Plant and mechanical engineering

New copper-based alloys that combine good physical properties have been specifically developed for electrical and electronic systems. They are summarised under the term low-alloyed copper materials. Their specific characteristics are particularly valued in plant engineering. Wind turbines, machine tools and even robots benefit from them.

Especially moving systems such as robots and wind turbines appreciate the good torsional tolerance and high fatigue strength as well as the contact ability and drawability of these materials. In apparatus, power plant and shipbuilding, for example, copper-zinc alloys are used for heat exchanger bottoms and in condensers because of their resistance to corrosion and seawater, while in mechanical engineering and vehicle construction they are used as bearing materials because of their wear properties. Some of the most important applications in mechanical engineering are: Conveyor technology, conveyor belts, escalators, gear construction, axle construction, motor vehicle construction, brake shoes, pedal bearings, rod bearings, camshaft bearings, construction machinery.

In mechanical engineering and general technology, refrigeration, oxygen, superheated steam, high-pressure and acid fittings, pump bodies and valves, plain bearings, piston rods, worm, screw and gear wheels are often made of cast copper-tin alloys. In 2019, 8 % of the copper used worldwide went to this sector alone, according to the report.

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