Copper Alloy C37700
UNS C37700 · ASTM B124 · EN CW612N, CW602N · JIS C3771
C37700 is a leaded duplex (alpha-beta) forging brass (CuZn39Pb2, CW612N) supplied as extruded rod and as-forged shapes in M30 and M20 conditions plus O60 through H02.
Reference datasheet — C37700 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 M30 condition
C37700 tempers and conditions
C37700 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. M30 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 when maximum ductility for upsetting, bending or coining is needed after forging. | 115 | 340 | 50 | 85 HB | 28 % IACS |
M30Default As hot extruded | Standard condition of finished hot forgings and forging stock — best combination of ductility and machinability. | 140 | 360 | 45 | 100 HB | 27 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Mill condition of extruded forging rod per ASTM B124 before forging or machining. | 145 | 365 | 42 | 105 HB | 27 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Lightly drawn rod for improved straightness, surface finish and chip control in automatic machining. | 275 | 415 | 25 | 120 HB | 26 % IACS |
Half hard | Drawn rod condition when higher yield strength and hardness are required in machined parts. | 310 | 450 | 18 | 135 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is C37700?
C37700 is a leaded duplex (alpha-beta) forging brass (CuZn39Pb2, CW612N) supplied as extruded rod and as-forged shapes in M30 and M20 conditions plus O60 through H02. It combines good hot ductility with a machinability rating of 80 relative to C36000, so one alloy covers hot-formed valve and fitting bodies that are then finish-turned; the listed condition gives 360 MPa tensile, 140 MPa yield, 45 % elongation and 100 HB (55 HRB), with 27 % IACS conductivity. Lead rules out fusion welding and lead-free substitutes are needed for potable-water parts; cold forming is limited by the beta phase and service tops out at 200 °C. C37700 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). C37700 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
What is C37700 used for?
- plumbing fittings
- valve bodies
- hardware forgings
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 46/100, worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
C37700 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C37700-M30; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C37700 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).
Mechanical14
C37700 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
Thermal6
C37700 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 20.8 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C37700 conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, better than 67% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (46/100), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C37700 takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 89% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
C37700's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (38/100).
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. C37700 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C37700
Is C37700 easy to machine?
Turns and drills freely with rating ~80 % of C36000; use positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feeds and flood emulsion; lead-free substitutes needed for potable-water parts.
Can C37700 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (lead embrittlement, zinc fume); join by soldering, silver brazing or mechanical assembly, with proper zinc/lead fume extraction.
Can C37700 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability at 650–760 °C with low forging pressures; cold forming, heavy bending and coining are limited by the β-phase — anneal first or upset hot.
C37700 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 B124 C37700 | 58 – 61 | 59.5 |
| Pbfree-machining / anti-galling addition | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Znremainder, nominally ~38.5 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C37700?
Buffs to a bright yellow finish and takes Ni/Cr, tin or lacquer coatings readily; stress-relieve forgings (~260–290 °C) before plating to avoid season cracking, and de-lead/pickle for cosmetic parts.
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 C37700 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B124
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW612NCW602NCuZn39Pb2
- JIS
- C3771
How much does C37700 cost?
C37700 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.
C37700 — frequently asked
What is C37700 used for?
C37700 is typically used for plumbing fittings, valve bodies and hardware forgings. In short: standard hot-forging brass; forge-then-machine alloy; 80 machinability rating.
What is the yield strength of C37700?
C37700 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 74% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C37700 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Turns and drills freely with rating ~80 % of C36000; use positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feeds and flood emulsion; lead-free substitutes needed for potable-water parts.
Can C37700 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (lead embrittlement, zinc fume); join by soldering, silver brazing or mechanical assembly, with proper zinc/lead fume extraction.
What surface finishes work on C37700?
Buffs to a bright yellow finish and takes Ni/Cr, tin or lacquer coatings readily; stress-relieve forgings (~260–290 °C) before plating to avoid season cracking, and de-lead/pickle for cosmetic parts.
Can C37700 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability at 650–760 °C with low forging pressures; cold forming, heavy bending and coining are limited by the β-phase — anneal first or upset hot.
What is the maximum service temperature of C37700?
C37700 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 C37700-M30 and C37700-H02?
M30 is the default condition — standard condition of finished hot forgings and forging stock — best combination of ductility and machinability. H02: drawn rod condition when higher yield strength and hardness are required in machined parts. Yield strength is 140 MPa in M30 versus 310 MPa in H02.
How much does C37700 cost?
C37700 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 B124/B124M — Copper and Copper-Alloy Forging Rod, Bar, and Shapes — ASTM International (2020)
- EN 12165 / EN 12164 — CuZn39Pb2 (CW612N), CuZn36Pb2As (CW602N) — CEN (2016)
- C37700 Forging Brass alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (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.