Copper material has a very long association with civilization: historians named an entire age after an alloy. Copper has several key attributes: it’s second only to silver for conducting electricity and it conducts heat extremely well. Lighter, cheaper and more resistant to corrosion than iron and steel, copper and brass need less energy to refine or manufacture than does aluminum. It’s even naturally antimicrobial. Finally, it has near total recyclability, allowing copper to stay in the industrial system long after the particular part is past its usefulness.

Given these benefits, it’s no wonder so much copper and brass are used for wiring and electric motors and transformers, radiator and brake tubing, plumbing and natural gas pipeline installations, and as a building material from roof to foundation. You can source your copper and brass from one of these three main categories of copper and brass service centers:

1. Buy copper raw materials from general-purpose brass producers;

2. Discover out of the ordinary alloys from specialty copper alloy distributors; or

3. Acquire unique materials or parts from niche market copper and brass distributors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Obtain your basic brass component materials from copper producers

General-purpose suppliers offer a wide range of copper and brass materials in coil, bar, ingot or sheet for you to shape and finish into whatever product you manufacture.

I recommend: Busby Metals distributes of brass, bronze, copper and beryllium copper bus conductors. Specialty alloys available: naval, tobin, commercial, manganese, phosphor and silicon bronzes; beryllium, tellurium, leaded, zirconium, chromium, ETP and oxygen free coppers; free cutting brass; and copper nickel. Ampco Metal SA supplies high-alloyed copper for die casting, metal forming, mold making, welding and general engineering applications.

Acquire special purpose alloys from copper distributors

Microelectronics devices comprised of copper-beryllium alloys conserve natural resources, are more energy efficient, have longer product life and increase electrical conductivity, all of which lead to increased battery life and reduced charging times. The green movement has led some manufacturers to search for lead substitutes in their copper and brass alloys that replicate lead's benefits without its harmful effects.

I recommend: Brush Wellman is the world’s only supplier and fully-integrated producer of beryllium and beryllium oxide. Concast began producing brass and bronze ingot in 1891. They produce “Green Alloys,” a lead-free brass product you can use in plumbing projects.

Find unique uses for copper materials from made to order copper service centers

Some manufacturers supply copper materials for niche markets, such as raw materials form for arts and crafts or finished products for the building trade.

I recommend: Chicago Extruded Metals can cast, extrude and finish custom shapes from brass, such as lock parts, automotive parts, industrial valves & fittings, medical parts, architectural products or musical instruments. Founded in 1975, Atlas Metal Sales supplies specialty alloys to bronze sculptors, fabricators, foundries, blacksmiths, artists and craftsmen.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Copper and brass' growing list of uses, coupled with their shrinking supply, magnifies the need to stay abreast of futures' prices. Market Technologies' VantagePoint software can help keep tabs on futures trading and prices on metals, letting you plan ahead on budgeting for brass and copper materials.