Copper Alloy AlBC3
GB AlBC3
AlBC3 (C95500) is a nickel-aluminium bronze casting alloy strengthened by aluminium with nickel and iron additions, and available heat treated (TA, TQ50) as well as as-cast.
Reference datasheet — AlBC3 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the F condition
AlBC3 tempers and conditions
AlBC3 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temper annealed / stress relieved | Choose for thick-section seawater parts: breaks up continuous β′ phase, maximises resistance to dealuminification and reduces casting residual stress. | 265 | 610 | 23 | 165 HB | 8.8 % IACS |
FDefault As fabricated | Standard stocked condition for propellers, pump and valve bodies; best combination of strength, ductility and price. | 275 | 620 | 20 | 170 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
Solution quenched (≈875 °C) and tempered | Use where maximum strength and wear resistance are needed (heavy-load gears, shafting), accepting lower ductility and toughness. | 400 | 730 | 10 | 18 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways AlBC3 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CC | Continuous cast bar/tube | Surface finish |
CE | Centrifugally cast | Certification |
What is AlBC3?
AlBC3 (C95500) is a nickel-aluminium bronze casting alloy strengthened by aluminium with nickel and iron additions, and available heat treated (TA, TQ50) as well as as-cast. Typical properties are 275 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation, 170 HB and service to 300 °C, with seawater corrosion resistance rated 78/100 — the strength level engineers choose over tin bronzes for propellers and seawater pumps. It is supplied as sand, centrifugal and continuous castings. Machining is slow with gummy chips, the alloy is not anodizable, and AlBC4 (C95800) is preferred where large weld repairs are routine. AlBC3 has a density of 7.53 g/cm³ (0.272 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,040°C (1,904 °F). AlBC3 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
What is AlBC3 used for?
- ship propellers
- pump impellers
- valve components
Advantages
- Lightweight — 7.53 g/cm³ (0.272 lb/in³), better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 65/100, better than 80% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 8.5 % IACS, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
AlBC3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for AlBC3-F; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
AlBC3 has a density of 7.53 g/cm³ (0.272 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,040°C (1,904 °F).
Mechanical16
AlBC3 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
AlBC3 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AlBC3 conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AlBC3 takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 87% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
AlBC3's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (65/100); formability poor (20/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the copper alloy family
Yield strength against density for every copper alloy grade FabDigit runs. AlBC3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AlBC3
Is AlBC3 easy to machine?
Tough, gummy chips — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, moderate speed with generous coolant; expect ~30 % of AISI 1212 rates.
Can AlBC3 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with ERCuNiAl (matching NAB) filler, preheat 150–250 °C on heavy sections, followed by 675 °C temper anneal for seawater duty.
Can AlBC3 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy: sand, centrifugal and continuous casting all standard; control melt oxides, use chills/risers for directional solidification, no meaningful cold forming.
AlBC3 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 8.5 – 10.5 | 9.5 |
| Fe | 3 – 6 | 4.2 |
| Ni | 3 – 6 | 4.2 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 1 | 0.6 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.03 | |
| CuJIS H5120 CAC703 (AlBC3) | ≥ 78 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on AlBC3?
Takes a fine mechanical polish and darkens naturally to a protective bronze patina; not anodizable, plating and soldering require aggressive removal of the aluminium oxide film.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on copper alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy AlBC3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- C95500
How much does AlBC3 cost?
AlBC3 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
AlBC3 — frequently asked
What is AlBC3 used for?
AlBC3 is typically used for ship propellers, pump impellers and valve components. In short: strongest cast bronze family; seawater-grade aluminium bronze; heat-treatable cast bronze.
What is the yield strength of AlBC3?
AlBC3 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is AlBC3 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades). Tough, gummy chips — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, moderate speed with generous coolant; expect ~30 % of AISI 1212 rates.
Can AlBC3 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with ERCuNiAl (matching NAB) filler, preheat 150–250 °C on heavy sections, followed by 675 °C temper anneal for seawater duty.
What surface finishes work on AlBC3?
Takes a fine mechanical polish and darkens naturally to a protective bronze patina; not anodizable, plating and soldering require aggressive removal of the aluminium oxide film.
Can AlBC3 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy: sand, centrifugal and continuous casting all standard; control melt oxides, use chills/risers for directional solidification, no meaningful cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of AlBC3?
AlBC3 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AlBC3-F and AlBC3-TQ50?
F is the default condition — standard stocked condition for propellers, pump and valve bodies; best combination of strength, ductility and price. TQ50: use where maximum strength and wear resistance are needed (heavy-load gears, shafting), accepting lower ductility and toughness. Yield strength is 275 MPa in F versus 400 MPa in TQ50.
How much does AlBC3 cost?
AlBC3 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- JIS H5120 Copper alloy castings (CAC703 / AlBC3) — JSA (2016)
- ASTM B148 Standard Specification for Aluminum-Bronze Sand Castings (C95500) — ASTM (2020)
- CDA Alloy C95500 datasheet — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (Copper alloys in seawater) — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.