Copper Alloy C34500
UNS C34500
C34500 is a leaded free-cutting brass from the wrought C20000–C49999 family, applied in the same way as C34000 and C34200.
Reference datasheet — C34500 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
C34500 tempers and conditions
C34500 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. H02 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Choose for maximum ductility when the part must be bent, staked, riveted or heavily cold headed after machining. | 125 | 330 | 50 | 65 HB | 27 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Mill-finish extruded rod for large diameters or for parts that will be forged or fully machined all over. | 150 | 360 | 42 | 80 HB | 27 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Balanced temper when parts need some bending or knurling after turning but more strength than annealed rod. | 235 | 370 | 30 | 100 HB | 26 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | Standard stocked temper for automatic screw-machine rod: best combination of straightness, chip control and strength. | 310 | 415 | 20 | 125 HB | 26 % IACS |
Full hard | Use where maximum strength, stiffness of small-diameter rod and tight straightness matter more than any post-machining bending. | 380 | 470 | 12 | 145 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is C34500?
C34500 is a leaded free-cutting brass from the wrought C20000–C49999 family, applied in the same way as C34000 and C34200. Supplied as rod and bar in O60, H01, H02, H04 and M30 tempers, it is chosen for high-volume automatic screw machine work, with a machinability rating of 90, 415 MPa tensile, 310 MPa yield and 20% elongation at 125 HB / 75 HRB. Lead rules out fusion welding, cold formability is limited (score 40), electrical conductivity is 26% IACS and service temperature is capped at 180 °C. C36000 is the nearest alternative when cutting rate is the only priority. C34500 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). C34500 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
What is C34500 used for?
- screw machine parts
- hardware
- fittings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 52/100, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 97 GPa (14.1 Msi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C34500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C34500-H02; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C34500 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).
Mechanical14
C34500 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
Thermal6
C34500 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 61% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.5 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C34500 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C34500 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
C34500's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. C34500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C34500
Is C34500 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (~90 % of C36000); use zero-to-negative rake brass tooling, high speeds, light lubrication, and expect short powdery chips.
Can C34500 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended — lead causes hot cracking; join by soft soldering or silver brazing, or use mechanical fastening.
Can C34500 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrudes and hot forges well at 650–750 °C; cold bending and riveting only in O60/H01 tempers and with generous bend radii.
C34500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.6 % | 62 – 65 | 63.5 |
| Pbfree-machining phase | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Znremainder, nominally ~34.5 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C34500?
Bright-dips, buffs and barrel-polishes to a bright brass lustre; readily nickel/chrome or tin electroplated, and lacquered to prevent tarnish — not anodizable.
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).
How much does C34500 cost?
C34500 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
C34500 — frequently asked
What is C34500 used for?
C34500 is typically used for screw machine parts, hardware and fittings. In short: near-C36000 machinability; free-cutting brass rod; not fusion weldable.
What is the yield strength of C34500?
C34500 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C34500 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 brass tooling, high speeds, light lubrication, and expect short powdery chips.
Can C34500 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Fusion welding is not recommended — lead causes hot cracking; join by soft soldering or silver brazing, or use mechanical fastening.
What surface finishes work on C34500?
Bright-dips, buffs and barrel-polishes to a bright brass lustre; readily nickel/chrome or tin electroplated, and lacquered to prevent tarnish — not anodizable.
Can C34500 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrudes and hot forges well at 650–750 °C; cold bending and riveting only in O60/H01 tempers and with generous bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of C34500?
C34500 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C34500-H02 and C34500-O60?
H02 is the default condition — standard stocked temper for automatic screw-machine rod: best combination of straightness, chip control and strength. O60: choose for maximum ductility when the part must be bent, staked, riveted or heavily cold headed after machining. Yield strength is 310 MPa in H02 versus 125 MPa in O60.
How much does C34500 cost?
C34500 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 B16 / B453 — Free-Cutting Brass Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
- Copper Development Association alloy datasheet C34500 — CDA (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.