Copper Alloy C38000-O60
Temper
UNS C38000 · EN CW624N
O60 = soft annealed
Choose when maximum ductility is needed for bending, coining or upset heading of extruded stock.
Values for the O60 condition
Other C38000 tempers and conditions
C38000 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at C38000.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
O60This page Soft annealed | Choose when maximum ductility is needed for bending, coining or upset heading of extruded stock. | 125 | 340 | 45 | 78 HB | 27 % IACS |
M30Default As hot extruded | Standard stocking condition for architectural shapes, rod and bar — best combination of formability for hot bending and machinability. | 140 | 415 | 30 | 100 HB | 27 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Hot-worked plate, flat bar and forgings; slightly softer and more ductile than as-extruded product. | 140 | 380 | 35 | 90 HB | 27 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light draw pass on rod/bar for tighter tolerance, straightness and a modest strength increase. | 275 | 450 | 20 | 130 HB | 26 % IACS |
Half hard | Cold-drawn rod/bar for screw-machine parts and threaded fittings needing higher yield and better chip control. | 350 | 495 | 12 | 150 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is C38000-O60?
C38000-O60 is C38000 in the O60 temper — choose when maximum ductility is needed for bending, coining or upset heading of extruded stock. C38000-O60 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi). C38000-O60 has a density of 8.47 g/cm³ (0.306 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 875°C (1,607 °F). M30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O60 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 83/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 47/100, worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 97 GPa (14.1 Msi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 125 MPa (18.1 ksi), worse than 77% of copper alloy grades
C38000-O60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C38000-O60; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C38000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C38000-O60 has a density of 8.47 g/cm³ (0.306 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 875°C (1,607 °F).
Mechanical13
C38000-O60 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
Thermal6
C38000-O60 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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 20.9 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C38000-O60 conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, better than 67% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (47/100), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C38000-O60 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability7
C38000-O60's machinability is very good (83/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C38000-O60
Is C38000 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈90 % of C36000): use zero-to-negative rake carbide or HSS, high speeds, light feeds, and expect short broken chips; keep lead swarf segregated for recycling.
Can C38000 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (lead-induced hot cracking and zinc fume); join by soldering, brazing with low-temperature silver filler, or mechanical fastening.
Can C38000 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding hot extrusion and hot bending at 650–750 °C; cold bending/heading is limited by the β phase — anneal or use O60 stock for tight radii.
What surface finishes work on C38000?
Takes a bright mechanical polish and statuary/oxidized patinas readily; protect with clear lacquer or wax outdoors, and Cr/Ni electroplating adheres well over a copper strike.
C38000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 55 – 60 | 57 |
| Pbfree-machining phase | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Alextrusion/strength addition | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Snimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Znremainder, ≈40 % | balance | — |
C38000-O60 — frequently asked
What is C38000-O60 used for?
C38000-O60 is typically used for architectural extrusions, hardware and machined fittings. In short: top-machining extrusion brass; architectural section alloy; limited cold bending.
What is the yield strength of C38000-O60?
C38000-O60 has a typical yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 77% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C38000-O60 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (83/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈90 % of C36000): use zero-to-negative rake carbide or HSS, high speeds, light feeds, and expect short broken chips; keep lead swarf segregated for recycling.
Can C38000-O60 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (lead-induced hot cracking and zinc fume); join by soldering, brazing with low-temperature silver filler, or mechanical fastening.
What surface finishes work on C38000-O60?
Takes a bright mechanical polish and statuary/oxidized patinas readily; protect with clear lacquer or wax outdoors, and Cr/Ni electroplating adheres well over a copper strike.
Can C38000-O60 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding hot extrusion and hot bending at 650–750 °C; cold bending/heading is limited by the β phase — anneal or use O60 stock for tight radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of C38000-O60?
C38000-O60 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 C38000-M30 and C38000-H02?
M30 is the default condition — standard stocking condition for architectural shapes, rod and bar — best combination of formability for hot bending and machinability. H02: cold-drawn rod/bar for screw-machine parts and threaded fittings needing higher yield and better chip control. Yield strength is 140 MPa in M30 versus 350 MPa in H02.
Sources
- ASTM B455 — Copper-Zinc-Lead Alloy (Leaded Brass) Extruded Shapes — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B249 — General Requirements for Wrought Copper and Copper-Alloy Rod, Bar, Shapes and Forgings — ASTM International (2021)
- CDA Alloy Database — C38000 Architectural Bronze — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 12167 / EN 12164 — Copper and copper alloys, profiles and rods for general purposes — CEN (2016)
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.