Arsenical copper contains up to 0.5%
arsenic which, at elevated temperatures, imparts higher
tensile strength and a reduced tendency to scaling. It is typically specified in
boiler work, especially locomotive fireboxes.
It also helps prevent embrittlement of oxygen-free copper by
bismuth,
antimony and
lead by the formation of complex oxides. Copper with a larger percentage of arsenic is called
arsenical bronze, which can be
work hardening much harder than copper.
See also
