Alloy Selector

Traceability to the original melt

The alloys we manufacture start life in the foundry, where raw ingredients are melted and combined in electric induction melting furnaces. When the correct composition is achieved, and the alloy is free from dissolved gases and impurities, the material is cast.

Each cast is a unique entity and is allocated a unique melt number. This is permanently marked on the cast product. The unique melt identity is maintained throughout the manufacturing process on every single piece. All tests and inspections are directly related and traceable to each unique melt number.

When the product is delivered, the unique melt number can be clearly seen marked on each piece and the accompanying material certification references this unique number. This helps in showing the actual results of all product verification testing.

Unique melt number shown on an alloy component.

Material testing processes

All products are tested and inspected in accordance with all expected technical specifications such as component drawing notes or product definitions.

This helps to prolong an alloy’s lifespan and improve the quality of performance.

Destructive testing

Destructive testing helps to analyse the following factors:

  • Chemical composition
  • Tensile strength
  • Proof stress
  • Yield strength
  • Elongation percentage
  • Hardness
  • Grain size

Non-destructive testing

Non-destructive testing helps to analyse:

  • Surface texture
  • Surface quality through dye penetration
  • Internal soundness via ultrasonic inspection
  • Visual inspection
  • Dimensional inspection
  • Relative magnetic permeability
  • Electrical conductivity or resistivity

Certification of Product

Alongside the unique melt numbers, each delivery has a unique material certification that clearly states the results of all the tests performed on the delivered product.

Additional documentation, such as heat treatment certification and completed quality plans are also provided as required by the customer’s order as well as technical and quality specifications.

We provide the clearest and most comprehensive certification packs available making life easy for our customers.

BS EN 10204: Mill Testing 3.1 Certification

This is our company-default level of testing and certification. Tests are performed on the delivered product against the requirements of the order, material specifications and other quality demands.

The results of these tests are reported on our material certificates, which are legally signed for by a person within our quality team – independent from production. These documents are True Mill Certificates, direct from the manufacturer and on our company letterhead.

By ordering your material and components from Copper Alloys, you will be certain to receive compliant hardware backed up with robust documentation.

BS EN 10204: Type 3.2 Certification

This involves a 3rd party, typically nominated by the customer, countersigning the Mill Certificate. Usually, the 3rd party will oversee the normal manufacturing process, witnessing traceability, testing and the extraction of test specimens.

Ultimately, the 3rd party countersigns all certifications and may hard stamp the product with their unique inspection stamp.

As the manufacturing mill, Copper Alloys can provide True 3.2 certification packs.

Our mission is to ensure the reliability and integrity of every product we manufacture.

Typical NDT Services offered:

  • PCN Level 2 and level 3 services available
  • Ultrasonic Testing using manual contact method
  • Liquid penetrant inspection using water washable visible, solvent removable visible and a semi-automated fluorescent penetrant inspection line capable of up to 250kg’s per dip
  • Visual Testing using the direct method
  • Procedure writing
  • Technique sheet drawing
  • Test block drawings and manufacture
  • Supervised testing
  • Site witnessing

Calibrations:

  • Copper Alloys takes pride in the calibration of all measuring equipment, whether it’s chemical analysis, hardness testing or ultrasonic inspection, our gear is highly calibrated
  • All calibrations are in accordance with specific equipment national and international standards and are carried out using UKAS accredited laboratories
  • Test blocks are all calibrated in accordance with national and international standards

Accreditations:

  • ISO 9001:2015
  • AS9100 Rev. D
  • EN 9100:2018 (technically equivalent to AS9100D and JISQ 9100:2016)
  • BSI ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management
  • BSI ISO45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management
  • Cyber Essentials Plus
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    Alloy Selector
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    +44 (0) 1782 816888

    [email protected]

    Auckland Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2AZ, United Kingdom