COPPER CASTING ALLOYS

(hiTl)
Non-Ferrous Founders' Society

~CDA
Copper Development Association

COPPER CASTING ALLOYS

PREFACE
FIGURES:

................................................................ .

........................... ..4

................................................................. 5

FIGURES P-l to P-4. Typical Copper Casting Applicati ons

UNDERSTANDING COPPER CASTING ALLOYS

I.

CLASSIFYING THE COPPER ALLOYS.

.............. 7

Common Classification Systems .......................... .

The UNS Numberi ng System ..................... .......................... ....... .

........ .................................. 7
..... ....... .............. ..7

The Copper Metal Families: Classification and Major Uses ..................... ..

Metallurgy and Foundry Charactel;stics

Effects of Lead ....

TABLES:

.... .......... ....... .......... 10

.................. ... ..... ......... ........... ... .............. ................................ .................. ........... 11

Alloy Characteristics
TABLE I. Standard Temper Designations for Copper Casting Alloys ........... ............ .

...................... ........ 8

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys ........................ .

.. ........................ 12

TABLE 3. Typical Mechanical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys .... ...... ..........

.. .......................... 26

TABLE 4 . Physical Properties of Copper Casting All oys.

....... ..42

TABLE 5. Conforming Specifications for Copper Casting Alloys .....

FIGURES:

.. .... ..47
...... .................................. 25

FlGURES I-I to 1-3 . Representative Copper Alloy Castin gs .. .

FIGURES 1-4 to 1-10. Representative Copper Alloy Castings ................ .

.... ........... ... .. ...... ... ... ...... .52,53

SELECTING COPPER CASTING ALLOYS

II.

SELECTING COPPER ALLOYS FOR CORROSION RESISTANCE .............................................................. .55

Fonns of Corrosion in Copper Alloys ...................................................................................... .

.. .. 55

Selecting Alloys for Corrosive Environments .................... ........ ....... ............................................................ 57

TABLE:
FIGURES:

TABLE 6. Velocity Gu idelines for Copper A lloys in Pumps and Propellers in Seawater.
FlGURES 11-1,11-2. Decreasing corrosion rate over time of Cu-Ni in Seawater.

.. ...... 6 1

................ ............. 61

FIGURE 11-3. Galvanic Series Chart ............................................................................................................. 62

III.

SELECTING COPPER ALLOYS FOR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES . ................ .

....63

Strength .......................................... ..

....63

Strength and Temperature .................. .

..63

Friction and Wear .................................... ...... ..........................................

.................................... .
... 64
Fatigue Strength ............................................... ............. .......................................... ..
.. .............................64

FIGURES:

FIGURES III-I to III-7. Effect of Temperature on Various Mechanical Properties

for Selected Alloys................... .................................... ............. ...........

.. .................................... 65-68

~ CDA
Non-Ferrous Founders' Society
455 State Street Des Plaines, IL 60016

Copper Development Association

260 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016

TABLE OF CONTENTS\continued

IV.

FIGURES:
V.

SELECTING COPPER ALLOYS FOR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

.... ... ........ ........... .. .... .... ...... ...69

Electrical Conductivity ................. .
.................. 69
Thermal Conductivity ........ ..... .. .... .. .. .. ............ ..... .............. ....
.................................. 69
FIGURES IV-I, JV-2. Temperature dependence of elec trical and thermal conductivity for selected
copper casting alloys ...
.........................................................................................................W

SELECTING COPPER ALLOYS FOR FABRICABILITY . ................. .

................... 71

Machinabi lity ..
Weldability ....
Brazing, Soldering ......... .

TABLES:

.................. 71
....... 71

..........................................................................................TI

Alloy Selection Criteria

TABLE 7. Corrosion Ratings of Copper Casting Alloys in Various Med ia ......... .
TABLE 8. Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Typical Tensile Strength ........ .

...... 73
...... 76

TABLE 9. Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Typical Yield Strength ...

........ 78
TABLE 10. Copper Casti ng Alloys Ranked by Compressive Strength ............ ... ... ......... .............................. 80
TABLE II. Impact Properties of Copper Casting Alloys at Various Temperatures.

.... ... .......... ......... ....... 81

TABLE 12. Creep Strengths of Selected Sand-Cast Copper Alloys..........................

...... ....... 82

TABLE 13. Stress-Rupture Properties of Selected Copper Casting Alloys ....

TABLE 14. Common Bronze Bearing Alloys ... ............. .
TABLE 15. Fatigue Propert ies of Selec ted Copper Casting Alloys
TABLE 16. Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Electrical Conductivity
TABLE 17. Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Thermal Conductivity

....... 83
............... 84

....... 85
.... .... ... ........... ... ........ ..................86
................ ..87

TABLE 18. Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Machinability Rating

........ 88

TABLE 19. Joining Characteristics of Selected Copper Casti ng Alloys

...................................... 89
TABLE 20. Technical Factors in the Choice of Casting Method for Copper Alloys ................................... 9 1

FIGURES:

FIGURES V- I, V-2. Examples of Welded Cast Structures ....... ........ .... ......................... .

............... 70

WORKING WITH COPPER CASTING ALLOYS

VI.

CASTING PROCESSES.
Processes for General Shapes ...

..... .......... ....... 93

........ ........................ ... ......... ... ... ... ...... .......... ....................... 93

Processes for Specific Shapes ................ .

Specia l Cast ing Processes ..... ..

Selecting a Casting Process ................................................. ....

.... 96
........... 96
...97

FIGURES:

FIGURES
FIGURES
FIGURES
FIGURES
FIGURES
FIGURES
FIGURES

VII.

CASTING DESIGN PRINCiPLES ............................................................................................................ 104

FIGURES:

Design Fundamentals ....................................................................................................................................... 104

FIGURES Vll-I to Vll4. Casting Design Considerations ..................................................................... 106,107

VI-Ia,b. Sand Casting

................................ ..................
............................................................................ 98
VI-2a,b. Shell Molding .................................................................................................................... 99
VI-3a,b. Investment Casting ................................................................................................... 100,101
VI-4a,b,c. Pennanent Mold ........................................................................................................... 101
VI-5a,b. Die Casting ........... ........................................................................................................... 102
VI-6a,b. Continuous Casting ......................................................................................................... 103
VI-7a,b,c. Centrifugal Casting ....................................................................................................... 103

SPECIFYING AND BUYING COPPER CASTING AllOYS

VIII.

ORDERING A COPPER ALLOY CASTING ............................................................................................ 109

Sample Purchase Order for a Sand Casting .................................................................................................... 110

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................111

Published 1994 by Copper Development Association Inc., 260 Madison A venue, New York, NY 10016
PHOTOGRAPHY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We wish to thank the following for providing photography or the items used for photography in this publication.
Ampco Metal , Inc.
Brush Wellman
Birkett
Canadian Copper & Brass Development Association
Hayward Tyler Fluid Dynamics Ltd.
J.W. Singer & Sons, Ltd.
Southern Centrifugal
Square D Company
Stone Manganese Marine
Westley Brothers
Wisconsin Centrifugal
This Handbook has been prepared for the use of engineers, designers and purchasing managers involved in the selection,
design or machining of copper rod alloys. It has been compiled from infonnation supplied by testing, research, manufacturing,
standards, and consulting organizations that Copper Development Association Inc. believes to be competent sources for such
data. However, CDA assumes no responsibility or liability of any kind in connection with the Handbook or its use by any
person or organization and makes no representations or warranties of any kind thereby_
70t4-0009

PREFACE

This guide was prepared for individuals who select, specify and buy
materials for cast copper alloy products.
Its purpose is to help engineers, designers and purchasing agents understand
copper alloys so they can choose the
most suitable and most economical
material to meet their product's requirements.
There have been several excellent
texts on copper casting alloys published
in recent years, 1.! but these were written

more for the foundry operator than for

designers. engineers and purchasing
agents. The collections of technical data
on cast copper alloys that were published in the 1960s,' 1970s' and as
recently as 1990' are either out of print
or have not been widely distributed. As
a result, few indi viduals are fully aware
of all the technical, economic and practical advantages that the large family of
copper alloys has to offer. The present
guide, written specifically for the design
community, was prepared to fill this

information gap.

Why Specify Cast Copper Alloys?

Cast copper alloys have an
extremely broad range of application.
They are used in virtually every industrial
market category, from ordinary plumbing
goods to precision electronic components
and state-of-the-art marine and nuclear
equipment. Their favorable properties are

often available in useful combinations.

This is particularly valuable when, as is
usually the case, a product must satisfY
several requirements simultaneously.
The following properties are the
reasons cast copper alloys are most often
selected:
Excellent Corrosion Resistance.
The ability to withstand corrosive
environments is the cast copper
alloys' most important and best-

known characteristic. The alloys

have a natural corrosion resistance,

making durability without maintenance an important element of their

long-term cost-effectiveness.
Not surprisingly, water handling equipment of one form or
another constitutes the cast alloys'
largest single market. Copper alloy
castings are also widely used to handle corrosive industrial and process
chemicals, and they are well known
in the food, beverage and dairy
industries. Figure P-l shows several
aluminum bronze pickJing hooks
used to immerse coi ls of steel wire
in hot, dilute sulfuric acid.
Favorable Mechanical Properties.
Pure copper is soft and ductile, and it
is understandably used more often
for its high conductivity than for its
mechanical strength. Some cast copper alloys, on the other hand, have
strengths that rival quenched and
tempered steels.
Almost all copper alloys retain
their mechanical properties, including impact toughness. at very low
temperatures. Other alloys are used
routinely at temperatures as high as
800 F (425 C). No class of engineering materials can match the copper
alloys' combination of strength,
corrosion resistance and thermal
and electrical conductivities over
such a broad temperature range.

Friction and Wear Properties.

Cast sleeve bearings are an important application for copper alloys,
largely because of their excellent tribological properties. For sleeve bearings. no material of comparable
strength can match high leaded
bronzes in terms of low wear rates

against steel. For worm gears, nickel

bronzes and tin bronzes are industry
standards.
Equally important, the copper
alloys' broad range of mechanical
properties enables the designer to
match a specific alloy wi th a bearing's precise operating requirements.
Cast sleeve bearings are shown in
Figure P-2. A comprehensive discussion of copper bearing alloys can
be found in the CDA publication,
Cast Bronze Bearings - Alloy
Selection and Bearing Design

Biofouling Resistance. Copper effectively inhibits algae, barnacles and

other marine organisms from attaching
themselves to submerged surfaces.
Nonfouling behavior is highest in pure
copper and high copper alloys, but it is
also strong in the alloys used in marine
service. Products such as seawater piping, pumps and valves made from copper alloys therefore remain free from
biomass buildup and are able to operate
continuously without the periodic
cleanup needed with steel, rubber or
fiber-reinforced plastic products.
High Electrical and Thermal
Conductivity. Copper's electrical
and thermal conductivities are higher
than any other metal' s except silver.
Even copper alloys with relatively
low conductivities compared with
pure copper conduct heat and electricity far better than other structural
metals such as stainless steels and
titanium.
Unlike most other metals, the
thermal conductivity of many copper
casting alloys increases with rising
temperature. This can improve the
efficiency of copper alloy heat
exchangers. Electrical conductivity
generally decreases with increasing

alloy content, but even relatively

highl y alloyed brasses and bronzes
retain sufficient conductivity for use
as electrical hardware. For example,
the hot-line clamp shown in Figure
P-3 is made from Alloy C84400, a
leaded semi-red brass whose electrical conductivity is only 16% that of
pure copper. Nevertheless, the alloy
has the proper combination of
strength and conductivity required
for this safety- related application.
Other characteristics of the
copper casting alloys can make products simpler and less costl y to produce.
For example:
Good Castability. All copper alloys
can be sand cast. Many compositions
can also be specified for permanent
mold, plaster, precision and die castings, wh ile continuous casting and
centrifugal casting are applicable to
virtually all of the copper alloys.
With such a wide choice of

processes, castabili ty rarely restricts

product design.
Excellent Machinability and
Fabricability. Almost all castings
require some machining; therefore,
the copper alloy's machinability
should be an important design consideration. High surface fini shes and
good tolerance control are the nOnTIS
with these materials. The leaded copper alloys are free-cutting and can be
machined at ultrahigh speeds.
Many unleaded copper alloys
can also be machined easily. For
example. nickle-aluminum bronze
was selected for the motor segment
shown in Figure P-4 in part because
it enabled a 50% savings in machining costs compared with stainless
steel. Another factor to consider is
that many copper alloys are weldable
using a variety of techniques. This
opens the possibility of economical
cast-weld fabrication. Almost all copper alloys can be brazed and soldered.

Reasonable Cost. The copper alloys'

predictable castability raises foundry
yields, keeping costs low. Copper alloy
castings easily compete with stainless
steels and nickel-base alloys, which can
be difficult to cast and machine.
Copper's initial metal cost may
appear high compared with carbon
steel, but when the cost is offset by
copper's additional service life and the
high value of the fully recyclable casting when it is no longer needed, copper's life cycle cost is very competitive.
The following chapters discuss
these important qualities of copper alloys
in detail. Where appropriate, the metals are
ranked according to their mechanical and
physical properties. The intent is to allow
the designer to compare alloys and casting
processes with the intended product's
requirements. By consulting the appropriate tables, it should be possible to narrow
the choice to a small number of suitable
candidate alloys. Final selection can then
be made on the basis of detailed product
requirements, availability and cost.

FIGURE P-2

Cast sleeve bearings

are available in a large
variety of copper
alloys.

FIGURE P-1

Cast aluminum bronze pickling hooks resist corrosion

by hot, dilute sulfuric acid.

FIGURE P-3

A leaded semi-red brass

was selected for this hot
line clamp because it offers
an economical combination
of strength and corrosion
resistance with adequate
electrical conductivity.

FIGURE P-4

The aluminum bronze chosen for this complex motor

segment casting enabled a 50% savings
in machining costs compared with stainless steel.

Understanding Copper Casting Alloys

I. CLASSIFYING THE COPPER ALLOYS

Over the years, copper alloys

ha ve been identified by individual

names and by a vari ety of numbering
systems. Many of these names and
numbers are still used. often interchangeabl y, and because this can be

confusing. we will briefly explain how

the various identification systems relate
to each other. With thi s as a fo undation.
we will next desc ribe the families of
copper al loys as they arc categorized in
lOday' s no menclature. In thi s chapter,
we will al so briefly di scusses the various metals' metallurgical structures and
foundry characteristi cs, since these are
important considerat ions when decid in g
how a casting should be produced.

Common Classification Systems

A 1939 American Society for
Test ing and Materials (ASTM ) standard , Classification of Copper-Base
Alloys, codifi ed 23 di stinct alloy famili es based on general compositional
limits. Already-familiar designat ions
such as "Leaded Brass," "Tin Bronze"
and " Aluminum Bronze" were assoc iated for the first time with specific composition ranges.
Soon, other ASTM standards
added designations for indi vidual all oys
within the families. For exampl e,
"Leaded Semi-Red Brass SA" was
defined as an alloy containing between
78% and 82% copper, 2.25% to 3.25%
tin, 6% to 8% lead and 7% to 10% zinc,
with stated limits on impurities.
Min imum mechani cal propelties were
also fixed, permitting alloys to be
call ed out in design specificati ons and
construction codes.
Another classificatio n system still
in use identifies alloys in terms of their
nominal compos itions. Thus, a leaded
red brass containing 85% copper, 5% tin,

5% lead and 5% zinc is simpl y called

"85-5-5-5." while a leaded tin bronze is
somewhat awkwardly designated as 886-l lh-4 Ih. The system is limited to copper-tin-lead-zinc alloys (always given in
that order). but there are some exceptions.
Vatious other naming and/or numbering systems are used by. for example.
ingot suppliers who fumi sh casting stock
to foundries. or designers who. when
they spec ify alloys, commonl y call out
ASTM or ASME standards or military
specifications. None of these systems is
obsolete; they are just not in general use
in all industries.

The UNS Numbering System

In North America. the accepted
des ignat ions for cast coppe r alloys are
now part of the Unified Numbering
System for Metals and All oys (U NS),
whi ch is managed jointly by the ASTM
and the Society of AUlOmot ive Engineers
(SAE). Under the UNS system, the copper all oys' identifiers take the form of
five-digit ccx1es preceded by the letter "c."
The five-digit codes are based on,
and supersede, an o lder three-digit system developed by the U.s , copper and
brass industry. The older syste m was
admin istered by the Copper
Development Assoc iation (CDA ), and
alloys are still sometimes identifi ed by
thei r "CDA numbers." The UNS designation s for copper alloys are si mply twodig it extensions of the CDA numbers.
For example, the leaded red brass (85-55-5), once known as CDA Copper Alloy
No. 836, became UNS C83600.
This selection guide uses UNS
numbers for all alloys, but traditional
names are included for clarity wherever
appropriate. In addition, alloys are
described by their tempers, which are
term s that defi ne metallurgical cond i-

lion. heat treatment. and/or casti ng

method. The terminology assoc iated
with tempers is spelled out in ASTM B
60 1.7 and temper designations app licable to cast alloys are listed in Table 1,
page S. For convenience. T able 2, page
12, lists the all oys by UNS number,
common name and conforming specification s.
The UNS alloy list is updated
periodicall y. New alloys may be added
on request to COA, subject to a few
simple restrictions, whil e alloys that are
no longer produced are deleted. The
all oys desc ribed in this handbook are
listed in CDA's Standard Designations
j(Jr Wrought alld Cast Copper al1d
Copper Allol's, 1992 ed ition.

The Copper Alloy Families:

Classification and Major Uses
Cast copper alloys are assig ned
UNS nu mbers from C80000 to C99999.
The metal s are arranged in a series of
eight families drawn from the 18 compositionally related classifications previously identifi ed by the ASTM . These
families. so me of which include subclassifications. include:
Coppers (C80100-C81200).
Coppers are high-purity metal s with a
minimum designated copper con tent of
99.3%. They are not in tentionally
alloyed but may contain traces of si lver
or deoxidizers. The phosphorus deox idizer in, for example, CS I200 renders
thi s copper somewhat easier to weld by
oxyacetylene techniques.
The coppers are soft and duct il e
and are used almost exc lusively for
their un surpassed electrical and thermal
conducti vities in products such as term inal s, connectors and (water-cooled) hot
meta l handling equipment. Figure 1-1,
page 25 , shows a blast fumace tuyere

TABLE 1. Standard Temper

Designations for
Copper Casting Alloys
(Based on ASTM B 601)
Temper Designations

Temper Names

Annealed-O

010
011

Cast and Annealed

(Homogenized)
As Cast and Precipitation
Heat Treated

As-Manufaclured- M
MOl
M02
M03
MO'
MOS
M06
MOl

As Sand Cast
As Centrifugal Cast
As Plaster Cast
As Pressure Die Cast
As Permanent Mold Cast
As Investment Cast
As Continuous Cast

Heat-Treated-TO
TOD~

T030
TOSO

Quench Hardened
Quench Hardened and
Tempered
Quench Hardened and
Temper Annealed

So lution Heal Treated

and Spinodal Heat
Treated-TX

TXOO

Spinodal Hardened (AT)

So lution Heal
Treated-TB
TBOO

Solution Heat Treated (A)

Solution Heat Treated

and Precipitation Heal

Treated-TF
TfOO

Precipitation Hardened (AT)

cast from high conductivity copper. The

coppers have very high corrosion resistance, but this is usually a secondary
consideration.
High Copper Alloys (C81400C82800). Next in order of decreasing
copper content are alloys with a minimum designated purity of 94% Cu. The
high copper alloys are used primarily
for their unique combination of high
strength and good conductivity. Their
corrosion resistance can be better than
that of copper itself. Chromium coppers
(C8 1400 and C81500), with a tensile
strength of 45 ksi (3 10 MPa) and a conductivity of 82% lACS (see page 86)
(as heat treated), are used in electrical
contacts, clamps, welding gear and similar electromechanical hardware. At

more than 160 ksi (1,100 MPa), the

beryllium coppers have the highest ten
sile strengths of all the copper alloys.
They are used in heavy duty mechanical
and electromechani cal equipment requiring ultrahigh strength and good electrical and/or thennal conductivity. The
resistance welding machine component
shown in Figure 1.2, page 25, was cast
in beryll ium copper for precisely those
reasons.
The high copper all oys' corrosion
resistance is as good as or better than
that of pure copper. It is adequate for
electrical and electronic products used
outdoors or in marine environments,
which generally do not require extraordinary corrosion protection.
Brasses (C83300-C87900).
Brasses are copper alloys in which zinc
is the principal alloying addition.
Brasses may also contain specified
quantities of lead, tin, manganese and
silicon. There are five subcategories of
cast brasses, including two groups of
coppertin-(lead)-zinc alloys:
C833()()"c838I 0 and C842()()"c84800.
the red and leaded red brasses and semired and leaded semi-red brasses, respectively;
copperzinc-(lead) alloys, C85200C85800, yellow brasses and leaded
yellow brasses;
manganese bronzes and leaded manganese bronzes, C861 QO-{:86800,
also known as high strength and leaded hi gh strength yellow brasses; and,
copper-silicon alloys, C87300C87900, which are called silicon
brasses or, if they contain more silicon than zinc, silicon bronzes.
The lower the zinc content in the
copper-tin-(lead)-zinc alloys. the more
copper- like, or "red" they appear. With
a few exceptions, red and leaded red
brasses contain less than about 8% zinc;
semi-red brasses, including the leaded
versions, contain between 7% and 17%
zinc, while yellow brasses and their
leaded counterparts contain as much as
4 1% zinc. Brasses containing up to
32.5% zinc are also sometimes called
"alpha" brasses after the common designation for their single-phase, facecentered cubic crystal structure.

Red and Semi-Red Brasses,

Unleaded and Leaded (C83300C84800). The most important brasses in
tenns of tonnage poured are the leaded
red brass, C83600 (85-5-5-5), and the
leaded semi-red brasses, C84400,
C84500 and C84800 (8 1-3-7-9, 78-3-712 and 76-3-6- 15, respecti vely). All of
these alloys are widely used in water
valves, pumps, pipe fittings and plumbing hardware. A typical downstream
water meter is shown in Figure 1-3,
page 25.
Yellow Brasses (C85200C85800). Leaded yellow brasses such
as C85400 (67-1-3-29), C85700
(63- 1- 1-35) and C85800 are relatively
low in cost and have excellent castability , high machinabi lity and favorable
finishing characteristics. Their corrosion
resistance, whil e reasonably good, is
lower than that of the red and semi-red
brasses. Typical tensile strengths range
from 34 to 55 ksi (234 to 379 MPa).
Leaded yellow brasses are commonly used for mechanical products
such as gears and machine components,
in which relative ly high strength and
moderate con'osion resistance must be
combined with superior machinability,
The yell ow brasses are often used for
architectural trim and decorative hardware, The relatively narrow solidification range and good high-temperature
ductility of the yellow brasses permi t
some of these alloys to be die cast. The
yellow brass door bolt shown in Figure
1-4, page 52, was pressure die cast to
near net shape, thereby avoiding the
costly machining and fonning operations
needed in an alternative manufacturing
method. Other die-castable alloys include
the structurally similar high strength
yellow brasses and the silicon brasses.
High Strength and Leaded High
Strength Yellow Brasses (C86100C86800), or manganese bronzes, are the
strongest, as cast, of all the copper
alloys. The "all beta" alloys C86200
and C86300 (the alloys' structure is
described below) develop typical tensile
strengths of95 and 11 5 ksi (655 and
793 MPa), respectively, without heat
treatment. These alloys are weldable,
but should be given a post-weld stress
relief. The high strength brasses are

used principally for heavy duty

mechanical products requiring moderately good corrosion resistance at a reasonable cost. The rolling mill adjusting
nut shown in Figure 1-5, page 52,
provides a typical example. The high
strength yellow brass alloys have been
supplanted to some extent by aluminum
bronzes, which offer comparable properties but have bener corrosion resistance

and weldability.
Silicon BronzeslBrasses
(C87300-C87900) are moderate
strength alloys with good corrosion
resi stance and useful casting character-

istics. Their solidification behavior

makes alloys in this group amenable to
die, pennanent mold and investment

sleeve bearings, they wear especially

well against steel. Unleaded tin bronze
C90300 (88-8-0-4) is used for bearings,
pump impellers, piston rings, valve fit-

tings and other mechanical products.

The alloy's leaded version, C92300 (878-1-4), has similar uses, but is specified
when better machinability andlor pressure tightness is needed. Alloy C90500,
formerly known as SAE Alloy 62, is hard
and strong, and has especially good resis-

tance to seawater corrosion. Used in bearings, it resists pounding well, but lacking
lead, it requires reliable lubrication and
shaft hardnesses of 300 to 400 HB.
Alloy C93200 is the best-known
bron ze bearing alloy. Widely available

ly in aqueous media. One member of this

family, C94700, can be age-hardened to
typical tensile strengths as high as 75 ksi
(517 MPa). Wear resistance is particularly good. Like the tin bronzes, nickel-tin
bronzes are used for bearings, but these
versatile alloys more frequentl y find
application as valve and pump compo-

nents, gears, shifter forks and circuit

breaker parts.
Nickel Silvers (C97300C97800). These copper-nickel-tin-Iead-

zinc alloys offer excellent corrosion

resistance, high castability and very good
machinability. They have moderate
strength. Among their useful attributes is
their pleasing silvery luster. Valves, fit-

and somewhat less expensive than

tings and hardware cast in nkkel silvers

casting methods. Applications range

other bearing alloys, thi s high leaded

from bearings and gears to plumbing

goods and intricately shaped pump and

tin bronze is also known as Bearing

are used in food and beverage handling

equipment and as seals and labyrinth

Bronze." The alloy is recognized for

rings in steam turbines.

valve components.

its unsurpassed wear performance

Bronzes. The term "bronze" originally referred to alloys in which tin was

against steel journals. It can be used

against unhardened and not-perfectlysmooth shafts.
Alloy C93500, another high lead-

Aluminum Bronzes (C9S200C95800). These alloys contain between

the major alloying element. Under the

UNS system, the teml now applies to a
broader class of alloys in which the principal alloying element is neither zinc
(which would form brasses) nor nickel
(which forms copper-nickels).
There are five subfamilies of
bronzes among the cast copper aUoys:
First listed are the copper-tin alloys,
C902()()"'(:9 1700, or tin bronzes. Next
come the copper-tin-Iead alloys, which
are further broken down into leaded tin
bronzes, C922()()"'(:92900, and high
leaded tin bronzes, C931 ()()"'(:94500.
Copper-tin-nickel (lead) alloys include
the nickel-tin bronze, C94700, and the
leaded nickel-tin bronze, C94900. Both
of these alloys contain less than 2% lead.
Similar alloys with higher nickel contents, C973()()"'(:97800, are classified as
copper-nickel-zinc alloys, but are more
commonly known as nickel silvers or

ed tin bronze, combines favorable

anti friction properties with good load-

carrying capacities; it also confonns to

3% and 12% aluminum. Aluminum

strengthens copper and imparts oxidation

resistance by forming a tenacious alumina-rich surface film. Iron, silicon, nickel

and manganese are added to aluminum
bronzes singly or in combination for

vide faster machining, lower friction

and improved corrosion resistance in

higher strength andlor corrosion resistance in specific media.

Aluminum bronzes are best
known for their high corrosion and oxidation resistance combined with excep-

sulfite media. The higher tin content of

alloy C93700 (formerly SAE 64) gives

tionall y good mechanical properties. The

alloys are readily fabricated and welded

it resistance to corrosion in mild acids,

and have been used to produce some of

the largest nonferrous cast structures in
existence. Aluminum bronze bearings

slight shaft misalignments. Alloy

C93600, a higher lead, lower zinc
bronze bearing alloy is claimed to pro-

mine waters and paper mill sulfite

liquors.
Lead weakens all of these bearing
alloys but imparts the ability to tolerate
intenupted lubrication. Lead also allows
dirt particles to become embeded harmlessly in the bearing' s surface, thereby

are used in heavily loaded applications.

Alloy C95200, with about 9.5%
aluminum, develops a tensile strength of
80 ksi (550 MPa) as cast. Alloys C95400
and C95500, which contain at least 10%

protecting the journal. This is impor-

aluminum, can be quenched and tempered much like steels to reach tensile
strengths of 105 ksi (724 MPa) and 120
ksi (827 MPa), respectively.

sion resistance, reasonably high strength

tant in off-highway equipment such as

the shovel loader shown in Figure 1-6,
page 52. The "premier" bearing alloys,
C93800 and C94300 also wear very
well with steel and are best known for
their ability to conform to slightly misaligned shafts.
Nickel-Tin Bronzes (C94700C94900). The nickel-tin bronzes are
characterized by moderate strength and

and good wear resistance. Used in

very good corrosion resistance, especial-

Gennan silvers. Copper-aluminum-iron

and copper-aluminum-iron-nickel alloys,
C952()()"'(:95900, are classified as alu-

minum bronzes and nickel-aluminum

bronzes. Manganese bronzes are listed
among the brasses because of their high
zinc content.
Tin bronzes offer excellent corro-

Resistance to seawater corrosion is

exceptionally high in nickel-aluminum
bronzes. Because of its superior resis-

tance to erosion-corrosion and cavitation, nickel-aluminum bronze

C95500 is now widely used for propellers and other marine hardware,
Figure 1-7, page 53.

Another nickel-aluminum bronze,

C958OO, is not heat treated, but nevertheless attains a typical strength of 95
ksi (655 MPa). It should be temperannealed for service in seawater and
other aggressive environments in order
to reduce the likelihood of dealuminificati on corrosion (see page 54). The
alloy's very good galling resistance,
especially against ferrous metals, has
increased its use for bearings and wear
rings in hydroelectric turbines. Such
bearings must be designed for adequate
positi ve lubrication, andjournals must
display a minimum hardness of 300 HB.
Copper-Nickel Alloys (C96200C96900). Sometimes referred to as copper-nickels or cupronickels, these compri se a set of solid-solution alloys
contai ning between 10% and 30%
ni ckel. The alloys also contain small
amounts of iron and in some cases
niobium (columbi um) or beryllium for
added strength. Seven standard alloys
are currently recogni zed. Corrosion
resistance and strength increase with
nickel content, but it is the secondary
alloying elements that have an overriding effect on mechanical properties.
Alloy C962OO, wi th nominally
10% nickel, attains a typical tensile
strength of about 45 ksi (3 10 MPa) in
the as-cast condi tion. The 30% nickel
grade, C964OO, can be oil-quenched
fro m 1,050- 1,250 F (565-677 C) to
increase its strength and hardness
through the precipitation of a complex
ni ckel-columbi um-silicon intennetallic
compound. Tensile strengths will typicall y reach 60 ksi (41 4 MPa). The 30%
nickel, beryllium-containing grade,
C966OO, can be age-hardened to a
strength of 110 ksi (758 MPa).
The copper-nickel alloys offer
excellent res istance to seawater corrosion. This, combined with their high
strength and good fabricability, has
found them a wide variety of uses in
marine equipment. Typical products
include pump components, impellers,
valves, tai lshaft sleeves, centrifugally
cast pipe, fittings and marine products
such as the centrifugally cast valve
body (A lloy C96400) shown in Figure
1-8, page 53. The alloys are never leaded, and their machining characteristics

10

resemble those of pure copper.

Leaded Coppers (C9820aC98840). The lead in these alloys is
dispersed as discrete globules surrounded by a matrix of pure copper or
hi gh-copper alloy. The conductivity of
the matri x remains high, being reduced
only by whatever other alloying elements may be present. Lead contents
range from about 25% in alloy C98200
to as high as 58% in alloy C98840.
Between I % and 5% tin is added to
alloys C98820 and C98840 for added
strength and hardness. Similarly, alloys
C98400 and C98600 contain up to
1.5% sil ver, while C98800 may contain
up to 5.5% silver, balanced against the
lead content to adjust the alloy's hardness.
The leaded coppers offer the high
corrosion resistance of copper and high
copper alloys, along with the favorable
lubri city and low friction characteri stics
of high leaded bronzes.

Metallurgy and Foundry

Characteristics
The copper alloy families are
based on composition and metallurgical structure. These, in turn, influence
or are influenced by the way the metals solidify. Solidification behav ior is
an important considerati on, both in
casting design and when selecting a
casting process. The following descriptions of the alloys according to their
structures and freezing behavior is intended as a brief introduction to a very
co mplex subject. More detailed discussions are available from other sources. I
Coppers. Coppers are metallurgically simple materials, containing a
single face-centered cubi c alpha phase.
(S mall amounts of oxides may be present in deoxidized grades.) Coppers
solidify at a fixed temperature, 1,98 1 F
( 1,083 C), but there is usually some
undercooling. Freezing begins as a
thin chill zone at the mold wall, then
follows the freezing point isotherm
in ward until the entire body has solidified. Cast structures exhibit columnar
grain structures oriented perpendicular
to the solidificati on front. Centerline
shrin kage cavities can fonn at isolated
"hot spots" and inadequately fed

reg ions of the casti ng; this must be

taken in to account when laying out the
casting's des ign.
High Copper Alloys. Like the
coppers, the high copper alloys solidify by skin formation followed by
columnar grai n growth. With a few
exceptions, the hi gh copper alloys typicall y have very narrow freezing
ranges and also produce centerline
shrinkage in regions that are improperly fed.
The chromium and beryllium
coppers develop max imum mec hanical
properties through age-harden ing heat
treatme nts co nsisting of a solutionannealing step fo llowed by quenching
and reheating to an appropri ate aging
temperature. Conducti vity is highest in
the aged (maximum strength) or slightly overaged (lower strength but hi gher
ductility) conditions, i.e., when the
hardening element has mostly precipitated and the remaining matri x consists
of nearl y pure copper.
Red a nd Semi-Red Brasses.
These alloys go through an extended
solidification range characteri zed by
the growth of tiny tree-li ke structures
known as de ndri tes, Figure 1-9, page
53. As the alloys solidi fy, countless
dendrites form and grow more or less
uniforml y throughout the casting. This
leads to a structure made up of small,
equi axed grai ns.
The dendritic solidification
process produces what can best be
described as an extended mushy-liquid
stage. The metal that freezes first may
have a slightly di fferent composition
than metal that freezes later on, a phenomenon called mi crosegregation, or
"coring." Coring can sometimes be
detrimental to mec hanical and/or
corrosion properties. but the seriousness
of the effect, if any, depends on the
alloy and the particul ar environment.
As the interlocking dendrites
grow, they eventually shut off the supply of liquid metal. This produces tiny
shrinkage voids, called microporosity,
between the arms of the last dendrites to
solidify. Microporosity can often be tolerated, but it is obviously detrimental
when pressure ti ghtness or high mechanical properties are needed. Porosity in

these wide-freezing-range brasses can

be avoided by controlling directional
solidification, i.e., forcing the freezing
front 10 follow a desired path. This
ensures that even the last regions to
solidify have access to an adequate suppl y of liquid metal. It should be noted
that the red and se mi-red brasses are the
best alloys to specify for thin-walled
sand castings and that leaded versions
produce the best degrees of pressure
tight ness for reasonab ly th in sections.
Yellow Brasses. These all oys
also solidify by the fonnation of dendrites, however the te ndency to form
microporosity and microsegregation is
reduced because they tend to solidify
over a relatively nmTOW temperature
ra nge when chill-cast.
The microstructu re of yellow
brasses contai ning more than 32.5% zinc
consists of a mixture of the solid-solution
alpha phase 'Uld the hard. strong beta phase.
In ye llow brasses, the amount of beta
present depends on the alloys' zinc content;
in high strength yellow brasses it depends
on zinc and aluminum levels. In both
cases, beta content is also influenced by
the rate of cooling after solidification.
Aluminum is such a strong beta former
that alloy C86200, which contains only
4% aluminum in addition to about 25%
zi nc, has a predominantly beta
microstructure. Formation of the beta
phase leads to a significant increase in
strength at low to moderate temperatures.
Considering their moderately
high strength , the yellow brasses are
very ductile materials at low and intermediate temperatures. O n the other
hand, the most important metallurgical
effect of the beta phase is that it raises
ductility sign ificantly at high temperatures. This improves the alloys' resistance to hot cracking in highly
restrained molds, and allows some yellow brasses to be cast by the pressure
die and/or permanent mold processes.
Bronzes. Tin increases strength
and improves aqueous corrosion resistance. It also increases cost, therefore
alloy selection in volving tin bronzes
may entail a cost-benefits analysis. Tin
dramatically expands the freezi ng range
in copper alloys and usually produces
significant cori ng, although this is not

necessari ly harmful.
Leaded Coppers. These alloys
undergo a two-step solidification
process. That is, the copper frac ti on
(pure copper or high-copper alloy)
freezes over the narrow solidification
range typical of such alloys. The lead
solidifies only after the casting has
cooled so me 1,300 Fahrenheit (700
Celsius) degrees. Segregation of lead to
the last reg ions to solidify is therefore a
potentially serious problem. Chill-casting and/or usi ng thin sections help trap
the lead in a uniform dispersion
throughout the structure.
Nickel-Tin Bronzes. The nickeltin bronzes can be heat treated to produce precipitation hardening. The
precipi tat ing phase is a copper-tin intermetall ic co mpound wh ich fonn s du rin g
slow cooling in the mold or durin g a
subseq uent aging treatment. Lead is
detrimental to the hardening process to
the extent that leaded nickel-tin bron zes
are not considered heat-treatable.
Nickel Silvers. Despite their
complex composition, nickel sil vers
display simple alpha microstructures.
Nickel, tin and zinc impmt solid solution hardening, and mechanical properties generally improve in proportion to
the concentration of these elements. The
nickel sil vers are not heat treatabl e. The
alloys' characteristic silver color is produced primaril y by ni ckel. aided to
some ex tent by zinc.
Aluminum Bronzes. These
alloys exhi bit some of the most interesting metallurgical structu res found
among all commercial alloys.
Aluminum bron zes contai ning less than
about 9.25% aluminum consist mainly
of the face-centered cubic alpha structure, although iron- and nickel-ric h
phases. which contribute strength, will
also be prese nt. Higher alu minum
concentrations, and/or the addi ti on of
silicon or manganese, lead to the formation of the beta phase. Beta transfoffi1s
into a variety of secondary phases as the
casting cools. Standard all oy compositions are carefull y balanced to ensure
that the resulting complex structures m'e
beneficial to the bronzes' mechanical
properties.
Despite their metallurgical com-

plexity, the al uminum bronzes are extraordinari ly versati le alloys. They are well
suited to sand casting and are often produced by this method. They are also fre
quently cast centrifugally. On the other
hand, the aluminum bronzes are basically short-freezing all oys and thi s. coupled
with their good elevated temperature
properties, also makes them good candidates for the permanent mold and die
casting processes.
Copper-Nickels. The coppernickels are metallurgically simple alloys,
consisting of a continuous series of solid
solutions throughout the copper-nickel
system. Copper-rich alloys in the copper-nickel system are known as coppernickels; nickel-rich compositions in this
system are called Monel alloys. The
copper- nickels solidify over narrow
freezi ng ranges, although the range
extends somewhat wi th increasing nickel content. Segregation is not a serious
problem.
Iron, niobium (columbium) and
sil icon can produce precipitation hardening in copper-nickels through the formation of silicides; however,
precipitat ion takes place readily as the
casting cools, and the alloys are consequently not age-hardenable. On the
other hand. beryllium-co ntaini ng
C96600 can be age-hardened in the
same manner as can ordinary berylliumcopper alloys.

