, locks, decorative trim, and plumbing components due to its corrosion resistance and durability.

For projects needing reliable machinability with a warm, gold-like finish, brass strikes a great balance between function and style. Understanding these characteristics can help you choose the right brass alloy for your specific needs. For more on material handling and processing, check out our guide on how to tap thread properly.

Side-by-Side In-Depth Comparison: Copper, Bronze & Brass

Here’s a clear breakdown of copper, bronze, and brass covering key factors you need to know for your projects:

Property	cURL Too many subrequests.	cURL Too many subrequests.	cURL Too many subrequests.
Tensile Strength	210-370 MPa	400-620 MPa (strongest overall)	270-550 MPa
Ductility	High	cURL Too many subrequests.	High
Wear Resistance	cURL Too many subrequests.	Excellent (due to alloy elements)	Good
cURL Too many subrequests.	Good (can oxidize, patina forms)	Excellent (especially aluminum & phosphor bronze)	Good (varies by zinc content)
Saltwater Resistance	Moderate (prone to corrosion)	Excellent (marine grade types)	Moderate to good (naval brass)
Electrical Conductivity	Very High (59.6 MS/m)	Lower than copper	Moderate (depends on alloying)
Thermal Conductivity	Very High	Moderate to Low	cURL Too many subrequests.
Machinability	cURL Too many subrequests.	Lower (harder to machine)	Excellent (C360 free-cutting brass stands out)
cURL Too many subrequests.	Good	Challenging (alloy-dependent)	Good
Aesthetic Finish	Reddish-orange, develops green patina	Reddish to golden brown, darkens over time	Bright gold to yellow, tarnishes to dull brown
Patina Behavior	Develops greenish patina	Darkens, forms protecting layer	Tarnishes, but less patina than copper

Key takeaways:

• cURL Too many subrequests. excels in electrical and thermal use but lacks the strength and corrosion resistance of bronze and brass.
• Bronze alloys cURL Too many subrequests.
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Criteria	cURL Too many subrequests.	cURL Too many subrequests.	cURL Too many subrequests.
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cURL Too many subrequests.	Reddish-orange, develops green patina	cURL Too many subrequests.	cURL Too many subrequests.
Machinability	cURL Too many subrequests.	cURL Too many subrequests.	cURL Too many subrequests.
cURL Too many subrequests.	Moderate price	Generally more expensive	Usually cost-effective
Environment	Best for electrical, indoor use	Ideal for marine & heavy wear	Works well indoors & decorative

Tips to decide:

• Need high strength or corrosion resistance in wet/saltwater? Go for marine-grade bronze.
• Looking for attractive gold tones with easy machining? Brass, especially C360 free-cutting brass, is your best bet.
• Require excellent electrical or thermal conductivity? Pure copper (C101, C110) shines here.
• Budget tight but need solid corrosion resistance? Brass offers a good balance.
• For outdoor art or architecture with a natural patina? Copper or bronze works well—bronze lasts longer outdoors.

Choosing the right alloy is about matching your project’s environment, function, and finish. If you want a deeper dive on material properties, check out our detailed material metal guide with types, properties, and uses for expert insight.

Keep in mind, getting your metal in the right form—whether sheet, bar, or tube—also adds to project success. That’s why at Vast, we offer fast custom cutting and a wide range of grades to fit your needs precisely.

Vast Product Range – Available Grades & Forms

We offer a wide selection of copper, bronze, and brass grades to meet diverse project needs across the U.S. market.

Pure Copper

• C10100 (Electrolytic Tough Pitch – ETP): Great for electrical applications due to high conductivity.
• C11000 (Oxygen-Free Copper): Used where superior electrical and thermal performance is needed.

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• C51000 Phosphor Bronze: Known for strength and corrosion resistance, ideal for bearings and marine parts.
• C63000 Aluminum Bronze: Exceptional toughness, often used in harsh marine environments.
• C65500 Silicon Bronze: Combines strength and good corrosion resistance, common in architectural uses.
• C83600 Leaded Red Bronze: Excellent machinability and wear resistance, suitable for heavy-duty applications.

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• C26000 Cartridge Brass: A versatile, yellow-brass alloy used for a variety of fittings and decorative elements.
• C36000 Free-Cutting Brass: Popular for precision machining with excellent workability.
• C46400 Naval Brass: A marine-grade brass that withstands saltwater corrosion well.
• C70600 CuNi 90/10 (Copper-Nickel): Used extensively in marine and industrial applications for durability.

Available Forms

• Sheet & Plate
• Round Bar & Hex Bar
• Tube & Pipe
• Fittings & Custom Profiles

We ensure consistent quality across all these forms, ideal for everything from industrial manufacturing to custom design projects. For precision cutting and fabrication, check out our expert custom metal fabricators near me for precision projects, providing fast, reliable service to meet your deadlines.

