Copper Alloy C46200
UNS C46200 · ASTM B21
C46200 is a naval brass — an α+β Cu-Zn-Sn alloy of essentially the same composition as C46400 but without the arsenic inhibitor — supplied as rod, bar and forgings to ASTM B21.
Reference datasheet — C46200 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
C46200 tempers and conditions
C46200 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. M30 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 for maximum ductility before severe bending, spinning or deep forming of naval brass sections. | 170 | 385 | 47 | 95 HB | — |
M30Default As hot extruded | Standard stock condition for naval brass rod, bar and shapes; best all-round strength-to-ductility for machined marine hardware. | 180 | 400 | 40 | 100 HB | 26 % IACS |
Light annealed | Partially softened condition giving a compromise between formability and dimensional stability of drawn rod and tube. | 205 | 415 | 38 | 112 HB | — |
Cold formed | Light cold-work temper used for cold-headed fasteners and formed parts where some residual ductility must remain. | 275 | 450 | 27 | 135 HB | — |
Half hard | Cold-drawn rod temper for shafts, valve stems and marine fasteners needing higher yield strength with usable ductility. | 360 | 470 | 20 | 150 HB | — |
Full hard | Highest-strength wrought temper for small-diameter rod, wire and screw-machine stock where bending is not required. | 415 | 560 | 15 | 180 HB | — |
What is C46200?
C46200 is a naval brass — an α+β Cu-Zn-Sn alloy of essentially the same composition as C46400 but without the arsenic inhibitor — supplied as rod, bar and forgings to ASTM B21. Engineers use it where seawater-grade corrosion resistance must be combined with hot forgeability and mid-range strength: 180 MPa yield, 400 MPa tensile, 40 % elongation, 100 HB (55 HRB), 26 % IACS and 200 °C maximum service temperature. Machinability (45) and cold formability (45) are only moderate and fusion welding is difficult; without arsenic it is more prone to dezincification, so specify C46500 for severe seawater duty or C48200 when machining volume dominates. C46200 has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F). C46200 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 59% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
What is C46200 used for?
- marine hardware
- propeller shafts and fittings
- valve stems
- condenser plates
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C46200 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C46200-M30; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C46200 has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Mechanical13
C46200 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 59% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C46200 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 21.2 µm/m·K (11.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C46200 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C46200 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
C46200's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. C46200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C46200
Is C46200 easy to machine?
Machines readily with sharp positive-rake tooling at ~30% of free-cutting brass rate; chips are stringier than C36000 because Pb is limited, so use chipbreakers and generous coolant.
Can C46200 be welded?
Best joined by brazing or soldering; GTAW/oxyfuel with silicon-bronze or naval-brass filler is possible but zinc fuming, porosity and colour mismatch require good ventilation and low heat input.
Can C46200 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability/extrudability at 650–760 °C; cold formability only fair due to the beta phase — anneal at 425–600 °C between severe forming steps.
C46200 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 | 62 – 65 | 63.5 |
| Sn | 0.5 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Zn | balance |
What surface finishes work on C46200?
Takes a bright mechanical or buffed polish; not anodizable — protect with benzotriazole/chromate passivation, clear lacquer, or nickel/tin/chrome plating; stress-relieve cold-worked parts at ~275 °C to avoid season cracking.
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 C46200 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B21
- Similar grades
- C46400
How much does C46200 cost?
C46200 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
C46200 — frequently asked
What is C46200 used for?
C46200 is typically used for marine hardware, propeller shafts and fittings, valve stems and condenser plates. In short: naval brass without inhibitor; forgeable marine rod grade; mid-strength seawater alloy.
What is the yield strength of C46200?
C46200 has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 59% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C46200 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades). Machines readily with sharp positive-rake tooling at ~30% of free-cutting brass rate; chips are stringier than C36000 because Pb is limited, so use chipbreakers and generous coolant.
Can C46200 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Best joined by brazing or soldering; GTAW/oxyfuel with silicon-bronze or naval-brass filler is possible but zinc fuming, porosity and colour mismatch require good ventilation and low heat input.
What surface finishes work on C46200?
Takes a bright mechanical or buffed polish; not anodizable — protect with benzotriazole/chromate passivation, clear lacquer, or nickel/tin/chrome plating; stress-relieve cold-worked parts at ~275 °C to avoid season cracking.
Can C46200 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability/extrudability at 650–760 °C; cold formability only fair due to the beta phase — anneal at 425–600 °C between severe forming steps.
What is the maximum service temperature of C46200?
C46200 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 C46200-M30 and C46200-H04?
M30 is the default condition — standard stock condition for naval brass rod, bar and shapes; best all-round strength-to-ductility for machined marine hardware. H04: highest-strength wrought temper for small-diameter rod, wire and screw-machine stock where bending is not required. Yield strength is 180 MPa in M30 versus 415 MPa in H04.
How much does C46200 cost?
C46200 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 B21/B21M — Naval Brass Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B124 — Copper and Copper-Alloy Forging Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2020)
- CDA Alloy Database — C46200 / C46400 Naval Brass — 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; 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.