There are many copper alloys which fall within each group and a selection are examined here. Copper Development Association publication 120 Copper and Copper Alloys gives a more comprehensive breakdown of standards, compositions and properties. Typical applications for marine environments include heat exchangers and condensers, seawater piping, hydraulic tubing, pump and valve components, bearings, fasteners, marine fittings, propellers, shafts, offshore sheathing and aquaculture cages.
In binary Cu-Sn alloys, up to about 8% tin allows the alloy to be readily cold formed and significant increases in hardness and strength can be achieved. The mechanical properties are further improved by small alloying additions of phosphorus of up to 0.4%, leading to the name phosphor bronze. Castings can contain more than 8% Sn and, if so, may require soaking at temperatures of about 700o C until a second tin-rich phase disappears returning to a more corrosion resistant single phase alloy.