Nordic Copper

Copper surfaces

The natural development of copper patina is one of copper’s unique characteristics. Within a few days of exposure to the atmosphere, the surface of Nordic Standard copper begins to oxidize, changing its color from the “bright” mill finish to a chestnut brown which gradually darkens over several years to a chocolate brown. Continued weathering can then result in development of the distinctive green patina – or blue in coastal locations. The patina film provides impressive protection against corrosion and can repair itself if damaged, defining the exceptional longevity of copper cladding.

Nordic Copper

Over the last few decades, Aurubis has developed a range of factory-applied surface treatments to provide the various stages of oxidation and patination straightaway. The processes involved are very similar to those taking place over time in the environment and utilize copper mineral compounds, not invasive chemical treatments.

Aurubis’ products for architectural applications use phosphorus deoxidized copper, designated Cu-DHP and complying with EN 1172:2011 – “Copper and Copper Alloys: Sheet and Strip for Building Purposes”. This pure and natural material exhibits a unique range of characteristics and performance benefits.

Nordic Surfaces are supplied with a protective sheet on the finished face.

Aurubis works closely with architects in developing special individual levels of patination of Nordic Surfaces, custom-made surfaces and other techniques in order to meet their design requirements or to match histori­cally patinated copper on existing buildings. Therefore, the early involvement in the architectural design process is essential.

Nordic Standard

Nordic Standard is mill finish copper without any additional surface treatments carried out in the factory. It has the traditional “bright” finish that develops and changes in the environment, as described earlier.

Shapes: Sheet, coil

Other dimensions on request.

Nordic Brown

Nordic Brown products are pre-oxidized at Aurubis’ factory to provide the same oxidized brown surface immediately that otherwise develops over time in the environment.

The thickness of the oxide layer determines the color: both Nordic Brown Light and the darker Nordic Brown versions are available.

Nordic Brown products are useful to minimize hand and other construction marks which can occur for a short time after installing “bright” standard copper. But light and dark versions can also be combined – perhaps with other finishes such as Nordic Standard – to create various visual effects.

Shapes: Sheet, coil

Other dimensions on request.

Nordic Green and Nordic Blue

Nordic Green and Nordic Blue products offer designers unparal­leled design freedom and the ability to determine the type and intensity of green or bluish patina for each project with choices of “Living” surfaces.

The factory process can be accu­rately controlled so that, as well as the solid green or blue patina color, other intensities of patina flecks can be created, revealing some of the dark oxidized background material.

In close partnership between Aurubis’ experts and architects, special individual levels of patination can be developed to meet the design requirements or to match historically patinated copper on existing buildings.

The material is easily bent and formed, and there are no limita­tions on the length of pre-patinat­ed copper sheet or strip because whole coils are treated on the pro­duction line, not just limited size sheets.

MINERAL-BASED GREEN

The most common compound found in natural patinas all over the world is the copper sulfate mineral brochantite. Aurubis’ factory-ap­plied patinas have been developed with properties and colors based on the same brochantite mineralogy. Brochantite is a light blue color, but in many locations impurities and other components in the air add a yellow tint to give the naturally developed patina a green hue. In the same way, Nordic Green is pro­duced with a hint of iron sulfate yellow component added to the blue copper sulfate, replicating the natural green.

Nordic Green products offer designers unparalleled design freedom.

MINERAL-BASED BLUE

In marine climates, the natural copper patina contains some cop­per chloride, giving it more of a blue color, which is emulated with Nordic Blue. Brochantite is a light blue color and Aurubis’ Nordic Blue patination is 100 % brochantite.

By its nature, Aurubis’ pre-patina­tion process encourages the con­tinuing formation of natural patina by releasing copper sulfate to react with the copper below. As a result, just like natural patina, Nordic Green and Nordic Blue undergo continuous changes through en­vironmental exposure dependent upon local atmospheric and rainfall conditions.

Shapes: Sheet, coil

Other dimensions on request.

NORDIC ROYAL™

Nordic Royal™ is an alloy of copper with aluminum and zinc, giving it a rich golden through-color that changeably incorporates a matte, golden-brown surface.

It behaves differently from other Aurubis copper products over time and does not develop a blue or green patina. Exceptional cases are coastal and humid regions.

Shapes: Sheet, coil

Other dimensions on request.

Nordic Brass

Nordic Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc with a distinctive golden yellow color.

When exposed to the atmosphere, the surface begins to darken within weeks and can change to a dark brown in around a year.

A weathered brownish surface is also available to provide the same oxidized brown surface that otherwise develops over time in the environment.

Shapes: Sheet, plate

Other dimensions on request.

Nordic Bronze

Nordic Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin with a similar color to Nordic Standard initially. When exposed to the atmosphere, the surface gradu­ally changes to a reddish dark brown to a black shade.
 

Shapes: Sheet, coil

Other dimensions on request.