Effects of Lead
As leaded copper alloys freeze, the
lead segregates as microscopic liquid
pools which fill and seal the interdendritic microporosity left when the highermelting constituents solidified, Figure
1-10, page 53 . The lead seals the pores
and renders the casting pressure-tight.
Lead also makes the all oys free-cutting
by promoting the fOffi1ation of small,
easil y cleared turnings during machining.
This improves hi gh-speed finis hi ng operations. Unless present in high concentrations. lead does not have a strong effect
on strength, but it does degrade ductility.
Copper alloys containing lead cannot be
we lded, although they can be brazed
and soldered.

11

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys

Applicable

UNS
Number

Other Designations ,
Descriptive Names
(Former SAE No.)

Casting

Composition, percent ma ximum, unless shown as a range or minimum - - - -

Processes
(See legend)

Uses, Significant
Cu

Sn

Pb

Zn

Ni

Fe

Other

Characteristics

Coppers
C80100(1,2)

Oxygen-Free Copper

C811 00(1.2)

High Conductivity Copper

S, C, el.
PM, I, P

99.95 (3 )

S, C, CL,

99.70(3)

99.9 (3 )

S, C, el.
PM, I, P

98.5 min. I. )

C81 50011 .2) Chromium Copper

S, C, Cl,
PM, I, P

98.0 min.!')

.10

.02

.10

C81540P)

Chromium Copper

S, C. Cl,
PM, I, P

95.1 min.I4.5)

10

02

10

C8200011.2)

10C

S, C, Cl,
PM, I, P,

Rem. I')

.10

.02

10

PM, I, P
C812DD(I)

High Conductivity Copper

S, C, el.
PM, I, P

High purity coppers with

excellent electrical and
thermal conductivities.
Deoxidation of C81200
improves its weldability.

.045-.065 P

High Copper Alloys

C8140D(I.2)

lOC

2.0- 3.0 (6 )

20

.02-.10 Be

Relatively high strength

.6-1.0Cr

coppers with good elec-

.10

.15 Si
.10AI
.4D-l.5 Cr

.15

.40-.8 Si
.10AI
.1D-.6 Cr

.10

.10AI
.1 0 Cr
.15 Si
2.4D-2.70 COI6)
.45- .8 Be

C822001U) 35C,53B

S, C, Cl,
PM, I, P

Rem.!4)

C8240011 .2) 165C

S, C, Cl,
PM, I. p.

Rem ,I')

.10

.02

.10

.20

.20

.20-.65 Co
1.60--1.85 Be
.15 AI
.10 Cr

Rem.(4)

.10

.02

.10

.20

.25

1.90--2.25 Be
,35-.70 CoIS)
.20--.35 Si
.15 AI
.10 Cr

Rem.14)

.10

.02

.10

.20

.25

1.90--2,15 Be
1.0--1.2 COI6)
.20--.35 Si
15 AI
.10 Cr

Rem,1 4)

.10

.02

.10

.20

.25

2.25-2.55 Be
.35-.65 Co
.20--.35 Si
.15 AI
.10 Cr

Rem.14)

.1 0

.02

.10

.25

2.35-2.55 Be
.15 Si
.15 AI
.10 Cr

1.0--2.0

.35-.80 Be
.30 Co

0
C82500(12)

20C

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P,

C8251D

Increased-Co 20C

S, C. CL,
PM , I, p.

C8260Dll.2)

245C

S, C. CL,
PM , I, P,

C8270DI1.2)

Nickel-Beryllium Copper

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

1.0-1.5

trical and thermal conductivity. Strength generally inversely proportional to conductivities .

Used where good combination of strength and
conductivity is needed ,
as in resistance welding
electrodes, switch blades
and components, dies,
clutch rings, brake
drums, as well as bearings and bushings. Beryllium coppers have
highest strength of all
copper alloys, are used
in bearings, mechanical
products and non-sparking safety tools.

\continued on next page

Legend' Applicable Casting Processes

" Compositions are subject to minor changes. Consult latest edition 01 COA's
Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem. '" Remainder

12

S '" Sand
0", Die

C '" Continuous
Cl", Centrifugal
I '" Investment
P '" Plaster
PM", Permanent Mold

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

Appllcable
other Designations ,
Descriptive Names
(Former SAE No .)

UNS
Number

Casting

Composition , percent maximum , unless shown as a range or minimum - - - -

Processes
(See legend)

Cu

Pb

Sn

Zn

Fe

Ifi

Other

Uses , Significant
Characteristics

High Copper Alloys \continued

C82800 11 .2) 27SC

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P,

Rem.(4)

.10

.02

.10

.20

.25

2.50-2.85 Be
.35-.70 Co (6 )
.20-.355i
.15 AI

.10 Cr

Copper-Tin-Zinc and Copper-Tin-Zinc-Lead Alloys

(Red and Leaded Red Brasses)
C83300 11 .2) 131, Contact Metal
C8340Qll.2)

407.5, Commercial Bronze

S, C, CL

92.0-94.0(1.8(

S, C, CL

88.0-92.011 .11

1.D-2.0

20

1.0-2.0

.50

2.0-6.0

8.0-12.0

1.0

.25

.25 Sb
.08 S
.03 P
.005 Si
.005 AI

90/10, Gilding Metal

C8345D

Nickel-Beari ng Leaded
Red Brass

S, C, CL

87.D-89.017.8)

2.0-3.5

1.5-3.0

5.5-7.5

.8- 2.0(9 )

.30

.25 Sb
,08 S
.03 p(10)
.005 AI
.005 Si

C83S00

leaded Nickel-Bearing Tin

Bronze

S, C, Cl

86.0-88.017,8)

5.5-6.5

3.5- 5.5

1.0-2.5

.50-1.0(9 )

.25

.25 Sb
.08 S
.03 p(10)
.005 AI
.005 Si

C83600 11 .2) 115, 85-5-5-5.

Composition Bronze,
Ounce Metal, (SAE 40)

S, C, Cl,

84.0-86.011 ,8)

4.0-6.0

4.0-6.0

4.0-6.0

1.0(9 )

.30

.25 Sb
.08 S
.05 p11 0)
.005 AI
.005 Si

C83800It .2) 120, 83-4-6-7,

Commercial Red Brass,
HydrauliC Bronze

S, C, Cl

82.0-83.8 17 ,1)

3.3-4.2

5.0-7.0

5.0-8.0

1.0 191

.30

.25 Sb
.08 S
.03 pl1 0 1
.005AI
.005 Si

C838l0

S, C, CL

Rem.IUI

2.0-3.5

4.0-6.0

7.5-9.5

2.0 (9 )

.50(11)

Sbl ll )
As(11)
.005 AI
.10 Si

Nickel-Bearing Leaded Red

Brass

High-copper brasses
with reasonable eleclrical conductivity and
moderate strength. Used
for electrical hardware,
including cable cannectors .

Good corrosion resistance, excellent

castability and moderate
strength. Lead content
ensures pressure tightness. Alloy C83600 is
one of the most important casl alloys, widely
used for plumbing filtings, other waler-service goods. Alloy
C838DD has slighlly
lower strength, but is
essentially similar in
properties and application .

Legend ' Applicable Casting Processes

Compositions are subject to minor changes. Consult latest edition of COA's
Standard DeSignations lor Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem.

= Remainder

S;; Sand
0= Die

C;; Continuous
CL;; Centrifugal
I;; Investmenl
P = Plaster
PM;; Permanent Mold

13

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

UNS
Number

Other Designalions ,

Applicable
Casting

Descriptive Nam es
(Former SAE No .)

Processes
(See legend)

Composition , percent maximum , unless shown as a range or minimum *

Cu

Sn

Pb

Zn

4.0-6.0

2.0-3.0

10.0--16.0

Ni

Uses , Significant
Ch aracteristics

Other

F.

Copper-Tin-Zinc-Lead Alloys
(Leaded Semi-Red Brasses)
C84200(12)

101,80-5-2 1/2-12'/2

S, C. CL

78.0--82.017.BI

a19 )

.40

.25 Sb
.08 S
.05 pllQ)
.005 AI

.005 Si
C84400 P .2) 123,81-3-7-9,

S, C, CL

78.0-82.017.BI

2.3-3.5

6.0-8.0

7.0-10.0

1.0 19 )

40

Valve Composition ,
81 Metal

C84410

C8450011.2)

125. 78 Metal

C84800i U ) 130,76-3-6-15, 76 Metal

.25 Sb
.08 S

General purpose alloys

for plumbing and hardware goods. Good rnachinabil ity, pressure
tightness . Alloy C84400
is the most popular
plumb ing alloy in U.S.
markets .

.02 pPO)
.005 AI
.005 Si
113)

S, C. Cl

Rem. 17 .8)

3.0-4.5

7.0- 9.0

7.0-1 1.0

1.019 )

Sbl1J1
.01 AI
.20 Si
.05 Bi

S, C. CL

77.0-79.017 .8)

2.0-4.0

6.0-7.5

10.0-14.0

1.019 )

.40

.25 Sb
.08 S
.02 p(10)
.005 AI
.005 Si

S, C, CL

75.0-77.0 17 .8)

2.0-3.0

5.5-7.0

13.0-17.0

10 191

.40

.25 Sb
.08 S
.02 plIO)
.005 AI
.005 Si

Copper-Zinc and Copper-Zinc-Lead Alloys

(Yellow and Leaded Yellow Brasses)
C85200(1)

400, 72-1-3-24,
High Coppe r Yellow Brass,

C85400 11.21

403.67-1-3-29,
S, C, CL,
Commrcl. NO.1 Yellow Brass PM, I, P

S, C, Cl

70.0-74.0(7,14)

7-2.0

1.5-3.8

20.0-27 .0

1.0(9)

.6

20 Sb
.05 S
02P
.005 AI
.05 Si

65.0-70.017 .19)

.50-1.5

1.5-3.8

24.0- 32.0

1.019)

.7

35 AI
05 Si

.20

.20 Mn

.8 AI
.05 Si

.50

05
.25
.05
.05
.01
.55
.25

C85500 11 .2) 60-40 Yellow Brass

S, C, CL

59.0---63.017.191

C85700 11 .2) 405.2,63-1-1-35, 82,

Permanent Mold Brass

S, C, CL,
PM , I. P

58.0-64.011 .141

.50-1.5

.80-1.5

32.0-40.0

C8580011.2) 405.1, Die Casting Yellow

Brass

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P
0

57.0 min.!1,19)

1.5

1.5

31.0-41.0

.20

.20

Rem.

.20191
1.0(9)

.50191

Low-cost, low-to-moderate strength , generalpurpose casting al loys

with good machinability,
adequate corrosion resistance for many wate rservice applications including marine hardware
and automotive cooling
systems. Some compositions are amenable to
permanent mold and die
casting processes.

Sb
Mn
As
S
P
AI
Si

legend : Aoolicable Casting processes

Compositions are subject to minor changes. Consulliatest edition of COA's
Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem. = Remainder

14

S = Sand
o Die

C = Continuous
Cl = Centrifugal
I = Investment
P Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

Other Designations ,
Oescriptive Nam es
(Former SAE No .)

UNS
Num ber

Applicab le
Casting

Composition , percent maximum , un less shown as a range or minimum - - - -

Processes
(See legend)

Uses , Significant

Cu

Zn

Pb

Sn

Ni

Fe

2.0-4.0

4.5-5.5 AI
2.5-5.5 Mn

other

Characteristics

Manganese Bronze and Leaded Manganese Bronze Alloys

(High Strength and Leaded High Strength Yellow Brasses)
CB6100(12) 423, 90,000 Tensile
Manganese Bronze

S, CL, PM , 66.D-68.0(7,IS)
I, P

.20

.20

C86200(1)

423,95,000 Tensile
Manganese Bronze,
(SAE 430A)

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P,
0

60.0-66.0(115)

.20

.20

22.0-28.0

1.0 (9 )

2.0-4.0

3.0-4.9 AI
2.5-5.0 Mn

CB6300(1)

424,110,000 Tensile
Manganese Bronze,
(SAE 430B)

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

60.0-66.017,15)

.20

.20

22.0-2B.0

1.0(9)

2.0-4 .0

5.0-7.5 AI
2,5-5,0 Mn

CB6400(1,Z)

420, 60,000 Tensile

Manganese Bronze

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P,
0

56.0-62 .0(7,15)

.50-1.5

34.0-42.0

1.0(9)

.40-2.0

.50-1.5 AI
.10-1 .5 Mn

C8650011,Zl

421, 65,000 Tensile

Manganese Bronze.
(SAE 43)

S. C, CL.
PM , I, P

55.0-60.015 .13)

1.0

36.0-42.0

1.0(9)

.40-2.0

.50-1.5 AI
.10-1.5 Mn

CB670011.Z) 422 , BO.OOO Tensile

Manganese Bronze

S, C. CL,
PM, I, P

55.0-60.017.15)

1.5

30.0-38.0

1.0(9 )

1.0-3.0

1.0-3.0 AI
.10-3.5 Mn

CB6BOO(1.Z) Nickel-Manganese Bronze

S, C, CL,
PM, I. P

53.5-57.017,15)

1.0

2.5-4 .019)

1.0-2.5

2,0 AI
2.5-4.0 Mn

.50-1.5

.40

.50-1.5

.20

Rem .

Rem .

Alloys with high mechanical strength , good

corrosion resistance and
favorable castability. Can
be machined , but with
the exception of C86400
and C86700, are less
readily machined than
leaded compositions.
Alloy C86300 can altain
tensile strengths exceeding 115 ksi (793 MPa).
Used for mechanical devices: gears, levers,
brackets, valve and
pump components for
fresh and seawater service. When used for
high strength bearings,
alloys C86300 and
C86400 require hardened shafts.

Copper-Silicon Alloys
(Silicon Bronzes and Silicon Brasses)
CB7300

95-1-4, Silicon Bronze

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P

94.0 min.I()

CB7400(1,Z)

500

S, CL, PM, 79.0 min.I()

I, P, D

CB750011,2)

500

S, CL, PM, 79.0 min.I()

I, P, D

CB7600 11 .2) 500, Low Zinc Silicon 8rass S, CL, PM, 88.0 min.l4 )
I, P, D
C87610

S, CL, PM, 90.0 min.(4)

I, P, 0

C87800(1,2) 500, Die Cast Silicon Brass

S, CL, PM , 80.0 min.l4 )

I, P: 0

.20

.25

.20

3.5-4.5 Si
.SO-I.5 Mn

12.0-16.0

.BO AI
2.5-4.0 Si

.50

12.0-16.0

.50AI
3.0-5.0 Si

.50

4.0-7.0

.20

3.5-5.5 Si
.25 Mn

.20

3.0--5.0

.20

3.0-5.0 Si
.25 Mn

.15

12.0--16.0

.15

.15 AI
3.8-4.2 Si
.15 Mn
.01 Mg
.05 S
.01 P
.05 As
.05 Sb

1.0

.25

.20(9)

Moderate-to-high
strength alloys with
good corrosion resistance and favorable castjng properties. Used for
mechanical products and
pump components
where combination of
strength and corrosion
resistance is important.
Similar compositions are
commonly die and/or
permanent mold cast in
Europe and the U.K.

Legend ' Applica ble Casting Proc esses

" Composilions are subject to minor changes, Consult latest edition of COA's
Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem.

= Remainder

S = Sand
o = Die

C = Continuous
CL = Centrifugal
I = Investmenl
P = Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

15

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys \ continued

UNS
Number

other Designations ,
Descriptive Nam es
(Former SAE No.)

Applicable
Casting
Processes
(See legend)

Composition , percent maximum , unless shown as a range Dr minimum'" - - - Uses, Significant

Cu

Sn

91 .0-94.017.16)

6.0-8.0

Zn

Pb

Fe

Ni

OIher

Characteristics

Copper-Tin Alloys
(Tin Bronzes)
C90200 11 .2) 242, 93-7-0-0,

S, C, CL.

.30

.50

.50(9)

.20

PM , I, P

C9030Qll .2)

86.0-89.0 17 .16 )

225, 88-8-0-4,
Navy "G" Bronze,
(SAE 620)

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P

C90500 11 .21

210, 88-10-0-2 ,
Gun Metal, (SAE 62)

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

86.0-89.0(1.251

9.0-11.0

.30

C90700(1.21

205 , 89-11 , (SAE 65)

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

88.0-90.0(1161 10.0-12.0

.50

.50

C90710

S, C, CL.
PM, I, P

Remp 161

10.0-12.0

.25

C9080D

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P

85.0-89.017.161

11 .0-13.0

C90810

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

Rem.(1. 161

7.5-9.0

.30

3.0-5.0

1.0(9)

.20

.20 Sb
.05 S
.05 pll0j
.DOSAI
.005 Si
.20 Sb

.05 S
.05 p(101
.005 AI
.005 SI
1.0-3.0

1.0(91

.20

.20 Sb
.05 S
.05 p( lOI
.005 AI
.005 Si

.50(91

.15

.20 Sb
.05 S
.30 p( lOI
.005 AI
.005 Si

.05

.10(91

.10

.20 Sb
.05 S
.05-1.2 pl 101
.005 AI
.005 Si

.25

.25

.50(91

.15

.20 Sb
.05 S
.30 p( lO I
.005 AI
.005 Si

11.0-13.0

.25

.30

.50191

.15

.25

.50(91

.15

.20 Sb
.05 S
.05 p( l OI
.005 AI
.005 Si

.80(91

.10

.20 Sb
.05 S
.05 p( lOI
.005 AI
.005 Si

.50(91

.25

C90900(1.21

199, 87-13-0-0

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

86.0-89.0(7.161 12.0-14.0

.25

C91000(1.21

197,85-14-0-1

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

84.0-86.0(7.161 14.0-16.0

.20

C91100(1 21

84-16-0-0

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

82.0-85.0(7. 16 f 15.0-17.0

.25

1.5

.25

Hard, strong alloys with

good corrosion resislance , especially against

seawater. As bearings,
they are wear resistant
and resist pounding well.
Moderately machinable .
Widely used for gears,
worm wheels, bearings,
marine fittings, piston
rings, and pump components.

.20 Sb
.05 S
.15-.8 p(l OI
.005 AI
.005 SI

.20 Sb
.05 S
1.0 p( lO f
.005 AI
.005 Si

\continued on next page

Legend: Aooljcable Casting Processes

* CompOSitions are subject 10 minor changes. Consult latest edition 01 COA's

Standard Designations lor Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem. '" Remainder

16

S", Sand
o '" Die

C '" Conlinuous
CL", Centrifugal
I '" Investmenl
P", Plaster
PM", Permanent Mold

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

Applicable
Other De signations,
De scripti ve Nam es
(Former SAE No.)

UNS
Number

Composition, percent max imum, unless shown as a range or minimum '" - - - -

Casting
Processes
(See Legend)

Uses , Significant

Cu

Sn

Pb

Zn

Fe

Ni

Other

Characteristics

Copper-Tin Alloys Icontinued

(Tin Bronzes)
C91 300(1 .2) 194, 81-19

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

79.0-82.0(1.16) 18.0- 20.0

.25

25

.25

.50(9)

.20 Sb

.05 S
1.0 p(101
.005 AI

.005 Si
C91600(1.2) 205N. 88-10'/2-0-0-1'/2.
Nickel Gear Bronze

S, C, CL,

86.0-89.0(1.15)

9.7-10.8

.25

.25

1.2-2.0(9)

20

PM, I, P

.20 Sb

.05 S
.30 pliO)

.005 AI
.005 Si
C91 700(1.2)

86' /2-12-0-0-1'/2,
Nickel Gear Bronze

S, C, CL,
PM,I , P

84.Q-87.0(7.1&) 11.3-12.5

.25

.25

1.20-2.0(9)

.20

.20 Sb
.05 S
.30 pliO)
.005 AI

.005 Si

Copper-Tin-Lead Alloys
(Leaded Tin Bronzes)
86.0-90.017 B1

5.5-6.5

1.0-2.0

3.0-5.0

86.0-89.0(7.81

4.5-5.5

1.7-2.5

3.0-4 .5

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

85.0-89.0(7,81

7.5-9.0

30- 1.0

2.5- 5.0

1.0(9)

C92310

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

RemP8)

7.5-8.5

.30-1 .5

3.5-4.5

1.0(91

C92400

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

86.0-89.0(7.8)

9.0-11.0

1.0-2.5

1.0-3.0

1.0(91

C92410

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P

Rem.(7.B)

6.0-8.0

2.5- 3.5

1.5-3.0

C922DOll.2)

245, 88-6-11/2"4 1/2,

Navy "M" Bronze.
Steam Bronze, (SAE 622)

C92210

C92300(1.2)

230,87-8-1-4
Leaded "G" Bronze

S, C, CL.
PM, I, P

1.0(9)

.7-1.0

.20(9)

.25

.25 Sb
.05 S
.05 p(l D)
.005 AI
.005 Si

.25

.25 Sb
.05 S
.03 P
.005 AI
.005 Si

.25

.25 Sb
.05 S
.05 pPOI
.005 AI
.005 Si

Lead improves machinability in these tin

bronzes but does not
materially affect mechanical properties. The
alloys are essentially
free-cutting versions of
the tin bronzes , above,
and have simi lar properties and uses .

.03 Mn
.005 AI
.005 Si

.25

.25 Sb
.05 S
.05 p(10)
.005 AI
.005 Si

.20

.25 Sb
.05 Mn
.005 AI
.005 Si

\continued on next page

Legend: Applicable Casting Prpcesses

" Compositions are subject to minor changes. Consult latest edition 01 COA's
Standard Designations lor Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem.

= Remainder

S = Sand
0= Die

C = Continuous
CL = Centrifugal
I = Investment
P = Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

17

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys \ continued

UNS
Number

Other Design ations,

Descriptive Nam es
(Former SAE No .)

Applicable
Casting

Composition , percent maximum , unless shown as a range or minimum * - - - -

Processes
(See legend)

Uses , Significant
Cu

Sn

Pb

10.0-12.0

1.0-1.5

Zn

Fe

Ni

other

Chara cteristi cs

Copper-Tin-Lead Alloys \ continued

(Leaded Tin Bronzes)
C9250011 2) 200, 87-11-1-0-1.
(SAE 640)

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

85.0-88.0 171

.50

.8-1.5(9 )

.30

.25 Sb
.05 S
.30 p(1U)
.005 AI

.005 Si
C92600 11 .2) 215, 87-10-'-2

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

86.0-88.50(7,' ) 9.3-10.5

.8-1.5

1.3- 2.5

.7(9)

.20

.25 Sb

.05 S
.03 pPO)

.005 AI
.0055i
S, C, CL,
PM , I, P

Rem.IUI

S, C, CL,
PM,I, P

86.0-89.0(7.1)

9.0--11.0

1.0-2.5

S, C, CL,
PM,I, P

Rem ,!U)

9.0-11.0

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

78.0-82 .0(7,8)

C92810

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

C92900 1l . 2) 84-10-2'/2-0-3'/2,
Leaded Nickel Tin Bronze

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P

C92610

9.5-10.5

.30--1.5

1.7- 2.8

1.019)

.15

.005 AI

.0055i
.03 Mn

C92700 11 .2) 206,88-10-2-0,

(SAE 63)

C92710

C92800(1.2)

295, 79- 16-5-0

Ring Metal

.7

1.0 19 )

.20

.25 Sb
.05 S
.25 p(10)
.005 AI
.005 Si

4.0-6.0

1.0

2.0(9)

.20

.25 Sb
.05 S
,10 pll0)
.005 AI
.005 Si

15.0-17.0

4.0-6.0

.8

.20

.25 Sb
.05 S
.05 pll0)
.005 AI
.005 Si

78.0-82.017)

12.0-14.0

4.0-6.0

.50

.8-1.2(9)

.50

.25 Sb
.05 S
.05 pIlO)
.005 AI
.005 Si

82.0---86.0(7)

9.0-11.0

2.0-3.2

.25

2.8-4.0(9)

.20

.25 Sb
.05 S
.50 p( l 0)
.005 AI
.005 Si

.80(9)

Legend Appljcable Casling Processes

.. Compositions are subject to minor changes. Consult latest edition of COA's

Standard Designations lor Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem . '" Remainder

18

S", Sand
o :: Die

C '" Continuous
CL:: Centrifugal
I:: Investment
P", Plaster
PM '" Permanent Mold

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys \ continued

Applicable
other Desig nati ons,
Desc ript ive Names
(Former SAE No .)

UNS
Number

Composition. percent maximum, unless shown as a range or minimum -

Casting
Processes
(See lege nd)

Uses , Signilicani

Cu

Sn

Pb

6.5-8.5

2.0-5.0

Zn

Fe

Ni

Other

Characteristics

Copper-Tin-Lead Alloys
(High Leaded Tin Bronzes)
C931DO

S, C, eL,
PM, I, P

Rem.(7.15)

2.0

1.0(9)

.25

.25 Sb
.05 S
.30 pl1Uj
.005 AI
.0055i

C932DO(1.2)

315, 83-7-7-3,
Bearing Bronze, (SAE 660)

S, C, eL,
PM, !, P

81.0-85.0 11 15)

6.3-7.5

6.0-8.0

1.0-4.0

.20

1.0(')

.35 Sb
.08 S
.15 p11D)
.005 AI
.0055i

C934DO!1.2) 311 , 84-8-8-0

5, C, Cl,
PM. I. P

82.0-85.0f'15)

7.0-9.0

7.0-9.0

.8

1.0(1 )

.20

.505b
.085
.50 pili)
.005 AI
.0055i

C9350011.2)

5, C, Cl,
PM, I. P

83.0-86.{)I1.15)

4.3-6.0

8.0-10.0

2.0

1.0<')

.20

.305b
.085
.05 plIO)
.005 AI
.0055i

5, C, Cl,
PM, I, P

79.0-83.018 )

6.0-8.0

11.0-13.0

1.0

1.0 (9)

.20

55 Sb
08 S

326, 85-5-9-' ,

(SAE 66)

C93600

Most commonly used

bearing alloys, found in

bearings operating at
moderate loads and
moderate-ta-high
speeds, as in electric
molors and appliances.
Alloy C93200 is considf red the workhorse alloy
of the series. Alloy
C93600 has improved
machining and anti-seizing properties. C93800
noted for its good corrosion resistance against
concentrations 01 sulfuric acid below 78%. Alloy C94100 is especially
good under boundary
lubricated conditions .

.15 PII~)
.005 AI
.0055i
C937DO[I,2)

305, BO-l0-10,
Bushing and Bearing
Bronze, (5AE 64)

5, C, Cl,
PM, I, P

78.0-82.0(15 )

9.0-11.0

8.0-1 1.0

.8

.50(1 )

.7(17)

.50 Sb
.08 S
.10 pllO)
.005 Al
.00551

C93720

5, C, Cl .
PM, I, P

83.0 min.IIS)

3.5-4.5

7.0-9.0

4.0

C9380011,2) 319, 78-7-15,

Anti-Acid Metal,

5, C, Cl ,
PM, I, P

75.0-79.0(1 5)

6.3-7.5

13.0-16.0

.8

.5ot')

1.0It)

.7

.505b
.10 pIID)

.15

.8 Sb
.08 S

.05 plID)
.005 AI
.0055i

(SAE 67)

5, C, Cl,
PM,I, P

76.5-79.5 (18)

5.0-7.0

14.0-18.0

C9400012)

5, C, Cl ,
PM , I, P

69.0-72.0IU)

12.0-14.0

14.0-16.0

C9410Dl2)

5, C, Cl .
PM, I, P

72.0-79.0(11)

4.5--6.5

18.0-22.0

C9390011,2)

79-6-15

1.5

.50

1.0

.8(9 )

AO

.50-1 .0(1)

.25

.50 5b
.085 (20)
.05 pl'O)
.005 AI
.00551

l.ot' )

.25

.85b
.085Ilt)
.05 pliO)
.005 AI
.00551

.505b
.085
1.5 plIO)
.005 AI
.0055i

\continued on next page

lepend ' Applicable Casllng Processes

*

Compositions are sublect to minor changes. Consult latest edition of COA's

Standard Dssignalfons for Wrought and Cast Coppsr and Coppsr Alloys.
Rem.

= Remainder

S Sand
0= Ole

C Continuous
CL . Cenlrilugal
I I I Investment
P = Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

19

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys \ continued

Applicable
Other Designation s,
Descriptive Names
(Former SAE No. )

UNS
Number

Casting
Processes
(See Legend)

Composition, percent maximum , unless shown as a range or minimum - - - -

Uses , Significant
Cu

Sn

Ph

4.5-6.0

23.0-27,0

Other

Fe

Ni

Zn

Chara cteristics

Copper-Tin-Lead Alloys Icontinued

(High Leaded Tin Bronzes)
C94300(1.2)

S, C, CL,
PM. I, P

67.0-72.0(15)

1 .0(9)

.8

.15

.80 Sb
.08 S(20)
.08 p(10)
.005 AI

.005 Si
C94310

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

Rem.l 15)

C94320

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

Rem.l'5)

4.0-7.0

24.0-32.0

C94330

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

68.5-75.5 (15)

3.0-4.0

21.0-25,0

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

Rem. 11S)

7.0-9.0

9.0-12.0

.8

1,0(9)

.15

.8 Sb
.08 S
.50 pl10 f
.005 AI
.005 Si

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

Rem.(15)

6.0-8.0

16.0-22.0

1.2

1.0(9 )

.15

.80 Sb
.08 S
.05 P
.005 AI
.005 Si

1.0-2.5

4.5-6.0 (9)

.25

.15 Sb
.20 Mn
.05 S
.05 P
.005 AI
.005 Si

C94400(1.2)

312. 81-8-11
Phosphor Bronze

C94500 11.Zf 321 . 73720

MeDium Bronze

1.50-3.0

27.0-34.0

.50

.25-1.0(9)

3.0

.35

.50(9 )

.50 Sb
.05 p(10)

.50

.7

.50 Sb
.10 p(lDI

Copper-Tin-Nickel Alloys
(Nickel-Tin Bronzes)
C947DD(1)

885025

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

85.0-90.0(19)

4.5-6.0

C948001t )

875125,
Leaded NickelTin Bronze

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

84.0-89.0(19)

4.5-6.0

.30- 1.0

1.0-2.5

4.5-6.0(9)

.25

.15 Sb
.20 Mn
.05 S
.05 P
.005 AI
.005 Si

C94900

Leaded NickelTin Bronze

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

79.0-81.0 116)

4.0-6.0(9)

4.0-6.0

4.0-6.0

4.0-6.0(9)

.30

.25 Sb
.10 Mn
.08 S
05 P
.005 AI
.005 Si

.10121f

High strength structural

castings. Easy to cast,
pressure tight. Corrosion
and wear resistant.
C94700 is heat treatable,
Alloys used for bearings,
worm gears, valve stems
and nuts, impellers,
screw conveyors, roller
bearing cages, and rail
way electrification hardwa re.

Legend: Aoolicable Casting processes

Compositions are subject to minor changes. Consult latest edition of COA's

Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem.

= Remainder

20

S = Sand
0= Die

C = Continuous
Cl = Centrifugal
1= Inveslmenl
P = Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

Applicable
UNS
Number

Other De signations ,
Oescri ptive Name s
(Form er SAE No .)

Casting

Composition , percent maximum, unless shown as a range or minimum - - - - -

Proce sses
(See Legend)

Cu

Sn

Pb

Ni

Zn

Uses , Significant
Characteristics

Fe

Other

2.5-4.0

8.5-9.5 AI

The aluminum bronzes

are characterized by high
strength and excellent

2.5-4.0

8.5-9.5 AI

corrosion resistance.

Copper-Aluminum-Iron and CopperAluminum-lron-Nickel Alloys

(Aluminum Bronzes)
C9520011 .1) 415,88-3-9, Alum inum
Bronze 9A. (SAE 6aa)

S, C, CL.

C9521D

S, C, el,

86.0 min.!15)

PM,I, P

86.0 min.!15)

.10

.05

1.0 19)

.50

1.0 Mn
.05 Mg

PM, I, P

.25 Si

5, C, el,

C95220

Rem.I.)

PM, I, P
C953DD(U)

415. 89-1-10, Aluminum

Bronze 98, (SAE 68b)

S, C, Cl,
PM, I, P

83.0 min.!15)

C954DO(1,2)

415,85-4-11 Aluminum
Bronze ge.

S, C, Cl,
PM , I, P

83.0 min ,()

C95410P,tl

S, C, Cl,
PM, I, P

83.0 min.( )

C95420

S, C, Cl,
PM, I, P

83.5 min.()

C9550D(I .2)

4t5, 8t-4-4-11 , Alum inum

Bronze 9D

S, C, Cl.
PM, I, P

78.0 min.()

C95510

Nickel-Alumi num Bronze

S, C, Cl,
PM, I. P

78.0 min3 22 )

.20

C95520

Nickel-Aluminum Bronze

S, C, Cl,
PM, I, P

74.5 min.(4)

.25

C9560D(I,2)

9t-2-7,
Aluminum-S ilicon Bronze

S, C, Cl,
PM, I. P

88.0 min.llS)

C95700(U)

75-3-8-2-12, ManganeseAluminum Bronze

S, C. Cl.
PM, I, P

71.0 min.! )

C95710

Manganese-Aluminum
Bronze

S, C, Cl,
PM , I, P

71.0 min.!4)

C95800(1,2)

415, 81-5-4-9-1,Alpha
Nickel-Aluminum Bronze.
Propeller Bronze

S. C. CL,
PM. I, P

79.0 mi n.I. )

.03

C95810

Nickel-Aluminum Bronze

S. C, CL.
PM, I, P

79.0 min.(4)

.10

S, C. CL,
PM. I. P

Rem'!)

