Copper alloys?

[Eldonko]

Hey guys, I am about to buy some copper chunks to try making my own tubes but I am confused about this alloy business, I cant make any sense of it. Is there certian types that will work better than others? For example:

COPPER ROUNDS [ALLOY 110 ASTM B187 Electrolytic Tough Pitch] 2 1/4

Is this what I want?

Thanks!

[SoddemFX]

I get confused with copper alloys. All have slightly lower conductivity at best, but the ease of machining is much better.

Ive used free machining copper before which is a damn sight nicer to work with. High purity copper is a right pain when you have to machine large sturctures...

Hope this helps,

Tom

[G H Z]

I saw that on the link you gave over at OCF donkey, not sure either. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for sure, it's fun stuff.

Hey soddem have you ever tried machining pure copper with carbide, just wondering if that any better.

[Eldonko]

I was wondering what was up because they quoted me 1/2 the price of aluminum for that copper alloy I listed above. Maybe I will just call and ask some questions.

[gloatlizard]

i know that the alloy used for cooling is the 110 electrolytic

[SoddemFX]

Hey soddem have you ever tried machining pure copper with carbide, just wondering if that any better.

G H Z,

I use standard steel regrindable. I dont get problems with excessive tool wear but my small lathe has problems developing high enough torque at cutting speed on larger diameter work. Does carbide tooling make much of a difference with high purity copper? Let me know as if it does i'll go and buy some.

Sorry for the O/T Eldonko, hope you dont mind

Tom

[speed bump]

110 copper is pretty good stuff it is fairly pure(matters mainly for eletrical applications) it is possible to buy even higher purity copper but you don't what to know what that costs.

Anyway a quick google seearch netted me this chart which appears to explain everything you need to know about the copper alloy process.
http://www.metal-mart.com/Guides/Copper_Alloy_Guide.htm

[Eldonko]

Ahh, nice thanks )