WRC 009

Physical, metallurgical and welding properties of copper-bearing stainless steels containing up to 30% chromium and between 0 and 35% nickel, phase relations, hot-working properties, corrosion resistance, age-hardening characteristics, effects of Mn, Si, Mo, Cb, Ti, W, Be, V, etc. Detailed tables listing the various patented and commercial alloys are also included.

Although a considerable number of copper-bearing stainless steels are produced commercially, very little has been reported about them in the literature. Moreover, the information that has been published is often highly controversial. Thus, considerable disagreements are reported by different authors who discuss similar alloys.

In part this lack of information is due to certain, often misunderstood, physical metallurgical phenomena that occur only in these alloys and are not experienced in the more commonly used standard stainless steels designated by A.I.S.I. Type numbers

Since most of the copper-bearing stainless steels serve certain useful functions, an attempt has been made to discuss and correlate these alloys as well as was possible with the limited and controversial information available. Nevertheless, additional information and data on many of these alloys are needed.

To discuss this controversial subject in a logical sequence, the initial sections discuss briefly the effects of copper in ordinary steels. Then, after the additional effects of nickel, chromium, and of other elements have been introduced, the various types of copper-bearing stainless steels are discussed in detail.