C95900

.03

1.0

.05

2.51')

.8-1.5

9.0-11.0 AI

1.5(9)

3.0-5.0

10.0-11.5 AI
.50 Mn

1.5-2,5(11)

3,0-5,0

10.0-t 1.5 AI
.50 Mn

3.D-4.3

to.5-t 2.0AI
.50Mn

3.0-5.5(1)

3.0-5.0

10,0-11.5 AI
3.5 Mn

.30

4.5-5.5(9)

2.0-3.5

9.7-10.9 AI
1.5 Mn

.30

4.2-6,()(9)

4.0-5.5

to.5-11 ,5AI
1,5Mn
.15 Si
.20 Co
.05 Cr

6.0-8.0 AI
1.8-3.2 Si

1.5-3,0(9)

2,D-4,0

7.0-8 ,5 AI
t 1.o-t4.0 Mn
.10 Si

1.5-3.()!9)

2.D-4.0

7.0-8.5 AI
11.0-14.0 Mn
.15 Si
.05 P

4.0-5.011,23)

3.5-4.5(2))

8.5-9.5 AI
.8-1 .5 Mn
.1 0 Si

4.0-5.019023)

3.5-4.5(23)

8.5-9.5 AI
.8-1.5 Mn
.05Mg
.10 Si

.50(t)

25(9)

.50

50

9.5-10.5 AI
,50Mn

2.5-4.0

.50 11)

3.0-5.0

Alloys containing more

than 9.5% AI can be heal
treated, some to tensile
strengths exceeding 120
ksi (827 MPa). Uses inelude a variety of heavy
duty mechanical and
structural products ineluding gears, worm
drives, valve guides and
seats. Excellent heavy
duty bearing alloys, but
do not tolerate misalignment or dirty lubricants,
and generally should be
used against hardened
steel shafts, with both
shaft and bearing machined 10 fine surface
finishes,

12,0-13.5 AI
1,5 Mn

Legend ' Applicable Cast jng Processes

* Compositions are subjecllo minor changes . Consult latest edition 01 COA's

Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem. '" Remainder

S", Sand
0", Die

C '" Continuous
Cl" Centrifugal
I _ Investment
P '" Plaster
PM", Permanent Mold

21

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys \ continued

Other Designations ,
Descriptive Nam es
(Former SAE No .)

UNS
Number

Applicable
Casting

Composition , percent maximum , unless shown as a range or minimum* - - - -

Processes
Cu

(See Legend)

Sn

Pb

Zn

Ni

Fe

9.o-11.0 Ig )

1.0-1.8

Uses , Significant
Characteristics

Other

Copper-Nickel-Iron Alloys
(Copper-Nickels)
C96200(1,2)

90-10 Copper-Nickel

S, C, el.
PM, I, P

Rem.14)

.01

1.5 Mn
.50 Si
.5-1.0 Nb

.10 C
.025

.02 P
C96300 1U) 80-20 Copper-Nickel

S, C, el,

Rem.!4)

.01

18.0-22.0(9)

.25- 1.5 Mn

.50-1.5

.50 Si

PM, I, P

.50-1 .5 Nb
.15 C
.02 S
.02 P
C96400(1 ,2)

70-30 Copper-Nickel

C9660011 2) 71 7C, Beryl lium

Copper-Nickel

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

RemJ'l

.01

28.0-32.0 (9 )

.25-1.5

1.5 Mn
.50 Si
.50-1.5 Nb
.15 C
.02 S
.02 P

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

Rem.!')

.01

29.0-33.0(9)

.8- 1.1

1.0 Mn
.15 Si
.40-.7 Be

C96700

Beryllium-Zircon iumTitanium Copper-Nickel

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

Rem.(4)

.01

29.0-33.0(9)

.40- .70

.40-.70 Mn
.15 Si
1.1-1 .2 Be
.15-.35Zr
.15-.35 Ti

C96800

Spinodal Alloy

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P

Rem.(4)

.005

9.5-10.5(11)

.50

.05-.30 Mn
.05 Si
.10-.30 Nb

Excellent corrosion resistanee, especially

against seawater. High
strength and toughness
from low to elevated
temperatures. Very
widely used in marine
applications, as pump
and valve components,
fittings, flanges, elc. Beryl lium-containing alloys
can be heat treated to
approximately 110 ksi
(758 MPa).

124)

Spinodal Alloy

C96900

S, C, CL,
PM , I, P

RemJ4)

7.5-8.5

.02

50

14.5-15.5 (9 )

.50

.05-.30 Mn
.10 Nb
.15 Mg

Legend' Applicable Casting processes

* Compositions are subject to minor changes. Consult latest edition 01 CDA's

Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem.

= Remainder

22

S = Sand
D::: Die

C = Continuous
CL::: Centrifugal
I", Investment
P = Plaster
PM", Permanent Mold

UNS
Number

Other Designations,
Descriptive Nam es
(Former SAE No.)

Applicable
Casting

Composition, percent maxim um, unless shown as a range or minimum - - - -

Uses, Significant

Processes
Cu

Sn

Pb

Zn

53.0-58.0(151

1.5-3.0

8.0--11.0

17.G-25.0

(See legend)

Fe

NI

Other

Characteristics

Copper-Nickel-Zinc Alloys
(Nickel Silvers)
C97300 11.ZJ

56-2-10-20-12,
12% Nickel Silver

S, C, CL,

11.0-14.0(9)

1.5

.35 Sb
.08 S
.05 P

PM, I, P

.005 AI
.50 Mn
.155i
C974DO(1.2)

59-3-5-17-16,
15% Nickel Silver

C9760011 .2) 64-4-4-8-20, 20% Nickel

Silver, Dairy Metal

S, C, eL,
PM, I, P

58.H1.01l5 )

2.5-3.5

4.5-5.5

Rem.

15.5-17.0(1 )

1.5

.50 Mn

S, C, Cl,

63.1Hl7.0(25)

3.5--4.5

3.0-5.0

3.0-9.0

19.0-2 1.5 11)

1.5

.25 Sb

Moderately strong alloys

with very good corrosion

resistance and a pleasing

silver color. Used in
valves, fittings and other
components for dairy
equipment and as architectural and decorative
trim.

.08 S

PM, I, P

.05 P
.005 AI
1.0Mn
.15 Si
C9780011.2) 66-5-2-2-25,
25% Nickel Silver

S, C, CL,
PM, I, P

64.1Hl7.0(26)

4.0-5.5

1.0-2.5

1.0--4.0

.6-2.0

21.0-27.0

.50
.50

24.0-27.0Ie)

1.5

.20 Sb
.08 S
.05 P
.005 AI
1.0Mn
.15 Si

.50

.7

.10 P
.50 Sb

.50

.7

1.5 Ag
.10 P
.50 Sb

.35

1.5 Ag

.35

5.5 Ag(21)
.02 P

Copper-Lead Alloys
(Leaded Coppers)
C9820D

Leaded Copper, 25%

SAE 49

S,C

Rem.l 4)

C98400

Leaded Copper, 30%

S, C

Rem.l4)

.50

26.0-33.0

C986DO

Leaded Copper. 35%

SAE 480

S, C

60.0-70.0

.50

30.0--40.0

C98SDD

Leaded Copper. 40%

SAE 481

S, C

56.5--62.5(5)

.25

37.5--42.5 (27)

C98820

Leaded Copper. 42% ,

SAE 484

S, C

Rem.

1.0-5.0

40.0--44.0

.35

C98840

Leaded Copper, 50%,

SAE 485

S,C

Rem.

1.0-5.0

44.0-58.0

.35

.10

Ultrahigh lead alloys for

special purpose bearings. Alloys have relalively low strength and
poor impacl properties
and generally require
reinforcement.

Legend- Applicable Casting Processes

* Compositions are subject to minor changes. Consu lt latest editi on of COA's

Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem. '" Remainder

S '" Sand
0:: Oie

C '" Continuous
CL", Centrifuga l
I '" Investment
P '" Plaster
PM '" Permanent Mold

23

TABLE 2. Overview of Copper Casting Alloys \ continued

Applicable
Other Designations ,
Descriptive Names
(Form er SAE No.)

UNS
Number

Casting

Co mposition , percent maximum , unless shown as a ran ge or minimum *

Proc esses
(S ee legend)

Cu

Sn

Zn

Pb

Ni

Other

Fe

Uses, Significa nt
Cha racteristics

Special Alloys
C9930QI1.2)

Incramel 800

S, C, CL

Rem.(2S)

.05

.02

13.5-16.5

.4D-1.0

10.7- 11.5 AI

1.G-2.0 Co
.02 Si
Copper-Nickel-Alumin umZinc Alloy

S, C, CL

Rem.(25)

.15

7.5-9.5

14.5-16.0(9)

C99400(1.2) Non-Oezincification Alloy,

NOZ

S, C, CL
I, P

Rem,12S)

.25

.50-5.0

1.0-3.5

C99350

C9950011 .2) Copper -Nickel-Alumi numZinc-Iron Al loy

S, C, Cl

RemJ25)

C99600

S, C, Cl

RemJ25)

Incramule 1

.25

.10

C9970011.2) Wh ile Manganese Brass

S, Cl, PM , 54.0 min.125)

I, P, 0

1.0

C9975011 .2) Copper-Zine-Manganese

Alloy

S, PM ,.I;
P, D

55.0--61 .0(25)

.50-2.5

.50-2.0

.02

2.0

.20

3.5-5.5

.20

Alloys specifically designed for glassmaking

molds, but also used for
marine hardware.

9.5-10.5 AI
1.0
.25 M

1.0-3.0

3.0-5.0

.20

.50-2.0 AI
.50-2.0 Si
.50 Mn
.50-2.0 AI
.50-2.0 Si
.50 Mn

1.0- 2.8 AI
.20 Co
.10 Si
39.0-45.0 Mn
.05 C

19.0-25.0

4.0-6.0

1.0

.50--3.0 AI
11.0--15.0 Mn

17.0--23.0

5.0

1.0

.25-3.0 AI
17.0--23.0 Mn

Moderate strength alloys

with good resistance to
dezincification and
dealuminification. Used
in various products for
marine (especially outboard) and mining
equipment.

Special-purpose alloys
with exceptionally high
damping capacity.

Footnotes
( 1)

Data sheet for this alloy can be found in CDA's Standards

Handbook, Cast Products, Alloy Data/7.

(2)

Alloy has significant commercial importance.

(3)

Including Ag, % min .

(4)

Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 99.5% min.

(5)

Includes Ag.

(16)

Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 99.4% min.

(11)

Fe shall be .35% max., when used for steel backed bearings .

(18)

Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 98 .9% min .

(19)

Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 98.7% min.

(2G)

For continuous castings, S shall be .25% max.

(2 1)

The mechanical properties of C94700 (heat treated) may not be

attainable if the lead content exceeds .01 % .

(6)

Ni + Co .

(7)

In determining copper min., copper may be calculated as Cu + Ni .

(22)

Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 99.8'''10 min.

(8)

Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 99.3% min .

(23)

Fe content shall not exceed Ni content.

(9)

Including Co .

(24)

( 10)

Fo r continuous castings, P shall be 1.5% max.

The following additional maximum impurity limits shan apply: .10% AI,
.001 % S, .001 % Si, .005-.15% Mg, .005% P, .0025% S, .02% Sb,
7.5- 8.5% Sn, .0 1% Ti, 1.0% Zn.

(25)

Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 99.7% min.

(11) Fe + Sb + As shall be .50% max.

( 12)

Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 99 .2% min.

(13)

Fe + Sb + As shall be .8% max.

(14)

Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 99 .1 % min.

(15)

Cu + Sum of Named "Elements, 99 .0% min.

(26) Cu + Sum of Named Elements, 99.6% min.

(27)

Pb and Ag may be adjusted to modify the alloy hardness .

legend : Applicable Casting Prg cesses

'* Compositions are subject to minor changes. Consult latest edition of COA's

Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys.
Rem .

= Remainder

24

S = Sand
0= Die

C = Continuous
Cl = Centrifugal
I = Investment
P = Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

FIGURE 1-1
Blast furnace tuyeres are cast in high
conductivity copper.

FIGURE 1-2
Resistance welding machine components are
cast in beryllium copper for maximum strength
and high electrical conductivity.

FIGURE 1-3
Plumbing goods, such as the water
meter shown here, are commonly cast
in semi-red brass, an economical alloy
with excellent castabil ity and good
corrosion resistance.

25

TABLE 3. Typical Mechanical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys

UNS
Number

Casting

Process

Temp er,
(SAE SUIfiX)lll

Tensile rrength
Minimum
Typical
ksi

MP,

C80100
C81100

S
S

MOl
MOl

Yield Strength
0.2% Offset
0.5% ExtlenSion
Minimum
Typical Minimum 1- Typi ca l
v

ksi

MP,

ksi

MP,

25

9
62

40
40

ksi

in 2 inches I in 2 inche s
in 51 mm
in 51 mm

ksi

172

ksi

Rockwe ll
Hardness

MP,

MP,

% Elongalion
Minimum -( Typ ical

MP,

9
62

40
40

172

25

C81200

C81400

MOl

30
207

12
B3

35
35

HR62B

C81400

TFOO

53
365

36
24B

11
11

HR69B

51
352

40
276

17

C81500

TFOO

17

C81540

C82000

MOl

50
345

20
138

20
20

C82000

011

65
448

37
255

12
12

HR55B
-

C82000

TBOO

47
324

15
103

25
25

HR40B

C82000

TFOO

96
662

75
517

6
6

HR96B

C82200

MOl

50
345

25
172

20
20

HR55B

C82200

011

65
448

40
276

15
15

HR75B

C82200

TBOO

45
310

12
83

30
30

HR30B

C82200

TFOO

95
655

75
517

7
7

HR96B

C82400

011

100
690

BO
551

3
3

HR21G

C82400

TBOO

60
414

20
138

40
40

HR59B

145
1,000

1
1

HR3BG

1,068

75
517

40
276

15

HRB1B

120
827

105
724

2
2

HR30G

60
414

25
172

35
35

HR638

1
1

HR43C

G82400
G82500
C82500
CB2500

S
S
S
S

TFOO
MOl
011
TBOO

155

15

C82500

TFOO

160
1,103

150
1,034

G82510

C82600

MOl

80
552

50
345

10
10

HRB6B

C82600

011

120
827

105

2
2

HR31C

724

S;; Sa nd
Unshaded areas ", sta ndard U.S. units
Sha ded areas = metri c units (51)

26

0= Di e

l egend : Casting Processes

C;; Continuous
CL = Centrifugal
I", Investment
P '" Pl aster
PM = Permanent Mold

Brlnell Hardness
10-mm B3 111ndicator
1
500 kg
I 3,000 kg

Shear
Strength
ksi
MPa

Compressive Strength
0.1% Set r( 1.0% Set 'T1O.0% Set
ksi
MPa

ksi
MPa

ksi
MPa

Impact Strength al 68 f (20C)

Charpy
Charpy
Izad

V-Nolch

Unnotched

fI-lb
J

ft-Ib
J

fHb
J

44HB

fatigue
Strength
ksi
MPa

UNS
Number

C8D1DD

62
44H8

C811DD

62
CB12DD
C81'DD
C81.DD
105HB

20
27

15

C815DD

103

C815.D
C82DDD
C82DDD
C82DDD
18
124

C82DDD
C822DD
C822DD
C822DD
C822DD
C82.DD
CB2.DD

23

C82'DD

160

C825DD
C825DD
C825DD
2.

C825DD

165
C8251D
C826DD
C826DD

27

TABLE 3. Typical Mechanical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys \continued

Yield Strength

UNS

Castin g

Numb er

Process

Temper,
(SAE SUffiX)11)

Tensil e j'renglh
Minim um
ksi

MPa

0.5% E~lle n S ion

Typical

Minimum

ksi
MPa

MPa

ksi

Typical
ksi
MPa

0.2% Offset

Mini rn um-I- Typical

ksi
MPa

ksi
MPa

% El ongation
Typical
Minimum

Rockw ell
Hardness

in 2 inCh es ! in 2 inches
in 51 mm
in 51 mm

C82600

TBOO

70
483

30
207

12
12

HR75B

C82600

TFOO

165
1,138

155
1,069

1
1

HR45C

C82700

TFOO

155

130
896

2
2

HR39C

80
552

50
345

10
10

HRBBB

125
862

110
758

2
2

HR31C

80
552

35
241

10
10

HR85B

1,069

C82800
C82800
C82800

5
5
5

M01
011
TBOO

C82800

TFOO

165
1,138

155
1,069

1
1

HR46C

C83300

M01

32
221

10
69

35
35

HR35B

C83400

M01

35
241

10
69

30
30

HR50F

C83450

C83500

M01, M02
(5AE -A)

30
205

37
255

14
97

20
20

30
30

117

C83600

5, CL

17

C83600

M07
(5AE -B)

36
248

19
131

15
15

C83600

M07
(5AE -C)

50
345

25
170

12
12

C83800

5, CL

M01, M02
(5AE -A)

30
207

35
241

13
90

16
110

20
20

25
25

C83800

M07
(5AE -B)

30
207

15
103

16
16

14
97

15
15

27
27

C83810

C84200

M01

28
193

35
241

C84400

M01

29
200

34
234

13
90

15
103

18
18

26
26

C84410

C84500

M01

29
200

35
241

13
90

14
97

16
16

28
28

C84800

M01

28
193

37
255

12
83

14
97

16
16

35
35

C85200

5,CL

M01, M02

35
241

38
262

12
83

13
90

25
25

35
35

C85400

5,CL

M01, M02

30
207

34
234

11
76

12
83

20
20

35
35

C85500

M01

55
379

60
414

23
159

25
25

40
40

legend: Casting Process es

S = Sand
Unshaded areas = stand ard U.S . units
Shaded areas ", metric units (SI)

28

0= Die

C = Continuous
CL = Centrifugal
I = Investment
P = Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

HR55B

Brinell Hardness
10-mm Ball i Indicator
500 kg
3,000 kg

Shear
Strength

MP,

ksi

Compressive Strength
0.1% Set ,"!" 1.0% Set (10 .0% Set
ksi
ksi
ksi

MP,

MP,

MP,

Impacl Slrenglh at 68 F (20C)

Charpy
Charpy
Izod
V-Notch
Un notched
fHb
fHb
Itlb

Fatigue
Strength
ksi

UNS
Number

MP,

C82600
C82600
C82700
C82800
C82800
C82800
C82800
35H8

C83300
C83400

C83450
C83500
60H8

38
262

14

97

10
14

11
15

11
76

C83600
C83600
C83600

60H8

12
83

29
200

8
11

C83800
C83800
C83810

60H8

C84200

55H8

C84400

8
11

C84410
C84500

55HB

13
90

45H8

9
62

30
207

cmoo

50HB

9
62

28
193

C85400

85H8

16
110

34
234

12
16

C84500

55H8

C85500

29

UNS
Numb er

Casting
Process

Temper,
(SAE SUIfiX )[l)

Tensile r rength
Minimum
Typical
ksi
ksi

MP,

MP,

MPa

40
276

50
345

14
97

C857DD

S, CL

MOl , M02

C858DD

M04

55
379

C861DD

MOl

90
621

95
655

C86200

S, CL, C

MOl, M02, M07

90
621

95
655

(SAE -A)

C86300
C86300

S
S, CL

MOl
M01, M02

Yield Sire ngth

0.2% Ollset
0.5% E ~ tlens i on
Minimum
Typical Minimum- '" Typical
ksi
ksl
ksi
ksi

I MP,

% El ongati on
Minimum
Typical

in 2 Inches lin 2 Inches

In 51 mm
in 51 mm

MP,

MP,

18
124

15
15

40
40

30
207

15
15

HR55B

45
310

50
345

18
18

20
20

45
310

48
331

18
18

20
20

119
821

67
462

18
18

110
758

60
414

12
12

62
427

14
14

25

15
15

20
20

172

28
193

20
20

30
30

M07
(SAE -B)

110
758

C86400

MOl

60
414

448

20
138

MOl, M02
(SAE -A)

65
448

71
490

27
187

29
200

172

M07
(SAE -8)

70
483

172

25
25

C86500

S, CL
C

C86300

C86500

Rockwell
Hardness

65

25
25

C86700

MOl

80
552

85
586

32
221

42
290

15
15

20
20

C86800

MOl

78
538

82
565

35
241

38
262

18
18

22
22

C87300

S,CL

M01 , M02

45
310

55
379

18
124

25

20
20

30
30

172

HR80B

C87400

S,CL

MOl , M02

50
345

55
379

21
145

24
165

18
18

30
30

C8750D

S, CL

MOl , M02

60
414

67
462

24
165

30
207

16
16

21
21

C876DD

MOl

60
414

66
455

30
207

32
221

16
16

20
20

HR76B

50
345

16
110

C878DD

M04

85
586

C90200

MOl

38
124

40
276

45
310

18
124

21
145

C8761D

C90300

S, CL

MOl, M02

25
25

HR85B

30
30

30
30

C90300

M07
(SAE -B)

44
303

22
152

18
18

C90500

S, CL

MOl , M02
(SAE -A)

40
276

45
310

18
124

22
152

20
20

25
25

C9D5DD

M07
(SAE -B)

44
303

25

10
10

172

C90700

MOl
(SAE -A)

35
241

44
303

18
124

22
152

10
10

20
20

C90700

CL, PM

M02, M05

55
379

30
207

16
16

5 = Sand
Unshaded areas . standard U.S. units
Shaded areas =metric units (51)

30

D", Ole

Legeod ' Casting Processes

C", Continuous
CL = Centrifugal
I ,. Investment
P", Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

Brinell Hardness
1O-mm Ball Indicator

500 kg

3,000 kg

MP,

MP,

MP,

MP,

Impact Strength at 68 F (20C)

Charpy
Charpy
Izod
V-Notch
Unnotched
fI-lb
It-Ib
ft-lb
J
J
J

UNS
Number

ksi

MP,

CB5700

102HB

40
54

Ca5BOO

180HB

50
345

12
16

Ca6100

180HB

50
345

12
16

CB6200

22 5HB

60
414

97
669

15
20

12
16

25

CB6300

172

Fatigue
Strength

CB6300

CB6300

90HB

105H8

22
152

87
600

30
41

25
34

CB6400

100HB

130HB

24
166

35
241

79
545

32
43

20
138

CB6500

CB6500

155HB

C86700

80HB

C86800

85 HB

28
, 193

18
124

60
414

33
45

Ca7300

70HB

100HB

40
54

C87400

115HB

134HB

27
186

75
517

32
43

22
152

CB7500

110HB

135HB

60
414

CB7600

CB7610

70
95

CB7BOO

25

C90200

172

13
90

14
19

C90300

C90300

70HB

70HB

75 HB

40
276

10
13

13
90

C90500

C90500

25

C90700

172

Compressive Strength
0_1% Set rf 1.0% Set T 10.0% Set
ksi
ksi
ksi

75HB

Shear
Strength
ksi

80HB
-

C90700

31

TABLE 3. Typical Mechanical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys Icontinued

UNS

Casting

Number

Process

Temp er,
(SAE SUffi X)l1)

Ten sil e itreng'h

Minimum
Typical
ksi
ksi

MP,
C90700

M07
(SAE B)

Yield Strength
0.2% Offset
0.5% E~tlen S ion

Minimum
ksi

MP,

MP,

40
276

172

25

Typical
ksi

MiDirnum-l - Typical
ksi

ksi

MP,

% Elongalion
Minimum
Typical
in 2 inches I in 2 inche s
in 51 mm
in 51 mm

-f

MP,

MP,

10

10

Rockwell
Hardness

C90710

C90800

C90810

C90900

M01

40
276

20
138

15
15

C91000

M01

30
207

32
221

25

2
2

172

35
241

2
2

172

30
207

0.5
0.5

C91100

M01

25

1
1

C91300

M01

35
241

C91600

M01

35
241

17
117

22
152

10
10

16
16

303

45
310

60
414

25

32
221

10
10

16
16

172

35
241

44

17

117

22
152

10
10

16
16

303

C91600
C91700

CL, PM
S

M02, MOS

M01

44

C91700

CL, PM

M02, M05

50
345

60
414

28
193

32
221

12
12

16
16

C92200

S. CL

M01, M02
(SAE -A)

34
234

40
276

16
110

20
138

24
24

30
30

C922 00

M07
(SAE -B)

38
262

19
131

18
18

C92300

S,CL

MOt, M02

36
248

40
276

16
110

20
138

18
18

25
25

(SAE -A)

40
276

19
131

16
16

44

C92300

M07
(SAE B)

C92310

C92400

C92410

C92500

M01
(SAE-A)

35
241

18
124

20
138

10
10

20
20

303

C92500

M07
(SAE-B)

40
276

24
166

10
10

C92600

M01

40
276

44

303

18
124

20
138

20
20

30
30

HR78F

C92610

C92700

M01
(SAE -A)

35
241

42
290

18
124

21
145

10
10

20
20

C92700

M07
(SAE -B)

38
262

20
138

8
8

lege nd- Casting Process es

Unshaded areas = standard U.S. units

Shaded areas:: metric units (SI)

32

S:: Sand
0", Die

C = Continuous
Cl", Centrifugal
I ::: Investment
p::: Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

Brinell Hardness
10-mm Balli Indicator

500 kg

3,000 kg

Shear
Strength
ksi
MPa

Compressive Strength
0.1 % Set or( 1.0% Sel f 10.0% Set
ksi
MPa

ksi
MPa

ksi
MPa

Impact Strength at 68 F (20C)

Charpy
Charpy
V-Notch
Unnotched
Izod
II-Ib
ft-Ib
fHb
J
J
J

Fatigue
Strength

UNS
Number

ksi
MPa

C90700
C90710
C90800
C90810
90HB

C90900

105HB

C91000
135HB

C91100

170HB

C91300

160HB(2)

C91600

B5HB
65HB(2)

C91600

106HB
95HB(2)

C91700

85HB
65HB(2)

C91700

106HB
95 HB(21

65HB

15
103

20
140

19
26

38
262

11
76

C92200
C92200

70HB

10
69

35
241

12
16

C92300
C92300
C92310
C92400
C92410

C92500

aO HB

C92500
70HB

12
B3

40
276

7
9

C92600
C92610

77HB

C92700
C92700

33

TABLE 3. Typical Mechanical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

Yield Strength

UNS
Number

Casling
Process

Temper,
(SAE SUW X)!l)

Tensile Strength
Minimu m
ksi

Typ ical
ksi

MPa

MPa

0.5% Exten sion

Minimum
Typical

0.2% Oflset
Minimum Typical
ksi
ksi

% Elongation

Rockwell

Minimum Typica l
in 2 inches in 2 inches

Hardness

r
I

ksl

ksi

MPa

MP,

MP,

MPa

In 51 mm

C92710

C92800

MOl

40
276

30
207

45
310

47
324

25
172

26
179

C92810

C92900

S. PM. C

MOl . M05. M07

In 51 mm

1
1

8
8

HR808

20
20

C93200

S. Cl

MOl . M02
(SAE A)

30
207

35
241

14
97

18
124

15
15

20
20

C93200

M07
(SAE8)

35
241

20
138

10
10

C93400

MOl

25

32
221

12
83

16
110

8
8

20
20

172

28
193

32
221

12
83

16
110

15
15

20
20

(SAE A)
M07
(SAE 8)

30
207

16
110

12
12

C93100

C93500
C93500

S. Cl
C

MOt, M02

C93600

C93700

S. Cl

MOl . M02
(SAE A)

30
207

35
241

12
83

18
124

16
11 0

15
15

20
20

C93700

M07
(SAE 8 )

35
241

20
138

6
6

M07
(SAE .C)

40
276

25

6
6

172

C93700

C93800

S. Cl

MOt, M02

26
179

30
207

14
97

16
11 0

12
12

18
18

C93800

Cl

M02
(SAE A)

33
228

20
138

12
12

C93800

M07
(SAE -8)

16
110

5
5

172

25

32
221

16
110

22
152

172

5
5

C9mO

C93900

M07

25

7
7

C94300

MOl

24
166

27
186

13
90

10
10

15
15

C94300

S.Cl

MOt. M02

21
145

10
10

M07
(SAE -8)

21
145

15
103

7
7

(SAE -A)

C94000
C94100

C94300
C94310

C
-

Unshaded areas ", standard U.S. units

Shaded areas .. metric units (81)

34

S", Sa nd
D .. Di e

legend - Casting Processes

C .. Continuous
CL", Centrifuga l
I ", Investment
P '" Plaster
PM", Permanent Mold

Brinell Hardness
10-mm Balli Ind icator

500 kg

3,000 kg

Shear
Strength
ksi
MPa

Compressive Strength
O.l "1o Set'r 1.o% set T l0 .0% Sel
ksi
ksi
ksl
MPa
MPa
MPa

Imp act Strength at 68 F (20C)

Charpy
Charpy
V-Notch
Izod
Un notched
IHb
IHb
tHb

Fatigue
Strength
ksi
MPa

UNS
Numb er

C92710
C92800
C92810
80HB

50
345

75 HB(ZI

12
16

C92900
C93100

65HB

46
317

6
8

16
110

C93200
C93200

60HB

48
331

60H8

5
7

13
90

15
103
8

C93400
C93500

11

C93500
C93600
60HB

18
124

13
90

47
324

5
7

11

15

13
90

C93700
C93700
C93700
C93720

55HB

15
103

12
83

38
262

5
7

19
131

10
69

C93800
C93800
C93800
C93900

63 HB

C94000
C94100
48H B

11

76

23
159

5
7

C94300
C94300
C9.300
C9.310

35

TABLE 3. Typical Mechanical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys \continued

Yield Strength

UNS
Number

C9432 D
C9433D
C944DD
C94500

Casting

Process

Temper,
(SAE Sullix)(1 1

MOl
MOl

Tensile f trength
Minimum
ksi
MP,

Typical
ksi
MP,

0.5% Exttnsion
Minimum
Typical
ksi
ksi
MP,
MP,

0.2% Offset
Minimum- I- Typical
ksi
MP,

ksi

% Elongation
Minimum
Typical

Rockwell

Hardness

in 2 inches I in 2 inches

MP,

in 51 mm

in 51 mm

32
221

16
110

18
18

25

12
83

12
12

172

C94700

S. C

MOl. M07
(SAEAI

45
310

50
345

20
138

23
159

25
25

35
35

C94700

S. C

TXOO
(SAE 81

75
517

85
586

50
345

60
414

5
5

10
10

C94800

S. C

MOl, M07

40
276

45
310

20
138

23
159

20
20

35
35

C94800

TXOO

60
414

30
207

8
8

C94900

C95200

S, CL

MOl, M02
(SAE AI

65
448

80
552

25

27
186

20
20

35
35

HR648

172

68
469

26
179

20
20

C95200

M07
(SAE 81

C95210

C95220

C95300

S, CL

MOl, M02
(SAE AI

65
448

75
517

25
172

27
186

20
20

25
25

C95300

M07
(SAE BI

70
483

26
179

25
25

C95300

S, CL, C

T050
(SAE 'CI

80
552

85
5B6

40
276

42
290

12
12

15
15

C95400

S, CL

MOl, M02
(SAE AI

75
517

B5
5B6

30
207

35
241

12
12

lB
lB

C95400

M07
(SAE BI

85
586

32
221

12
12

C95400

S, CL

T050
(SAE ,CI

90
621

105
724

45
310

54
372

6
6

C9540D

T050
(SAE DI

95
655

45
310

10
10

C95410

MO l

85
5B6

35
241

18
lB

C95410

T050

105

54
372

8
8

724

C9S420

C95500

S, CL

MOl, M02
(SAE AI

90
621

100
690

40
276

44
303

6
6

C95500

M07
(SAE BI

95
665

42
290

10
10

S = Sand

Unshaded areas

=standard U.S. units

Shaded areas = metric units (SI)

36

0= Die

legend' Casting Processes

C = Continuous
CL = Centrifugal
I = Investment
P = Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

B
8

12
12
-

HR678

HR81B

HRB78
-

Brinell Hardness
1omm
Indicator

500 kg

Bat

3,000 kg

Shear
Strength
ksi
MPa

Compressive Strength
o.l %Set ..t" l .D%Set ''('10 .0% Set
ksi
ksi
ksi
MPa

MPa

MPa

Impact Strength at 68 f (2DC)

Charpy
Charpy
Izod
VNotch
Unnolched
IHb
IHb
fHb
J
J
J

fatigue
Strength
ksi

UNS

Number

MPa

C9432D
C9433D
16
110

5
7

11
76

C944DD

303

5DHB

13
90

36
248

4
5

10
69

C945DD

85HB

38
262

85
115

14
97

C947DD

65
44B

110
149

14
97

C947DD

80HB

12
83

C94BDD

120HB

12
83

C94BDD

55HB

18DHB

44

C949DD
125HB

40
276

27
186

70
483

30
41

30
41

20(4)
27(4)

22
152

C95200
C95200
C95210
C95220

140HB

41
283

20
138

83
572

28")
38")

23(6)
31(61

22
152

C95300
C95300

174HB
170HB

46
317
47
324

35
241

27,t)
37,t)

27
186

C95300

621
16
22

11 ,t)
15,t)

28
193

C95400

90
100
690

C95400
195HB

50
345

120
827

11

15(4)

7(4)

35
241

C95400
C95400

170HB

47
324

100
690

C95410

195HB

50
345

120
827

C95410
C95420

195HB

48
331

120
827

13
18

10")
14(4)

31
214

C95500
C95500

37

TABLE 3. Typical Mechanical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

UNS

Number

Casting
Process

Temper,

(SAE Suflix)!'1

Tensile rrength
Minimum
Typi cal
ksi
ksl
MPa
MPa

C95500

S.CL

r050
(SAE C)

C95510

C95520

C95600

C95700

C95710

110
758

60
414

68
469

% Elon gation
Minimum
Typical
in 2 inches in 2 inches
In 51 mm
in 51 mm

Rockwell
Hardness

5
5

10
10

HR968

60
414

75
517

28
193

34
234

10
10

18
18

90
621

95
655

40
276

45
310

20
20

26
26

M01
M01
-

120
827

Yield Strength
0.5% Extension
0.2% Ollsel
Minimum
Typical Minimum [- Typical
ksl
ksi
ksl
ksl
MPa
MPa
MPa
MPa

C95800

S. CL

M01. M02
(SAE A)

85
586

95
655

35
241

38
262

15
15

25
25

C95800

M07
(SAE8)

90
621

38
262

18
1a

C95810

M01

45
310

25
172

20
20

75
517

55
379

10
10

60
414

68
469

32
221

37
255

75
517

38
262

120
827

75
517

C95900
C96200
C96300

M01

C96400

M01

C96600

Taos

C96600

TFOO

C96700
C96aoo
C96900
C97300
C97400
C97600

20
20

28
28

12
12

HR74B

12
12

HR24C

30
207

35
241

15
103

17
117

30
207

3a
262

16
110

117

40
276

45
310

117

24
165

50
345

55
379

22
152

S
S

M01
M01
M01
M01

C98200

17

Unshaded areas =standard U.S . units

Shaded areas . metric units (SI)

38

D . Die

a
8

20
20

a
8

20
20

10
10

20
20

30
207

10
10

15
15

17

Legend - Casllng PrgcesSRS

S = Sand

C98600

C97800

C98400

C = Continuous
CL = Centrifugal
I . Investment
P = Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

Br!ne!! Hardness
10-mm Ba1
lltndi cator

500 kg

3,000 kg

Shear
Strength
ksi

MP,

230HB

Compressive Strength
0.1% Set "-f 1.0% Set '"110.0% Set
ksi

MP,

ksi

MP,

70
483

ksi

MP,

150
1,034

Impact Strength at 68 F (20C)

Charpy
Charpy
V-Notch
IlOd
Un notched
II-Ib
fI-lb
fI-lb

15
20

Fatigue
Strength
ksi

UNS
Number

MP,

3B
262

C95500
C95510
C95520

140HB

C95600

180HB

150
1,034

20
27

30

33
228

41

C95700

C95710
159HB

58
400

100
690

20
27

16
22

10(1)
14 ll )

31
214

C95800
C95800
C95810
C95900

37
255

100
136

13
90

150HB

C96200
C96300

140HB

78
106

18
12'

C96'OO
C96600
C96600
C96700
C96800
C96900

55HB

C97300

70HB

C97'OO

80HB

30
207
130HB

57
393

11
15

16
110

C97600
C97800
C98200
C98'OO
C98600

39

TABLE 3. Typical Mechanical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

UNS
Number

Casting
Process

Temper,
(SAE SUIfiX)(1 1

Tensile j'rength
Minimum

ksl

MP,

Typical

ksi

MP,

Yield Strength
0.2% Offset
0.5% EXllenSion
Minimum
Typical Minimum 1
- Typical
ksl
ksl
ksi
ksi
v

MP,

MP,

MP,

MP,

% Elongation

Minimum W
i' Typical
in 2 inches in 2 inches
in 51 mm in 51 mm

Rockwell
Hardness

C9aaoo
C9a820
C9aa40
C99300

MOl

C99400

MDI

C99400

TFOO

C99500

MOl

C99500

TFOO

95
655

55
379

2
2

C99350
60
414

66
455

30
207

79
545
70
483

34
234

20
20

25
25

54
372
40
276

12
12

86
593

62
427

55
379

172

25
25

C99600
C99700

MOl

25

C99700

M04

65
44a

27
186

15
15

C99750

MOl

65
448

32
221

30
30

HR77B

C99750

T050

75
517

40
276

20
20

HR82B

Footnotes
II I

SAE Sullix
For alloys listed under SAE J462, suffix symbols may be specified to distinguish between

two or more sets of mechanical properties , heal treatment , conditions, etc., as applicable.
Most commonly used method of casting is shown lor each alloy . However, unless the
purchaser specifies the method of casting Dr th e mechanical properties by supplement to
the UNS Number, the supplier may use any method which will develop the properties
indicated. These sullixes are shown in th e shaded areas below the temper designations.
See Society 01 Automotive Engineers Inc., SAE Handbook, Vol. 1, Malerlals, Warrendale,

PA.19a9.
(21 Minimum value
131 As cast and spinodal hardened
141 Charpy Keyhole
15)

As cast and annealed

(61

Charpy Keyhole , properties as cast and annealed

Unshad ed areas = standard U.S. units

Shaded areas:: metric units (St)

40

S =Sand
0= Die

Legend ' Casting Prgcesses

C:: Continuous
CL = Centrifugal
I", Investmenl
p:: Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

Brlnell Hardness
10-mm Balli Indicator

500 kg

3,000 kg

I
-

Shear
Strength
ksi

Compressive Strength
0.1% Set "( 1.0% Set 10.0% Set
ksi
ksi
ksi

MP,

MP,

Impact Strength at 68 F (2DC)

Charpy
Charpy
V-Notch
Izod
Unnotched
ft-Ib
ft-Ib
It-Ib
J
J
J

Fatigue
Strength
ksi

UNS
Number

MP,

MP,

C98800

C98820

C98840

C99300

MPa

200HB

C99350

4B
331

C99400

C99400

C99500

C99500

C99600

125HB

170HB

145HB

50HB

196HB

4
5

11 0HB

C99700

125HB

C99700

2B
193

38
262

75
102

19
131

C99750

496

C99750

110HB
119HB

72

41

TABLE 4. Physical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys

UNS
Number

Melting Point
Liquidus

Solidus

,F

caOl00
C81100

' F

g/cm 3

Co efficient 01 Therma l Expansion

10-&per OF

68-212 F.

