Copper Alloy C44500-HR50
Supply condition
UNS C44500 · EN CW707R
HR50 = drawn and stress-relieved tube
Preferred for U-bend and ammonia-exposed service: cold-drawn strength with residual stress removed to resist stress-corrosion cracking.
Values for the HR50 condition
Other C44500 tempers and conditions
C44500 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C44500.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size | Coarser anneal for severe forming/deep drawing where slight orange-peel is acceptable. | 120 | 331 | 66 | 58 HB | 26 % IACS |
O61Default Annealed | Standard supply condition for condenser and heat-exchanger tube; maximum ductility for bending and expanding into tubesheets. | 124 | 331 | 65 | 60 HB | 25 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size | Fine-grain anneal for sheet/strip needing good surface finish after deep drawing. | 140 | 365 | 60 | 68 HB | 26 % IACS |
HR50This page Drawn and stress-relieved tube | Preferred for U-bend and ammonia-exposed service: cold-drawn strength with residual stress removed to resist stress-corrosion cracking. | 190 | 400 | 48 | 85 HB | 25 % IACS |
Light drawn tube | Light draw for straightness and slightly higher strength while retaining good expandability in tubesheets. | 195 | 395 | 50 | 85 HB | 25 % IACS |
Drawn, general purpose tube | Cold-drawn tube where higher strength and stiffness are wanted over maximum ductility. | 250 | 425 | 40 | 100 HB | 25 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Lightly rolled sheet/strip for parts needing moderate stiffness plus some remaining formability. | 275 | 395 | 30 | 95 HB | 25 % IACS |
Half hard | Half-hard strip/plate for tubesheet-adjacent parts and formed components requiring higher yield strength. | 345 | 448 | 18 | 120 HB | 25 % IACS |
Full hard | Fully cold-rolled sheet/strip for maximum strength and spring-back; forming limited to gentle bends. | 420 | 517 | 8 | 145 HB | 24 % IACS |
What is C44500-HR50?
C44500-HR50 is C44500 supplied in the HR50 condition — preferred for U-bend and ammonia-exposed service: cold-drawn strength with residual stress removed to resist stress-corrosion cracking. C44500-HR50 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi). C44500-HR50 has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F). O61 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HR50 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
C44500-HR50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C44500-HR50; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C44500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C44500-HR50 has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F).
Mechanical13
C44500-HR50 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
C44500-HR50 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 111 W/m·K (64.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 59% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.2 µm/m·K (11.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C44500-HR50 conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, better than 59% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 64% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C44500-HR50 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C44500-HR50's machinability is fair (37/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (52/100); formability very good (72/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C44500-HR50
Is C44500 easy to machine?
Free-machining rating only ~30% of C36000 — gummy chips; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip-breaking geometry.
Can C44500 be welded?
Solders and brazes excellently; GTAW/oxyfuel possible with silicon-bronze filler but zinc fuming and porosity make fusion welding a last resort; welded tube is made by high-frequency seam welding plus anneal.
Can C44500 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O61 — bending, expanding, U-bending and deep drawing are routine; always stress-relieve (about 275–300 °C) after severe cold work to avoid ammonia SCC.
What surface finishes work on C44500?
Not anodizable; finish by pickling/bright dip, mechanical polishing, tin or nickel plating; in service a protective FeOOH/Cu-Sn film is often promoted by ferrous-sulfate dosing.
C44500 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 Ag per ASTM | 70 – 73 | 71 |
| Snerosion/dezincification resistance | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Pdezincification inhibitor (Admiralty D) | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.07 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.06 | — |
| Znremainder ~28% | balance | — |
C44500-HR50 — frequently asked
What is C44500-HR50 used for?
C44500-HR50 is typically used for condenser tubes, heat exchanger tubes and marine piping. In short: dezincification-inhibited Admiralty brass; marine condenser tube grade; very high cold formability.
What is the yield strength of C44500-HR50?
C44500-HR50 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C44500-HR50 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (37/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining rating only ~30% of C36000 — gummy chips; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip-breaking geometry.
Can C44500-HR50 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (52/100). Solders and brazes excellently; GTAW/oxyfuel possible with silicon-bronze filler but zinc fuming and porosity make fusion welding a last resort; welded tube is made by high-frequency seam welding plus anneal.
What surface finishes work on C44500-HR50?
Not anodizable; finish by pickling/bright dip, mechanical polishing, tin or nickel plating; in service a protective FeOOH/Cu-Sn film is often promoted by ferrous-sulfate dosing.
Can C44500-HR50 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O61 — bending, expanding, U-bending and deep drawing are routine; always stress-relieve (about 275–300 °C) after severe cold work to avoid ammonia SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C44500-HR50?
C44500-HR50 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 C44500-O61 and C44500-H04?
O61 is the default condition — standard supply condition for condenser and heat-exchanger tube; maximum ductility for bending and expanding into tubesheets. H04: fully cold-rolled sheet/strip for maximum strength and spring-back; forming limited to gentle bends. Yield strength is 124 MPa in O61 versus 420 MPa in H04.
Sources
- ASTM B111/B111M — Copper and Copper-Alloy Seamless Condenser Tubes and Ferrule Stock — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B171/B171M — Copper-Alloy Plate and Sheet for Pressure Vessels, Condensers and Heat Exchangers — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B395/B395M — U-Bend Seamless Copper and Copper Alloy Heat Exchanger Tubes — ASTM International (2022)
- CDA Alloy Database — C44500 (Phosphorized Admiralty) — Copper Development Association / copper.org (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (Copper Alloys in Seawater) — ASM International (2005)
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.