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Industrial Machinery

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Finish Type	Appearance	cURL Too many subrequests.	Typical Uses
Mill Finish	cURL Too many subrequests.	cURL Too many subrequests.	Industrial parts, fabrication
Polished	Smooth, reflective shine	Enhances aesthetics, easy to clean	Decorative trim, musical instruments
cURL Too many subrequests.	Matte with fine lines	Hides fingerprints, subtle texture	Architectural panels, fixtures
Antique Patina	Darkened, aged look	Vintage or rustic feel, enhances character	Sculptures, antiques, marine hardware
Lacquered	Clear protective coating	Prevents tarnishing and oxidation	Outdoor applications, decorative pieces

Many of these finishes help protect the metal while highlighting the unique color tones of copper, bronze, or brass. For example, lacquer helps keep brass from turning green, while antique patinas bring out deeper bronze hues naturally.

Choosing the right finish depends on your project’s look and exposure to elements. For detailed surface roughness values and finish standards, you might also find our surface roughness guide helpful in selecting the perfect texture for your application.

Certifications & Quality Assurance

When working with copper, bronze, and brass, certifications and quality assurance are vital to ensure you get the right material for your project. Our products comply with major industry standards such as ASTM, EN, and UNS. These certifications guarantee traceability, quality, and performance consistency across all material batches.

Every order comes with Mill Test Certificates (MTCs) that verify chemical composition, mechanical properties, and heat treatment details. This transparency is crucial for critical applications like marine, aerospace, or electrical where material compliance matters.

We also meet important environmental and safety standards like RoHS and REACH, confirming that our metals are free from hazardous substances and safe for use in regulated industries.

By choosing certified copper, bronze, or brass from us, you’re assured of premium quality that meets rigorous U.S. and international standards, giving you confidence in durability and performance.

Stock & Custom Cutting Services

We offer fast, reliable stock and custom cutting services for copper, bronze, and brass to fit your exact project needs. Choose from precision methods like same-day cutting, waterjet, laser cutting, sawing, and shearing. Whether you need sheets, plates, bars, or tubes cut to size, our in-house capabilities ensure tight tolerances and quick turnaround.

This level of flexibility helps you save time and avoid delays—perfect for tight U.S. project schedules. Plus, our expertise guarantees clean edges and professional finishes on all non-ferrous metals. For detailed machining tasks, check out our master end milling techniques with Vast Carbide tools for precision.

No matter the size or complexity, we tailor services to match your requirements while maintaining top quality. Reach out to discuss your custom cutting needs and get your copper, bronze, or brass parts ready fast.

Pricing & Lead Time Guide

When it comes to copper, bronze, and brass, pricing generally follows material grade, alloy complexity, and order size. Pure copper (like C10100 and C11000) usually sits in the mid-to-high price range due to its excellent conductivity and widespread use. Bronze grades (phosphor bronze, aluminum bronze, silicon bronze) tend to be a bit pricier because of their alloying elements and enhanced durability. Brass alloys, especially free-cutting types like C36000, are often more affordable and available in larger quantities.

General pricing tiers:

• Pure Copper: Moderate to high price
• Bronze: Moderate to premium price
• Brass: Low to moderate price

Lead times typically range from same-day cutting availability on stocked materials to a few weeks for custom alloys or large volumes. We recommend reaching out directly for an exact quote and delivery schedule tailored to your project needs.

Fast, reliable order processing and in-house precision cutting ensure quick turnaround, keeping your project on track without surprise delays.

For more detailed insights on material choices and their impact on cost and availability, check out our high-temperature alloy insights and applications page.

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cURL Too many subrequests. cURL Too many subrequests., cURL Too many subrequests., bronze bushings are widely used in industrial machinery and marine applications, valued for their strength and wear resistance. Brass accessories like brass ball valves offer great machinability and corrosion resistance, making them popular in plumbing, HVAC, and fluid control systems.

Other useful accessories are:

• Copper busbars and connectors for electrical installations
• Bronze marine hardware like fasteners and fittings
• Brass decorative trims and lock components

These accessories complement the core materials and help optimize performance and longevity in various projects. For precision machining advice on these materials, check out our guide on choosing materials for optimal CNC performance.

Why Choose Vast for Copper, Bronze, and Brass?

With over 20 years specializing in non-ferrous metals like copper, bronze, and brass, Vast offers unmatched expertise tailored to your project needs. Here’s why Vast stands out:

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Large Ready Stock	Quick availability of popular grades and forms minimizes your lead time.
Fast Worldwide Delivery	Reliable shipping across the U.S. and globally ensures your materials arrive when you need them.
In-House Precision Cutting	Custom cuts with waterjet, laser, and sawing tools for exact dimensions and minimal waste.
Testing & Quality Assurance	On-site labs ensure every batch meets ASTM, UNS, and other certifications, so you get consistent quality.

Whether you need copper busbars, marine-grade bronze plates, or free-cutting brass rods, Vast combines inventory depth with fast, precise service. Our experienced team helps you pick the right alloy and form for your application — all backed by professional support.

For projects that demand tight tolerances or custom machining, see our detailed guide on machining techniques to understand how our precision processes deliver quality every time.

Choose Vast to simplify your supply chain and get the best in copper, bronze, and brass materials delivered fast and ready to work.