10- 6 per OF 10- 6 pe r OF

68-392 F.

68 572 F.

20-100 C,

20-200 C,

20-300 C,

10-fi Der <>C 10-6 our o e 10-6 per <> C

Specific
Heat

Blu/l b/' F
al68 F
J/kg OK
at 293 K

Therm al

Conductivity
Blu/tt' /II/h/"F
at 68 F
W/m. OK
al 293 K

Electrical
Conductivity
% lACS

al 68 F
Megmho/cm
al20 C

Electrical
Resistivity
ohms-cmillft
at 68 F

Elastic
Modulus

al20 C

MPa

nn- m

ksi

' C

' C

al20 C

1,981
1,083

1,948
1,064

0.323
8.94

9.4
16.9

0.092
385

226
391

100
0.580

10.4
17.2

117,000

1,981
1,083

1,948
1,064

0.323
8.94

9.4
16.9

0.090
377

200
346

92
0.534

11.3
18.7

17,000
117,000

0.323
8.94

9.4
16.9

1.950
1,066

0.318
8.80

10.0
18.0

0.093
389

150
259

60
0.348

17.3
28.7

16,000
110,000

C81200
C81 400

Density
Ib/ in 3
at 68 F

2.000
1,093

17,000

1,985

1,967

1,085

1,075

0.319
8.82

9.5
17.1

0.09
377

182
315

82
0.476

12.6
21 .0

16,500
114,000

1,990
1,088

1,780
971

0.311
8.62

9.9
17.8

0.10
419

150
259

45
0.260

23.1
38.5

117,000

C82200

2,040
1,116

1.900
1,038

0.316
8.75

9.0
16.2

0.10
419

106
183

45
0.261

23.0
38.3

16,500
114,000

C82400

1,825
996

1,650
899

0.304
8.41

9.4
16.9

0.10
419

76.9
133

25
0.144

41 .8

69.4

18,500
128,000

1.800
982

1.575
857

0.302
8.35

9.4
16.9

0.10
419

74.9
130

20
0.116

51.6
86.2

18.500
128,000

1,750
954

1,575
857

0.302
8.35

9.4
16.9

0.10
419

73.0
126

19
0.110

54.7
90.9

131 ,000

C82700

1,750
954

1,575
857

0.292
8.09

9.4
16.9

0.10
419

74.9
130

20
0.115

52.3
87.0

19,100
132,000

C82800

1,710
932

1,625
885

0.294
8.14

9.4
16.9

0.10
419

70.8
123

18
0.104

57.8
96.2

19.300
133,000

C83300

1,940
1,060

1,886
1,030

0.318
8.80

32
0.186

32.3
53.8

15,000
103,000

C83400

1.910
1,043

1,870
1,021

0.318
8.80

44

0.256

23.5
39.1

15,000
103,000

1,850
1,010

1,570

0.318
8.83

10.0
18.0

0.09
377

72.0

15
0.087

69.1

854

114.9

13.500
93,100

1,840
1,004

1,550
843

0.312
8.64

10.0
18.0

0.09
377

41 .8
72.4

15
0.087

69.1
114.9

13,300
91 ,700

1,820
993

1,540

838

0.311
8.61

10.0
18.0

0.09
377

41.8
72.4

16
0.095

63.3
105.3

14,000
96,500

1,840
1,004

1,549
843

0.314
8.69

10.0
18.0

0.09
377

41 .8
72.4

16
0.095

63.3
105.3

13,000
89,600

C84500

1,790
977

1,540
838

0.312
8.64

10.0
18.0

0.09
377

41.6
72.0

16
0.096

62.7
104.2

14,000
96,500

C84800

1,750
954

1,530
832

0.310
8.58

0.09
377

41.6
72.0

16
0.095

63.3
105.3

15,000
103.000

C85200

1,725
941

1,700
927

0.307
8.50

0.09
377

48.5
83 .9

18
0.104

57.8
96.2

11 ,000
75,800

C81500
C81540
C82000

C82500

17,000

C82510
C82600

0.09
377
10.0
18.0

0.09
377

109
188

19.000

C83450
C83500
C83600
C83800

41.6

C83810
C84200
C84400
C84410

Unshaded areas = standard U.S. units

Shaded areas = metric units (SI)

42

10.0
18.0
11 .5
20.8

TABLE 4. Physical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

U_S

Electrical

Elastic

at 68 F

ksi

nn m
.1

C85400

1,725
941

1.700
927

0,305
8.44

11,1
20.0

0.09
377

50.8
87,9

20
0,113

53,2
88.5

12,000
82,700

C85500

1,652
900

1,634
890

0.304
8.41

11 .8
21,3

0.09
377

67,0
116

26
0.151

39.8
66.2

15,000
103,000

C85700

1.725
941

1,675
913

0,304
8.41

0.09
377

48.5
83,9

22
0,128

47.0
78.1

14,000
96,500

C85800

1,650

899

1,600
871

0.305
8.44

0,09
377

48,5
83.9

20
0.116

51 .9
86,2

15,000
103,000

C86100

1.725
941

1,650
899

0.288
7.97

12.0
21.6

0.09
377

20.5
35.5

8
0.044

136,7
227.3

15,000
103,000

C86200

1.725
941

1,650
899

0.288
7.97

12.0
21,6

0.09
377

20,5
35,5

8
0.044

136.7
227,3

15,000
103,000

C86300

1,693
923

1,625
885

0.283
7,83

12,0
21 .6

0,09
377

20.5
35.5

8
0.046

130,8
217.4

14,200
97,900

C86400

1,616
880

1,583
862

0,301
8.33

0.09
377

51.0
88,3

19
0,111

54.2
90.1

14,000
96,500

C86500

1,616
880

1,583
862

0.301
8,33

0,09
377

49,6
85.8

22
0.1 28

47,0
78.1

15,000
103,000

C86700

1,616
880

1,583
862

0.301
8,33

0.09
377

17
0,097

62.0
103,1

15,000
103,000

C86800

1,652
900

1,616
880

0,290
8.03

0.09
377

9
0.052

115,7
192.3

15,000
103,000

C87300

1,780

1,580

971

860

0.302
8.36

10.9
19,6

0.09
377

16.4
28.4

6
0,035

171 .9
285,7

15,000
103,000

C87400

1,680
916

1,510
821

0.300
8,30

10,9
19.6

0.09
377

16,0
27.7

7
0.039

154,2
256.4

15.400
106,000

C87500

1,680
916

1,510
821

0.299
8.28

10.9
19,6

0.09
377

16.0
27.7

7
0,039

154.2
256.4

15,400
106,000

C87600

1.780
971

1,580
860

0.300
8,30

0,09
377

16.4

28.4

6
0.035

132,2
230.1

17,000
117,000

1,680
916

1,510
821

0,300
8,30

10.9
19.6

0.09
377

16.0
27.7

7
0.039

154.2

256.4

20,000
138,000

1,915

1,046

1,608
876

0.318
8,80

10.1
18.2

0.09
377

36,0
62.3

13
0,075

80,2
133.3

16,000
110,000

C90300

1,832
1,000

1,570
854

0,318
8.80

0.09
377

43.2
74,8

12
0,069

87.2
144,9

14,000
96,500

C90500

1,830
999

1,570
854

0.315
8.72

0,09
377

43,2
74.8

11
0.064

94,0
156.3

15,000
103,000

C90700

1,830

1,528

999

831

0.09
377

40.8
70,6

10
0,056

107.4
178,6

15,000
103,000

C90900

1,792
978

1,505
818

0,09
377

C91000

1,760
960

1,505
818

0.09
377

9
0,054

111.4
185.2

16,000
11 0,000

C91100

1,742
950

1,505
818

0.09
377

8
0.049

122.8

15,000
103,000

12.0
21,6

11.0
19.8
11.3
20.4
11 .0
19,8

C87610
C87800
C90200

0.317

8.77

10.0
18,0
11 ,0
19.8
10.2
18.4

C90710
C90800
C90810
16,000
110,000

204.1

Unshaded areas;; standard U.S. units

Shaded areas = metric units (SI)

43

TABLE 4. Physical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys I continued

UNS
Number

Melling Point
Solidu s

Liquidus

of

of

Specific

Coellicienl of Thermal expansion

Density
Ib/in '
at 68 f

10- 6 per of

1D-fi per "F 10- 6 per of

al20 C

20-100 C.
10-6 per "C

20-200 C. 20-300 C.
10-6 Der "C 10-6 Der oe

g/em J

68-212 F.

68- 392 F.

68-572 F.

Heat
Blu/lbF F

at 68 F
J/kg 0 oK

al293 K

Thermal

Electrical

Conductivity Conductivity
81u/1l2/II/hr F
% lACS
al68 F
W/m " K
at 293 K

at 68 f

El ectri ca l
Re sistivity

Elasti c
Modulus

ohms-c mll/ll
at 68 F

ksi

at 20 C

MP,

7
0.040

150.4
250.0

16,000
110.000

Megmhofcm

al20 C

nn m

C91300

1.632
889

1.505
818

C91600

1,887
1,031

1,575
857

0.320
8.87

9.0
16.2

0.09
377

40.8
70.6

10
0.058

103.7
172.4

16.000
110,000

C91700

1,859
1,01 5

1,563
851

0.316
8.75

9.0
16.2

0.09
377

40.8
70.6

10
0.058

103.7
172.4

15,000
103,000

C92200

1,810
988

1,518
826

0.312
8.64

0.09
377

40.2
69.6

14
0.083

72.5
120.5

14,000
96,500

C92300

1,830
999

1,570

0.317
8.77

0.09
377

43.2
74.8

12
0.070

85.9
142.9

14,000
96,500

854

0.09
377

10.0
18.0
10.0
18.0

C92310
C92400
C92410
0.317
8.77

C92500

C92600

0.09
377

1,800
982

1,550

843

0.315
8.73

10.0
18.0

0.09
377

1,800
982

1,550
843

0.317
8.78

10.0
18.0

0.09
377

1} 51
955

1,505
818

1,887
1.031

1,575
857

0.320
8.87

1.790
977

1,570
854

0.322
8.91

16,000
110,000
9
0.052

115.7
192.3

15,000
103,000

11
0.064

94.0
156.3

16,000
110,000

C92610
C92700

27.2
47.0

C92710
C92800

0.09
377

16,000
110,000

C92810
C92900

9.5
17.1

0.09
377

33.6
58.2

9
0.053

113.5
188.7

14.000
96.500

0.09
377

33.6
58.2

12
0.070

85.9
142.9

14,500
100,000

C93100
C93200
C93400
C93500

10.0
18.0

0.320
8.87

10.0
18.0

0.09
377

33.6
58.2

12
0.070

85.9
142.9

75,800

9.9

11 ,000

1,830
999

1,570

854

0.320
8.87

17 .8

0.09
377

40.7
70.4

15
0.088

68.4
113.6

14,500
100,000

1,705
929

1,403
762

0.320
8.87

10.3
18.5

0.09
377

27.1
46.9

10
0.059

102.0
169.5

11,000
75,800

1,730
943

1,570

854

0.334
9.25

10.3
18.5

0.09
377

30.2
52.3

11
0.066

91 .1
151 .5

10,500
72,400

1,730
943

1.570
854

0.334
9.25

10.3
18.5

0.09
377

30.2
52.3

11
0.066

91 .1
151 .5

11,000
75,800

C93600
C93700
C93720
C93800
C93900
C94000
C94100
Unshaded areas =standard U.S . unils
Shaded areas =metric units (SI)

44

TABLE 4. Physical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys \ continued

UNS
Numb er

Melting Point
liquidus
Solidus
oF
C

oF
C

C94300

Specific
Density
Ib/ ln 3
at 68 F

g/cm 3
at 20 C

eoellieien! 01 Thermal Expansion

68-212 F.
68-392F . 68 572 F.
10- 6 per of 10- 6 per OF 10- 6 per of
20-200 C, 20-300 C,
20-100 C,
10" per C 10-6Jler C 10- 6 oer C

0.336
9.31

Heat

Blu/lb/o F

at 68 F
J/kg oK

at 293 K

Electrical
Thermal
Conductivity
Conductivity
81u/lt2 /ftJhr F
% lACS
at 68 F
at 68 F
W/m. oK
Megmho/cm
at 293 K
at 20 C

Electri cal
Resi stivity
ohms-emil/It

Elastic
Modulus

at 68 F

ksi

nO - m

al20 C

MPa

0.09
377

36.2
62.7

9
0.053

113.5
188.7

10,500
72,400

C94310
C94320
C94330
C94400

1,725
941

1,450
788

0.320
8.87

10.3
18.5

0.09
377

30.2
52.3

10
0.058

103.7
172.4

11,000
75,800

C94500

1,475

1,725

941

0.340
9.40

10.3
18.5

0.09
377

30.2
52.3

10
0.058

103.7

802

10,500
72,400

1,660
904

1,880

0.320
8.87

10.9

1,027

19.6

0.09
377

54.0

1,660

904

1,800
1,027

0.320
8.87

10.9
19.6

0.09
377

22.3
38.6

12
0.070

85.9
142.9

103,000

1,913
1,045

1,907
1,042

0.276
7.64

9.0
16.2

0.09
377

29.1
50.4

11
0.064

94.0
156.3

15,000
103,000

1,913
1,045

1,904
1,040

0.272
7.53

9.0
16.2

0.09
377

36.3
62.8

13
0.075

80.2
133.3

16,000
110,000

C95400

1,900
1,038

1,880
1,027

0.269
7.45

9.0
16.2

0.10
419

33.9
58.7

13
0.075

80.2
133.3

15,500
107,000

C95410

1,900
1,038

1,880
1,027

0.269
7.45

9.0
16.2

0.10
419

33.9
58.7

13
0.075

80.2
133.3

15,500
107,000

C94700
C94800

172.4

15,000
103,000

31.2

15,000

C94900
C95200
C95210
C95220
C95300

C95420
1,930

1,900

1,054

1,038

0.272
7.53

9.0
16.2

0.10
419

24.2
41 .9

8
0.049

122.8
204.1

16,000
110,000

C95600

1,840
1,004

1,800
982

0.278
7.69

9.2
16,6

0.10
419

22.3
38.6

8
0.049

122.8
204 .1

15,000
103,000

C95700

1.814
990

1,742
950

0.272
7.53

9.8
17.6

0.105
440

7.0
12.1

3
O.ot8

334.2
555.6

18,000
124,000

1,940
1,060

1,910
1,043

0.276
7.64

9.0
16.2

0.105
440

20.8
36.0

7
0.041

146.7
243.9

16,500
114,000

2,100

2,010
1,099

0.323
8.94

9.5
17.1

0.09
377

26.1
45.2

11
0.064

94.0
156.3

18,000
124,000

2,190

2,100
1,1 49

0.323
8.94

9.1

1,199

16.4

0.09
377

21.3
36.8

6
0.036

167.1
277.8

138,000

C95500

C95510
C95520

C95710
C95800
C95810
C95900
C96200

1,149

C96300

20,000

Un shaded areas = standard U.S . units

Shaded areas ", metric units (SI)

45

TABLE 4. Physical Properties of Copper Casting Alloys Icontinued

UNS
Number

Melting Poinl
liquidus
Solidus
o

o f

Density
Ib/ in 3

al68 F

Coefficient 01 Thermal Expansion

68-212 F.
10- 6 per of
20-100 C,
10" per C

68-392 f , 68-572 F.
10- 6 per of 10-6 per of

Specific
Heat
Blu/lb/"F
at 68 F
J/kg oK
at 293 K

Thermal

Electrical

Conductivity

Conductivity
Blu/ft2/fl/hr F
% lACS
at 68 F
at 68 F
W/m' oK
Megmho/cm
at 293 K
at 20 C

Electrical
Resistivity
ohms-emil/it
at 68 F

Elastic
Modulu s

at 20 C

MP,

nn m

ksi

g/cm 3
at 20 C

2.260
1,238

2.140
1,171

0.323
8.94

9.0
16.2

0.09
377

16.4

28.5

5
0.028

21 ' .8
357.1

21.000
145,000

2,160
1,182

2,010
1,099

0.318
8.80

9.0
16.2

0.09
377

17.4
30.1

0.025

2'0.6
'00.0

22,000
152,000

C97300

1,904
1,0'0

1,850
1,010

0.321
8.89

9.0
16.2

0.09
377

16.5
28.6

6
0.033

182.3
303.0

16,000
11 0,000

C97400

2,012
1,100

1,958
1,070

0.320
B.86

9.2
16.6

0.09
377

15.B
27.3

6
0.032

188.0
312.5

110,000

C97600

2,089
1.143

2,027
1,108

0.321
8.88

9.3
16.7

0.09
377

13.0
31.4

5
0.029

207.4
344.8

19,000
131,000

C97800

2,156
1,180

2,084

0.320
8.85

9.7
17.5

0.09
377

14.7

1,140

25 .4

4
0.026

231.4
384.6

19,000
131,000

1,970
1,077

1,955
1,068

0.275
7.61

9.2
16.6

0.10
419

25.4
43.9

9
0.052

115.7
192.3

18,000
124,000

12
0.070

85.9
142.9

19,300
133,000

10
0.057

71.0
116.4

19,000
131,000

3
0.017

353.8
588.2

16,500
114,000

2
0.012

501.3
838.3

17,000
117,000

C96' 00
C96600

20-200 C,

20-300 C,
10~_er o C 10-6 Der oC

C96700
C96800
C96900

16,000

C98200
C98.00
C98600
C98800
C98820
C98840
C99300
C99350
C99.00

0.300
8.30

C99500

0.300
8.30

8.3
14.9

C99600
C99700

1,655
902

1,615
879

0.296
8.19

C99750

1,550
843

1,505
818

0.290
8.03

Unshaded are as = standard U.S . units

Shaded areas", metric units (SI)

46

13.5
24.3

0.09
377

TABLE 5.
UNS
Number

Conforming Specifications for Copper Casting Alloys \continued

UNS

Type

Conforming Specifications

Numbe r

Type

Conform ing Spe cification s

C83800

Centrifugal

ASTM B 271; Federal QQ-C-390; SAE J461, J462

ASTM B 505; Federal QQ-C-390; SAE J461, J462
ASME B 16.15, 816.18 , B 16.23, B 16.32;
ASTM B 584
ASTM B 30 ; Ingot No. 120
ASTM B 584 , B 763; Federal aO-C-390 ;
SAE J461 , J462

Coppers
C80100

Ingot

Continuous

Fede ral QQ-C-521

Fillings

C81100

Ingot
Sand

C81200

Unions

Fede ral WW-U -SI 6

Valves

Federal WW-V-1967

High Copper Alloys

C83810
C81400

Sand

ASTM B 770

C81500

Copper-Tin-Zinc-Lead Alloys
(Leaded Sem i-Red Brasses)

C81540
C82000

Sand

ASTM B 770 , Fede ral aQ-C-390

C84200

Continuous
Fillings

C82200

Sand

ASTM B 770

C82400

Centrifugal
Sand
Valves

Federal aQ-C-390
Federal QQ-C-390; ASTM B 770
Federal WW-V-1967

C82S00

Centrifugal
Investment
Precision
Sand

Federal QO-C-390; AMS 4511

AMS 4511 , 4890; Military MIL-C-22087
Military MIL-C-11866
Federal OQ-C-390; AMS 4511 ; ASTM 8770

C84410

C82S10

Sand

ASTM B 770

C82600

Sand
Valves

Federal QQ-C-390; ASTM B 770

Federal WW-V- 1967

C82700

Sand
Valves

Federal QQ-C-390
WW-V- 1967

C82800

Sand
Valves

Federal QO-C -390; ASTM B 770

WW-V-1967

C84400

Copper-Tin-Zinc and Copper-Tin-Zinc-Lead Alloys

(Red and Leaded Red Brasses)

Centrifugal
Continuous
Fittings

ASTM B 505 ; Federal QQ-C -390

Federa l WW-P-460

Ingot
Sand
Unions

ASTM B 271; Federal QQ-C-390

ASTM B 505; Federa l QO-C-390
ASME B 16. 15, 8 16.18, 8 16.23, 8 16.24, B 16.26,
8 16.32 ; ASTM B 584 ; Federal WW-T-725
ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 123
ASTM B 584, 8 763; Federal QQ-C-390
Fede ral WW-U-516

C84S00

Ingot

Ingot No. 125

C84800

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

ASTM
ASTM
ASTM
ASTM

B 27 1; Federal OQ-C-390
B 505, Federal OQ-C-390
B 30 ; Ingot No .130
B 584 , B 763; Federal QQ-C -390

Copper-Zinc and Copper-Zinc-Lead Alloys

(Yellow and Leaded Yellow Brasses)
C8S200

Centrifugal
Continuou s
Ingot
Sand
Valves

ASTM B 27 1; SAE J461 , J462

SAE J461 , J462
ASTM B 30; Ingot No . 400
ASTM B 584, B 763; Federal OQ-C -390
Federal WW-V-1967

C85400

C83300

Ingot

Ingot No . 131

C83400

Rotating Bands

Mil itary MIL-B-46066

C834S0

Ingot
Sand

ASTM 8 30
ASTM 8 584, B 763

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

C83S00

Ingot

Ingot No . 251

Va lves

ASTM B 271 ; SAE J461, J462

SAE J461 . J462
ASTM 8 30; Ingot No . 403
ASTM 8 584, 8 763; Federal OQ-C-390;
SAE J461. J462
Federal WW -V-1 967

C83600

Centrifugal

AMS 4855; ASTM B 271; Federal QO-C-390;

SAE J461, J462
ASTM 8 505 ; Federal OQ-C-390; SAE J461 , J462
ASME 8 16.1 5, B16.18, 8 16.23, B 16.26, B 16.32,
S8 62; ASTM 8 62; Federal WW-P-4 60, WW-T-725
ASME B 16.24, SB 62; ASTM B 62
ASTM 8 30; Ingot No.115
MIL-C-11866
AMS 4855; ASM E S8 62; ASTM B 62, B 584 ;
Fede ral QQ-C-390; SAE J461, J462
Federal WW-U-516
MIL-V-18436

C8SS00

Centrifugal
Sand
Valves

Federal QO -C-390
Federal QO- C-390
Federal WW -V-1 967

C85700

Centrifugal
Die
Ingot
Sand

ASTM 82 71 ; Fe deral OQ-C-390

ASTM B 176
ASTM 8 30, Ingot No. 405.2
ASTM 8 584, 8 763; Federal QQ-C-390

C8S800

Die
Ingot

ASTM 8 176; SAE J461 , J462

ASTM B 30; Ingot No . 405.1

Continu ous
Fittings
Flanges
Ingot
Prec ision
San d
Unions
Valves

47

TABLE 5,

Conforming Specifications for Copper Casting Alloys \continued

UNS

Number

Type

Conforming Specification s

UNS
Number

Type

Confo rming Specifications

Centrifugal
Ingot

ASTM 8 271
ASTM B 30; Ingot No . 5008
ASTM B 584, B 763; Federal aQ-C-390
Federal WW-V-1967

Manganese Bronze and Leaded Manganese

C87400

Bronze Alloys

(High Strength and Leaded High Strength

Yellow Brasses)
C86100

Centrifugal
Ingot

Sand
Valves
C86200

Centrifugal

Continuous

Ingot
Precision
Sand
Valves
C86300

Centrifugal

Federal QQ-C-390
Ingot No. 423
Federal QQ-C-390
Federal WW-V-1967

C87500

AMS 4862; ASTM B 271; Federal aO-C-390;

SAE J461, 462
ASTM B 505; Federal aQ-C-390; SAE J461, J462
ASTM B 30; Federal aQ -C-523; Ingot No. 423
Military Mll -C-11866
AMS 4862; ASTM B 584, 8 763; Fede ral OO-C-390;
SAE J461, J462
Fede ral WW-V-1967

C87600

Valves

AMS 4862; ASTM B 27 1; Federal OO-C-390;

SAE J461, J462
ASTM 8 505; Fede ral OO-C-390
ASTM 8 30; Fede ral OO-C-523; Ingot No. 424
Military Mll-C-11866,
AMS 4862; ASTM 8 22, 8 584, 8763;
Federal OO-C-390; SAE J461, J462
Federal WW-V-1967

C86400

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand
Valves

ASTM 8 271
ASTM B 505; Federal OO-C-390
ASTM B 30; Federal OO-C-523; Ingot No. 420
ASTM B 584 , 8 763; Federal OO-C-390
Federal WW-V-1967

C86500

Centrifugal

Valves

AMS 4860; ASTM B 271; Federal OO-C-390;

SAE J461, J462
ASTM 8 505
ASTM 8 176
ASTM B 30; Federal OO-C-523; Ingot No. 421
AMS 4860, ASTM B 584, B 763; Federal OO-C-390;
SAE J461, J462
Federal WW-V-1967

C86700

Centrifugal
Ingot
Sand

ASTM 8 271
ASTM 8 30
ASTM 8 584, 8 763

C86800

Sand
Valves

Federal QO-C-390
Fed eral WW-V-1967

Continuo us
Ingot
Precision
Sand

Continuo us
Die
Ingot
Sand

Copper-Silicon Alloys
(Silicon Bronzes and Silicon Brasses)
C87300

Centri fugal
Ingot
Precision
Sand
Valves

Sand
Valves

ASTM 8 271; SAE J461 , J462

ASTM a 30, Ingot No. 530A
Military Ml l -C-11866
ASTM B 584, B 763; Federal OO-C-390;
SAE J461 , J462
Federal WW-V-1967

Centrifugal
Ingot

Permanent
Sand

8 271; SAE J461, J462

B 30; Ingot No. SOGe
8 806
B 584, B 763; Federal OQ-C-390

Sand

ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 5000

ASTM 8 584, 8 763

C87610

Ingot
Sand

Ingot No . 500E
ASTM 8 584, 8 763

C87800

Die
Ingot
Permanent

ASTM 8 176, SAE J461, J462

ASTM 8 30, Ingot No. 500F
ASTM 8 806

Ingot

Copper-Tin Alloys
(Tin Bronzes)
C90200

Ingot

Ingot No. 242

C90300

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Precision
Sand

ASTM B 271; Federal OO-C-390; SAE J461, J462

ASTM B 505; Federal OO-C-390; SAE J461 , J462
ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 225
Military Mll -C- 11866
ASTM B 584, B 763; Federal OQ-C-390;
SAE J461, J462
Fede ral WW-V-1967

Valves
C90500

Centrifugal
Co ntinuo us
Ingot
Sand

C90700

AMS 4845; ASTM 8 271; Federal OO-C-390;

SAE J461, J462
ASTM 8 505; QQ-C-390; SAE J461, J462
ASTM B 30; Ingot No . 210
AMS 4845; ASTM 8 22, 8 584, 8763;
Fede ral OO-C-390; SAE J461, J462

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

ASTM
ASTM
ASTM
ASTM

Centrifugal
Ingot
Sand

ASTM 8 427
ASTM 8 30
ASTM 8 427

C91000

Centrifugal
Continu ous
Ingot
Sand

FederaIOO-C-390
ASTM B 505; Fed eral OO-C-390
ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 197
FederaIOO -C-390

C91100

Sand

ASTM 8 22

8 427; SAE J461, J462

B 505; Fede ral OO-C-390; SAE J461 , J462
8 30; Ingot No . 205
8 427; SAE J461, J462

C90710
C90800

C90810
C90900

\conti nued on next page

48

ASTM
ASTM
ASTM
ASTM

TABLE 5.
UNS
Number

Conforming Specifications for Copper Casting Alloys I continued

Type

Conformin g Specifications

UNS
Number
C92900

Copper-Tin Alloys \co nti nued

(Tin Bronzes)
C91300

C91 600

C91700

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

AMS 7322; Federa l QQ-C-390

AMS 7322 ; ASTM B 505 ; Federal OQ-C-390
ASTM B 30 ; Ingot No. 194
AMS 7322 ; ASTM B 22; Federal QQ-C-390

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

ASTM B 427 ; Federal OQ-C-390

Federa l QQ-C-390
ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 205N
ASTM B 427

Centri fugal
Ingot
Sand

ASTM 8427
ASTM B 30
ASTM 8 427

Flanges
Ingot
San d
Valves

ASTM 8 271 ; Federal OQ-C-390 ; SAE J461 , J462

ASTM 8 505 ; Federal OQ-C-390 ; SAE J461 , J462
ASME 8 16.24, S8 61 ; ASTM 861 ;
Federal WW-P-460 ; WW-T-725
ASME S8 61 ; ASTM 8 61 ; Federal WW-P-460
ASTM 8 30 ; Ingot No. 245
ASME SB 584 , SB 61 ; ASTM B 584 , B 61 ;
Federa l QO-C -390 ; SAE J461 , J462
Federal WW-V-1967; Military Mi l-V-17547

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

ASTM B 271 ; Federal QO-C -390; SAE J461 , J462

ASTM B 505 ; Federal QO-C-390; SAE J461, J462
ASTM B 30, Ingot No. 230
ASTM B 584 , B 763 ; Federal QO-C-390;
SAE J461

Ingot

Ingot No. 220

C92500

Continuous
Ingot
Sand
Valves

ASTM B 505; Federal OO-C-390 ; SAE J461 , J462

ASTM 8 30 ; Ingot No. 200N
SAE J461, J462
Federal WW-V-1967

C92600

Ingot
Sand

Ingot No . 215
ASTM B 5B4

Continuous
Ingot
Sand

Continuous
Ingot

C92300

C92310
C92400

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Pe rmanent Mold
Sand

ASTM B 271; Federa l QQ-C-390; SAE J461. J462

ASTM B 505 ; Fede ral QQ-C-390; SAE J461 , J462
ASTM 8 30 ; Ingot No . 315
SAE J461 , J462
ASTM B 585, 8 763; Federal OO-C-390;
SAEJ46 1, J462

C93400

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

Fede raIOQ-C -390

ASTM 8 505 ; Federal OO-C-390
ASTM a 30; Ingot No. 310
Federal OO-C-390;

C93500

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

ASTM 8271; Federal OQ-C-390 ; SAE J461 , 462

ASTM 8505; Federal OQ-C -390 ; SAE J461 , J462
ASTM 8 30; Ingot No . 326
ASTM 8 584, 8 763; Federal QQ-C-390 ;
SAE J461, J462

C93600

Sand

Federal QO -C-390

C93700

Bearings
Centrifugal

AMS 4827
AMS 4842; ASTM 8 271 ; Federa l QO-C-390;
SAE J461 . J462
ASTM 8 505; Federal QO -C-390; SAE J461 , J462
ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 305
AMS 4B42; ASME SB 584; ASTM B 22 , B 584 ,
8763; Federal QO-C-390; SAE J461 , J462

Continuous
Ingot
Sand

C93720
C93800

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Permanent Mold
Sand

ASTM 8 271; Federal OO-C-390; SAE J461, J462

ASTM 8 505 ; Federal OO-C-390; SAE J461, J462
ASTM 8 30 ; Ingot No. 319
SAE J461, J462
ASTM 8 584 , 8 66, B 763; Fede ral OQ-C -390;
SAEJ461,J462

C93900

Continuous
Ingot

ASTM 8 505 ; Federal OO -C-390

ASTM B 30

C94000

ASTM 8 505; Federal OQ-C-390; SAE J461, J462

ASTM 8 30; Ingot No. 206
SAE J461, J462

Centrifugal
Continuous
In got
Sand

FederaIOQ-C -390
ASTM 8 505; Federal OO-C-390
ASTM B 30;
FederaIOQ-C-390

C94100

Centrifugal
Conti nuous
Ingot
Sand

FederaIOQ-C-390
ASTM 8 505; Federal QO-C-390
ASTM 8 30; Ingot No. 325
ASTM 8 67; Fede ral QO -C-390

ASTM 8 505
ASTM B 30

C94300

Cent rifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

ASTM 8 271; Fede ral OQ-C-390 ; SAE J461, J462

ASTM 8505; Federal OQ-C-390 ; SAE J461, J462
ASTM 8 30; Ingot No. 322
ASTM 8 584 , B 66, 8 763; Federal OQ-C-390;
SAE J461, J462

C92710

C92810

B 427
B 505 ; SAE J461 , J462
B 30 ; Ingot No , 206N
B 427 ; SAE J461, J462

C93200

C92610

C92800

ASTM
ASTM
ASTM
ASTM

C93100

C92410

C92700

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

Copper-Tin-Lead Alloys

(Leaded Tin Bronzes)

Centrifugal
Continuous
Fittings

Conforming Sp ecificatio ns

(High Leaded Tin Bronzes)

Copper-Tin-Lead Alloys

C92200

Type

\continued on next page

49

TABLE 5. Conforming Specifications for Copper Casting Alloys \ continued

UNS
Nu mber

Type

Conforming Spe cificati ons

UNS
Number

Type

Conforming Spe cillcations

Valves

SAE J461. J462

WWV1967

Copper-Tin-Lead Alloys \continu ed

(High Leaded Tin Bronzes)

C9431Q

C95400

C94320

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot

C94330
C94400

Ingot
Sand

ASTM 8 3D
ASTM 8 66

C94500

Ingot
Sand

ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 321

ASTM 8 66

Permanent
Precision
Sand
Valves
C95410

Ingot
Prec ision

Sand

AS ME 58 271; ASTM 8 271 ; Federal eO-C-390;

SAE J461 , J462
ASTM B 505; Federal eO-C-390; SAE J461 , J462
ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 41SC
ASTM 8 806
Military MIL-C -l t866
ASME S8 48; ASTM B 148, B 763; Federal
390; SAE J461, J462
Federal WW-V-1967

ao-c-

Ingol415 C + Ni
ASTM 8 806
ASTM 8 148, 8 763

Copper-Tin-Nickel Alloys

(NlckelTln Bronzes)
C94700

Continuous
Ingol
Sand
Valves

ASTM 8 505; Federal OO-C-390; SAE J461 , J462

ASTM 8 30
ASTM 8 584 , 8 763; Federal OO-C-390 ;
SAEJ461 , J462
Federal WW-V-1967

C95420

Centrifugal

Sand

C9S500

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Precision
Sand

AMS 4870, 4871 , 4873; ASTM B 271 ; Federal

aaC390; SAE J461 , J462
AMS 4870, 4871 . 4873 ; Federal aQ-C-390;
SAE J461 , J462

ASTM B 271 ; Federal OO-C-390; SAE J461 , J462

ASTM B 505; Federal aO-C-390; SAE J461 , J462
ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 4150
ASTM 8 806
ASTM 8 148, B 763 ; Federal OO-C-390;
SAE J461, J462
Fede ral WW-V- 1967

Valves

ASTM 8 505; Federal OO-C-390

ASTM 8 30
ASTM 8 584, 8 763; Federal OO-C-390;
SAE J461, J462
Federal WW-V-1967

C95S10

Centrifugal

Ingot
Sand

ASTM 8 30
ASTM 8 584 , 8 763

AMS 4880; ASTM 8 271; Federal OO-C-390;

SAEJ461,J462

C95520

Centrifugal
Continuous
Sand

AMS 4881 ; ASTM 8 271 ; Federal aO-C-390;

SAE J461 , J462
ASTM 8 505
AMS 4881 ; Federal aaC390; SAE J461 , J462

C95600

Ingot
Sand

ASTM 8 30; Ingot No. 415E

ASTM 8 148, 8 763

C95700

Centrifugal
Ingot
Sand

FederaIOO-C-390
ASTM 8 30 ; Ingot No. 415F
ASTM 8 148; Federal OO-C-390

C95210

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Precision
Sand

C95220

Valves

ASTM 8 271; Federal OO-C-390; SAE J461, J462

ASTM 8 505; SAE J461 , J462
ASTM 8 30; Ingot No . 415G
ASTM 8 806
ASTM 8 148, B 763; Federal OO-C-390;
Military MIL-8-24480, SAE J461 , J462
Federal WW-V-1967

Sand

ASTM 8 148

C94800

C94900

Continuous
Ingot
Sand

Copper-Aluminum-Iron and Copper-Aluminum-I ronNickel Alloys

(Aluminum Bronzes)
C95200

Centrifugal
Continuous
Flanges
Ingot
Sand
Va lves

C95300

50

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Permanent
Precision
Sand

ASME S8 271 ; ASTM 8 271 ; Federal OO-C-390;

SAE J461 , J462
ASME S8 505; ASTM 8 505; Federal OO-C-390;
SAE J461 , J462
ASME 8 16.24, S8 148; ASTM 8 148
ASTM 8 30; Ingot No. 415A
ASME S8148; ASTM 8 148, 8 763; Federal
aaC390; SAE J461 , J462
Federal WW-V-1967

ASTM B 271; Federal aO-C-390 ; SAE J461 , J462

ASTM 8505 ; Federal aaC390 ; SAE J461 , J462
ASTM B 30; Ingot No. 4158
ASTM 8 806
Military MIL-C-11866
ASTM B 148, 8 763; Federa l Oa-C-390;

Valves

C95710
C95800

C95810
C95900

TABLE 5.
UNS
Nu mber

Conforming Specifications for Copper Casting Alloys I continued

Type

Conforming Specifications

Copper-Nicke l-Iron Alloys

(Coppe r- Nickels)
C96200

Centrifugal
Ingot
Sand
Valves

UNS
Number

C978DO

ASTM B 369; Federal aQ-C-390; SAE J461 , J462

ASTM 8 30
ASTM B 369; Federal aO-C-390; SAE J461 , 462
Military MIL-V-18436

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand
Valves

ASTM B 369; Federal aO-C-390

ASTM B 505; Fede ral QQ-C-390
ASTM 8 30
ASTM B 369; Federal QQ-C-390
Federal WW-V-1967

Centrifugal
Contin uous
Ingot
Sand
Valves

ASTM 8 271
ASTM 8 505
ASTM 6 30 ; Ingot No. 4136
ASTM 8 584 , 8 763
Military MIL-V-18436

C98200

Bearings

AMS 4824

C984DO

Bearings

AMS 4820

C98600

C96600
C96700

Sand

ASTM 8 770

C96800

Ingot

ASTM 8 30

C98800
C98820
C98840

C96900

Special Alloys

Copper-Nickel-Zinc Alloys
(Nickel Silvers)
C97300

Conform ing Spe cifi ca ti ons

Copper-Lead Alloys
(Leaded Coppers)

C96300
C96400

Typ e

C99300

Centrifugal
Continuous
Ingot
Sand

ASTM
ASTM
ASTM
ASTM

B 271
B 505; SAE J461 , J462
B 30; Ingot No. 410
B 5B4 . B 763

C97400

Ingot

Ingot No. 411

C97600

Centrifugal
Continuous

ASTM
ASTM
ASTM
ASME

C99350
C99400

Sand

ASTM B 763

C99500

Sand

ASTM B 763

C99700

Die

ASTM B 176

C99750

Die

ASTM 8 176

C99600

Ingot
Sand

B 271
B 505 , SAE J461 , J462
B 30; Ingot No. 412
S8 584 ; ASTM B 584, B 763; Military MIL-

C-17112
Valves

Military Ml l -V-18436

51

FIGURE 1-4

By pressure die casting this door bolt in a yellow

brass, the manufaclurer eliminated several
expensive machine and finishing operations.

