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Copper Alloy C47940-H50

Supply condition

UNS C47940 · ASTM B124

H50 = extruded and drawn

Choose for straight, close-tolerance rod and hex with a modest strength gain over as-extruded.

High cost $$$$

Values for the H50 condition

Other C47940 tempers and conditions

C47940 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at C47940.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Soft annealed
Fully softened condition for maximum ductility in severe cold forming, heading or coining.1403804885 HB—
Light annealed
Stress-relieved/light-annealed rod for parts that will be bent or upset and where SCC risk must be reduced.1604004295 HB—
M30Default
As hot extruded
Standard mill condition for forging stock and large-diameter rod; maximum ductility for subsequent hot forging.18041538105 HB26 % IACS
H50This page
Extruded and drawn
Choose for straight, close-tolerance rod and hex with a modest strength gain over as-extruded.27546025130 HB—
Half hard
Balanced strength and residual ductility for machined marine fittings and shafting.34549520145 HB—
Full hard
Highest-strength rod condition for studs, pins and wear surfaces where forming is not needed.41555014165 HB—

What is C47940-H50?

C47940-H50 is C47940 supplied in the H50 condition — choose for straight, close-tolerance rod and hex with a modest strength gain over as-extruded. C47940-H50 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi). C47940-H50 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; H50 is available on request or by drawing note.

Limitations

  • Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades

C47940-H50 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C47940-H50; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C47940 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

C47940-H50 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).

Density8.41 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)885°C1,625 °F
Liquidus Temperature900°C1,652 °F

Mechanical14

C47940-H50 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus103 GPa14.9 Msi
Shear Modulus38 GPa5.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus112 GPa16.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)460 MPa66.7 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)275 MPa39.9 ksi
Elongation at Break25%
Reduction in Area42%
Shear Strength290 MPa42.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)155 MPa22.5 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)45 J33.2 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell130 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B70 HRB
Hardness, Vickers112 HV

Thermal6

C47940-H50 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 116 W/m·K (67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.9 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity116 W/m·K67 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)20.9 µm/m·K11.6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion175 J/g75.2 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)180°C356 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

C47940-H50 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity26 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.3 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood62/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in flowing seawater, fresh water and neutral salts; the Sn/inhibitor additions restrain dezincification. Attacked by ammonia and amines (SCC risk), oxidizing acids, ferric salts, sulfides and stagnant chlorinated water.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C47940-H50 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content50%

Manufacturability8

C47940-H50's machinability is good (60/100, better than 74% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (40/100).

MachinabilityGood60/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)60%
WeldabilityPoor25/100
Formability (cold)Fair40/100
CastabilityFair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good80/100
PolishabilityVery good75/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper alloy; use chromate/benzotriazole passivation, tin, nickel or chrome plating, or clear lacquer instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with C47940-H50

Is C47940 easy to machine?

Machines well with sharp positive-rake tooling and flood coolant; the small Pb addition gives free-ish chips but expect stringier chips than C36000 — plan ~55–60 % of 1212 speeds.

Can C47940 be welded?

Not recommended for fusion welding (zinc fume, hot cracking, lead-induced cracking); join by soldering, silver brazing or mechanical fastening.

Can C47940 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent hot forgeability at about 650–760 °C — its primary use; cold forming limited to annealed/light tempers, and cold-worked parts should be stress-relieved near 260–300 °C to avoid SCC.

What surface finishes work on C47940?

Polishes to a bright yellow finish; accepts nickel, chrome, tin or clear-lacquer/benzotriazole protection — anodizing does not apply to copper alloys.

C47940 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cualpha-beta naval brass base63 – 6664.5
Sndezincification inhibitor0.2 – 10.6
Pbmachinability aid0.1 – 10.5
Fegrain refinement / strength0.1 – 10.4
Nicorrosion resistance0.1 – 10.4
Alimpurity limit≤ 0.1—
Znbalance—

C47940-H50 — frequently asked

What is C47940-H50 used for?

C47940-H50 is typically used for marine forgings, valve and pump components and fittings. In short: forging-grade naval brass; free-machining marine forgings; near-net-shape hot press alloy.

What is the yield strength of C47940-H50?

C47940-H50 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is C47940-H50 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 74% of copper alloy grades). Machines well with sharp positive-rake tooling and flood coolant; the small Pb addition gives free-ish chips but expect stringier chips than C36000 — plan ~55–60 % of 1212 speeds.

Can C47940-H50 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (zinc fume, hot cracking, lead-induced cracking); join by soldering, silver brazing or mechanical fastening.

What surface finishes work on C47940-H50?

Polishes to a bright yellow finish; accepts nickel, chrome, tin or clear-lacquer/benzotriazole protection — anodizing does not apply to copper alloys.

Can C47940-H50 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent hot forgeability at about 650–760 °C — its primary use; cold forming limited to annealed/light tempers, and cold-worked parts should be stress-relieved near 260–300 °C to avoid SCC.

What is the maximum service temperature of C47940-H50?

C47940-H50 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between C47940-M30 and C47940-H04?

M30 is the default condition — standard mill condition for forging stock and large-diameter rod; maximum ductility for subsequent hot forging. H04: highest-strength rod condition for studs, pins and wear surfaces where forming is not needed. Yield strength is 180 MPa in M30 versus 415 MPa in H04.

Sources

  1. ASTM B124/B124M Copper and Copper Alloy Forging Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2020)
  2. CDA/copper.org Alloy Database — wrought brass C47xxx group — Copper Development Association (2023)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (Copper and Copper Alloys) — ASM International (1990)

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.