Copper Alloy C37100-O50
Temper
UNS C37100
O50 = light annealed
Pick for machined parts needing good ductility and dimensional stability with slightly higher strength than fully soft rod.
Values for the O50 condition
Other C37100 tempers and conditions
C37100 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at C37100.
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 |
O50This page 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-O50?
C37100-O50 is C37100 in the O50 temper — pick for machined parts needing good ductility and dimensional stability with slightly higher strength than fully soft rod. C37100-O50 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi). C37100-O50 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). H80 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O50 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.1 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 42%, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
C37100-O50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C37100-O50; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C37100 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C37100-O50 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-O50 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C37100-O50 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-O50 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-O50 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-O50's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability fair (48/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C37100-O50
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.
What surface finishes work on C37100?
Takes bright dipping, benzotriazole passivation, lacquer, and nickel/chrome or tin plating well; not anodizable.
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 | — |
C37100-O50 — frequently asked
What is C37100-O50 used for?
C37100-O50 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-O50?
C37100-O50 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C37100-O50 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-O50 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-O50?
Takes bright dipping, benzotriazole passivation, lacquer, and nickel/chrome or tin plating well; not anodizable.
Can C37100-O50 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-O50?
C37100-O50 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.