FIGURE 1-5

High strength yellow brass

was selected for this rolling
mill adjusting nut. Also
known as manganese
bronzes and high-tensile
brasses, these alloys are the
strongest, as cast of the
copper-base materials.

FIGURE 1-6

The leaded bronze sleeve

bearings used in this
shovel loader (inset) can
accommodate dirty or
contaminated lubricants.
It also continues to
function if lubrication is
temporarily interrupted.

52

FIGURE 1-7

Because of its excellent resistance to erosion-corrosion and cavitation attack, nickel-aluminum bronze
has become the standard propeller alloy.

FIGURE 1-8

Centrifugally cast copper-nickel valve, with

split casting dies. Copper-nickel alloys
have exceptional resistance to corrosion
in seawater.

.:'..r
'.

.. ..._

. .,

~:re;,
~ : '~'
,~ ~..,. , .0 ...

. ''tw-. ,
_A
,

.
" t' . . ...... '" ,t.\..., .,.:"
. ......0'., '- '. ..' . -I... . .....
I,.:';":
:.: i'.. :'
r.
f"

.~

to '

...

. .
0 .

_,

' :,""

.
.' ...... ... "
~

ti '

t o

tI

'

.' 0

~ ~ ' ."

f' .. r .~

. , . : ....

';

- ...

,".

., ./,

', '

.~ " ::...~~
. '~
~

, . ,

..

.~

.,

..

... "

'

'

"

'-.': ."'. '.". .. .~ ,;.- "' -': ~ J

.

'

' -

FIGURE 1-9

FIGURE 1-10

Long-freezing alloys, such as this semi-red brass,

solidify by the formation of microscopic tree-like
structures called dendrites, traces of which are seen
here. Residual microporosity is minimized by mold
design, although some porosity is often tolerable.

Lead in copper casting alloys forms discrete microscopic pools. The lead seals pores between dendrites
to produce pressure-tight castings. Lead also significantly improves machinability.

53

Selecting Copper Casting Alloys

II. SELECTING COPPER ALLOYS FOR CORROSION RESISTANCE

Forms of Corrosion in Copper

Alloys
Copper is classified as one of the
nobl e metal s, along with silver, gol d
and platinum. While not as chemically
inert as the other nobl e metal s, copper is
well known for its ability to shield itself
from corrosion by fanning protective,
tightl y adhering corrosion product
films. The films are usually made up of
oxides or hydroxides unless strong
anions are present in the environment,
in which case the film s' structures
become more complex. The attrac ti ve
green pati na found on bronze statuary
and o ld copper roofing is a familiar
example of thi s self-protect ing
behavior.
Alloying can increase copper' s
corrosion resistance signifi cantly,
although effects vary with indi vidual
elements and particular env ironments.
The very ex istence of copper alloys cast
at least as early as 5,000 B.C. and of
bronzes sal vaged from ships that sank
more than 1,500 years ago is strong ev idence for the copper alloys' inherent
corros ion resistance. Despite its nob ili ty , however, copper can be susceptible
to several types of cOITosion, and before
discussing the selection of copper alloys
for various environments, it may be
helpful to review the more common of
these fonns of attack.
General Corrosion. As its name
implies, general corrosion in volves a
more or less unifonn wasting away of
metal surfaces. Attack converts the
m etal to a corrosion product which may
or may not adhere to the surface. Dense,
adherent corrosion products such as the
minerals in patina block or retard the

access of corrodant, usuall y oxygen, to

the metal's surface. Once a protective
corrosio n product forms, the rate of corrosion quickly diminishes to a val ue
govel1led by the transpOit of ionic
species through the film. At some point,
corrosion may effecti vely cease
altogether.
If the corros ion product swell s
and spalls away from the corrodi ng su rface, fresh metal wi ll be continuous ly
exposed and cOiTosion will proceed at a
rapid rate. The rusting of steel and the
exfoli ation of heat treated aluminum
alloys are fa mili ar examples of this phenomenon. Copper alloys do not normally generate ex foliative cOITosion
products, although there are so me
exceptions.
The copper alloys ' behavior in
marine environments also depends on
the tendency for copper to form a tightly adhering, protecti ve corrosion product film. Although some corrosion does
occur in seawater, the rate at whi ch it
proceeds is quickly and significantly
reduced as the protective film forms .
The composition and properties of the
film depend on the metal compos ition
and on the nature of the environment as
the film forms. The film thickness has
been fo und to range between 2,800 A
and 4,400 A in a 90-10 copper-ni ckel.
Fi lms consist mainly of cuprous
oxide, CU20, but may also contain
cuprou s hydroxychloride, Cu,(OH)3C1
and cupric ox ide, CuO, plus oxides and
hydroxychlOlides of the particu lar alloy's
constituents. The conosion product film
begins to fonn immediately upon il11JTIersion; the rate of film fOnTIalion, i. e., the
corrosion rate, will already decrease to

one-tenth of its ori gi nal rate 10 min utes

later, see Figure II-I, page 61. The
protecti ve fi lm continues to thicken
at a decreas ing rate until steady state is
approached, nonnally several months
to years after immersion.
The benign aspect of general corrosion is that it proceeds at a constant rate
so long as the environment doesn't
change. If a stable environment can be
assured, the life of the product can be calculated. This has led to the common practice of incorporating "conosion
aUowances"---extra metal beyond that
needed for strength-in corrosion-sensitive products such as cast pipe and fittings.
Pitting Corrosion. In this case,
the corrosion process is concentrated in
very smaJ l areas, leavi ng the remainder
of the exposed surface virtuall y corrosion-free . Pitting begins wi th the breakdown of the protective, or passive,
surface film through the action of chlorides or other ru ghJy oxidizi ng species in
the environment. Penetration rates in the
pits themselves can exceed the rale of
general corrosion by several orders of
magnitude.
Copper alloys are not very susceptible to pitting conosion, although attack
can occur in some fresh and matine
waters in coppers, red brasses, and tin,
silicon and aluminum bronzes:1 Evidence
suggests that pits in copper alloys begin
to broaden after reaching a certain depth,
leaving a roughened but otherwise intact
surface. That is, pits in copper alloys do
not "drill" into the surface as they characteristically do in stainless steels and
aluminum alloys.

55

Crevice Corrosion. As its name

implies, crevice corrosion occurs in
regions that are not fully exposed to the
corroding environment. Typical examples include metal-to-gasket interfaces,
crevices under fastener heads and areas
underlying debris deposits. Crevice corrosion is usually not observable until
considerable damage has occurred.
Attack begins because the
exposed surface, away from the crevice,
sees higher oxygen concentrati ons than
the surfaces within the crevice. The
exposed surface therefore becomes
cathodicall y polarized to the crevice,
which becomes the anode. The small
anode/large cathode area rat io that ge nerall y results leads to rapid attack in the
hidden areas. As with pitting, chlorides
accelerate the rate of attack.
Crevice con'osion is not a serious
problem among the copper alloys,
although ye llow brasses and manganese
bronzes can corrode in this fashion.
Aluminum bronzes, tin bronzes, redand semi-red brasses and copper-nickel
alloys are less likely to be attacked. In
all, copper alloys are notabl y superior to
the stainl ess steels in their resistance to
crevice corrosion.
Dealloying or "Parting"
Corrosion. Some copper alloys corrode
by the selecti ve removal of one of the
alloy's constituents, leaving behind a
spongy mass of nearly pure copper.
Dealloying occurs in seawater and in
stagnant, neutral or slightly acidic fres h
waters, often under sediments or biomass deposits. COiTosion apparently
proceeds by the di ssolution of the entire
alloy followed by the cathodic redeposition of the more noble copper. Two
forms of attack are known: plug-type
dealloying occurs in locali zed areas
and proceeds relati vely rapidly; layertype dealloying is typically spread over
larger areas and is somewhat less
aggressive.
All brasses are potentially vulnerable to dezincification. The beta phase
found in high zinc brasses is especially
susceptible to this fonn of attack.
Dealloying in brasses can be reduced
significantly by the addition of phosphorus and/or tin. Arsenic and antimony
strongly reduce susceptibility in the

56

alpha phase. These alloyi ng elements

are uti li zed in the dezincification-resistant silicon brasses C87800 and
C87900. The elements do not retard
dezincification of the zi nc- rich beta
phase, therefore high beta brasses
should not be specified for seawater or
oxidi zing acidic environments.
An analogous fo rm of dealloying
known as dealuminificatio n is found in
some al uminum bronzes. Alloys with
relatively high aluminum contents, such
as C95300 and C95400, can contain
substantial amounts of the Y2 phase
when in the as-cast condition. The
elevated nickel and iron contents of
nickel-aluminum bronzes C95500 and
C95800 also cause th is phase to appear.
The presence of Y2is detrimenta l to
cOITosion resistance, particularl y with
regard to dealuminification.
The con'osion resistance of alloys
C95300 and C95500 can be improved
by heat tremment, a process which
removes Y2 from the microstructure and
at the same time increases the alloys'
strength. In the case of Alloy C95800,
the temper anneal heat treatment is
applied to improve dealuminification
resistance, especiall y when the alloy is
to be used in seawater.
Dealumi nification in the aluminum and nickel-aluminum bronzes
can be avoided by applying cathodic
protection (CP), usuall y by e lectricall y
coupling the alloys with less noble metals. Steel ship hulls, for example, provide adequate CP to protect C95500
propellers, even when these have not
been heat treated.
Another copper alloy can also
provide CP, but this is not always possible. For example, aluminum bronzes
C95200-C95400 are slightly anodic to
(less noble than) nickel-aluminum
bronzes, but the potential difference
between the two alloys is not sufficient
to prevent dealuminification of nickelaluminum bronze C95000 when the two
are coupled in seawater.
Aluminum-silicon bronze
(C95600), as well as manganese- nickelaluminum bronze (C95700), contain littl e or no Y'). and they are therefore less
susceptible to dealuminifi cation than
C95500 and C95800. Heat treatment

is not essential: however, the seawater

corrosion resis tance of these alloys
does improve somewhat after the
alloys are temper annealed.
ErosionCorrosion, Cavitation.
In quiescent or slowly movi ng waters,
the copper alloys' protecti ve corrosionproduct films are able to replenish
themsel ves faster than they can dissolve, with the result that film thickness and corrosion rates remain
essentially constant. When flo w ve loc~
ily is permitted to increase, it eve ntually reaches a point where the film is
removed faster th an it can regenerate.
This flow rate is called the critical
velocity, and it is marked by an abrupt
ri se in the corrosion rate.
Estimates for critical flow ve locities for several of the cast copper
alloys are given in Table 6, page 6 1.
When using these limiting values,
designers should be aware that the
numbers refer to smooth flo w conditions. and that turbulence around
obstru ctions, at sharp cha nges in flow
direction and over rough cast surfaces
may result in velocities that are considerabl y higher than bulk flo w rates
would suggest.
Nickel-aluminum bronzes are
known for their good resistance to
erosion-corrosion, but the degree of
resistance depends on the alloys'
metallurgical co ndition. Alloy C95500,
for example, exhibits very good
resistance to erosion-corrosion
in the as-cast condition and good
resistance to dealuminification when
heat treated.
For the reasons disc ussed above,
the alloy does not require heat treatment
to improve its dealumi nification resistance when used in ship propellers.
Alloy C95800, an accepted alloy
for seawater pump components,
behaves similarly, i.e., it has good erosion-corrosion resistance as cast and
good dealuminification resistance after
heat treatment. However, it is known
that erosion-corrosion resistance deteriorates as a result of the temper anneal
heat treatment. Therefore, if velocity
resistance is important, the alloy should
be used in the as-cast condition; if there
also is a possibility that dealuminifica-

tion might occur (as in seawater), the

alloy should be protected by an effective CP system.
Severe forms of erosion-corrosion occur when the fluid contains abrasive particles (abrasion corrosion) or
when terminal velocities are extremely
high (impingement attack). High differential pressures can give ri se to vapor
generation and cavitation, the mode of
attack sometimes observed on the lowpressure side of impellers and ship propellers.
Ordinary erosion-corrosion can

usually be avoided by selecting a more

corrosion-resistant material, but abrasion-corrosion, impingement and cavi-

tation can only be overcome by using

alloys that combine better corrosion
resistance with higher strength and
hardness.

Galvanic Corrosion. A galvanic

couple is formed when two dissimilar
metals are electrically connected in the
presence of a corrosive medium, or
electrolyte. The couple acts as a battery,

causing one metal (the more active

anode) to corrode more rapidly, while
reducing corrosion at the other (the less
active cathode). The behavior of metals
in galvanic couples depends on the difference in their electrochemical potentials, the properties of the electrolyte
and on the galvanic circuit's electrical
resistance, i.e., how intimately the metals are connected.
The propensity for galvanic corrosion is described by a galvanic series,
which lists the common metals in order
of their electrochemical behavior in a
particular medium. A galvanic series for
seawater exposure (there are many others) is shown in Figure 11-2, page 62.
The farther apart metals lie on the
series, the greater the possibility that
galvanic corrosion can occur when the
metals are joined. Metals that are close
to each other in the series normall y do
not present a problem; therefore, copper
alloys do not affect each other nor are
they seriously affected by coupling to
nickel-base alloys and passive stainless
steels. Copper alloys do accelerate
attack in less noble metals such as aluminum and mild steel.
The rate of galvanic attack

depends very strongly on the anode!

cathode area ratio. For example, a small
brass fitting may cause no serious damage to a large steel housing because the
galvanic corrosion on the steel will be
spread over a large area. Galvanic corrosion can be controlled by taking
advantage of the area ratio. It can be
eliminated entirely by insulating the two
metals from each other.
Stress-Corrosion Cracking
(SCC). Also known as environmentally
assisted cracking, SCC occurs only in
the simultaneous presence of a susceptible material, a suitably aggressive environment and a sufficiently high tensile
stress. Failure is usually in the fonn of a
network of cracks oriented perpendicular to the applied (or residual) stress
vector. Cracking may be intergranular
or tran sgranular depending on the alloy
and the attacking medium.
Almost all metals exhibit SCC in
some environment, however, susceptibility is typically very specific to the
attacking species, and corrodants that
readily crack one class of materials may
have no effect on another. Chlorides are
notorious for causing SCC in stainless
steels, for example, but will not crack
the copper alloys. Conversely, copper
alloys can exhibit SCC in aqueous
solutions of ammonium ions, nitrites,
mercury compounds, and moist atmospheres containing sulfur dioxide, media
which are not known to crack the steels.
SCC susceptibility varies considerably among the copper alloy families.
Brasses are most vulnerable to failure in
the media listed above; tin-bronzes, red
brasses and aluminum bronzes are less
sensitive to attack in these environments, and pure copper and coppernickels are essentially immune.

Selecting Alloys for Corrosive

Environments
When corrosion resistance is the
principal design criterion, the obvious
metal to use is the one that provides the
desired service life (highest acceptable
corrosion rate) at the lowest cost. When
a longer minimum service life is
required, or when there is uncertainty
regarding corrosion conditions over
time, the simplest options are to provide

a corrosion allowance in the fonn of

excess wall thickness and/or use of a
more corrosion-resistant alloy.
Corrosion allowances are only
safe to use when corrosion rates can be
predicted with a high degree of reliability. They are perfectly acceptable for situations invol ving general corrosion or
mild erosion-corrosion under non varying environmental conditions.
Corrosion allowances are less
useful when pitting, plug-type dealloying, severe cavitation or stress corrosion
cracking can occur, since the rate of
penetration under these conditions is
nearly impossible to predict. Using a
more resistant alloy often- but not
always--entails higher costs. In thi s
regard, it should be noted that copper
alloys are considerably less expensive
than exotic materials such as titanium
and nickel-base alloys, yet their performance may be more than adequate to
meet the demands of the corrosive environment.
It is often the case that several
design criteria must be satisfied at the
same time. Alloy selection then
becomes a matter of choosing the material with the best overall combination of
the required properties. For example, a
marine winch bearing would require
good corrosion resistance combined
with high strength. In this case, an aluminum bronze would be a good candidate because it is both strong and
corrosion-resistant.
It is not possible to define a specific alloy for a particular application in
a publication such as this. The following chapters therefore suggest selections
from groups of alloys that should be
nominally acceptable for given situations. The final choice can then be made
after testing candidate alloys under simulated service conditions.
Atmospheric Exposure. All copper alloys resist corrosion in clean, dry
air. Exposed outdoors, they slowly tarnish to successively darker shades of
brown, varying in color with alloy composition. Carbon dioxide, chlorine, sul fur compounds and oxygen di ssolved in
rainwater may eventually give rise to a
gray-green patina. Corrosion rates corresponding to patina fonnation-an

--------------------------------------------------------------57

excellent example of a protective corrosion-range from 0.00008 to 0.000 12

inly (0.002 to 0.003 mnnly)."
Exposed indoors, high strength
yellow brasses (C861 OO-C868(0), nickel silvers and aluminum bronzes tend to
retain their brightness quite wel l. The
cast copper-nickels, which are nearly
identical in composition to the wrought
coinage alloys used throughout the
world, are also highly tarnish resistant.
Copper, brasses and tin bronzes
graduall y lose their luster unless shielded from the atmosphere. Protective lacquers containing corrosion inhibitors
can retain the bright colors of newly
polished metal for many years. A number of modem polymeric coatings are
also effective outdoors.
After sufficient time for protective film formation, atmospheric corrosion rates for copper alloys usually
decrease to inconsequential levels.
Corrosion rates for copper, aluminum
bronze and 70-30 copper-nickel range
between 0.000013 and 0.000051 in/y
(0.05 and 0.2 ~nnly) after 20 years in
rural desert areas, and reach only
0.000011,0.000051 and 0.00001 inly
(0.43,0.20 and 0.48 ~nnly), respectively, in northern rural areas. Industrial
pollutants, especially when combined
with the marine atmospheres of seacoast locations, increase the rate of
corrosion several-fold, but only to a
quite tolerable 0.00066 inly (2.6
~nnly).'

High zinc brasses are less resistant to atmospheric corrosion, and

may suffer superficial dezincification
under acid rain conditions. Sulfur
dioxide, the principal industrial pollutant, is detrimental to many copper
alloys; however, nickel-tin bronzes
and aluminum bronzes can be recommended where high atmospheric concentrations of S02 prevaiJ.8
Industrial atmospheres occasionally give rise to stress corrosion cracking in cast alloys, but the phenomenon
is rare and data are therefore sparse. The
behavior of cold-worked copper alloys
suggests increasing resistance to SCC in
industriaVnear-seacoast atmospheres in
the order: 70-30 brass (approximately
equivalent to C858(0) < leaded duplex

58

brass < admiralty brass (similar to

C854(0) < aluminum brass (similar to
C865(0) < aluminum bronze (similar to
C952(0). " In part because of their
lower levels of residual stresses and less
severe loading, castings are generally
less susceptible to SCC than wrought
materials.
Moist ammoniacal atmospheres
can produce stress corrosion cracking in
copper alloys, although susceptibility
varies widely with alloy composition.
Again, brasses exhibit the highest susceptibility, followed by aluminum
bronzes, pure copper and 90-10 coppernickel. High nickel (70-30) coppernickels are regarded as being virtually
immune to see failure in this environment. I l. 12
Copper alloys oxidize slowly in
air at elevated temperatures. Oxidation
resistance is improved considerably by
alloying, which changes the composition and properties of the oxide film.
Tenacious mixed-oxide films give aluminum bronzes (including nickel- and
manganese-containing varieties), high
strength bronzes and beryllium coppers
particularly good resistance to oxidation. Nickel, as in copper-nickel alloys,
retards the oxidation of copper at high
temperatures by as much as a factor of
three. Brasses are not notably oxidation resistant at elevated temperatures,
and for this and other reasons, they are
not commonly used above about 572 F
(300 C).
Steam. Corrosion resistance in
steam is normally a less critical design
factor than stress-rupture and creep
strength requirements at the service
temperature. From a corrosion standpoint, leaded red brass, C83600, leaded
semi-red brass, C84400, and high
strength yellow brasses and silicon
bronzes are all suitable for steam service. The metals' creep strengths
(which decrease in the same order) fix
the limits of their allowable service conditions.
Aluminum bronzes C95400 and
C95500, as well as manganese-aluminum bronze, C95700, are recommended for steam service at
temperatures up to 800 F (427 C). Small
additions of tin or silver, used to prevent
I)

intergranular stress corrosion cracking

in wrought aluminum bronzes, 14 are not
necessary in cast versions of these
alloys. The aluminum bronzes' high
hardness helps protect against impingement corrosion, which can occur under
wet steam conditions. The leaded tin
bronze, C92700, is also widely used in
steam fittings.
Fresh Waters. The corrosion
behavior of copper alloys in clean, fresh
water is similar to that in air. Unless
conditions favor dezincification or flow
velocities are very high, virtually any
copper alloy can be used. Red brass,
C83600, and semi-red brass, C84400,
are the most popular alloys for cast
plumbing hardware in North America.
Higher zinc yellow brasses also
give good service, but these alloys may
dezincify under conditions involving an
acidic pH, stagnation or crevices such
as those formed under sediments.
Dezincification is less of a problem in
tin-bearing brasses (C85200, C85400,
C857(0) or brasses that are inhibited
against dezincification by additions of
arsenic or antimony (C87800, C87900).
Some potable waters can attack
the lead contained in plumbing fixtures
made from alloys such as C83600 and
C84400, but this is by no means a universal problem. Moderately hard and
harder waters, for example, quickly
cause the formation of an insoluble calcareous film that almost immediately
blocks any further corrosion of the lead.
Under more aggressive conditions, lead from the fixtures' sutfaces
can leach into the water. (Since only
surface lead is affected by the leaching
action, the process is inherently selflimiting.) Therefore, in very soft,
aggressive waters, where water remaining in a fixture could exceed the
Environmental Protection Agency's
action levels for lead after an overnight
dwell, designers might opt for a
reduced-lead or lead-free alloy. The
unleaded silicon brasses, C87600 and
C87800 among other alloys, have been
proposed as possible alternatives to
leaded alloys for such situations.
It should be noted that surface
lead can be removed from even highly
leaded alloys by a simple chemical

treatment with an acidified solution of

sodium acetate. This treatment effectively renders the alloys "lead-free"

from a corrosion standpoint, yet it

has no harmful effect on structure or
properties.

Alloy C96400, with 30% nickel,

is better able to tolerate polluted waters
and high velocity flow than the 90-10
alloy. The alloy contains a small

amount of columbium (niobium) to

II % aluminum, 4% nickel aluminum

improve its weldability. It is, in fact, the

most weldable alloy in the cast copper-

bronze, C95500, which respond to heat

Tin bronzes and aluminum

bronzes have excellent corrosion resis-

nickel series and is consequently a good

tance in fresh water. These alloys are

considerably stronger than the red or

cast fabrication is a manufacturing

semi-red brasses, and are better suited

to industrial applications than to domestic plumbing. Typical uses include

pump components for handling acidic

mine waters and chemical process
streams.
Waters containing sulfides,
nitrates, cyanides, amines or mercury or
ammonia compounds are corrosive to
copper alloys. Tin bronzes, aluminum
bronzes and copper-nickels are more
resistant to these species than coppers
and brasses, and these alloys can be
used if conditions are well understood.
If there is any doubt about performance,
it is good practice to conduct simulated
or accelerated service tests before committing an alloy to a new application.
Seawater, Copper, the original

marine metal, is quite resistant to attack

by seawater. This property is shared by
most of the cast copper alloys, which

find a large market in marine service

applications. Pure copper is far too

weak for mechanical applications in

marine service, and today's workhorse
alloys are the strong, corrosion-resistant
copper-nickels and aluminum bronzes.

bronze, C95200, develops a minimum

tensile strength of 65 ksi (448 MPa) in
the as-sand-cast condition. The 10%
aluminum bronze, C95300, and the

candidate for products in which weldoption. The alloy's higher nickel content makes it about 30% stronger than
the 90-10 composition, but it also adds

significant cost. Higher initial cost can

often be amortized over a longer service
life, however, resulting in a lower life
cycle cost. This is especially true for

maintenance-prone items such as valve

components and pump bodies.
With a tensile strength of75 ksi
(517 MPa), the 80-20 alloy, C96300, is

the strongest of the conventional cast

copper-nickels. It is used primarily for
centrifugally cast tailshaft sleeves.
Stronger still is alloy C96600, a beryllium-modified 70-30 composition that
can be age-hardened to a yield strength
of75 ksi (517 MPa) and a tensile
strength of 120 ksi (827 MPa). At maximum strength, the alloy's hardness
reaches HR24C. The presence of beryl-

lium oxide in the alloy's protective corrosion-product film enhances corrosion

and oxidation resistance.

treatment, reach tensile strengths of 80

and 110 ksi (551 and 758 MPa),
respectively.

Aluminum-silicon bronze,
C95600, manganese-aluminum bronze,
C95700 and nickel-aluminum bronze,
C95800 do not respond to heat treatment,
yet they attain appreciable strength levels (60-90 ksi, 413-620 MPa) in the as-

cast condition. Typical applications

include severe-duty, corrosion-resistant
products such as pumps, valves, heat
exchanger components and propeller
hubs, as well as seawater pipe and fittings for use under high flow rate conditions. Alloy C95800 is regarded as the

most cost-effective propeller alloy for

commercial vessels.
For less demanding applications,
both leaded and unleaded tin bronzes
can be considered. These alloys perform

very well in seawater but are not often

used for marine products because of
their modest mechanical properties. On
the other hand, red brasses such as
C83600 give very good service under
moderate operating conditions and can
be used very cost-effectively in pumps,

C96600 is used for highly stressed andlor unattended products such as

valves and general utility products.

Seawater causes dezincification

submerged pressure housings, pump

and selective attack of the beta phase in

and valve bodies, line fittings, low-tide

hardware, submersible gimbal assem-

high zinc brasses, including the semi-red

blies and release mechanisms. Like all

caution in marine applications. Yellow

(as sand cast) ranging between 45 and

75 ksi (310 and 517 MPa), depending
on alloy type, they have gained wide

copper alloys, the high strength coppernickels can be soldered and brazed, but
their weldability can only be rated as
fair.

brasses, leaded or unleaded, should not

be specified for wetted or submerged
applications. High strength yellow brass-

acceptance in both cast and wrought

fonns.

The aluminum bronzes' resistance to seawater corrosion is almost

Alloy C96200, a 90-10 coppernickel alloy, offers good corrosion per-

equivalent to the best copper-nickels.

The copper-nickel alloys have

exceptional seawater corrosion resistance. With minimum tensile strengths

fonnance at a cost between that of the tin

bronzes and the higher nickel alloys. As
with other copper-nickels, the alloy's

corrosion rate in seawater decreases

steadily during exposure, eventually approaching steady-state behavior at 0.04
to 0.05 mpy (1.0 to 1.3 x 10-' mm1y),
Figure 11-3, page 61.

As a class, however, the aluminum

bronzes are considerably stronger than
the copper-nickels. They tend also to
cost a bit less, and they are readily
weldable.

As a rule, mechanical properties

improve with alloy content, and aluminum bronzes are no exception. The
alpha (single-phase) 9% aluminum

brasses. These should only be used with

es are not generally recommended for

the same reason, although an alloy similar to C86500 is successfully used for
underwater fittings in the u.K.
Desalination, Copper alloys are
standard materials for all stages of flash-

evaporative desalination equipment.

They are also used extensively for supply and service water lines in reverse
osmosis systems. In one evaporative
desalination unit, alpha aluminum
bronze, 90-10 copper-nickel and 70-30

copper-nickel exhibited corrosion rates

--------------------------------------------------------------59

between as little as 0.0003 and 0.00 I in/y

(0.0076 and 0.025 mm1y) after 29
months' service. The range in corrosion
rates in this instance reflects the severity
of the service conditions at various locations in the plant. 14
Industrial and Process
Chemicals. Copper alloys are widely
used in the process industries. Properly
selected for the given environment, they

sodium nitrate.
Nonoxidizing acetic, hydrochloric
and phosphoric acids are relatively
benign toward all copper alloys
except the high zinc alloys. Tin

bronzes, aluminum bronzes, nickel

silver, copper and silicon bronzes can

can be more cost-effective than stainless

steels, significantly less expensive than
titanium or nickel-base alloys, and
cheaper and more reliable in the long run
than organic-lined, carlJon steel components.
Copper alloy families that display
good corrosion resistance in seawater are
usually durable in corrosive process

streams, as well. That is, red and semired brasses, tin and nickel-tin bronzes,
aluminum bronzes and copper-nickel
alloys are generally good candidates for
industrial chemical service. Because
chemical service environments can vary
so widely. however, it is always best to
test candidate alloys before committing a
casting to use. A few general principles
may help in making the initial alloy
selection(sY '

Tin bronzes, silicon bronzes, nickel

silver, copper, aluminum bronzes and
low zinc brasses can safely be used in

ever, chlorinated water can be handled by high tin bronze, aluminum

become aggressive toward alloys

which resist attack when the acid is

and copper itself. High zinc brasses

are attacked by moist carbon dioxide.

cold and dilute. Nitric, chromic and

Organic compounds are generally

innocuous toward copper alloys.
Exceptions include hot, moi st, chlorinated hydrocarbons and aerated

Alkalis are best handled with 70-30

copper-nickel alloys, although high

tin bronzes, nickel silver, silicon

bronzes and most other alloys except
high zinc brasses are safe to use with

diJute bases. Aluminum bronzes are

susceptible to dealurnirtification in hot
dilute hydroxides, but t1tis tendency is
markedly reduced in aluminum

bronzes containing tin. Anunonium

hydroxide, substituted anunonium
compounds, amines and cyanides

should never be used in contact with

copper alloys as these species cause
rapid corrosion through the formation
of highl y soluble complex ions.

bronze, silicon bronze, nickel silver

organic acids. Moist acetylene forms

explosive compounds in contact with
copper, although alloys containing
less than 65% copper are safe in t1tis
regard.
A number of foodstuffs and beverages are routinely handled in copper
alloys, the best-known examples
being the use of copper alloy in breweries and distilleries, and nickel silver
fittings, valves and fixtures in dairy
equipment. It should be noted that
copper is an absolutely essential trace

nutrient, and its presence in foodstuffs

in low concentrations is not haz-

acids and alkalis, hot or cold, provid-

Aerated solutions of ammonium compounds and nitrites can cause stress

corrosion cracking if the exposed

ardous. Copper can impart an objectionable mera1tic taste if present in

sufficiently high concentrations, and

ing the medium does not contain air

copper alloy is under an applied or

it is for this reason that direct contact

or other oxidants (nitric acid, dichromates, chlorine and ferric salts), complexing agents such as cyanides,
ammonia, chlorides (when hot) and
amines, or compounds that react
directly with copper. The latter
include sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, sil-

residual tensile stress.

between copper alloys and acidic

foodstuffs should be avoided. An
electroplated tin coating provides a
good contact barrier. Leaded copper
alloys should be used with caution
when there is concern that lead may
be leached into foods or beverages.

contact with concentrated or dilute

ver salts, mercury and its compounds,

and acetylene.

