A significantly expanded database version of the Copper Key, an established comparison list of international copper alloy and semi-finished product designations from the Kupferverband, is now available online. The system is the result of collaboration between Kupferverband e.V. and Matplus GmbH. The free cloud version offers users significantly better search and comparison options than the previous online tool.

The new system offers extended search and analysis functions. Not only can the international designations of known alloys be easily found, but extensive information on the chemical composition, typical mechanical and physical properties and product specifications of copper alloys is also available, which can be filtered and analyzed in clear tables. The technical basis for the new copper key database is Matplus EDA®, which is regarded as the market’s leading technical system for materials data, laboratory data, data analysis and knowledge management.

Key to innovation and cost reduction
Material information systems for companies are becoming increasingly important, also in order to be able to meet the constantly growing requirements of consistent material, pollutant and emission accounting. The right information about materials is also a key to innovation and cost reduction. Using the available reference databases, the system can form a basis for building up an in-house master data system for materials so that all IT systems in the company can access consistent information relating to designations, standards, substances and technical data. The configurable interfaces to CAD and FEM systems are of central importance here, so that approved material information can always be accessed in development and work preparation.

Innovative material reference database
The result of the joint project is a highly developed material reference database with great potential for future expansion. “We are pleased to have found a reliable partner in Matplus for the next generations of our expanded data offerings on the Internet,” says Dipl.-Ing. Michael Sander, Managing Director of the Copper Association. “Reliable data is increasingly important for customers – the extended copper key adds significant value for our customers who are building a powerful intranet system for materials,” adds Dr. Uwe Diekmann, managing director of Matplus GmbH.

The copper key database can be used free of charge after registration. It can be found at https://copper.matplus.eu/ and on the website of the Copper Association at www.kupfer.de.

About the Kupferverband e.V.: As the central association of the copper industry with a European orientation, the Kupferverband bundles the various specialist interests of the copper-processing companies and is the mouthpiece of the copper industry. The association’s own team of experts from a wide range of specialist areas such as materials science, environment and health, construction, market analysis as well as communication and marketing has a profound knowledge of copper that enjoys the highest recognition worldwide and is a competent contact partner for all questions relating to the application and use of copper materials, scientific principles and regulatory aspects. In addition, the copper association offers a comprehensive portfolio of services.

About Matplus: Matplus GmbH, based in Wuppertal, Germany, combines unique materials know-how with the leading software solutions for Smart and Lean Materials Engineering: JMatPro® and Matplus EDA®. The Matplus team of materials engineers and software experts is enabling more and more customers from production, engineering, materials development and science to work more efficiently with their materials data and thus accelerate their processes – worldwide. In this context, Matplus customers can rely on recognized and reliable information sources such as Teal Sheets for aluminum, Stahldat for steels or MMPDS for aerospace materials to build up their company-specific materials knowledge that serves various downstream applications such as ERP, PLM and MES.