Differences Between Stainless Steel & Copper Alloy Materials in RF Coaxial Connectors such as SMA, SMP, N, 2.92mm, 2.4mm
Differences in Material and Processing Costs
Stainless steel ( commonly grades 304 & 316 ) contains precious metals such as chromium and nickel, resulting in inherently high raw material costs. In addition, its high hardness and toughness necessitate precision CNC machining to meet the stringent accuracy requirements of RF connectors, leading to substantial energy consumption and processing costs.
Copper alloys such as brass and phosphor bronze feature lower raw material prices and relatively soft textures. They can be easily formed via simple processes like stamping and cutting, with minimal material waste and high production efficiency, which significantly reduces overall manufacturing costs.
Application Drives Up Stainless Steel Costs
Stainless steel SMA connectors are primarily designed for extreme environment compatibility. For instance, their excellent salt spray and acid-alkali resistance make them ideal for marine equipment, while their high mechanical strength suits the vibration and shock conditions of aerospace applications. These high-end scenarios impose rigorous requirements on material purity, surface treatment and performance testing (e.g., 480-hour salt spray testing), which further elevates product pricing.
Copper alloy connectors, on the other hand, are mostly used in general-purpose scenarios such as laboratory test equipment and consumer electronics, where environmental resistance requirements are relatively low. Basic corrosion resistance can be achieved through electroplating (e.g., nickel or gold plating) without complex specialized treatments, making them more cost-effective in pricing.
3. The Weight of Products
Stainless steel products of the same model are slightly heavier than their copper alloy counterparts.
The above shows that the stainless steel same models are a little more expensive than the copper alloy counterparts.
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