Dry gases, including anunonia and

chlorine, do not attack copper and
copper alloys, but these gases are corrosive when moist. All copper alloys
are attacked by moist chlorine; how-

be recommended; however, hot and

concentrated hydrochloric acid may

other oxidizing acids must be avoided

in all cases.

when tensile stresses are present.

Yellow brasses and other high-zinc

Neutral salt solutions can usually be

handled safely by most copper alloys,
although corrosion rates vary among
alloy types. Chlorides are more corro-

sive than sulfates and carbonates,

especially in aerated solutions; however, copper-nickels and aluminum
bronzes are the preferred materials for

use in evaporative desalination plants

alJoys are prone to dezincification and

because of their extremely low corro-

should not be used with dilute or concentrated acids or acid salts, both

sion rates in these highly saline envi-

or concentrated alkalis, neutral chloride or sulfate solutions or mild oxidizing agents such as calcium

ronments. Basic salts behave like

hydroxides, but less aggressively,
although high zinc brasses are not
recommended. Mercury salts (and the
metal itself) are highly corrosive to
copper alloys and will, in addition,

hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide and

provoke stress corrosion cracking

organic and inorganic. The high zinc

alloys should never be used in dilute

Table 7, page 73, lists the resistance of cast copper alloys to a selection
of common industrial and process
chemicals. The data are necessarily
general in nature and should only be
used as a guide. The best assurance of
alloy performance can be gained by

conducting simulated service tests of

candidate alloys before making the
final alloy selection.

60-----------------------------------------------------

TABLE 6. Velocity Guidelines

for Copper Alloys in
Pumps and Propellers
Operating in Seawater
UNS Number

Peripheral Velocity

feet/second
meters/second
C83600 _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ d O
<9.1

C87600 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <30
<9.1

C90300 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <45
<13.7
C92200 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <45
<13.7
C95200 _ _ __ _ __
C86500 _ _ _ __

_ _ <75
<22.8

_ _ _ _ <75
<22.8

C95500 _ _ _ _ _ _ __

_ _ _ _ _ _ , 75
>22 .8

Unshaded areas", standard U.S. units

Shaded areas = metric units (51)

1.0

0.
0.

Q)

e>

'"

.c

"

"' 0.100
is

."

I'-..

w.

-0-.,

Q;

0.
0.
0
()

0.010

f-

Background

10

Time after startup

..

10'

intake

I,

water

10'

.)

.. . .

10'

1hr

~opper

0.001

, 75
'22.8

C9S700 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , 75
>22 .8
C9S800 _ __

10.0

1 day

10' Minutes

1wk

1mo3mo

FIGURE 11-1.
Formation Rate of Corrosion Film on 90-10 Copper-Nickel in Seawater.
Source: G. Butler and A. D. Mercer, Nature, Vol. 256, No. 5520, pp 179-720.
See also: Copper-Nickel Alloy-Resistance to Corrosion and Biofouling in
the Application of Copper-Nickel Alloys in Marine Systems, available from
Copper Development Association Inc.

Time, years

14

12

10

o Quiet

50

~40
E

Flowing

Tidal

.3"' 30
.04 mpy _

:E

'"
~ 20
10

~
,05mpy--,

.--

o ______
a

______

______

______

______

__

Time , days x 103

FIGURE 11-2.
Weight Loss-Time Curves for 90-10 Copper-Nickel In Seawater.
Source: International Nickel Co., Inc., Marine Corrosion Bulletin MCB-1 , 1975.

61

VOLTS : SATURATED CALOMEL HAlF-CEl REFERENCE ELECTRODE

6z1
o

,
M'agnesium

Beryllium
.--l-_...L-I
I
Aluminum Alloys

cldm'n~m
I
I

Mild Steel, Cast Iror

I
I Steel
I
Low Alloy
I
I
I
Austenitic Nickel Cast Iron

Iq

I I I

Alu,min+Br+e
Navel Brass, Yellow Brass, Red Brass

19

OTir I
D Copper
rL--. I
I
W Pb-Sn Solder (50-50)

I
I
I
I
Admiralty Brass, Aluminum Brass
I
I
I
Maganese Bronze

Silicbn Br6nze I
I
I
Tin Bronze (G & M)

o
o
O

I ~

IStanil'ess Steel-Type 410, 416

Nickel Silver I
I
I
90-10 Copper-Nickel
I
I
I
80-20 copr er-NiCkel
r tainleSS Steel-Type430

Lead

70-30 Copper-Nickel
I
I
I
I
Nickel-Aluminum Bronze

I . . ~icke" -Chromium alloy 600

t= ::1;,~J:' l"

b
C

Silver

,Stain',ess Steel-Type 302, 304, 321 , 347

I I I

1
....
Stainless Steel-Type 316,317
I I -r- , , , I
Alloy "20" Stainless Steels cast and wrought
Nickel-Copper allo,Ys 40,0' K- 00

I
I
I
I
I
I
Nickel-Iron Chromium alloy 825
I
I
I
I
Ni-Cr-Mo-Cu-Si- alia B

I0
H

,
I
Titanium
I
I
Ni-Cr-Mo- alloy C .

p,a,tinum,
Graphite

Alloys are listed in the order of the potential they exhibit in flowing sea water. Certain alloys indicated by the symbol: _
low-velocity or poorly aerated water, and at shielded areas , may become active and exhibit a potential near -0.5 volts.

FIGURE 11-3. Galvanic Series

Source: International Nickel Company, Inc.

62

in

III. SELECTING COPPER ALLOYS FOR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Copper alloys are almost never

chosen exclusively for their mec hanical
properties; however, they are very often
selected because they combine favorab le mechanical properties with other
tec hni cal attributes.

Strength
The mechanical properties of cast
alloys are deri ved from, and depend on,
a combination of factors. These can be
grouped into the composition-related
factors that affect the basic strength of
the all oy and the structure-related factors that arise when the alloy is cast.
Among the factors affecting the
alloys' intrinsic strength are solid solution effects and the presence of hardenin g phases in the microstructure. Within
specific limits depending on the metal,
zinc, tin , nickel, aluminum and several
other alloying elements form a solid
sol ution with copper that has the same
structure as copper itself, but is usuall y
considerably stronger. On the other hand,
chromium, zirconium and beryllium
exert their greatest strengthening effects
when they precipitate as discrete particles.
Microstructural strengthening is
actually quite complex. In addition to
the effects described above, it can also
depend o n the formation of additional
phases. For example, addition of suffic ient zinc to copper-zinc alloys (brasses) produces an incremental jump in
strength coinciding with the appearance
of the hard beta phase. The formation
and/or stability of second phases often
also depends on the casting process
itself. to the ex tent that th is affects
freezing and cooling rates.
Grain size has a strong influence

on mechanical properties. Generally

speaking, finer structure produce
stronger and more ductile castings. The
fineness of the cast structure in sand
castings depends very significantl y on
the freezing rate, or more specifically,
on the thennal gradient across the solidification region.
This rule does not always app ly
to other casting processes. For example,
continuous and centrifugal castings
so lidify very rapidly, yet such castings
typically exhibit coarse col umnar grain
structures. The fact that continuous or
centrifugal castings can be at least as
strong and ductile as sand castings can
be explained by their inherently high
degree of internal soundness.
Cooling rate can also exert a
strong influence on phase transfonnations. In transfonnable compositions,
the appearance of a particular phase
depends on the time the casti ng spends
within a well-defined temperature range.
The fineness of the phase's structure,
and hence its influence on mechanical
properties, depends on how fast the metal
cooled whi le the phase was forming. In
some alloy systems, cooling rate remain s
important down to a few hundred
degrees above room temperature.
The key po int is that freezing and
cooling rates depend largely on section
size. Thin section s chill fairly rapidly,
whereas large masses or regions near
risers remain liquid for a long time and
may cool very slowly once solidified.
A casting with widely varying section
sizes will freeze and cool over a range
of rates, producing a variety of metallurgical structures and a corresponding
range of mechanical properties.

Uniform properties are best assured by

reasonably uniform section thicknesses
throughout. Here, the advice of experienced foundry men and metallurgists
can be invaluable.
Unless otherwise spec ified, the
mechanical properti es given in thi s
guide were taken from standard test
bars, and these can be taken as representati ve of properties that will be
developed in sand castings. Other casting methods may produce different
mechanical properties in the same alloy.
Assuming a given alloy can be cast by
several methods, the one with the fastest
cooling rate will generally produce the
strongest product.
When adherence to minimum
mechanical properties is critical to a
product's function, it is advisable to
specify that test specimens be taken
directly from a carefully chosen area of
a sample casting. For castings of relatively unifonn cross section , coupons
taken from extensions provided for the
purpose can be used.
Tables 8 through 10, pages
76-80, rank the cast copper alloys on
the basis of their room temperature
mechanical properties.

Strength and Temperature

One inherent advantage of singlephase copper alloys with the face-centered cubic (alpha) crystal structure is
that their ductility does not deteriorate
very much , if at all, down to very low
temperatures. Alloys that contain a
large volume fraction of beta will suffer
some loss of ductility, but even in these
alloys, low-temperature embrittlement
is not a serious problem.

63

Table 11, page 8 1, lists impact

properties of a few cast copper alloys at
temperatures ranging from 572 F (300
C) to -320 F (-196 C)". Figures III-I, 2,
3 and 4, page 65, illustrate the effects of
temperature on selected mechanical
properties of four copper alloys.
As with other engineering alloys,
copper alloys are chosen for elevatedtemperature service on the bas is of their
time-dependent deformatio n behavior.
That is:
The metals slowly defonn when held
under a constant stress. This process,
known as creep, is defined in terms
of a given amount of strain (from
0.1 % to 1%) for 1,000, 10,000 or
100,000 hours at a given temperature.
After creep has proceeded to its
limit, the metals fail by stress-rupture. The stress-rupture stress is significantly lower than the short-term
tensile strength at the same temperature. Behavior is defined in terms of
the stress required to cause rupture in
a given time (100-100,000 h) over a
range of temperatures.
Applied stresses decrease when metals are held at constant strain, a
process known as stress relaxation.
Metals are described by the percent
stress relaxation with time over the
temperature range of interest. Stress
relaxation is an important consideration in, for example, high-temperature bolts or spring-loaded electrical
contacts.
The copper alloys can be broadly
classified into three groups with respect
to their elevated-temperature properties:
High conducti vity coppers and leaded alloys, which have only modest

high temperature strength and are

nonnall y not chosen on this basis.
Unleaded brasses and bronzes,
chromium copper and bery llium
coppers, which have intermediate to
high strength s and in some cases
quite exceptional properties.
Aluminum bronzes and copper-nickel alloys, which have superior resistance to creep and stress-rupture at
elevated temperatures. For example,
the 10,000-h stress-rupture strength
of cast aluminum bronze is more
than three times that of leaded red
brass C83600 at 482 F (250 C).
High temperature property data
for cast copper alloys is unfortunately
not abundant; however, based o n data
for wrought alloys, 90-10 copper-nickel
(comparable with C96200), nickel-aluminum bron ze (comparable with
C95800) and 70-30 copper-nickel
(comparable with C96400) are, in order
of increasing lOO,OOO-h stress-rupture
strength, the most suitable alloys above
662 F (350 C). "
Figures 111-5 and 6, pages 66
and 67, show the effect of temperature
on the steady-state creep rate and stressrupture time, respectively, for alloys
C86300, C86500, C92200 and C93700.
Tables 12 and 13, pages 82 and 83, give
creep and stress-rupture data, respectively, for a selection of copper alloys.

Friction and Wear

The unexcelled ability of copper
alloys to wear well against steel has led
to their widespread use in bearings,
wear plates, wonn gears and related
components. In addition to wear properties, other factors important to the selec-

tion of bearing materials include scori ng

resistance, compressive strength, fat igue
resistance, defonnability, corrosion
resistance, shear strength, structural uniformity, and thennal stability over wide
operating ranges, plus cost and availability.I6-I? These are disussed, along
with a complete description of bearing
alloys, in the CDA publication, Cast

Bronze Bearings -Alloy Selection and

Bearing Design . The common copper
bearing alloys are listed in Table 14,
page 84.'

Fatigue Strength
Gears and other cyclically loaded
products are des igned in part o n the
basis of fatigue strength, which
describes the change in fracture
strength, S, over a large number, N, of
stress cycles. S-N curves for alloys
C83600, C86500, C87500, C87800,
C92200 and C93700 are shown in
Figure III-7, page 68.
The stress needed to produce failure decreases fro m the alloy's tensile
strength at one stress cycle to less than
one-half the tensi le strength as N
approaches 10" cycles. The rate of
decrease itself decreases with increasing
N, and may eventually become nearly
independent of the number of cycles.
For alloys in which the fa ilure
stress does in fact become stress-independent, an absolute fatigue strength can
be identified. Fatigue behavior can also
be described in tenns of an endurance
ratio, defined as the fatigue strength at a
given number of cycles divided by the
static tensile strength. Table 15, page 85,
lists fatigue strengths and endurance
ratios for several cast copper alloys.

64 -----------------------------------------------------------------

Temperature, OF
100
200
300

35<)

Temperature, OF

400

5<)

'I

100

1" - r-u..

,5<)

1treng~

ienSile

30.g,

I I I

1/

50

100

150

Temperature,

'c

Temperature, OF
100
200
300

200

25

, ,

,.

250

200

300

!:

5.

200

80

ield

70

r-

s~rengt

60
50
40

%.

:::::l-., I'
~

""

if

~
~
0

::0:

50

'.

"
30.
"
40 ~

.~
2O~

1% et

50

100

150

400

1 % sel f-=

'50

t- io'"

1%

"

0.1%

50
50

50

100

150

200

250

Testing temperature,'C

4.

"

30
20

50

I'

~
"-

FIGURE 111-3.

Effect of Temperature on Compressive

Strength of Alloy C83600

r-::::

100 ISO 200 250 300 350

Temperature, OF

~ 400

300

200

.~

i 1:

100

200

300

400

500

I' _ 60

"- f.o...

50

100

...J'

150

"

3o
0.1 % set

_4 o ~

/ 10% set

I....

-50

, is

O.I% lset
Temperature, ' c

300

:..."

"-

200

20

250

%.

30

,.
,.

90

FIGURE 111-2.
Effect of Temperature on Tensile Propertie,
of Alloy C95200, As Cast

250

I I

200

Temperature, ' C

400

100/~lset-

Q..

,
.~

' .-<>-

50
100
150
Temperature, ' C

100

2.

c
c

i'-- f--Q

Temperature, ' F

:lr9

100

350

'00
'TL5iI9

600

(Or~/tn$i)

4.

400

"~

I-- ~"

'00
5.

3.

400

Testing temperature, OF

500

.::::::: ::---

200

%.

400

500

v; 300

2.

'~

1<>""

if

-'---l

15

Yield stren~t /
(0.2% oNset

50

600

4.
35 ~

ro--

Yield streng!
-(0.5% extension under loa41----=

r~

'00

300

, 'I

700

45

300

200

-2o

'"

"~

,o ~

200 250

0
300

Temperature. ' c

200

250

FIGURE 111-1 .

Effect of Temperature on Mechanical

Properties of Alloy C93700,

m 70

Temperature, OF

75

'00

.;

:fl 65

400

500

500 k load

""'-

~ 60

-50

300

55

200

""'-

50
t 00
150 200
Temperature. ' C

250

300

FIGURE 111-4.
Effect of Temperature on Compressive
Strength and Brinnell Hardness of Alloy
C92200,

65

10'
600 i--120C
400
200

6:: 1~~
"

_ .-150 C

40
20

W
w

en~

--

175 C
? ' ~OC

/'

10

----

100
60
40
20
10 in
6
4 W
w
2 ~

if>

6
4

2
1

10

10-'

10

10-,

10 '

Creep rate, %h

C83600
10'
600
400

100
12 C

~ 200

"g 100

:r.
---

~ 60
if>
40

20C .-t< ..---

20
10

l-

117'

-----

e-

.--

1
6

p-

- 4

I"'"
10~

60
- 40

- 2
10--4

10 '

10-3

10 '

10 '

Creep rate, %h

C86500
10'
600
400

100
60

"g10D
w

bJ

,... I 60
40 -

--

- 40

17 C

~200

2 0

..-. ,......"

20

\:-1-- I -

-,
1

99 C

- 2

10
10~

10-5

10-4

10-'

10-J
Creep rate, %h

C92200

10
600
400

100
60
40

&200

"g 100
~

U5 50

40
20
10
10~

17

e. I--

l-

/'

----

231~

in

20 ~

1o

/2 I'"

6
4

~'OC

10-4

2
10-3

10-2

Creep rate, %h

C93700

FIGURE 111-5. Typical Stress-Creep Properties of Four Copper Alloys.

66

UJ

10'
600
400
200
~ 100
:;; 60
I/f 40

100
60
- 40

175 C

230 C

20
w
10 ~
6 ,,;

..",

20
U5 10
6
4

- 2 iii

2
10'

10

10'

10'

C83600

,
10

I I

600
400

120C

1....:0

~200

f- f-

g100

10'
Rupture time, h

60
40

100
60
40

--.

1T5C

--- --

"- 1-- -_

1 - 1- .

230F

20

20 vi
~

00

10

&J

6
4

--

- 2

10

100
103
Rupture time, h

10

10

10'

10'

C86500

100

600

60

400

40
~ 200
:;;
~- 100

290 C

- 20

iii

60

10

40

'w
..l.
~

(f)

4
20

2
0
10

10

10
Rupture time, h

10'

C92200

10

100

600
400

60
175)

200

40

230

:;;

20

g 100

U5

,,;

iii
10

60
40

6
4

20
2
10
10

102

103

10'

Rupture time, h

C93700
FIGURE 111-6. Typical Stress-Rupture Properties of Four Copper Alloys.

67

180

160

"-

::2140

..

~~

20 ~

~~

,;

ffi120

0>
c
0;

15 ~

.0'

~~

80
0

g: ,OO
~

25

10'

10'

10'

"

10'

- 10

10'

10'

Number of stress cycles

C83600

400

- 50

h.n

"::!:300

r-

~
c

- 40 ~

--'-nr

30

20 .,

E:?

0;

~ 100
~

- 10
0
10'

0
10'

10'

10'
10'
Number of stress cycles

10'

C86500

400
350

50

"- 300

:>

,,;

250

<-""-

40

~'bno

0;

c 200
~

150

"

u)

0;

30..

~~

20

"

100
10

5'0'

10'

10'

10'

10'

10'

Number of stress cycles

C87500 and Ca7aOO
<'0'

200

"-

:>

150

.~ 100

"

50
10'

20

15

~ !IX>.

10'

_ 25

0;

10'
10'
Number of stress cycles

10'

10 ,1!

"

10'

C9220D

180

"-

:>

160 ~r.~~

25

.
~

,,;
20 :J1
~

~ 140

0;

g> 120

000
0

" t'---

""

100
80
10'

"

<DO .........

i'-

10'

'0 0

'0
~ .%

r'-,.po

10'
10'
Number of stress cycles
C93700

FIGURE 111-7. Fatigue Strength of Copper Alloys.

68

0>
c

~200

10'

c
~

15~

"

10'

"

IV. SElECTING COPPER AllOYS FOR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Electrical Conductivity
The International Annealed
Copper Standard (lACS) is the recognized standard for metal conductivity.
Its value in absolute tenns, 0.5800
Megmho/centimeter at 20 C (68 F),
corresponds to a resistivity of exactly
17.241 nanohm-meter at that temperature. Highly refined, annealed, wrought
coppers have lACS conductivities of
100% or slightly higher at 20 C (68 F),
depending on purity. Less-pure coppers
and cast copper alloys display conductivities ranging from 95% lACS down
to between 5% and 10% lACS. By way
of comparison, pure aluminum has a
conductivity of about 60% lACS; 5052
aluminum alloy, 35%; carbon steel,
8.5%, and 18-8 stainless steel, about
2.3%,18
Electrical conductivity decreases

with increasing alloying content, or

more precisely. with the amount of
alloying element in solid solution. In a
precipitation-hardenable alloy, heat
treatment changes the amount of alloying element in solid solution, and therefore alters the alloy's conductivity.
For example, the conductivity of
chromium copper, C81500 (I % Cr), in
the as-cast or solution-annealed state
(tensile strength approximately 23-35
ksi, 172-241 MPa) is only 40%-50%
lACS ; while in the fully hardened condition (tensile strength 51 ksi, 352 MPa)
it rises to 80%-90% lACS. The lACS
conductivities of some cast copper
alloys are listed in Table 16, page 86."
Conductivity nonnally falls with
increasing temperature, a factor which
must be taken into account in the design
of electrical products. This temperature

dependence of electrical conductivity

for a selection of cast copper alloys is
shown in Figures IV -1, page 70.'
When high strength is not an
important design consideration, cast
electrical connectors and other currentcarrying products can be made from
copper C8 I 100. Applications requiring
higher strength along with good electrical conductivity can utilize chromium
copper, C81500, or one of the cast
beryllium coppers, C8200(J...(:82800.
Electrical conductivities of the beryllium coppers range between 82 % and
18% lACS. Their corresponding tensile
strengths range from 45 ksi to 165 ksi
(310 MPa to 1, 137 MPa) in the heattreated condition.

Thermal Conductivity
The copper alloys are well known
for their very favorable heat transfer
properties. Table 17, page 87, ranks the
copper alloys in order of their thennal
conductivities at 20 C (68 F). Notice
that unlike most other metals, the copper alloys' thennal conductivities
increase with temperature. The phenomenon is illustrated in Figure IV-2,
page 70. Designers can take advantage
of this useful characteristic to improve
the efficiency of copper alloy heat
exchangers at elevated temperatures.

and aluminum bronzes, which contain

up to a few percent iron precipitated as
islands of an iron-rich phase, can, as a
result, be slightly ferromagnetic .
Magnetism in these alloys can be
reduced several-fold by solutionannealing them at a high temperature,
followed by rapid quenching. This
retains the iron in solid solution, where
it has little magnetic effect.
Although it is not itself ferromagnetic, manganese can also impart ferromagnetic properties to copper alloys, as
in the so-called Heusler alloys, which
are based on 75% copper, 15% manganese
and 10% aluminum. These alloys are
ferromagnetic even though they contain
none of the naturally ferromagnetic
metals: iron, nickel and cobale

Thermal Expansion,
The thermal expansion coefficients for copper and single-phase alpha
alloys fall in a fairly narrow range
between 9.4 - 10.0 X lO"/OF (16.9 - 18
x 10" / 'C), while those for beta and
polyphase alloys (yellow brasses, high
strength yellow brasses, silicon brass,
etc.) are 10.0 - 12.0 X 10" / 'F (18.021.6 x 10/ 0C).' Thennal expansion
coefficients for copper casting alloys
are given in Table 4, page 42.

Elastic Properties,
Magnetic Properties.
Copper is a diamagnetic metal,
i.e., it has a negative magnetic susceptibility and is weakly repelled by magnetic fields. This property is shared by
many copper alloys. On the other hand,
high strength yellow brasses (manganese bronzes), copper-nickel alloys

Stress-strain curves for copper

alloys have the rounded shape that signifies continuous yielding. Since there
is no fixed yield point, yield strengths
must be defined in terms of a given
amount of engineering strain or extension under load. The strain values most
often used are 0.2% offset and 0.5%

69

extension under load; obviously,

Temperature, GF
100 200 300 400 500 600

Temperature GF

strength values given for the larger

strain will be somewhat higher than
those for 0.2% strain. In order to avoid
confusion, yield strength and strain
should always be cited together.
Cast copper has an elastic modulus of 17,000 ksi (117,000 MPa).

"~

Brasses and tin bronzes have somewhat

200

100

22

300

50

100

C86500

Temperalure, GF

150

200

100 200 300

0 1 "-

.....

5
.0

300

400

500

100

200

:fg~

300

!~
~

Temperature OF

200

300

Temperature, OF
100 200 300 400 500 600

go

Temperature, "C

100

80

,JI

70

400

60

100
200
300
Temperature. GC

35

400

C92200

"'---c

l}o
;1

0.

400

100
200
300
Temperature. "C

C87500, C87800

C87500, C87800

l.P'

0 ""
5

'-.....,
o

,/

Temperature. OF

200

./

C86500
100

500 600
, 400
I' , I'

250

Temperature C

~ 'I'

100
200
300
Temperature. C

50
4

J>.D'

,1 /

lower moduli while beryllium coppers

and some copper-nickel alloys are in
general a bit stiffer. Elastic moduli (in
tension) for the cast copper alloys are
listed in Table 4, page 42.

400

50

Temperature, OF

----

100
150
Temperature C

100

200

300

400

500

65

"-0

200

250
100
200
Temperature. GC

C93700

300

C93700

FIGURE IV-l,

Variation of Electrical Conductivity with

Temperature for Alloys C86500, C87500,
C87800 and C93700.

FIGURE IV-2.

Variation of Thermal Conductivity with

Temperature for Alloys C86500, C87500,
C87800 and C93700.

FIGURE V-l

FIGURE V-2

This centrifugally cast flange was welded to

the continuously cast aluminum bronze pipe.

Detail of electronic beam (E.B.) welding used

to seal prototype spent nuclear fuel container.

70

v. SELECTING COPPER ALLOYS FOR FABRICABILITY

Castings almost always require
further processing after shake-out and
cleaning. Machining is the most common secondary operation. Welding is
often needed to repair minor defects or
to join several castings into a larger
assembly. Surface treatments are commonly applied to plaques, statuary and
decorative products. A ll of these processing steps contribute to the cost of
the finished item. Therefore, the ease
and efficiency with which an alloy can
be processed influences its economic
viability.

Machinability
As a class, cast copper alloys can
be described as being relatively easy to
machine, compared with steels, and far
easier to machine than stainless steels,
nickel-base alloys and titanium, their
major competitors for corrosion-resistant products. The copper alloys present
a range of machinabilities, and some
can be cut considerably faster than others, but none should present extraordinary problems to a ski lled machinist.
Easiest to machine are the copper
alloys that contain more than about 2%
lead. These alloys are free-cutting; that
is, they fonn small, fragmented chips.
The chips literally burst away from the
cutting tool, generating very little heat
and making possible the high machining
speeds for which the alloys are known.
Tool wear is minimal, and surface finishes are generally excellent.
High speed steel is the accepted
tooling material for these alloys,
although carbides are commonly used
for the stronger leaded compositions.
Cutting fluids help reduce the concentra-

tion of airborne lead-bearing particulates, but they are not otherwise needed
when cutting the highly leaded brasses
and bronzes.
The leaded copper casting alloys
behave much like wrought free-cutting
brass, C36000, which is usually
assigned the top "machinability rating"
on a scale of 100. Leaded cast copper
alloys have rati ngs greater than about
70; intermediate alloys, between about
30 and 70; whi le alloys that require special care rank lower, as shown in Table
18, page 88. Machinability ratings are
based in part on subjective factors and
should therefore only be interpreted as
qualitative guides. Nevertheless, notice
that leaded copper alloys are several
times more machinable than carbon
steel, including leaded steel, and that
about one-half of the cast copper alloys
can be machined easier than a common
aluminum alloy. Stainless steels and
titanium alloys are notoriously difficult
to machine. If they had been listed, they
would rank at the bottom of the table.
Next in order of machinability are
moderate to high strength alloys which
contain suffi cient alloying elements to
fonn second phases in their microstructures-the so-called duplex or multiphase alloys.
Examples include unleaded yellow brasses, manganese bronzes and silicon brasses and bronzes. These alloys
fonn short, brittle, tightly curled chips
that tend to break into manageable segments. Tools ground with chip breakers
help promote this process. Surface finishes can be quite good for the duplex
alloys; however, cutting speeds will be
lower, and tool wear higher, than with

the free-cutting grades. Preferred cutting fluids are those that provide a good
combination of lubrication and cooling
power.
Finally, there are the unleaded
single-phase alpha alloys, which
include high conductivity coppers, high
copper alloys such as chromi um copper
and the beryllium coppers, tin bronzes,
red brasses, aluminum bronzes and copper-nickels. The alloys' properties range
from soft and ductile to very strong and
tough, which leads to some variation in
machinability among members of the
group. There is, however, a general tendency for the alloys to fonn the long,
stringy chips that interfere with high
speed machining operations.
In addition, pure copper and highnickel alloys tend to weld to the tool
face. This impairs surface finish.
C utting tools used with these alloys
should be highly polished and ground
with generous rake angles to help ease
the flow of chips away from the workpiece. Adequate relief angles will help
avoid trapping particles between the
tool and workpiece, where they might
scratch the freshly machined surface.
Cutting fluids should provide good
lubrication.

Weldability
Castings are often welded to
repair minor defects such as blowholes
and small tears. It is also occasionally
economical to weld-fabricate several
castings (or castings and wrought products) into complex-shaped products that
could not easily be produced otherwise.
For example, Figure V-I, page 70,
shows a centrifugall y cast flange

--------------------------------------------------------------'71

welded to a continuously cast pipe.

Both components are made from nickelaluminum bronze.
Oxygen-containing copper is difficu lt to weld because the detrimental
oxide structures fomled at (he high
welding temperature severely embrittle
the metal. In addition, reducing atmospheres can lead to the formation of
intemal porosity. For these and other
reasons, cast coppers are always deoxidized by the addition of a little phosphorus or boron just before pouring.
(Cast oxygen-free coppers do not
req uire deoxidation, but they must be
mehed and cast under inert atmospheres. Like deoxidized coppers, oxygen-free copper is not subject to weld
embrittlemenL)
Both gas-tungsten-arc (GT A W or
TIG ) and gas-metal-arc (GMA War
MIG) can produce X-ray quality welds
in copper. Shielded-metal-arc (SMA W
or stick) welding can also be used, but
is somewhat more difficult to control.
Oxyacetylene welding is mainly used to
join thin sections. Electron beam (EB)
welding prod uces very precise welds of
extremely high qual ity in both oxygenfree and deoxid ized copper. It is used,
for example, in the cast-weld fabrication of large electronic devices. EB
welding must be perfonned under vacuum or inert gas, making it considerably
more expensive than arc processes.
Figure V-2, page 70, shows an EB
weld used to seal a prototype spent
nuclear fuel container.
Electri c arc processes are most
commonly used to weld the high copper
alloys, although oxyacetylene welding
is also possible. For age hardenab le
alloys such as chromium copper or the
beryllium coppers, welding should be
performed before heat treatment
because welding temperatures are high
enough to redi ssolve precipitation hardening elements. Thi s reduces the
mechanical properties in and near the
weld zone.
The following general comments
on the weldability of copper alloy families may be helpful. More detailed
information regarding the welding of
copper alloys can be found in the

A WS/COA publication, Copper and

Copper Alloys: Welding, Soldering,
Brazing, SlIIfacing20 , available from
COA.
Small SMA W weld repairs can be
made to red and semi-red brasses,
even those containing small amounts
of lead, but these alloys are not good
candidates for cast-weld fabrication.
The yellow brasses, and to some
ex tent, the silicon brasses, present
similar difficulties.
The unleaded manganese bronzes
(high strength yellow brasses) can be
welded by a variety of techniques,
including GTAW and GMAW;
however, a post-weld heat treatment
should be applied to restore the heataffected zone to its highest corrosion
resistance.
Unleaded silicon bronzes are the easiest copper all oys to weld, and are
used as filler wires for the welding of
other copper alloys. GTAW is the
prefcl1'ed process, but GMA Wand
oxyacetylene are also widely used.
Manganese bronzes, manganese-aluminum bronzes and nickel-manganese bron zes are routinely welded
using electric arc techniques. Stress
relief may be required for alloys
C86500 and C86800 to minimi ze
susceptibility to stress-corrosion
cracking.

Cast aluminum bronzes, including

the manganese-, iron- and nickelbearing variati ons, are considered
relatively easy to weld; they are not
pm1icularly prone to cracking unless
their aluminum content is below
about 9%.

Copper-nickels are weldable by both

arc and oxyacerlyene techniques.
Some softening may occur, but the
alloys can be returned to maximum
strength by heating and slow-cooling
after welding.
Tin bronzes tend to become hot short
and are difficult to weld without
cracking. They can, however, be
brazed. Nickel-tin bronze, C94700,
which can be welded, may require
post-weld heat treatment to ensure

optimum mechanical properties.

[n general , alloys containing
appreciable amounts of lead cannot be
welded. Lead, being insoluble in the
alloys and having a very low melting
point, remains liquid long after the weld
metal solidifies. The presence of liquid
lead promotes the fonnation of cracks
in the high stress fields existi ng in and
near the weld zone. Bismuth behaves in
a similar fashion.
A listing of relative weldabilities
for some copper alloys is given in Table
19, page 89. The ratings are somewhat
conservati ve, and matelial suppliers should
be consulted regarding recommended
welding practices for specific al loys.

Brazing, Soldering
All cast copper alloys can be
brazed and soldered to themselves as
well as to steels, stainless steels and
nickel-base alloys. Even leaded copper
alloys can usuall y be brazed, although
brazing conditi ons must be carefully
tailored to the alloy in question. H ighly
leaded alloys, in particular, require
special care.
Copper-phosphol1ls alloys, silverbase brazing alloys (s il ver solders) and
copper-zinc alloys are IllOst often used
as filler metals. Gold-base alloys are
utilized in elec tronic applications.
Lower strength joints. such as for
household plumbing systems, are made
with low-melting point tin-base solders.
The heat of brazing may cause
some loss of strength in heat treated
copper alloys. This can occur during
furnace brazing, or for torch brazing,
when high melting point fi ller metals
are employed. Special tec hniques have
been developed to avoid or remedy the
problem should it arise.
Except in special situations, corrosion performance of the copper alloys
themselves is not affected by brazing;
however, the corrosion resistance of
filler metals may be significantly different from the base metal in certain
media, and thi s should be taken into
account.

72 ----------------------------------------------------

TABLE 7.

Acetate Solvents

Acetic Acid , 20 %

Acetic Acid, 50"10

Acetic Acid , Glacial

Acetone

Acetylene

Alcohols t

Aluminum Chloride

Aluminum Sulfate

Ammonia, Moist Gas

Ammonia , Moisture-Free

Ammonium Chloride

Ammonium Hydroxide

Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium Sulfate

Aniline and Aniline Dyes

Asphalt

Barium Chloride

Barium Sulfide

8ee rf

Beet Sugar Syrup

Benzine

Benzol

Boric Acid

Butane

Calcium Bisuilile

Ca lcium Chloride (acid)

Calcium Chloride (alkaline)

Calcium Hydroxide

Calcium Hypochlorite

Cane Sugar Syrups

Carbonated Beverages

Carbon Dioxide, Dry

Carbon Dioxide , Moistt

Carbon Tetrachloride , Dry

Carbon Tetrachloride , Moist

Chlorine , Dry

Chlorine , Moist

Chromic Acid

Citric Acid

Copper Sulfate

Cottonseed Oilt

= Recommended

= Acceptable

= Not Recommended

Acetylene forms an explosive compound with copper when moist or when certain impurities are present and the
gas is under pressure. Alloys containing less than 65% Cu are satisfactory under this use . When gas is not
under pressure other copper alloys are satisfactory.
tCopper and copper alloys resist corrosion by most food products. Traces may be dissolved and allect taste or
color. In such cases, copper metals are often tin coated.

73

TABLE 7.

Creosote

Ethers

Ethyl ene Glycol

Ferric Chlorid e, Sulfate

Ferrous Chloride, Suliate

Formald ehyde

Formic Acid

freon

Fuel Oil

Furfural

Gasoline

G8111int

Glucose

Glue

Glycerine

Hydrochlori c or Muriatic Acid C

Hydrolluori c Acid

Hydrolluosllicic Acid

Hydrogen

Hydrogen PeroJlde

Hydrogen Suillde , Dry

Hydrogen Sullide. Moist

l acquers

lacquer Thinners

lactic Acid

linseed Oil

liquor, Bla ck

liquor, Gre en

liquor, Wh ile

Magnesi um Chloride

Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium Sullate

Mercury , Mercury Salts

Mllkt

Molasses t

Nalural Gas

Nickel Chloride

C
C

Nickel Sullale

Nitric Acid

Ol eic Acid

B
B

Oxalic Acid

Phosphoric Acid

Picric: Al:id

Potassium Chloride

Potassium Cyan ide

A = Recommended

= Acceptable

= Not Recommended

t Copper and copper alloys resist corrosion by most food products. Traces may be di ssolved and affect taste or
color . In such cases, copper metals ate often tin coated .

74

TABLE 7.

