Copper Alloy C34200
UNS C34200 · ASTM B121 · EN CW601N
C34200 is a medium-leaded free-machining brass rod alloy (HPb63-3, CW601N) in which the lead phase acts as a chip breaker, supplied as rod and bar in O60 through H10 tempers.
Reference datasheet — C34200 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 H02 condition
C34200 tempers and conditions
C34200 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. H02 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Pick for maximum ductility when the part is bent, formed or riveted before final machining. | 125 | 340 | 50 | 70 HB | — |
As hot rolled | Pick for thicker rolled bar and plate where mill hot-rolled condition is machined all over. | 150 | 360 | 40 | 80 HB | 26 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Pick when moderate bending/forming is still required but soft temper is too weak. | 270 | 400 | 25 | 105 HB | — |
H02Default Half hard | Default stock temper — best all-round balance of strength, chip control and mild formability. | 340 | 435 | 18 | 120 HB | — |
Full hard | Pick for blanked/pierced flat parts and screw-machine stock needing higher strength and clean shear edges. | 400 | 490 | 10 | 150 HB | — |
Extra hard | Pick for flat contacts and stampings that must resist deflection with only slight bending. | 450 | 545 | 6 | 165 HB | — |
Spring hard | Pick for flat springs, clips and detents where high elastic limit matters more than ductility. | 485 | 585 | 4 | 175 HB | — |
Extra spring hard | Pick only for flat, essentially unformed spring elements needing the maximum strength available in this alloy. | 505 | 620 | 3 | 185 HB | — |
What is C34200?
C34200 is a medium-leaded free-machining brass rod alloy (HPb63-3, CW601N) in which the lead phase acts as a chip breaker, supplied as rod and bar in O60 through H10 tempers. It is used for screw-machine work that still needs moderate strength: 435 MPa tensile, 340 MPa yield, 18 % elongation and 120 HB (70 HRB) in the listed condition, with a machinability rating of 90 and service to 200 °C. The lead content rules out fusion welding, hot working is poor, and the formability score of 45 limits bending, so choose C36000 for maximum cutting speed or C27000 where forming dominates. C34200 has a density of 8.47 g/cm³ (0.306 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F). C34200 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 71% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
What is C34200 used for?
- screw machine parts
- fasteners
- small precision components
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 97 GPa (14.1 Msi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C34200 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C34200-H02; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C34200 has a density of 8.47 g/cm³ (0.306 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Mechanical12
C34200 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 71% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
Thermal6
C34200 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 116 W/m·K (67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.3 µm/m·K (11.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C34200 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 95% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C34200 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
C34200's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. C34200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C34200
Is C34200 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈90 % of C36000); use zero-to-negative rake, high speeds, light oil or dry, and expect short crumbly chips.
Can C34200 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (lead causes hot cracking); join by soft soldering, silver brazing, riveting or press fit.
Can C34200 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only in O60/H01 tempers with generous bend radii; hot working is poor because of the lead phase — avoid hot forging in the 600–800 °C range.
C34200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuASTM B121 alloy C34200 | 62 – 65 | 63.5 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Zn | balance |
What surface finishes work on C34200?
Bright-dips, tumbles and buffs readily; takes Ni, Cr, Sn and Ag plating well — do not anodize; stress-relieve (250–300 °C) formed parts to avoid SCC and consider lacquer to prevent tarnish.
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 C34200 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B121
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW601N
- Similar grades
- HPb63-3
How much does C34200 cost?
C34200 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.
C34200 — frequently asked
What is C34200 used for?
C34200 is typically used for screw machine parts, fasteners and small precision components. In short: free-machining rod brass; 90 machinability rating; strength above plain yellow brass.
What is the yield strength of C34200?
C34200 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 71% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C34200 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈90 % of C36000); use zero-to-negative rake, high speeds, light oil or dry, and expect short crumbly chips.
Can C34200 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (lead causes hot cracking); join by soft soldering, silver brazing, riveting or press fit.
What surface finishes work on C34200?
Bright-dips, tumbles and buffs readily; takes Ni, Cr, Sn and Ag plating well — do not anodize; stress-relieve (250–300 °C) formed parts to avoid SCC and consider lacquer to prevent tarnish.
Can C34200 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only in O60/H01 tempers with generous bend radii; hot working is poor because of the lead phase — avoid hot forging in the 600–800 °C range.
What is the maximum service temperature of C34200?
C34200 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C34200-H02 and C34200-O60?
H02 is the default condition — default stock temper — best all-round balance of strength, chip control and mild formability. O60: pick for maximum ductility when the part is bent, formed or riveted before final machining. Yield strength is 340 MPa in H02 versus 125 MPa in O60.
How much does C34200 cost?
C34200 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
- ASTM B121/B121M — Leaded Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2020)
- Copper Alloy C34200 alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 4423 / GB/T 2059 — HPb63-3 — SAC (2020)
- EN 12164 / EN 12165 — Copper and copper alloys, rod and forging stock (CW601N) — CEN (2016)
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.