Copper Alloy C46200-O60
Temper
UNS C46200 · ASTM B21
O60 = soft annealed
Pick for maximum ductility before severe bending, spinning or deep forming of naval brass sections.
Values for the O60 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
O60This page 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-O60?
C46200-O60 is C46200 in the O60 temper — pick for maximum ductility before severe bending, spinning or deep forming of naval brass sections. C46200-O60 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 47% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). C46200-O60 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; O60 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 47%, better than 96% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C46200-O60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C46200-O60; 13 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-O60 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-O60 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 47% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C46200-O60 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °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-O60 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-O60 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-O60's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C46200-O60
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-O60 — frequently asked
What is C46200-O60 used for?
C46200-O60 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-O60?
C46200-O60 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C46200-O60 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 57% 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-O60 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-O60?
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-O60 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-O60?
C46200-O60 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °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.