Potassium Hydro xide

Potassium Sullale

Propane Gas

Sea Water

Soap Solulions

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Bisulfate

Sodium Carbonate

Sodium Chloride

Sodium Cyanide

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Hypochlorite

Sodium Nitrale

Sodium Peroxide

Sodium Phosphate

Sodium Sulfate , Silicate

Sodium Sulfite, Thi osulfate

Stearic Acid

Sulfur, Solid

Sullur Chloride

Sullur Dioxid e, Dry

Sullu r Dioxid e, Moist

Sullur Trioxide, Dry

Sulluric Acid , 78"10 or less

Sulfuric Acid, 78% to 90%

Sulfuric Acid , 90% to 95%

Sulfuric Acid , Fuming

Tannic Acid

Tartari c Acid

Toluene

Trichlorethylene, Dry

Trichlorethylene , Moist

Turpentine

Varnish

Vinegar

Waler, Acid Mine

Water, Condensate

Water, Potable

Whiskeyt

Zinc Chloride

Zinc Sulfate

= Recommended

= Acceptable

= Not Recommended

t Copper and copper alloys resist corrosion by most food products. Traces may be dissolved and affect taste or
color. In such cases, copper metals are often tin coated.

75

TABLE 8. Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Typical Tensile Strength

Casting
Process

UNS
Number

C82600
C8280n

Temper,
(SAE SUllil )!!)

Tensil e
Strength
ksi
MPa

TFOO

t65
t,t38

C82500

TFOO

t60
t,t03

C82.00

TFOO

t55
t,068

C82800

011

C82500
C82600

011

t25
862
t20
827

C9550n

5,CL _ _ T050
(5AE -C)

t20
827

C96600

t20
827

Ca sting

Process

Temper,
(SAE Sulli x)(')

Tensile
Strength
ksi
MPa

82
565

C8730n
C8740D

C82600
C82800

MOt

MOt

80
552

C9070n

C82800

T800

80
552

C9780n
C9970n

C95200

5, CL _ _ MOt, M02 _ _ _ 80
(5AE -A)
552

C99.00

C82500
C95600

TFOO

79
545

MOt

75
517

t05
724

C96600

t05
724

C99750

T050

TBOO
T050

55
379

5, CL _ _ MOt, M02 _ _ _ 55
379
CL, PM _ _ M02, M05 _ _ _ 55
379

MOt

55
379

C8140n

TFOO

53
365

C8l500

TFOO

5t
352

MO t

50
345

C82000

C82200

C85700

75
517

5, CL _ _ MOt, M02 _ _ _ 50
345

C94700

75
517

5, C_ _ _ M01, MOl _ _ _ 50
(5AE -A)
34

C82000

5, CL _ _ MOt, M02 _ __ 71
(5AE -A)
490

TBOO

47

324

tOO
690

C86500

C95500

S, CL _ _ M01, M02 _ _ tOO

(5AE -A)
690

C82600

TBOO

70
483

C82200

C82000

96
662

C96.00

MOt

68
469

C90300

95
655

C87500

5, CL _ _ MOt, M02 _ _ _ 67
462

5, CL _ _ MOt, M02 _ _ _ 45
3tO

C90500

5, CL _ _ MO t , M02 _ _ _ 45
(5AE -A)
3tO

C87600
C99.00

MOt

66
455

C9.800

5, C_ __ MOt, M07 _ _ _ 45
3tO

C97600

MOt

011

65
448

45
3tO

MOt
(5AE -A)

44
303

MOt

44
303

MOt
(5AE -A)

42
290

MOt

40
276

TFOO
TFOO

C86l00

MOt

95
655

C86200

5, CL, C _MOt, M02, M07 _

95
655

C95700
C99300

MOt

95
655

C95800

5, CL _ _ MOt, M02 _ _ _ 95
(5AE -A)
655

C99500

C86700
C95410

TFOO

86
593

C82000
C82200

C86. 00
C99750

f
f
f

C99700

C82.00
C82500

MOt

85
586

C87800

M04

85
586

C94700

5,C _ __ TXOO
(5AE -B)

85
586

C9l600
C91700

C95300

5, CL, C _T050
(5AE -C)

85
586

C9.BOO

Ca550Q

MOt

65
448

M04

65
448

TBOO

60
414

MOt

60
414

Unshaded areas =standard U. S. units

Shaded areas = metric units (SI)

S, PM, C _

CL, PM _ _ M02, M05 _ _ _ 60

414
5

TXOO

,-

- - 60

C", Continuous CL = Ce ntrifu gal

I::: Investment
P = Plaster
PM = Permanent Mold

MOl, MOS, M07 _47

324

C9l600
C91700
C92600

f
f

C92700

414

S = Sand
Die = Die

C92900

C90700
C92500

l ege nd: Castin g Processes

76

M04

Tensil e
Strength
ksi
MPa

C82' 00

C82200

011

C86800

5,C L _ _ T050
(5AE -C)

C95.00

Temp er,

(SAE Suffix)ll)

C8580n

C95300

MOt

Castin g

Process

5, CL _ _ MOt, M02 _ __ 85
(5AE -A)
586

119
82t

UNS
Numb er

C95'OO

5, CL _ _ MOt, M02 _ _ _ 75
(5AE -A)
517

C86300

C95.l0

TFOO

UNS
Number

C90900
C92800

C92200
C92300

C85200

f
f

TBOO

45
3tO

S, CL _ _ M01, M02 _ _ _ 40
(5AE -A)
276

5, CL _

MOt, M02 _ _ _ 38
262

TABLE 8_ Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Typical Tensile Strength I continued

UNS
Number

Casting
Process

Temper,
(SAE SUml )!11

Tensile
Strength

UNS
Number

Casting
Process

Temper,
(SAE Sullh:)(1 1

ksi

MPa

C90200
C97400

Tensile
Strength
ksi
MPa

MOl _ _ _--e38
262

C83800
C93200
C93700

C83600

5, CL _ _ M0 1, M02 _ _ _ 37
(5AE -AI
255

C84400

S _ _ _ _ M01 _ _ _ _-:34
234

C84800

C85400

5, CL _ _ M01, M02 _ _ _ 34
234

C93800

CL

C83400
C84200
C84500
C91100
C91300
C97300

5 _ __

MOl

MOl

37
255
35
241

C83300
C91000
C93400
C93500

II)

5, CL _

5, CL _

M01 , M02 _ _ _ 35
(5AE -AI
241

M02
(5AE -AI

33
228

MOl

32
221

UNS
Number

Casting
Process

C93900

C _ _ _ M07 _

C94400

5 _ _ _ MO l _ _ _--;;32
221

C81400

5 _ _ _ _ MOl _ __ _-:30
207

C93800

S, CL _ _ M0 1, M02 _ __ 30
207

C94300

MOl

27
186

MOl

25
172

C80100
C81100
C94500

Temper,
(SAE Suflil )(1 1

Tensile
Strength
ksl
MPa

_ _-;;32
221

M01, M02 _ _ _ 32
(5AE -AI
221

SAE Suffix
For alloys listed und er SAE J462 , sulfi x symbols may be specified to distinguish betwe en

two or more sets of mech anicsl propertie s. heat trealment , conditions, etc ., as applicable .
Most common ty used method 01 casting is shown for ea ch alloy. However, unless the
purchaser specifies the method of casting or the mechanical properties by supplement to
the UNS Number, the supplier may use any method which will develop the properties
indicated. These sullixes are shown in the shaded areas below Ihe temper deslgnallons .
See Society of Automotive Engineers Inc. , SAE Handbook, Vol. 1, Materials , Warrendale ,

PA, 1989.

Unshaded areas := standard U.S. units

Shaded areas := metric units (SI)

S ", Sand
Dle:= Ole

Legend' Casting Prgcesses

C = Continuous
CL ", Centrifugal
1:= Investment
P = Plaster
PM = Perman ent Mold

77

TABLE 9.

Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Typical Yield Strength

Offset Strain as Indicated

UNS
Number

Temper

Yield
Strength
ksi
MPa

0.2% Offset
C82600
C82800

TFOO

155
1,069

C82500

TFOO

150
1,034

C82400

TFOO

145
1,000

C82800

011

C82500
CB2600

C82400

C820DO
CB2200

CB6300

C82600
C82800
CB6100
C87800

Tempe r

Yield
Strength
kSi
MPa

UNS
Number

C82000

MOl

20
138

C95400
C95410

C82400

T800

20
138

C93700

MOl

16
110

C82000

TBOO

15
103

C81400

MOl

12
B3

C91700

12
B3

C95400

C82200
011

105
724

011

BO
551

TFOO
Mal

110
758

UNS
Numbe r

TBOO

0.5% Extension
C96600

TFOO

75
517

75
517

C955DO

T050

67
462

68
469

C995DO

TFOO

62
427

C94700

TXOO

60
414

C99300

Mal

55
379

T050

54
372

Strength
ksl
MPa

MOl

35
241

MOl

34
234

MOl

32
221

M02, M05

32
221

M07

32
221

MOl

30
207

C90700

M02 , M05

30
207

C94800

TXOO

30
207

C86500

MOl

29
200

MOl

27
186

C99700

M04

27
186

C92900

MOl

26
179

C95600
C99400

C91600

C87500
C91300
C92BOO
C97800

C86200

Mal

48
331

C82200

011

40
276

C82500

MOl

40
276

C994DO

TFOO

54
372

C99750

TFOO

40
276

C95700

MOl

45
310

C873DD
C9100D
C9970D

C82000

011

37
255

C95500

MOl

44
303

C81400

TFOO

36
248

CB6700

MOl

42
290

C82800

TBOO

35
241

C95300

T050

42
290

C826DO

TBOO

30
207

C81500

TFOO

40
276

C858DO

M04

30
207

C99750

T050

40
276

C86500

MOl

28
193

CB6800
C95800

MOl

38
262

C825DO

C8220D
C8640D

TBOO

MOl

Unshaded areas", standard U.S. units

Shaded areas", metric units (SI)

78

f
f

50
345

C87600

C99750

Mal

C95400
C95410

Yield
Temper

C95200
C95300

C87400
C97600

C85500
C94700
C94BOO
C90500
C90700
C91600
C91700

25
C96600

TBOO

38
262

25
172

C96400

Mal

37
255

C903DO
C927DO

25

172

f
f
~

C93900

172

MOl

C9ll0D

MOl

24
165

MOl

23
159

MOl

22
152

M07

22
152

MOl

21
145

TABLE 9.

Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Typical Yield Strength Icontinued

Offset Strain as Indicated

UNS
Number

Temper

C90900
C92200
C92300
C92500
C92600
C93800
C85700
C93200
C93700
C83600
C97300
C97400

f
f

Yield
Strength
ksi
MPa

MOl

20
138

M02

20
138

M01

MOl

18
124
17
117

UNS
Number

Temper

C83800
C90200
C93400
C93500
C93800
C94400

MOl

UNS
Number

16
110

C85200
C94300

MOl

15
103
14
97

Slrength
kSI

C85400

MOl

Yield
Temper

MPa

C94500

C84400
C84200
C84500
C84800

Yield
Strength
ksi
MPa

C83300
C83400
C80100
C81100

f
f
f
f

MOl

13
90

MOl

12
83

M01

10
69

M01

9
62

Unshaded areas", standard U.S . units

Shaded areas = metric units (SI)

79

TABLE 10. Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Compressive Strength'

UNS
Numbe r

Tempe r

Compressive
Strength
ksi

UNS
Number

Temper

MP,

C86100
C86200

C95300

C87500
C9S200

60
414

MOl

50
345

T050

C99750

MOl

1% Set

MOl

MOl

35
241
28
193
27
186

30
207

C97600

MOl

C86300

MOl

30
241

57
393

C92900

MOl

C9S300

T050

35
241

50
345

C93400

MOl

48
331

C92200
C95300

20
138

C93700

MOl

47
324

MOl

16
110

C93200

MOl

46
317

C94400

MOl

44
303

C92600

MOl

40
276

MOl

38
262

C96200

MOl

37
255

C94500

MOl

36
248

C92300

MOl

35
241

MOl

34
234

C85200

MOl

30
207

C83800

MOl

29
200

C85400

MOl

28
193

C94300

MOl

23
159

19
131

C95500

TQ50

150
1,034

C87300

MOl

18
124

C95700

MOl

150
1,034

C92200

MOl

15
103

C95400
C95410

14
97

C95500

C85200
C85400

10% Set

C95400
C95410
C95800

MOl

120
827

C86300

MOl

97
669

C95300

T050

90
621

11
76

C86400

MOl

87
600

MOl

10
69

C95300

MOl

83
572

MOl

9
62

C86500

MOl

79
545

C87500

MOl

75
517

Siress required to produce the indicated percent permanent engineering

strain (Set) in a 0.125-ln (3.2-mm) thick compression specimen.

80

120
827

100
690

Unshaded areas", standard U.S. units

Shaded areas", metric units (SI)
*

T050

MOl

MOl

C92300

C84500

MOl

M02

C94300

60
414

MOl

C93800

12
83

MOl

C97600

20
138

MOl

70
483

C87300
C87600

MOl

MOl

38
262

C95300

C83800
C92600
C93800

72
496

MOl

22
152

13
90

MOl

C997S0

MOl

MOl

C997S0
C9S200

C86400

ksi

MP,

40
276

24
166

C84500
C90300
C93500
C93700

Compressive
Strength

MOl

MOl

MOl

Temper

C90S00

C86500

C83600

UNS
Number

MP,

0.1% Set

C86300

Compressive
Strength
ksi

C83600
C92200
C93800

C84500
C84800

TABLE 11. Impact Properties of Copper Casting Alloys at Various Temperatures

UNS
Number

C83600

C86S00

' C

Charpy V-Nolch
Impact Strength
fI-lbs
J

Charpy V-Notch
Impact Strength
ft-Ibs
J

305
188

15

320
196

13
18

1 00
74

13
18

1 08
78

14
19

68
20

19
26

68
20

392
200

15
20

572
300

13
18

Temperature
oF

UNS
Number

11

305
188

12
16

100
74

19
26

68
20

19
26

212
100

18
24

C92200

UNS
Number

F
C

Charpy V-Notch
Impact Strength
ft-Ibs
J

305
188

12
16

200
130

16
22

19
26

78
60

18
24

212
100

14
19

68
20

18
24

392
200

13
18

392
200

28
38

572
300

12
16

572
300

26
35

320
188

25
34

290
180

10
14

68
20

30
41

148

100

16
22

21 2
100

33
45

58
50

23
31

68
20

32
41

Temperature
of

C95200

C95500

C95700

Temperature

Unshaded areas =standard U.S. units

Shaded areas =metric units (51)
Alloy designations represent UNS compositions closest 10 British cast alloys
listed under 851400 , to which these data apply _

81

TABLE 12. Creep Strengths of Selected Sand-Cast Copper Alloys'

UNS
Number

ksl al 250 F
MPa 31121 C

ksi at 350 F
MPa at 177 C

ksi at 450 F
MPa at 232 C

Test Temperature
ksi at 500 F
ksi al 550 F
MPa 81260 C
MPa at 288 C

ksi at 600 f
MPa at 316 C

ksi at 700 F

ksi at 800 F

MPa al 371 C

MPa al427 C

C9S500

10.5
72

5.5
38

2.4
17

C95400

7.4
51

4.4
30

2.9
20

C9541 0

7.4
51

4.4
30

2.9
20

4.2
29

2.3
16

C95700

20.4
141

C97600
C87500
C86300

56.5
389

32.5
224

22 .2
153

28.0
193

11 .0

1.4
10

19.0

0.5
3.4

131
16.0

C92200

110
C86500

28.0
193

76

6.2
4.3

11.2

77

1.7

6.2
43

12

C83600

12.5
86

11 .1
77

7.0
48

C92200

16.0
110

11.2
77

6.2
43

C84800

11 .9
82

8.0
55

3.0
21

C93700

10.4
72

7.4
51

1.8
12

Unshaded areas,. standard U.S. units

Shaded areas =metric units (SI)
Stress values are based on 0.1% creep In 10,000 hours at the temperatures indicated .

82

TABLE 13.

Stress-Rupture Properties of Selected Copper Casting

Alloys'

