List of copper alloys

By contrast, tin is relatively rare (2 parts per million), and in Europe and the Mediterranean region, and even in prehistoric times had to be traded considerable distances, and was expensive, sometimes virtually unobtainable.

Historical types, such as those that characterize the Bronze Age, are vaguer as the mixtures were generally variable.

The following table outlines the chemical composition of various grades of copper alloys.

The zinc content can vary between few % to about 40%; as long as it is kept under 15%, it does not markedly decrease corrosion resistance of copper.

Copper is often alloyed with precious metals like gold (Au) and silver (Ag).

Example of a copper alloy object: a Neo- Sumerian foundation figure of Gudea , circa 2100 BC, made in the lost-wax cast method, overall: 17.5 x 4.5 x 7.3 cm, probably from modern-day Iraq , now in the Cleveland Museum of Art ( Cleveland , Ohio , USA)
Binary Cu Si phase diagram, the base phase diagram for silicon bronzes generated using NIMS Open databases https://cpddb.nims.go.jp/cpddb/cu-ehttps://cpddb.nims.go.jp/cpddb/cu-elem/cusi/cusi.htm - DOI https://doi.org/10.48505/nims.3060 and Computherm Pandat https://computherm.com/
Binary Cu Si phase diagram, the base phase diagram for silicon bronzes
Binary Cu Al phase diagram, the base phase diagram for aluminium bronzes
Binary Cu Al phase diagram, the base phase diagram for aluminium bronzes, generated using NIMS Open databases https://cpddb.nims.go.jp/cpddb/al-elem/alcu/alcu.htm - DOI https://doi.org/10.48505/nims.3060 and Computherm Pandat https://computherm.com/
Binary Cu Sn phase diagram
Binary Cu Sn phase diagram, the base phase diagram for bronzes, generated using NIMS Open databases https://cpddb.nims.go.jp/cpddb/cu-elem/cusn/cusn.htm - DOI https://doi.org/10.48505/nims.3060 and Computherm Pandat https://computherm.com/
Cu Zn binary phase diagram. Base phase diagram for brasses
Binary Cu Zn phase diagram, the base phase diagram for brasses, generated using NIMS Open database https://cpddb.nims.go.jp/cpddb/cu-elem/cu_index.htm  Cu-Zn - DOI https://doi.org/10.48505/nims.3060 and Computherm Pandat https://computherm.com/