Copper Alloy C46400
UNS C46400 · ASTM B21 · EN CuZn39Sn, CW712R · JIS C4641, C4640 · GB HSn62, HSn62-1
C46400 is naval brass, an α+β tin brass of about 60Cu-39Zn with 0.5–1.0% Sn (CW712R, CuZn39Sn1, HSn62-1), supplied as rod, plate, sheet, forgings and welding filler.
Values for the O condition
C46400 tempers and conditions
C46400 is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Fully soft-annealed naval brass — lowest strength and hardness with maximum ductility for deep forming, bending and subsequent cold work. | 150 | 370 | 50 | 78 HB | 26 % IACS |
As hot forged and air cooled | Hot-forged naval brass cooled in still air — duplex α+β structure with moderate strength and high ductility, typical of marine forgings and valve bodies. | 170 | 390 | 40 | 95 HB | 26 % IACS |
ODefault Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility: cold bending, forming, spinning and welded fabrications. | 172 | 380 | 48 | 95 HB | 26 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Standard mill condition for naval brass plate used in tube sheets and marine flanges. | 180 | 400 | 40 | 110 HB | 26 % IACS |
Light annealed | Lightly annealed condition — grain structure partly recrystallised for a compromise between the forming ductility of a full anneal and slightly higher strength. | 180 | 400 | 42 | 90 HB | 26 % IACS |
As forged and quenched | Hot-forged naval brass water-quenched from forging heat — retained beta phase gives slightly higher strength and hardness than air cooling with modest loss of ductility. | 190 | 415 | 35 | 110 HB | 26 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Most economical rod/section condition; good strength with easy subsequent hot forging. | 190 | 415 | 40 | 115 HB | 26 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Use when moderate strength must be combined with residual bending ductility. | 205 | 420 | 40 | 115 HB | 26 % IACS |
Half hard | Workhorse condition for marine shafting, valve stems and machined fittings — best strength/machining balance. | 235 | 450 | 33 | 120 HB | 26 % IACS |
Extruded and Drawn | Hot-extruded rod finished by a cold draw pass — the standard naval-brass bar temper with raised yield strength and good straightness/tolerance. | 300 | 470 | 25 | 135 HB | 26 % IACS |
Full hard | Choose for maximum strength and wear resistance where forming is no longer required. | 380 | 550 | 17 | 150 HB | 25 % IACS |
Extra hard | Wire/strip temper for springy marine fasteners and mesh; very limited ductility. | 450 | 620 | 8 | 165 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is C46400?
C46400 is naval brass, an α+β tin brass of about 60Cu-39Zn with 0.5–1.0% Sn (CW712R, CuZn39Sn1, HSn62-1), supplied as rod, plate, sheet, forgings and welding filler. The tin addition raises resistance to seawater impingement and dezincification, which is why it is used for marine shafting, valve stems, fasteners and heat-exchanger tube sheets; typical values are 172 MPa yield, 380 MPa tensile, 48% elongation and 95 HB. Because it carries almost no lead, machinability is only about 30% of AISI 1212, it remains susceptible to stress-corrosion cracking in ammonia, and it should not run above 200 °C. Use leaded C48500 where turning volume dominates. C46400 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). C46400 has a yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
What is C46400 used for?
- Marine hardware
- Propeller shafts
- Turnbuckles
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C46400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C46400-O; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C46400 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).
Mechanical14
C46400 has a yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C46400 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
C46400 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C46400 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability8
C46400's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (60/100).
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. C46400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C46400
Is C46400 easy to machine?
α+β structure with almost no lead: gummy, long chips — run ~30% of free-cutting brass speed, use positive-rake sharp tools and generous coolant.
Can C46400 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with silicon-bronze or naval-brass filler is workable but zinc fumes and porosity are issues; brazing and soft soldering are the preferred joining routes.
Can C46400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability (forge/extrude 650–800 °C); cold formability only fair — anneal at 425–600 °C between heavy draws and stress-relieve to avoid SCC.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to C46400. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.4 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 200 / 240 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 6× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / 0.4 µm |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair45 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C46400 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 | 59 – 62 | 60.5 |
| Sn | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Znremainder, nominally ~39% | balance |
What surface finishes work on C46400?
Bright-dips, polishes and patinates well; not anodizable — specify lacquer, Ni/Cr or tin plating for appearance or extra corrosion protection.
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).
Passivation
Plating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C46400 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B21
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CuZn39SnCW712RCuZn39Sn1
- BS
- CZ112
- GB (China)
- HSn62HSn62-1
- JIS
- C4641C4640
- Also called
- Naval Brass
- Similar grades
- CW719RCuZn40Sn1HSn70-1
How much does C46400 cost?
C46400 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
C46400 — frequently asked
What is C46400 used for?
C46400 is typically used for marine hardware, propeller shafts and turnbuckles. In short: salt-water corrosion resistant.
What is the yield strength of C46400?
C46400 has a typical yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is C46400 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades). α+β structure with almost no lead: gummy, long chips — run ~30% of free-cutting brass speed, use positive-rake sharp tools and generous coolant.
Can C46400 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). GTAW/GMAW with silicon-bronze or naval-brass filler is workable but zinc fumes and porosity are issues; brazing and soft soldering are the preferred joining routes.
What surface finishes work on C46400?
Bright-dips, polishes and patinates well; not anodizable — specify lacquer, Ni/Cr or tin plating for appearance or extra corrosion protection.
Can C46400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability (forge/extrude 650–800 °C); cold formability only fair — anneal at 425–600 °C between heavy draws and stress-relieve to avoid SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C46400?
C46400 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 C46400-O and C46400-H06?
O is the default condition — pick for maximum ductility: cold bending, forming, spinning and welded fabrications. H06: wire/strip temper for springy marine fasteners and mesh; very limited ductility. Yield strength is 172 MPa in O versus 450 MPa in H06.
How much does C46400 cost?
C46400 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C46400?
Yes — C46400 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B21/B21M — Naval Brass Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B171/B171M — Copper-Alloy Plate for Condensers and Heat Exchangers — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C46400 — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion of Copper Alloys — ASM International (2005)
- GB/T 4423 (HSn62-1) (2020)
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.