Copper readily forms a protective oxide film when heated in air, Copper readily forms a protective sulphide film with oils containing only traces of sulphur compounds, Copper has a high thermal conductivity for the dissipation of the frictional heat, thus reducing the surface temperature, Tin strengthens copper and hardens it sufficiently to be compatiblewith unhardened stee, Copper alloys usually have a face-centered-cubic structure while the mating surface is usually a ferrous alloy with a body-centered-cubic structure. This difference contributes to the anti-seizure characteristics of copper alloys against iron alloys.

Copper readily forms a protective oxide film when heated in air, Copper readily forms a protective sulphide film with oils containing only traces of sulphur compounds, Copper has a high thermal conductivity for the dissipation of the frictional heat, thus reducing the surface temperature, Tin strengthens copper and hardens it sufficiently to be compatiblewith unhardened stee, Copper alloys usually have a face-centered-cubic structure while the mating surface is usually a ferrous alloy with a body-centered-cubic structure. This difference contributes to the anti-seizure characteristics of copper alloys against iron alloys.