title = "Copper, Brass, and Bronze in Metal Manufacturing"

content = """
Copper and its alloys are processed at Ridgecrest Metalworks primarily for electrical, thermal, and
corrosion-resistant applications. Although they represent a smaller volume than steel or aluminum,
they require specific handling, machining, and storage protocols to maintain material integrity and
prevent cross-contamination.

Commercially Pure Copper:
Copper in its pure form (Unified Numbering System C10100–C12200) offers the highest electrical
conductivity of any common engineering metal, approximately 58 MS/m at room temperature. It is also
an excellent thermal conductor, second among common metals only to silver. Pure copper is soft, highly
ductile, and easily formed or drawn. Oxygen-free high-conductivity copper (OFHC, C10100) is used where
weld porosity from residual oxygen would be a concern, such as in vacuum or hermetic applications.

Brass (Copper-Zinc Alloys):
Brass is the most commonly machined copper alloy at Ridgecrest. Zinc content typically ranges from
5% to 40%. Free-cutting brass (C36000, approximately 35% Zn and 3% Pb) is considered the benchmark
for machinability among all metals, with a machinability rating of 100% used as the reference standard.
It produces short, easily controlled chips and requires minimal cutting forces. Common applications
include valve bodies, fittings, nuts, gears, and decorative hardware.

Naval brass (C46400) contains tin in addition to zinc, providing improved corrosion resistance in
seawater environments — appropriate for marine hardware.

Bronze (Copper-Tin and Specialty Alloys):
Phosphor bronze (copper-tin-phosphorus, C51000 series) provides higher strength than pure copper
and excellent fatigue resistance, making it suitable for springs, bushings, and bearing materials.
Aluminum bronze (copper-aluminum, C60800–C64200) offers high strength and outstanding corrosion
resistance, including resistance to seawater and many industrial chemicals.

Beryllium copper (C17200) is an age-hardenable alloy providing the highest strength of any copper alloy
(up to 200,000 psi tensile strength) combined with excellent electrical conductivity. It is used for
precision springs, contacts, and bearings. CRITICAL SAFETY NOTE: Beryllium is a highly toxic metal.
Machining, grinding, or welding beryllium copper generates beryllium fumes and dust that cause
chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a serious and irreversible lung disease. Designated work areas with
engineering controls, air monitoring, and medical surveillance are mandatory for all beryllium copper work.

Storage: Copper alloys must be stored separately from ferrous materials to prevent galvanic corrosion
when moisture is present. Separate identified storage racks are maintained in the non-ferrous stockroom.
"""

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