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Copper Alloy C34500-M30

Temper

UNS C34500

M30 = as hot extruded

Mill-finish extruded rod for large diameters or for parts that will be forged or fully machined all over.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the M30 condition

Other C34500 tempers and conditions

C34500 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at C34500.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Soft annealed
Choose for maximum ductility when the part must be bent, staked, riveted or heavily cold headed after machining.1253305065 HB27 % IACS
M30This page
As hot extruded
Mill-finish extruded rod for large diameters or for parts that will be forged or fully machined all over.1503604280 HB27 % IACS
Quarter hard
Balanced temper when parts need some bending or knurling after turning but more strength than annealed rod.23537030100 HB26 % IACS
H02Default
Half hard
Standard stocked temper for automatic screw-machine rod: best combination of straightness, chip control and strength.31041520125 HB26 % IACS
Full hard
Use where maximum strength, stiffness of small-diameter rod and tight straightness matter more than any post-machining bending.38047012145 HB26 % IACS

What is C34500-M30?

C34500-M30 is C34500 in the M30 temper — mill-finish extruded rod for large diameters or for parts that will be forged or fully machined all over. C34500-M30 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 69% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi). C34500-M30 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). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; M30 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 42%, better than 86% 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-M30 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C34500-M30; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C34500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

C34500-M30 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).

Density8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)885°C1,625 °F
Liquidus Temperature900°C1,652 °F

Mechanical14

C34500-M30 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 69% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus97 GPa14.1 Msi
Shear Modulus37 GPa5.4 Msi
Bulk Modulus115 GPa16.7 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)360 MPa52.2 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)150 MPa21.8 ksi
Elongation at Break42%
Reduction in Area45%
Shear Strength235 MPa34.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)150 MPa21.8 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)30 J22.1 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell80 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B50 HRB
Hardness, Vickers135 HV

Thermal6

C34500-M30 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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).

Thermal Conductivity115 W/m·K66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)20.5 µm/m·K11.4 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)200°C392 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

C34500-M30 conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, better than 67% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity27 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.25 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair52/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh water, mild atmospheres, oils and most alcohols; not inhibited, so susceptible to dezincification in stagnant/chloride waters and to stress-corrosion cracking in ammonia, amines and mercury compounds; attacked by oxidising acids and sulphides.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C34500-M30 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%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content55%

Manufacturability7

C34500-M30's machinability is very good (82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability good (60/100).

MachinabilityVery good82/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)80%
WeldabilityPoor15/100
Formability (cold)Good60/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent85/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper alloy; use lacquer, bright dip, or Ni/Cr electroplating instead of anodizing.

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with C34500-M30

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.6 %62 – 6563.5
Pbfree-machining phase1.5 – 2.52
Fe≤ 0.15—
Znremainder, nominally ~34.5 %balance—

C34500-M30 — frequently asked

What is C34500-M30 used for?

C34500-M30 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-M30?

C34500-M30 has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 69% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is C34500-M30 easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (82/100, better than 90% 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-M30 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-M30?

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-M30 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-M30?

C34500-M30 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 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.

Sources

  1. ASTM B16 / B453 — Free-Cutting Brass Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
  2. Copper Development Association alloy datasheet C34500 — CDA (copper.org) (2023)
  3. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.