Copper Alloy C37100
UNS C37100
C37100 is a leaded brass in the Muntz-metal group of the wrought brasses (C20000–C49999), with lead added purely for chip control.
Reference datasheet — C37100 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 H80 condition
C37100 tempers and conditions
C37100 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. H80 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Pick when maximum ductility is required for subsequent bending, staking or heading. | 125 | 315 | 48 | 90 HB | 28 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Pick for large-diameter rod and forgings where machining follows and no cold work is needed. | 140 | 340 | 40 | 100 HB | 28 % IACS |
Light annealed | Pick for machined parts needing good ductility and dimensional stability with slightly higher strength than fully soft rod. | 140 | 330 | 42 | 95 HB | 28 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Pick when a small strength/straightness gain is wanted but some bending is still required. | 205 | 360 | 30 | 115 HB | 27.5 % IACS |
Half hard | Pick for general screw-machine rod where good chip control plus moderate strength is required. | 255 | 385 | 23 | 128 HB | 27 % IACS |
H80Default Hard drawn | Default stocked rod condition: highest strength and straightness with excellent machining chip break. | 275 | 395 | 20 | 135 HB | 28 % IACS |
What is C37100?
C37100 is a leaded brass in the Muntz-metal group of the wrought brasses (C20000–C49999), with lead added purely for chip control. Engineers use it for turned and forged fittings that need moderate strength with high cutting rates: the default temper gives 275 MPa yield, 395 MPa tensile, 20% elongation, 135 HB and 28% IACS conductivity, with a machinability score of 78 and a maximum service temperature of 180 °C. Cold formability is only fair (score 25) and it cannot be fusion welded. C37000 is the nearest alternative when more forging stock strength is wanted. C37100 has a density of 8.44 g/cm³ (0.305 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F). C37100 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is C37100 used for?
- Machined fittings
- Hardware components
- Plumbing and gas fittings
- Valve stems and spindles
- Hose couplings from forged blanks
- Threaded bushings and adapters
- Electrical terminal bodies
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.1 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
C37100 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C37100-H80; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C37100 has a density of 8.44 g/cm³ (0.305 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Mechanical13
C37100 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C37100 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 123 W/m·K (71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.8 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C37100 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C37100 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
C37100's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (25/100).
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. C37100 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C37100
Is C37100 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (~70 % of C36000); use zero/negative rake brass geometry, high speeds, light coolant, and expect short chips.
Can C37100 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended because of lead and zinc fuming; join by soft soldering or silver brazing with adequate ventilation.
Can C37100 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge and extrude readily at 650–760 °C; cold formability is only fair — anneal near 425–600 °C before severe bending or heading.
C37100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuincludes silver by CDA convention | 58 – 62 | 60 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Znremainder, nominally ~39 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C37100?
Takes bright dipping, benzotriazole passivation, lacquer, and nickel/chrome or tin plating well; 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 C37100 cost?
C37100 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.
C37100 — frequently asked
What is C37100 used for?
C37100 is typically used for machined fittings, hardware components, plumbing and gas fittings, valve stems and spindles, hose couplings from forged blanks and threaded bushings and adapters. In short: free-cutting Muntz brass; 78 machinability rating; forgeable at 650–760 °C.
What is the yield strength of C37100?
C37100 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C37100 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour (~70 % of C36000); use zero/negative rake brass geometry, high speeds, light coolant, and expect short chips.
Can C37100 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Fusion welding is not recommended because of lead and zinc fuming; join by soft soldering or silver brazing with adequate ventilation.
What surface finishes work on C37100?
Takes bright dipping, benzotriazole passivation, lacquer, and nickel/chrome or tin plating well; not anodizable.
Can C37100 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge and extrude readily at 650–760 °C; cold formability is only fair — anneal near 425–600 °C before severe bending or heading.
What is the maximum service temperature of C37100?
C37100 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 C37100-H80 and C37100-O60?
H80 is the default condition — default stocked rod condition: highest strength and straightness with excellent machining chip break. O60: pick when maximum ductility is required for subsequent bending, staking or heading. Yield strength is 275 MPa in H80 versus 125 MPa in O60.
How much does C37100 cost?
C37100 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
- Copper Alloy C37100 alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2024)
- ASTM B124/B124M – Copper and Copper-Alloy Forging Rod, Bar, and Shapes — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B453/B453M – Copper-Zinc-Lead (Leaded Brass) Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
- 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.