Copper Alloy C48500-M11
Temper
UNS C48500 · ASTM B21 · JIS C4860
M11 = as forged and quenched
Pick for hot-forged marine fittings and valve bodies machined after forging.
Values for the M11 condition
Other C48500 tempers and conditions
C48500 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at C48500.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick when maximum ductility for bending/upsetting or minimum residual stress is required. | 160 | 385 | 40 | 85 HB | 26 % IACS |
Soft annealed | Fully soft-annealed condition with maximum ductility and lowest strength, used where heavy cold forming or upsetting follows. | 165 | 380 | 42 | 80 HB | 26 % IACS |
M11This page As forged and quenched | Pick for hot-forged marine fittings and valve bodies machined after forging. | 170 | 400 | 33 | 95 HB | 26 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Pick for large-diameter rod, shapes and free-machining stock where softness and full ductility are acceptable. | 175 | 400 | 35 | 95 HB | 26 % IACS |
As hot forged and air cooled | Hot-forged leaded naval brass cooled in air, giving a soft, low-residual-stress alpha+beta structure with good machinability and moderate strength. | 175 | 400 | 33 | 95 HB | 26 % IACS |
Light annealed | Lightly annealed to a fine partially recrystallised grain size, balancing moderate strength with useful cold formability. | 200 | 400 | 35 | 92 HB | 26 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Pick for rod/bar needing better straightness and finish than M30 but still some bending ductility. | 230 | 430 | 30 | 110 HB | 26 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | Standard stocked condition for free-machining marine rod, valve stems and screw-machine parts. | 280 | 470 | 25 | 125 HB | 26 % IACS |
Drawn and stress relieved | Cold-drawn rod/bar given a low-temperature stress relief, retaining most drawn strength while cutting residual stress and season-cracking risk. | 310 | 450 | 20 | 125 HB | 26 % IACS |
Full hard | Pick for small-diameter rod and wire needing maximum strength and stiffness; very limited bending. | 390 | 540 | 13 | 150 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is C48500-M11?
C48500-M11 is C48500 in the M11 temper — pick for hot-forged marine fittings and valve bodies machined after forging. C48500-M11 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). C48500-M11 has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 875°C (1,607 °F). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; M11 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 33%, better than 78% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C48500-M11 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C48500-M11; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C48500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C48500-M11 has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 875°C (1,607 °F).
Mechanical11
C48500-M11 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C48500-M11 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
C48500-M11 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 C48500-M11 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
C48500-M11's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C48500-M11
Is C48500 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (~80 % of C36000); use high speeds, positive-rake carbide or HSS, light lubrication, expect short chips.
Can C48500 be welded?
Not suited to fusion welding because of lead and zinc fuming; solder or braze instead, or mechanically fasten.
Can C48500 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot working/forging above ~650 °C is excellent; cold bending and heading are only fair — anneal or specify O61 for severe forming.
What surface finishes work on C48500?
Takes bright polishing, tin, nickel or chrome plating well; use BTA/chromate or clear lacquer to prevent tarnish; avoid ammonia-based cleaners (SCC risk).
C48500 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 |
| Pbfree-cutting addition | 1.3 – 2.2 | 1.8 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Znremainder, nominally ~37 % | balance | — |
C48500-M11 — frequently asked
What is C48500-M11 used for?
C48500-M11 is typically used for naval brass fasteners, valve stems and seats, bushings and bearings, marine shafting, pump components and turned marine hardware. In short: high-strength marine brass.
What is the yield strength of C48500-M11?
C48500-M11 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is C48500-M11 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour (~80 % of C36000); use high speeds, positive-rake carbide or HSS, light lubrication, expect short chips.
Can C48500-M11 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not suited to fusion welding because of lead and zinc fuming; solder or braze instead, or mechanically fasten.
What surface finishes work on C48500-M11?
Takes bright polishing, tin, nickel or chrome plating well; use BTA/chromate or clear lacquer to prevent tarnish; avoid ammonia-based cleaners (SCC risk).
Can C48500-M11 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot working/forging above ~650 °C is excellent; cold bending and heading are only fair — anneal or specify O61 for severe forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of C48500-M11?
C48500-M11 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 C48500-H02 and C48500-O61?
H02 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for free-machining marine rod, valve stems and screw-machine parts. O61: pick when maximum ductility for bending/upsetting or minimum residual stress is required. Yield strength is 280 MPa in H02 versus 160 MPa in O61.
Can FabDigit make parts in C48500-M11?
Yes — C48500-M11 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B21/B21M — Naval Brass Rod, Bar, and Shapes — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM B124/B124M — Copper and Copper-Alloy Forging Rod, Bar, and Shapes — ASTM (2020)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C48500 (copper.org) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — 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.