- - - - - - - - - - - Test Temperature - - - - - - - - - - - -

UNS
Number

~~mF

MPa at 150C

~~mF

~~~F

~1~mF

MPa at 200 C MPa at 250 C MPa at 300 C

~.~F

~1.mF

MPa at 350 C

MPa al400 C

11.2

6.8
47

Cast Bars
C95800'
C83600 2

22
152

14.8
288

25.2
174

15.9
110

10.1
70

16.8
116

77

Cast Plate
C95800'

41 .6

24.1

287
C905003
C83600 2

9.4
65
14.2
98

166

5.7
40

9.0
62

Unshaded areas", standard U.S. units

Shaded areas =metric units (51)
Stress required to produce rupture in 10,000 hours at the temperatures indicated.
1

Data based on British Standard 851400, Grade AB2 , similar to C958DO .

Data based on British Standard 851400 , Grade LG2 , similar to Ca360D .

3 Data based on British Standard 8S1400 , Grade G1 , similar to C90500.

83

TABLE 14. Common Bronze Bearing Alloys

UNS
Number

SAE No.
(Former SAE No.)

Properties, Applications

Copper Tin Alloys (Tin Bronzes)

C90300
C90500
C90700

Good general purpose bearings with favorable combination of strength, machinability, castability,
pressure tightness, corrosion resistance. Tin bronzes operate better with grease lubrication than
other bearing bronzes. Widely used in water pump fittings, valve bodies and general plumbing
hardware.

GA903 (620)
GA905 (62)
GA907 (65)

Copper-lin-Lead Alloys (Leaded Tin Bronzes)

C92200
C92300
C92700

GA922 (622)
GA923
GA927 (63)
Copper-Tin-Lead Alloys

C932DD
C934DD
C935DD
C936DD
C937DD
C938DD
C941DD
C943DD

GA932 (660)
GA935 (66)
GA937 (64)
GA938 (67)

Moderate-ta-high strength alloys. l ead content provides good machinability but is insufficient to
act as "internal lubricant" should normal lubricant be unreliable. Bearings also require good shaft
alignment and shaft hardness between 300-400 HB.
(High~Leaded

Tin Bronzes)

Good bearing properties, excellent casting and machining characteristics. Higher in strength than
copper-lead alloys, although they have somewhat lower strength and fatigue resistance than
unleaded tin bronzes. C93200 is often considered the "standard" bearing bronze. C93800 is used
for general service at moderate loads and high speeds; C94300 is used at lighter loads and high
speeds. These alloys conform well to irregularities in the journal. Applications include light duty
machinery, home appliances, farm machinery, pumps and th rust washers.

GA943
Manganese Bronze and Leaded Manganese Bronze Alloys (High Strength and Leaded High Strength Yellow Brasses)

C863DD
C864DD

GA863 (430B)

Copper~Aluminum

C953DD
C954DD
C955DD
C9552D
C958DD

Alloys (Aluminum Bronzes)

GA953 (68B)
G954
G955
G958

Alloys exhibit good corrosion resistance; however, they require reliable lubrication and hardened,
well-aligned shafts. C83600 is twice as strong as C86400 and is used in applications characterized by high loads and slow speeds. C86400 is better suited to light duty applications.

High strength, very corrosion and wear resistant. Widely used in heavy duty applications or
where shock loading is a factor. Useful to temperatures higher than 500 F (260 G). Not suitable
for high speeds or applications where lubrication is intermittent or unreliable. Alloys C95300,
C95400 and C95500 can be heat treated to improve their mechanical properties, as required, for
severe applications.

CopperSilicon Alloys (Silicon Bronzes and Silicon Brasses)

C876DD

Alloys have moderately high strength, good wear resistance and good aqueous corrosion
resistance. These alloys are not so widely used for bearings as other bronzes. C87900 can be
die cast.
CopperBeryllium Alloys (Beryllium Copper)

C828DD

C82800 is the strongest of all copper casting alloys. It has good corrosion resistance and high
thermal conductivity; however, it requires reliable lubrication and hardened, well-aligned shafts.
The alloy's use in bearings is limited to those applications where its superior mechanical and
thermal properties can justify its relatively high cost.
CopperLead Alloys (Leaded Coppers)

C982DD
C984DD
C986DD
C988DD
C9882D
C9884D

84

49
480
481
484
485

Alloys have fair strength, fair wear resistance and low pounding resistance, but have very
favorable antifriction properties and good conformability. They operate well under intermittent,
unreliable or dirty lubrication, and can operate under water or with water lubrication. Used at
light-to-moderate loads and high speeds, as in rod bushings and main bearings for refrigeration
compressors, and as hydraulic pump bushings. Usually require reinforcement.

TABLE

15.

UNS
Numb er

T e m~er

C80100
C81100

Fatigue Properties(1) of Selected Copper Casting Alloys

Fatigue

Endurance

Strength
ksi
MPa

Ratio

M01

9
62

0.360

C81500

TFOO

15
103

0.294

C82000

TFOO

18(2)

TFQO

C82500

TFOO

23 (2)

C83600

M01

11
76

0.297

C86300

M01

25
172

0.210

C86500

M01

20
138

0.296

C90200

M01

25
172

0.658

C90500

M01

13
90

0.289

C90700

M01

25
172

0.568

C92200

M01

11
76

0.275

C93200

M01

16
110

0.457

C93400

M01

15
103

0.469

C93700

M01

13
90

0.375

C93800

M01

10
69

0.333

C94400

M01

11
76

0.344

Endurance

Ratio

M01

10
69

0.400

C94700

M01

14
97

0.280

C9. 700

TFOO

14
97

0.165

C9' 800

M01

12
83

0.267

C9'800

TXOO

12
83

0.200

C95300

M01

22
152

0.293

C95300

T050

27
186

0.318

C95. 00

M01

28
193

0.329

C95500

M01

31
214

0.310

C96200

M01

13
90

0.289

C95200

M01

22
152

0.275

C95. 00

TQ50

35
241

0.333

C95500

T050

38
262

0.317

C95700

M01

33
228

0.347

C95800

M01

31
214

0.326

C96400

M01

18
124

0.265

C97600

M01

16
110

0.356

C99750

M01

19
131

0.292

0.150(2)

165

Fatigue
Strength
ksi
MPa

C9'500

0.148(2)

160
24 (2)

Temper

0.188(2)

12.
C82.00

UNS
Number

Unshaded areas ", standard U.S. units

Shaded areas", metric units (51)

(1) Measured at lO Bcycles or as indicated.

(2) Measured at 5 x 10 7 cycles

85

TABLE 16. Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Electrical Conductivity

UNS
Number

Electrical

Conductivity
% lACS al68 F
Megmho per em

UNS
Number

El ectrical
Conductivity
% lACS at 68 F

100
0.580

C82700

C81100

92
0.534

C8S400

20
0.113

C81S00

82
0.476

C86400

19

60
0.348

C82600

C81400
C82200

45
0.261

C82000

45
0.260

44
0.256

C83400
C83300

32
0.186

C8SS00

26
0.151

C82400
C8S700
C86S00
C82S00
C85800

25
0.144

f
f

22
0.128

C82800
C8S200

19
0.110

C86700

C84200
C84400
C84800

C93S00
C83600
C83800
C92200

C90200
C9S300
C9S400
C9S410

C92300
C93200
C93400
C94800
C99400

18
0.104

C90S00
C92700

16
0.096

C93800
C93900

16
0.095

C9S200
C96200

15
0.088

C93700

15
0.087
14
0.083

C91600
C91700
C94400
C94S00
C99400

UNS
Number

Electrical

Conductivity
% lACS at 68 F
Megmho per em

al20 C

al20 C

at 20 C

13
O.D7S

12
0.069

UNS
Numb er

% lACS al68 F
Megmho per em

C99S00

10
0.057

C96300

C90700

10
0.056

C87300
C87600

C91000

9
0.054

C97300

6
0.033

C97400

6
0.032

C97600

5
0.029

C96400

5
0.028

C97800

4
0.026

8
0.044

C96600

4
0.025

C92900
C94300

Electrical

Conductivity

% lACS al68 F
Megmho per em

12
0.070

C90300

17
0.097

C84S00

Unshaded areas ", standa rd U.S. units

86

20
0.115

0. 111

20
0.116

Shaded areas ", melric units (SI )

Electrical
Conductivity

Megmho per em
al 20 C

al20 C
C80100

UN S
Number

11
0.064
11
0.066

C86800
C92600
C99300
C91100
C9SS00
C9S600
C86100
C86200

f
f
f
f

9
0.053
9
0.052
8
0.049

6
0.036

6
0.035

11
0.064

C86300

8
0.046

C9S700

10
0.059

3
0.018

C9S800

7
0.041

C99700

3
0.017

C91300

7
0.040

C997S0

10
0.058

C87400
C87S00
C87800

7
0.039

2
0.012

TABLE 17. Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Thermal Conductivity

UNS

Thermal

Conductivity
Blulfttllt/hfOF

Number

UNS

Thermal

Conductivity

Number

67.0
116

C93500

C86.00

51.0
88.3

C92200

40.2
69.6

C85400

50.8
87.9

C95300

C86500

49.6
85.3

226
391

C85500

C81100

200
346

C81500

182
315

C83.00

109
188

C82200

106
183

C82400
C82500
C82700

150
259

76.9
133

C82600
C82800

74.9
130
73.0
126
70.8
123

C85200
C85700
C85800

C90300
C90500
C92300

C83800
C84200
C84400

C83600
C84500
C84800

C90700
C91600
C91700

Thermal
Conductivity
Blu/ltllft /h/"F
al 68 F
W/m . oKat 293 K

at 68 F
WJm oK al 293 K
C9SS00

C92700

27.2
47.0

C97300

16.5
28.6

36.3
62.8

C93700

27.1
46.9

C96400

16.4
28.5

C94300

36.2
62.7

C96200

26.1
45.2

C87300
C87600

C90200

36.0
62.3

C99300

25.4
43.9
24.2
41 .9

C87400
C87500
C87800

C95500

43.2
74.8
C92900
C93200
C93.00

40.7

f
f

C9.700

41 .6

40.8
70.6

UNS
Number

29.1
50.4

C95'00
C95.10

72.0

Thermal

Conductivity
Blu/fl 2/1t /h/ "F

C95200

70.4

48 .5
83.9

41 .8
72.4

UNS
Number

Btu/ft z/ft/h/"F
at 68 F
W/m . oK at 293 K

al68 F
W/m oK at 293 K

W/m . oKat 293 K

C81400
C82000

Thermal

Conduc!ivUy

Btu/ft 2/1t / h/ "F

al68 F
C80100

UNS
Number

C93800
C93900
C94400
C94500

33.9
58.7

31.2
54.0

30.2
52.3

16.4
28.4
16.0
27.7

C97.00
22.3
38.6

15.8
27.3

C97800

C96300

21.3
36.8

14.7
25.4

C97600

C95800

20.8
36.0

13.0
31.4

C95700

7.0
12.1

C94800
C95600
33.6
58.2

17.4

30.1

C86100
C86200
C86300

20.5
35.5

Unshaded areas,. standard U.S. units

Shaded areas

=metric units (SI)

87

TABLE 18.
UNS
Number
C36000(1I

C83800
C84400
C84500
C84800
C83600
C84200
C85200
C85400
C85500
C85700
C85800
C93700
C93800
C93900
C94300
C94400
C94500
C99700
C99750

Copper Casting Alloys Ranked by Machinability Rating

Machinability

UNS

Rating

Number

100

C92800
C93200
C93400
C93500
C97300
C97600

90
84
80

C86400
C83400
C95400
C95410
C95600
C97400
C97800
C86700
C95300

Machinability
Rating

UNS
Number

Machinability
Raling

C874DO

70

C87500

50

C948DO(2)

65
60

55

C95500
C95700
C99400
C99500
2011-T3

(AI)")

C92700

45

C92200
C92300

42

C87300
C87600
C87800
C92600
C92900

40

Machinability
Rating

C81700
C82000
C82200
C82400
C82500
C82600
C82700
C82800
C85300
C86100
C86200
C86800
C90300
C90500
C92500
C94700(2)

1211 4
35

UN S
Number

C81400

(2)
(3)

Shaded areas identify wrought products includ ed for comparison .

MOl Temper
TFOO Temper

88

20

C81500
C81800
C90200
C90700
C90900
C91000
C91600
C91700
C947DO(3)

C95200
C95800
C96400
C96600
C99300

(Steel){11_

26

C96300

21

C80100
C8ll00
C91100
C91300
C96200
C86800
C86300

(1)

Machinability
Rating

C81300
30

C86500

C948DO(3)

C83300

UNS
Number

15
10

TABLE 19. Joining Characteristics of Selected Copper

Casting Alloys
GTAW/

UNS
Number

Solder

Braze

OAW

CAW

GMAW

SMAW

C80l00

Call00

Ca1300

C8140D

C8150D

CB20DO

CB2200

CB240D

C82500

C82600

Ca2700

Ca2BOn

Ca3300

C83400

C83600

C83BaD

CB4200

C84400

C
C

C84500

C84800

C85200

CaS40n

CaSSOD

CaS7QO

C8SSDO

CB6100

C86200

Ca63DO

C86400

Ca6S0n

Ca6700

Ca6SDO

C874DO

C87S00

C87S00

Ca7BOO

C90200

C903DD

C90500

e9U7DO

C90900

C91000

C91100

C91300

A '" Excellent

B '" Good

= Fair

= Not Recommended

OAW =Oxyacetylene Welding

CAW", Carbon Arc Welding

=Gas Tungsten Arc/Gas Metal Arc Welding (TIG/M IG)

=Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick)

GTAW/GMAW
SMAW

89

TABLE 19. Joining Characteristics of Selected Copper

Casting Alloys Icontinued
GTAW/

UNS
Number

Solder

Braze

OAW

CAW

GMAW

SMAW

C91600

C917DO

C9220D

C923DD

C92500

C92600

C92700

C92800

C92900

C93200

C93400

C935DO

C937DO

C938DO

C93900

C943DO

C94400

C94500

C94700

C94800

C95200

C95300

C95400

C95500

C9S600

C957DO

C958DO

C96200

C9630D

C9640D

C96600

C9730D

C9740D

C97600

C978DO

C973DO

C997DO

C99750

A " Excellent

B '"' Good

= Fair

o ,.

Nol Recommended

OAW :: Oxyacetylene Welding

CAW:: Carbon Arc Welding
GTAWfGMAW '" Gas Tungsten Arc/Gas Metal Arc Welding (lIG/MIG)

SMAW = Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick)

90

TABLE 20.
Casting
Method
Sand

Technical Factors in the Choice of Casting Method for Copper Alloys

Copper
Alloys

All

Size

General

Surlace

Minimum Section

Range

Tolerances

Finish

Thickness

Ordering
Quantities

(1 low , 5 High)

'/32 in up to 3 in;
3ts4 in 3-6 in;
add O.003 inlin

150-500 !lin rms

1J8-1t4in

All

1-3

Same as sand
casting

All

1-3

'2:100

2-3

100-1 ,000,

2-3

All sizes,
depends on
foundry capability.

Relative Cost ,

above 6 in; add

O.020 to O.D60 in
across parting line.

No-Bake

All

All sizes, but

usually >10 Ibs

Same as sand
casting

Same as sand
casting

Shell

All

Typical maximum
mold area = 550 in 2
typical maximum
thickness =6 in

O.OOS-G.01D in up to

125-200 ).lin rms

3/32 in

Depends on

Usually O.OID in;

optimum 0.005 in,
0.002 in part-topart.

150-200 ).lin rms,

best ",70 Ilin rms

Va -1,14 in

Permanent
Mold

Coppers, high copper

alloys, yellow brasses,
high strength brasses,
silicon bronze, high zinc
silicon brass, most tin
bronzes, aluminum bronzes,
some nickel silvers.

foundry capability;
best", 50 Ibs
Best max.
thickness", 2 in

3 in; add O.OO2

inlin above 3 in; add
O.OOS to 0.010 in
across pring line.

Die

Limited to C85800, C86200,

CB6500, CB7BOO, CB7900,
C99700, C99750 & some
proprietary alloys.

Best for small,

thin parts; max.
area:<:; 3 ft2.

0.002 in/in ; not less

than 0.002 in on any
one dimension;
add 0.01 0 in on
dimensions affected
by parting line.

32-90 Ilin rms

Plaster

Coppers, high copper alloys,

silicon bronze, manganese
bronze, aluminum bronze,
yellow brass.

Up to 800 in 2,
but can be
larger.

One side of parting

line, 0.015 in up to
3 in; add 0.002
in/in above 3 in; add
0.010 in across
parting line, and allow
for parting line shift
of 0.015 in.

depending
on size.

0.05-0.125 in

;::1,000

63-1251lin rms,
best'" 321lin rms

0.060 in

All

0.030 in

>100

All

1-3

Investment

Almost all

Fraction of an
ounce to 150 Ibs,
up to 48 in.

0.003 in less than

1/4; 0.004 in between
1/4 to 1/2 in; 0.005
in/in between 1J2-3 in;
add 0.003 inlin
above 3 in .

63-125 11in rms

Centrifugat

Almost all

Ounce to
25,000 Ibs.
Depends on
foundry capacity

Castings are usually

rough machined by
foundry.

Not applicable

1/4

in

91

Working with Copper Casting Alloys

VI. CASTING PROCESSES

Selecting the casting process is an

important element in the design cycle,
even though in some cases, it is a decision that can be left to thefoundry. More
often than not, the process to be used

falls out logically from the product' s

size, shape and technical requirements.
Among the more important factors that
influence the choice of casting method
are:
The number of castings to be made;

The size and/or weight of the casting;

surface finish, soundness or mechanical

properties will bear strongly on the

choice of method used. These parameters
are set by the designer.
It is convenient to classify the casting processes as being applicable either
to general shapes of more or less any
fann or to specific and usually rather
simple shapes. In addition, several new
special processes have been commercialized in recent years, one of which is
described below.

The shape and intricacy of the product;

Processes for General Shapes

The amount and quality of finish

machining needed;

Sand Casting. Sand casting currently accounts for about 75% ofD.S.
copper alloy foundry production. The
process is relati vely inexpensive, acceptably precise and above all, highly versatile. It can be utilized for castings ranging
in size from a few ounces to many tons.
Further, it can be applied to simple
shapes as well as castings of considerable complexity, and it can be used with
all of the copper casting alloys.
Sand casting imposes few restrictions on product shape. The only significant exceptions are the draft angles that
are always needed on flat surfaces oriented perpendicular to the parting line.
Dimensional control and consistency in
sand castings ranges from about 0.030
to 0.125 in ( 0.8 to 3.2 mm). Within
this range, the more generous tolerances
apply across the parting line. Surface fmish ranges between approximately 300
and 500 ~in (7.7 - 12.9 ~m) rms. With
proper choice of molding sands and careful foundry practice, surprisingly intricate details can be reproduced. There are
a number of variations on the sand casting process.

The required surface finish;

The prescribed level of internal
soundness (pressure tightness) and/or
the type and level of inspection to be
performed;
The pennissible variation in dimensional accuracy for a single part, and
part-to-part consistency through the
production run; and,

The casting characteristics of the copper alloy specified.

Other considerations, such as code

requirements, can also playa role in
selecting the casting process, but it is primarily the number and size of castings
required, along with the alloy chosen,
that determine how a casting will be
made.

That is not to say that the designer

has little choice; in fact, quite the opposite can be true. For example, small parts
made in moderate to large quantities frequently lend themselves to several
processes, in which case factors such as

In green sand casting-still the

most widely used process-molds are
formed in unbaked (green) sand, which
is most often silica, Si02, bonded with
water and a small amount of a clay to
develop the required strength. The clay
minerals (montmorillonite, kaolinite)
absorb water and fonn a natural bonding
system that holds the sand particles
together. Various sands and clays may
be blended to suit particular casting situations.
The mold is made by ramnning
prepared sand around a pattem, held in a
flask. The patterns are withdrawn, leaving the mold cavity into which metal will
be poured. Molds are made in two
halves, an upper portion, the cope, and a
lower portion, the drag. The boundary
between cope and drag is known as the
parting line.
Cores, made from sand bonded
with resins and baked to give sufficient

strength, may be supported within the

mold cavity to form the internal structure
of hollow castings. Chills of various
designs may be embedded in the mold
cavity wall to control the solidification
process.
Risers are reservoirs of molten
metal used to ensure that all regions of
the casting are adequately fed until solidification is complete. Risers also act as
heat sources and thereby help promote
directional solidification. Molten metal is
introduced into the mold cavity through
a sprue and distributed through a system
of gates and runners. Figure VI-la,
page 98, shows the sequence of steps
used to make a typical sand casting. Note
how the gates, runners and risers are situated to ensure complete and even filling

93

of the mold. A series of sand cast valves

are illustrated in Figure VI-lb.
Bench molding operations are
performed by hand. Quality and part-topart consistency depend largely on the
skill of the operator. The labor-intensive
nature of bench molding usually
restricts it to prototypes or short production runs. Patterns are another significant cost factor, especially if their cost
cannot be amortized over a large number of castings. Still, bench molding
remains the most economical method
when only a few castings must be
produced.
The machine molding method is
automated and therefore faster than

bench molding, but the casting process

is essentially sintilar. Molding machines
sling, ram, jolt or squeeze sand onto
patterns, which in this case may consist
of several parts arranged on a mold
board. Dimensional control, surface fm-

ish and product consistency are better

than those achievable with bench molding. Favorable costs can be realized
from as few as several dozen castings.
Machine-molded sand casting is therefore the most versati Ie process in terms
of production volume.
Waterless molding aims to eliminate the sometimes detrimental effects
of moisture in the molding sand. Clays

are treated to react with oils rather than

water to make them bond to the sand

particles. The hot strength of the waterless-bonded sand is somewhat lower

than that of conventional green sands.
This reduces the force needed to displace the sand as the casting shrinks
during solidification, which in turn
reduces the potential for hot tearing.
On the other hand, sands with low hot
strength have a greater tendency to be
damaged by hot metal flowing into the
mold. '
For large castings, molds may be
baked or partially dried to increase their
strength. The surfaces of skin-dried
molds are treated with organic binders,
then dried by means of torches or
heaters. To make dry sand molds, simple organic bonding agents such as
molasses are dissolved in the bonding
water when making up the green sand
mixture. The entire mold is then baked

94

to develop the desired hot strength.

Besides hardening the mold, removing
water also reduces the chance for blowholes and other moisture-related casting
defects. Baking and skin drying are
expensive operations and the dry sand
methods are rapidly being replaced by a
variety of no-bake processes, described
below.
There are three general types of
low-temperature-curing, chemical
binders: Cement has traditionally been
used as a bonding agent in the extremely large molds used to cast marine propellers and sintilar products. Cement bonded molds are extremely strong and
durable, but they must be designed
carefully since their inability to yield
under solidification shrinkage stresses
may cause hot tearing in the casting.
Organic binders utilize resins that
cure by reaction with acidic catalysts.
Furan-, phenolic-, and urethane-base
systems are the most popular of the
large variety of currently available
bonding agents. Of the inorganic
binders, the well-known liquid sodium
silicate-CO, process is most widely
used for copper alloy castings.
No Bake (Air Set). In this
process, silica sand is mixed with a
resin that hardens when exposed to the
atmosphere. The process requires no
water. It can be used for molds as well
as cores. It is applicable to products as
small as 20 Ib (9 kg) , although it is
mainly used for large castings weighing
up to 20,000 Ib (9,100 kg). The no-bake
process has become very popular in the
past 10 years.
Shell Molding. Resin-bonded
sand systems are also used in the shell
molding process, in which prepared
sand is contacted with a heated metal
pattern to form a thin, rigid shell, Figure
VI-2a, page 99. As in sand casting, two
mating halves of the mold are made to
form the mold cavity. Common shellmolding binders include phenolformaldehyde resins, furan or phenolic
resins and baking oils similar to those
used in cores. Non-baking resins
(furans, phenolics, urethanes) are also
available; these can claim lower energy
costs because they do not require heated
patterns.

The shell molding process is

capable of producing quite precise
castings and nearly rivals metal-mold
and investment casting in its ability to
reproduce fine details and maintain
dimensional consistency, Figure VI-2b.
Surface finish, at about 125 J.tin (3.2~) rms,
is considerably better than that from
green sand casting.
Shell molding is best suited to
small-to-intermediate size castings.
Relatively high pattern costs (pattern
halves must be made from metal) favor
long production runs. On the other
hand, the fine surface fini shes and good
dimensional reproduceability can, in
many instances, reduce the need for
costly machining. While still practiced
extensively, shell molding has declined
somewhat in popularity, mostly because
of its high energy costs compared with
no-bake sand methods; however, shellmolded cores are still very widely used.
Plaster Molding. Copper alloys
can also be cast in plaster molds to produce precision products of near-net
shape. Plaster-molded castings are characterized by surface finishes as smooth
as 32 ~in rms and dimensional tolerances as close as 0.005 in ( 0.13 mm),
and typically require only ntinimal finish machining. In some cases, rubber
patterns can be used. These have the
advantage of permitting re-entrant
angles and zero-draft faces in the casting,s design.
Gypsum plaster (CaSO.) is normally mixed with refractory or fibrous
compounds for strength and specific
mechanical properties. The plaster must
be made slightly porous to allow the
escape of gases as the castings solidify.
This can be achieved by auloelaving the
plaster molds in steam, a technique
known as the Antioch process. This
produces very fine cast surfaces suitable
for such precision products as tire
molds, pump impellers, plaques and artwork. It is relatively costly.
Foaming agents produce sintilar
effects at somewhat lower costs. Labor
cost remains relatively high, however.
Foamed plaster molds produce very fine
surface finishes with good dimensional
accuracy, but they are better suited to
simple shapes.

Most plaster mold castings are

now made using the Copaco process,
which utilizes conventional wood or
metal patterns and gypsum-fibrous mineral molding compounds. The process
is readily adapted to automation; with
low unit costs, it is the preferred plastermold method for long production runs.
On the whole, however, plaster molding

accounts for a very small fraction of the

castings market.
Refractory Molds. Of the several refractory-mold-based methods, the
Shaw process is probably the best

known. Here, the wood or metal pattern

halves are dipped into an aggregate

slurry containing a methyl silicate

binder, forming a shell. After stripping
the pattern, the shell is fired at a high

temperature to produce a strong refractory mold. Metal is introduced into the

mold while it is still hot. This aids feed-

ing but it also produces the relatively

slow cooling rates and coarse-grained
structures that are typical of the process.

Dimensional accuracy as good as

0.003 in ( O.OS mm) is attainable in

castings smaller than about one inch

(25 mm), while tolerances as close as
0.Q45 in ( 1.1 mm) are claimed in castings larger than 15 in (630 mm) in cross
section. Additional allowances of about
0.010-0.020 in (0.25-0.5 mm) must be
included across the parting line. Surface
finishes are typically better than SO ~in
(2 ~m) rrns in nonferrous castings.
Very fine surface finishes and

removed and carefully finished using

heated tools. Clusters of wax patterns
are dipped into a refractory/plaster
slurry, which is allowed to harden as

a shell or as a monolithic mold.

The mold is first heated to melt
the wax (or volatilize the plastic), then
fired at a high temperature to vitrify the
refractory. Metal is introduced into the
mold cavity and allowed to cool at a

controlled rate. The sequence of steps

involved in the investment method are
illustrated in Figure VI-3a, page 100.

Investment casting is capable of

maintaining very high dimensional
accuracy in small castings, although tolerances increase somewhat with casting
size. Dimensional consistency ranks
about average among the casting methods; however, surface finishes can be as
fine as 60

~in

(1.5 ~m) rms, and the

process is unsurpassed in its ability to

reproduce intricate detail.
Investment casting is better suited
to castings under 100 Ibs (45 kg) in
weight. Because of its relatively high
tooling costs and higher than average

total costs, the process is nonnally

reserved for relatively large production
runs of precision products, and is not
often applied to copper alloys.
Metal-Mold Processes. Reusable

or metal-mold processes are used more

extensively for copper alloys in Europe
and England than in North America;

however, they are gaining recognition

nature of the process necessitates adequate draft angles along planar surfaces
oriented perpendicular to the parting
line. Traces ofthe parting line may be

visible in the finished casting and there

may be some adherent flashing, but both
are easily removed during finishing.
Pennanent mold castings are characterized by good part-to-part dimen-

sional consistency and very good

surface finishes (about 70 ~in, I.S

~m).

Any traces of metal flow lines on the

casting surface are cosmetic rather than
functional defects. Pennanent mold
castings exhibit good soundness. There
may be some microshrinkage, but
mechanical properties are favorably
influenced by the castings' characteristically fine grain size. The ability to
reproduce intricate detail is only moderate, however, and for products in which
very high dimensional accuracy is
required, plaster mold or investment
processes should be considered instead.
Permanent mold casting is more
suitable for simple shapes in mid-size
castings than it is for very small or very
large products. Die costs are relatively
high, but the absence of molding costs

makes the overall cost of the process

quite favorable for medium to large production volumes. Figure; Vl-4b and
Vl-4c, page 101,shows typical perrnanentmold castings.

Die casting involves the injection of liquid metal into a multipart

here as equipment and technology

die under high pressure. Pneumatically

excellent reproduction of detail are

characteristic of the investment casting,
or lost wax process. The process was
practiced by several ancient cultures

become increasingly available.

actuated dies make the process almost

completely automated. Die casting is
best known for its ability to produce

and has survived virtually without modification for the production of artwork,
statuary and fi ne jewelry. Today, the

the u.K. The process called die casting

Permanent mold casting in North

America is identified as gravity die casting or simply die casting in Europe and
in North America is known as pressure

such as impellers and gas turbine

die casting abroad.

Pennanent mold casting utilizes a
metallic mold. The mold is constructed
such that it can be opened along a conveniently located parting line. Hot metal

blades.
The process first requires the

is poured through a sprue to a system of

gates arranged so as to provide even,

process's most important commercial

application is in the casting of complex,
net shape precision industrial products

manufacture of an intricate metal die

low-turbulence flow to all parts of the

with a cavity in the shape of the finished product (or parts of it, if the prod-

cavity. Baked sand cores can be provided just as they would be with conventional sand castings. Chills are
unnecessary since the metal mold pro-

uct is to be assembled from several

castings). Special wax, plastic or a lowmelting allay is cast into the die, then

vides very good heat transfer. The

high quality products at very low unit

costs. Very high production rates off-

set the cost of the complex heat-resisting tooling required; and with low
labor costs, overall casting costs are
quite attractive.
The process can be used with
several copper alloys, including yellow
brass, CS5S00, manganese bronzes,
CS6200 and CS6500, silicon brass,
CS7S00, the special die casting alloys
C99700 and C99750, plus a few propri-

etary compositions. These alloys can be

die cast because they exhibit narrow
freezing ranges and high beta phase
contents. Rapid freezing is needed to

95

complement the process's fast cycle

times. Rapid freezing also avoids the
hot shortness associated with prolonged
mushy solidificati on. Beta phase contributes the hot ducti lity needed to avoid
hot cracking as the casting shrinks in
the unyielding metal mold.
Highl y intri cate copper alloy
products can be made by die casting
(investment castin g is even better in thi s
regard). Dimensional accuracy and partto-pm1 consistency are unsurpassed in
both small 1 in, 25 mOl) and large
castings. The attainable surface finish,
often as good as 30 ~in (0.76 ~m) nns, is
better than wi th any mher casting
process. Die casting is ideally suited to
the mass production of small parts. The
process is illustrated in Figure VI-5a,
page 102.
Extremely rapid cooling rates
(dies are normally water cooled) results
in very fine grain sizes and good
mechanical properties. Leaded alloys
C85800 and C99750 can yield castings
that are press ure tight, although lead is
incorporated in these alloys more for its
favorable effect on machinability than
for its ability to seal porosity. Figure
VI5b shows a selec ti on of die cast
products.

Processes for Specific Shapes

Continuous Casting. Picture a
mold cavity whose graphite or watercooled metal side walls are fixed, while
the bottom wall, also cooled, is free
to move in the axial directi on as molten
metal is poured in from the top, Figure
VI-6a, page 103. This is the continuous
casting process. It is used to produce
bearing blanks and other long castings
with uniform cross sections. Continuous
casting is the principal method used for
the large-tonnage production of semifini shed products such as cast rods, tube
rounds, gear and bearing blanks, slabs
and custom shapes.
The extremely high cooling and
solidification rates attending continuous
casting can, depending on the alloy,
produce columnar grains. The continuous suppl y of molten metal at the solidi
ficati on interface effecti vely eliminates
microshrinkage and produces high quality, sound products with very good

96

mechanical propert ies. W ith its simple die constructi on, relati vely low
equi pment cos t, high prod uction rate
and low labor req uirements, continuous cas tin g is a very economical produ ction method .
Centrifugal C asting, Th is
casting process has been known for
several hundred years, but its evoluti on into a sophi st icated production
me th od for othe r th an simple shapes
has tak en place only in thi s century.
T oday, very high quality cas tin gs of
considerable complex ity are produced using thi s technique.
To make a centrifugal casting.
molten metal is poured into a spinning
mold. The mold may be ori ented hori
zontally or vert ically, depending on
the casting's aspec t ratio. Short , squat
products are cast verti call y while long
tu bul ar shapes are cast hori zo ntall y. In
either case, cent rifuga l fo rce holds the
molten metal against the mold wall
until it solidi fies. Carefull y weighed
charges insure that just enough metal
freezes in th e mold to yield the desired
wa ll thick ness, Figure VI7a, page 103.
In some cases, di ssi milar alloys can be
cast sequentially to produce a composite structure. Figure VI 7b shows a
section of a fo uri nc h (1 OO-mm ) thi ck
vessel shell consis ting of a pure copper outer ring surrounding a nickelaluminum bronze liner.
Molds for copper alloy castings
are usually made from carbon steel
coated with a suitable refractory mold
wash. Molds can be costly if ordered to
custom dimensions, but the larger centri fugal foundries maintain sizeable
stocks of molds in diameters ranging
from a few inches to several feet.
The inherent quality of centrifu
gal castings is based on the fact that
most nonmetallic impurities in castings
are less dense than the metal itself.
Centrifugal force causes impurities
(dross, oxides) to concentrate at the
casting's inner surface. This is usually
machined away, leaving only clean
metal in the fi nished product. Because
freezing is rapid and completely direc
ti onal, centri fugal castings are inherently sound and pressure tight. Mechanical
properties can be somewhat higher than

those of staticall y cast products.

Centrifugal castings are made in
sizes ranging from approx imately 2 in
to 12 ft (50 mm to 3.7 m) in di ameter
and from a few inches to many yards in
length . Size limitations, if any, are likely as not based on the fo undry's melt
shop capac ity. Simpleshaped centrifu
gal castings are used for items such as
pipe fl anges and valve components,
whi le co mplex shapes can be cast by
using cores and shaped molds, Figure
VI-7c. Pressure-retaining centrifugal
castings have been found to be mechanicall y equivalent to more costly forgings
and extrusions.
In a related process called centrifuging, numerous small molds are
arranged radially on a casting machine
with their feed sprues oriented toward
the machine's axis. M olten metal is fed
to the spin ning mold, fi lling the indi vid
ual cavities. The process is used for
small castin gs such as jewelry and dental bridgework, and is economicall y
viable fo r both small and large produc
tion quantities. Several molding methods can be adapted to the process, and
the unit costs of centrifuged castings
will depend large ly on the type of
mold used.

Special Casting Processes

Recent years have seen the introduction of a number of new casting
processes, often aimed at specific applications. Whil e these techniques are still
to some ex tent under development and
while they are certainly not available at
all job shop fo undri es, their inherent
advantages make them valuable additions to the designer's list of options.
Squeeze Casting, This interesting process aims to improve product
quality by solidifying the casting under
a metallostati c pressure head sufficient
to (a) prevent the fonnati on of shrink
age defects and (b) retain dissolved
gases in solution until freezing is
complete. This method was ori ginally
developed in Russia and has undergone
considerable improvement in the U.S. It
is carri ed out in metal molds resemblinK
the punch and die sets used in sheetmetal fonning.

After introducing a carefully

metered charge of molten metal, the
upper die assembly is lowered into
place, forming a tight seal. The "punch"
portion of the upper die is then forced
into the cavity, displacing the molten
metal under pressure until it fills the
annular space between the die halves.
Proponents of squeeze casting
claim that it produces very low gas
entrapment and that castings exhibit
shrinkage volumes approximately onehalf those seen in sand castings. Very
high production rates, comparable to die
casting but with considerably lower die
costs, are also claimed.
The process produces the high
quality surfaces typical of metal mold

casting, with good reproduction of

detail. Rapid solidification results in a
fine grain size, which in tum improves
mechanical properties. It is claimed that
squeeze casting can be applied to many
of the copper alloys, although die and
permanent mold casting alloys should
be favored.

Selecting a Casting Process

A product' s shape, size and physical characteristics often limit the choice

of casting method to a single casting

process, in which case the task simply
becomes one of selecting a reliable
foundry offering a fair price. If there is a
choice of casting methods, it may be
worthwhile to consult a trusted foundry,

since the foundryman 's experience can

be a source of cost-saving ideas. Tn any
event, it is advantageous to limit selection of the casting method to a few
choices early in the design process so
that the design and the casting method
meet each other's requirements.
Making the selection is not inherently difficult, although it should be
emphasized that the help of a skilled
foundryman can be invaluable at this
point. The factors listed at the beginning
of this chapter determine the best suited
and most economical process. Table
20, page 91, adapted from several
sources,3' 21 defines the broad limits on
process-selection parameters.

97

FIGURE VI-lb
Sand casting lends itself to a large range of product
sizes. It is the most versatile casting process.

Pattern

Core

Cope half
/ ' Core print

Drag-half
of pattern

Drag-half of flask
2. Preparing drag-half of mold

Mold
board

Apply parting

1. Place drag-half of pattern on

Fill with sand

mold board in drag-half of flask

Sprue

Cope

Ram

Strike off excess sand

4. Preparing cope-half of mold

3. Roll drag over - place copehalf of pattern and flask
Sprue cup

Risers

Core set in place

Cope

Drag

5. Separate flask - remove all patterns set core in place - close flask

FIGURE VI-la Making a mold for sand casting.

98

6. Flask closed - clamped

together - ready for
pouring of metal

matchplate

I-,.~~~~.,....-.,..,j-r-resin binder

1. A heated metal match plate is

placed over a box containing
sand mixed with thermoplastic
resin.

3. When box and match plate are

righted, a thin shell of resin
bonded sand is retained on
the matchplate.

2. Box and match plate are

inverted for short time.
Heat melts resin next to
match plate.

4. Shell is removed from

the matchplate.

5. Steps 1 through 4 are repeated using

the other side of match plate.
6. The shells are placed
in oven and "heat
treated" to thoroughly
set resin bond.

Metal Shot)
Shells

7. Shells are clamped together

and placed in a flask. Metal
shot or coarse sand is packed
around the shell, and mold is
ready to receive molten metal.

.:-. :-..
>. :-.
','

.'

Flask

FIGURE VI-2a Shell molding process

FIGURE VI-2b
Shell molding is capable of
producing precise castings.
Suriace finishes exceed those
of sand castings.

99

1. Wax or plaster is
injected into die to
make a pattern.

INVESTMENT FLASK CASTING

3. A metal flask is placed

around the pattern cluster.

5. After mold material has

set and dried, patterns are
melted out of mold.

2. Patterns are gated

to a central sprue.

INVESTMENT SHELL CASTING

4. Flask is filled with

investment mold slurry.

3. Pattern clusters are

dipped in ceramic slurry.

4. Refractory grain is sifted

onto coated patterns, steps
3 and 4 are repeated several
times to obtain desired shell
thickness.

6. Hot molds are filled with

metal by gravity, pressure
vacuum or centrifugal force.

5. After mold material has

set and dried, patterns are
melted out of mold .

6. Hot molds are filled with

metal by gravity,pressure
vacuum or centrifugal force.

. .:.\d ....

7. Mold material is broken

away from castings.

7. Mold material is broken

away from castings.

8. Castings are removed from sprue,

and gate stubs ground off.

FIGURE VI3a Investment casting processes

100

FIGURES VI-3b

A selection of inveslment castings. Note the exceptional

surface finish and fine detail.

FIGURES VI-4b,c
Typical permanent mold castings. The process is also
called gravity die casting.

Mold
Half

Core
Bushing

3-piece
Collapsible
Core
or
Gate

Section A-A

Core
Pin
Core-Pin
Bushing

Mold
Half

Rough Casting

FIGURE VI-4a Permanent mold casting process

101

Stationary die
Stationary
Plate

Core
Moveable die

Die Cavity

--<:::
-

71-1~~~~:,

Ladle

,I

;=~~~=d~b7~1~/:

Plunger
rod

:;:r1

~(LL~~~....

Plunger sleeve

1. Metal poured into sleeve

Ejector pin

Gate
Parting plane

()

U
2. Plunger forces metal into die

FIGURE VI-5a Die casting process

FIGURE VI-5b

Die cast brass products . Note the fine surface finish and good reproduction of detail.

102

Core
withdrawn

3. Die separated and casting ejected

Die
Casting

Sand lined mold pipe casting machine

Mold

Withdrawing
Rolls

Cut-off

Horizontal Rotation
Vertical Rotation

FIGURE VI-6a

FIGURE VI-7a Centrifugal casting processes

Continuous casting process

FIGURE VI-7b

A composite
centrifugal casting;
the outer shell is
pure copper while
the inner liner is
nickel-aluminum
bronze.

FIGURE VI-6b

A selection of continuous cast products in cross section. This process

is commonly used to produce such
products as gear blanks and sleeve
bearing pre-forms.

FIGURE VI-7c

Centrifugally cast
hub for a variable
pitch naval propeller. Note the
extensive use of
cores to form the
complex shape.

103

VII. CASTING DESIGN PRINCIPLES

The many factors involved in

proper casting design are discussed in a
number of excellent texts, including
those published by the Non-Ferrous
Founders' Society and the American
Foundrymen's Association. I-3 This
guide cannot deal with casting design in
the degree of detail to which those publications are devoted, but it may be
helpful to point out a few of the general
principles that govern the manufacture
of quality castings. It must be emphasized that successful casting design is a
cooperative process involving all the
parties involved. The advice of a skilled
foundryman and pattemmaker is invaluable, and the earlier in the design
process such consultation is sought, the
better.
The most important point to bear
in mind when designing a casting is that
the design doesn't simply set the shape
of the product, it also detennines the
way that the casting will solidify-to
the extent this is independent of foundry
practice. It may be helpful to review the
material presented earlier on the freezing behavior of the various copper
alloys.
Short-freezing allOYS, such as
pure copper, high copper alloys and yellow brasses, aluminum bronzes and
copper-nickels solidify from the mold
walls inward and tend to form shrinkage
cavities in regions where the last
remaining liquid metal solidifies,
Figure VII-I, page 106.
Long-freezing alloys, such as tin
bronzes, leaded alloys and the red and
semi-red brasses solidify by going
through a mushy stage more or less unifonnly throughout the casting's volume.

104

They tend to form internal porosity, as

shown in Figure VII-2, page 106; this
cannot always be avoided, but it can
often be tolerated.
There is a spectrum of freezing
behaviors between the short- and longfreezing alloys. Exactly how a casting
solidifies depends on alloy composition,
casting shape, pouring temperature and
the rate of heat extraction. For both
short- and long-freezing alloys, however, it is important to ensure that the
metal freezes in a directional manner
such that the last metal to solidify within the mold cavity (not including the
metal left in risers) is adequately fed by
liquid metal until solidification is complete. No partially liquid region of the
casting should be shut off from a supply
of molten metal. Hot spots should be
avoided since these tend to remain liquid longest.
The simplest way to ensure proper solidification is by the placement of
risers. These reservoirs of liquid metal
are placed either where they can feed
relatively thin sections that might otherwise freeze off and isolate adjacent
regions of the casting or where they
can, with their high sensible heat, help
bring about directional solidification.
Risers must be large enough to
remain liquid well after the casting has
solidified. Risers are more important in
the casting of short-freezing alloys,
where feeding takes place over considerable distances. Iri long-freezing alloys,
risers are less helpful in promoting
directional solidification and are used
instead to ensure unifonn solidification
rates.

The design and placement of risers is beyond the scope of this alloy
selection guide, but the designer should
recognize their importance. Since the
need for risers may affect the shape or
layout of a casting, it is best to consult
with the foundryman about riser placement before conunitting to a final configuration.
It is also important to take into
consideration the shrinkage stresses a
casting may be subjected to as it
solidifies. The ability of a casting to
resist such stresses without cracking
depends on the alloy's structure,
solidification behavior and elevatedtemperature properties. The presence
of a second phase, particularly beta,
tends to improve strength and ductility at high temperatures, and this
reduces the tendency for restrained
sections to tear as the metal solidifies
and shrinks. The type of molding
material is also important. Properly
made sand molds can accommodate
shrinkage, while permanent or plaster
molds cannot.
As an example of the interplay
between metal and molding material in
the choice of a casting process, consider
the alpha-beta structure of yellow brasses. The alloys' good high temperature
ductility, along with their relatively
short freezing range, suit them to the
permanent mold and die casting
processes.

Design Fundamentals
Observing a few simple rules will
go a long way toward avoiding the most
prevalent design-based casting defects.
It should become apparent that these

rules are based on the solidification

behaviors descIibed above. I. n
Avoid abrupt changes in section
thickness. Taper the larger section
such that it blends into the thinner
section. Figure Vll-3, page 107.
Always avoid sharp internal comers.
Use generous fillets and rounded
comers wherever possible to avoid
the fonnation of hot spots.
Minimize the use of L intersections,
avoid X intersections, and take care in
designing T intersections. Use rounded comers insofar as possible, and
substitute two Ts for each X intersec-

tion wherever possible, Figure Vll-4,

page 107.
Visualize how the metal will solidify, and design the casting to take this
into account. Consider the type of
freezing the candidate alloy will
undergo and use this understanding
to avoid shrinkage cavities or
porosity.
Identify the constraints the solidifying and cooling casting will undergo,
and fonnulate the design accordingly
to avoid hot tearing.
Do not hesitate to add metal
(padding) to facilitate the feeding of

thin sections and remove metal

where it creates an abrupt change in
section size. Removing metal may,
in fact, strengthen the casting.
If there is a possibility that shrinkage
stresses will demand some degree of
flexibility duIing solidification, use
curved members in place of straight
sections whenever possible.
Following these guidelines will
help ensure that the casting design
process will begin correctly, and that
the need for changes later on-when
they may be more expensive-will
be minimized.

105

Casting

Cavity at
Heat Center

Sound Metal

"Yl

,,"",~" ''''""~ ~
o
o

o
FIGURE VU-l.

Formation of shrinkage cavities for alloys that solidify by skin formation.

Fine Dispersed
Porosity Frequently
Arranged in Layers

Coarse Dispersed

Porosity at

..

.. . ..

:, ., .,

.,.,

:: ::

Heat Center

'--------L', .. ...... ,' '

.. . ..... . . ....
........ ..

'

FIGURE VU-2.

Formation of internal porosity for alloys that solidify over long freezing ranges,

106

-<T

...... 1
I

e =2T
R> T + I

lblL~
LL
L
II I
Poor

-<T

;..0(- T
I

Improved

Recommended
R ~ T

Poor

Improved

Poor

Improved

Recommended
(For heavy sections)

=2T
W=T/,+I

R_T+I

Recommended
(For heavy sections)

FIGURE VII-3.

Recommendations for the design of

junctions involving different wall
thicknesses.

r-

_...L_I- __ .

Overheated sand (hot spot)

lH

I> 2

.... Localized shrinkage

FIGURE VII-4. Examples of redesign to prevent the fo rmation of hot spots.

107

Specifying and Buying Copper Casting Alloys

VIII. ORDERING A COPPER ALLOY CASTING

In order to increase the likelihood

that a successful casting will result, the
buyer must give proper attention to
design principles, alloy selection and/or
specification, the choice of casting
method and the type and rigor of
inspection procedures. This is especially
true when the foundry is an independent
job shop, where communication among
designer, metallurgist and foundryman
may not be so close as it might be in an
in-house or captive operation.
The following ordering guidelines are based on practices recommended by the Non-Ferrous Founders'
Society. Some may seem like minor,
unimportant points; these are exactly
the kind that have a way of becoming
very significant when ignored: 3
Alloy Selection. Identify the alloy
unambiguously. This normally
involves nothing mOTe than specifying the appropriate UNS designation.
Conforming specifications should be
cited, where applicable, and special
compositional requirements may be
added, if needed. Heat treatment
and/or annealing conditions should
be spelled out. Avoid ordering alloys

by common names, as these can be

inexact, and that can lead to disagreement. Also, common or

descriptive names usually don't satisfy quality assurance requirements.

Casting Design. Describe the casting's design using appropriate drawings for the product, pattern and
mold layout. Ideally, drawings will
represent a consensus ani ved at
among the designer, metallurgist,
pattemmaker and foundryman. All
parties involved should accept the

design package before production

begins.
Patterns. Patterns may be supplied
by either the customer or the
foundry. Whatever the arrangement,
the foundry should be consulted
regarding the type, material, layout
and coring requirements for the patterns involved.
Molding Method, The molding
method used will generall y be based
on either the product's quality
requirements, the type of alloy
and/or the number of castings to be
produced. Any special requirements
or limitations of the casting method
should be carefully addressed by the
designer-and understood by both
designer and foundry man-before
committing the job to production.
Inspection Requirements. Quality
control requirements are usually
spelled out or given as options in
conforming specifications, and the
designerJcustomer need onl y refer to
these documents to determine what
may be reasonably expected of the
foundry. Where conforming specifications are not called out, it becomes
very important that all quality
requirements are thoroughly agreed
upon before any metal is poured.
Typical requirements include
chemical composition, mechanical
properties tests on concurrently cast
test bars, radiography and/or other
non-destructive examination. Performance qualifications such as pressure
tests can also be called for in the case
of large proo.uction tuns or new designs
involving safety-related products.

Prototype Production.
Unfortunately, many casting mistakes do not become evident until
the product has been cast, cleaned,
machined and inspected, i.e., until all
of the value has been added. It is
therefore common practice to make a
few trial runs, particularly for complex castings with extensive coring.
Costs are involved, but they can be
offset in part by reclaiming the
metal.
Assuming the metal composition is conect, failed prototype castings make ideal corrosion test
specimens. It is far less costly to
modify the design, change the
foundry practice or tweak the alloy
composition than it is to repair or
reject an entire production lot of
faulty products.
Page I 10 contains a sample
request for quotation for a typical copper alloy sand casting. The sample
product described illustrates many of
the fundamental requirements of a wellwritten RFQ.
If proper consideration is given to
the quotation request, in most instances
the actual purchase order will mirror the
RFQ and may in fact be drawn directly
from the quotation request form.
However, should any changes be made
between the RFQ and the actual purchase order, these should be specifically
called to the foundry's attention, as it is
possible that they may affect the price
quoted.
Customers can obtain useful
information on specific foundry capabilities from a number of reliable
sources. This publication, along with

109

CDA's Copper Select software can provide infomlation on which copper alloys
may be best for various customer applications. Foundry associations such as the
Non-Ferrous Founders' Society (NFFS)
routinely publish membership directories
or buyers' gu ides.
A computer disk directory is available from NFFS to help casting buyers
select the correct foundry to fill their

casting needs. This program contains

ideally suited to supply the ir casting

basic infonnarion on foundries, such as

thei r phone and fax numbers, key personnel, distincti ve alloys, production
capaci ties and number of employees. It
al so indexes fou ndries geographically,
by industries served. More specificall y,
the system allows the user to combine

needs and to automatically generate quotation requests for the foundries selected.

several of these parameters into a single

search to locate those foundlies that are

Addi tional infonnation on the

Copper Select program is available from
CDA at 800-CDA-DATA. Both the traditional printed version and the computer
version of the North American Directory
of Non-FelTous Foundries can be ordered
from NFFS by calling 708-299-0950.

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

Today's Date

Quote Not Later Than

October 8 , 1994

11/3011994

Expected Decision Date

12/0111994

FROM: James Pfister

JAMIESON MANUFACTURING INC .

120 Roosevelt Street
Ridge Park, IL 60640
Phone : 708/555/0515 - FAX 708/555-0512
Please quote your best price for the articles described herein.
Please base your quote on the terms and conditions speci fied.
Drawing or Part Number: 8330-8406
Specification: MIL- B-2 44 80
Material/Commercial Designation: UNS C95800
THIS IS NOT AN ORDER

Pattern Description:
1 split pattern mounted on 36x50 boards; 5 wood coreboxes .
Surface Fi nish:

500 ~ in rms
Non-Destructive Test Requirements:
to MIL-STD 278E, Cat . 2-Sub . Cat . J
Documentation (Reports) Required:
Yes
Other Requirements:
Pressure test to 125 psi under water .
Actual 0 or Estimated [) Casting We ight: 125 1b/56 . 7 kg

Quote Required Tooling: [] Separately

0 Incl uded
Quote Quantities: 5, 10 , 50
Anti cipated Ann ual Use: 100 pieces
Anti cipated Pattern Life: 10 years
Expected Order QuantitylFrequency: 10 I month
Required Tum-Around: 4 - 6 weeks after pattern is sampled & approved

Addi tional infonnation that may be required to prepare your quote will be provided as needed. Contact the requesting agent
noted below.

Signed: _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __

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REFERENCES
1. American Foundrymen' s Society,
Casting Copper-Base Alloys, AFS,
Des Plaines, lL, 1984.
2. American Foundrymen's Society,

Copper-Base Alloys: Foundry

Practices, 2nd ed., AFS, Chicago.
lL,1952.
3. Flinn, R.A., Copper, Brass and

Bronze Castings: Their Structures,

Properties & Applications,
Non-Ferrous Founders' Society,
Cleveland,OH, 1963.
4. American Society for Metals, Source

Book on Copper and Copper Alloys,

Metals Park, OH, 1979.
5. ASM International, Properties of
Cast Copper Alloys, Rev. by Arthur
Cohen, Copper Development
Association Inc., Materials Park,
OH,1990.
6. Copper Development Association
Inc., Cast Bronze Bearings - Alloy
Selection and Bearing Design, New
York, 1993.
7. American Society for Testing and
Materials, B 60 I Standard Practice

for Temper Designations for Copper

and Copper Alloys-Wrought and
Cast, Philadelphia, 1992.
8. Copper Development Association
(UK), Copper Alloy Castings

Properlies and Applications, CDA

Publication TN42, Potters Bar,

9. Tracy, A.W., "Effect of Natural

Atmospherics on Copper Alloys:
20-Year Test," Symp. on
Atmospheric Corrosion on Non-

Ferrous Metals, ASTM STP 175,

Philadelphia, 67-76 (1956).
10. Popplewell, J.M. and T.C Gearing,
Corrosion, 31, 279 (1975).
11. Thompson, D.H., Mater. Res. &
Stds., 1, 108 (1961).
12. Thompson, D.H. and A.W. Tracy,

"Influence of Composition on the

Stress-Corrosion Cracking of Some
Copper-Base Alloys," Metals
Transactions, 100 (Feb. 1949).
13. Gilbert, P.T., "Copper and Copper
Alloys," Chapter 4.2 in Corrosion,

Vo!' 1, Metal/Environment
Reactions, L.L. Sheir, Ed., NewnesButterworths, Boston, 1977.
14. Cohen, A. and L. Rice Copper and

its Alloys for Desalting Plants,

Copper Development Association
Inc., New York, 1975.
15. Klement, J.F., R.E. Maersch and
P.A. Tully, "Use of Alloy Additions
to Prevent Intergranular Stress

Corrosion Cracking in Aluminum

Bronze," Corrosion, 16, 127 (1960).
16. Thornton, CH., S. Harper and J.E.
Bowers, A Critical Survey of

Copper and Copper Alloys,

International Copper Research
Association,Ltd December, 1983.

17. Peterson, R.A., "Bronze sleeve bear~

ings," 197711978 Power
Transmission Design Handbook,
PentonlIPC, 1976.
18. Booser, R., "Selecting Sleeve
Bearing Materials," Matis. Des.
EI1g., 119 (Oct. 1958).
19. Bolz, R.E. and G.L. Tuye, Eds.,

Handbook of Tables for Applied

Engineering Science, 2nd ed., CRC
Press, Cleveland, 1973.
20. Copper Development Association
Inc., Standards Handbook: Cast
Products, Alloy Datal7, Greenwich,
CT,1978.
21. American Welding Society/Copper

Development Association Inc.,

Copper and Copper Alloys: Weldil1g,
Soldering, Brazing, SUliacing,
(Reprinted from the A WS Welding
Handbook).
22. Glaser-Miller Co., Castil1g
Technique Comparisons, Corporate
technical brochure.
23. Ruddle, R.W., "Design Castings for
Strength," SME Paper No. M75-405,
as cited in Reference 1, p. 139.

Available High Temperature

Mechanical Property Datafor

Herts., 1991.

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~CDA
Non-Ferrous Founders ' Society
70140009

Copper Development Association