Copper Alloy C46200-O50
Temper
UNS C46200 · ASTM B21
O50 = light annealed
Partially softened condition giving a compromise between formability and dimensional stability of drawn rod and tube.
Values for the O50 condition
Other C46200 tempers and conditions
C46200 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at C46200.
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 |
O50This page 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-O50?
C46200-O50 is C46200 in the O50 temper — partially softened condition giving a compromise between formability and dimensional stability of drawn rod and tube. C46200-O50 has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — weaker than 53% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). C46200-O50 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). M30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O50 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 38%, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C46200-O50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C46200-O50; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C46200 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C46200-O50 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-O50 has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — weaker than 53% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C46200-O50 is rated for continuous service to 230°C (446 °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-O50 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-O50 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-O50's machinability is fair (43/100, better than 60% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (52/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C46200-O50
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.
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.
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 | — |
C46200-O50 — frequently asked
What is C46200-O50 used for?
C46200-O50 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-O50?
C46200-O50 has a typical yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — weaker than 53% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C46200-O50 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (43/100, better than 60% 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-O50 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-O50?
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-O50 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-O50?
C46200-O50 is rated for continuous use to about 230°C (446 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.