Copper Alloy C48600
UNS C48600 · EN CW602N, CuZn36Pb2As · BS CZ132
C48600 (CuZn36Pb2As, CW602N) is an arsenic-inhibited leaded brass — a dezincification-resistant grade in which about 2 % lead gives free-cutting chips while the arsenic addition suppresses dezincification in potable water.
Reference datasheet — C48600 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the H02 condition
C48600 tempers and conditions
C48600 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. H02 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Fully recrystallised, maximum ductility — choose for deep drawing, bending, flaring, cold heading or when maximum dezincification resistance after heat treatment is specified. | 125 | 340 | 45 | 75 HB | 28 % IACS |
As hot forged | Condition of hot-stamped valve and fitting bodies; near-net shape with fine recrystallised grain and full DZR behaviour after the forging heat. | 145 | 360 | 30 | 88 HB | 27 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Cheapest large-diameter rod and hollow bar straight from the extrusion press; use when the part is fully machined and strength is not critical. | 150 | 370 | 30 | 90 HB | 27 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Compromise temper for parts that still need moderate bending or crimping after machining. | 240 | 390 | 28 | 105 HB | — |
Stress-relieved / low-residual-stress drawn bar | Half-hard bar given a low-temperature stress relief (250–300 °C) to pass ammonia SCC (ISO 6957 / EN 12164) testing for pressurised water fittings. | 290 | 420 | 22 | 118 HB | 26 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | The standard stocked condition for DZR brass bar and hollow rod: straight, close-tolerance, best chip control for high-speed screw machining of fittings. | 320 | 440 | 18 | 125 HB | 26 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum strength and stiffness of straight stock for spindles, stems and small-diameter wire; very limited remaining cold formability. | 410 | 510 | 9 | 150 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is C48600?
C48600 (CuZn36Pb2As, CW602N) is an arsenic-inhibited leaded brass — a dezincification-resistant grade in which about 2 % lead gives free-cutting chips while the arsenic addition suppresses dezincification in potable water. It is the standard alloy for hot-stamped and machined plumbing fittings and valve bodies, with 320 MPa yield, 440 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation, 125 HB (70 HRB), 118 W/m·K, 26 % IACS and 200 °C maximum service temperature. Machinability rates 80 and hot workability is high, but weldability is poor (score 20) and cold formability moderate (50); the DZR-qualifying anneal must be completed before final machining. C48600 has a density of 8.45 g/cm³ (0.305 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F). C48600 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 68% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
What is C48600 used for?
- potable water fittings
- plumbing valves
- hot-forged fittings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 84% 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
C48600 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C48600-H02; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C48600 has a density of 8.45 g/cm³ (0.305 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Mechanical13
C48600 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 68% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C48600 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 118 W/m·K (68.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 65% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.8 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C48600 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 84% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C48600 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
C48600's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (50/100).
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. C48600 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C48600
Is C48600 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour with the 2 % Pb chip breaker — run high speeds with sharp, zero-to-negative-rake carbide or HSS brass tooling, light or no cutting fluid, ~80 % of C36000 productivity.
Can C48600 be welded?
Not suited to fusion welding (lead causes hot cracking and zinc fume); join by soft soldering, silver brazing or mechanical/threaded connections, and fume-extract when heating.
Can C48600 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrudes and hot stamps superbly at 650–750 °C; cold bending and crimping should be done in O60 or H01, with an anneal at 450–550 °C between heavy cold-work steps.
C48600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuα+β dual-phase control; DZR heat treatment converts β | 61 – 63 | 62 |
| Pbfree-machining additive | 1.7 – 2.8 | 2.2 |
| Asdezincification inhibitor | 0.02 – 0.15 | 0.06 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)excluding As | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Znremainder, nominally ~35–36 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C48600?
Bright dips, buffs and takes Ni/Cr or PVD plating readily; use benzotriazole passivation or lacquer for retained lustre and always perform the DZR-qualifying anneal before final machining.
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).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C48600 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW602NCuZn36Pb2As
- BS
- CZ132
How much does C48600 cost?
C48600 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
C48600 — frequently asked
What is C48600 used for?
C48600 is typically used for potable water fittings, plumbing valves and hot-forged fittings. In short: standard DZR plumbing brass; highest machinability in family; potable water corrosion grade.
What is the yield strength of C48600?
C48600 has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 68% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C48600 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour with the 2 % Pb chip breaker — run high speeds with sharp, zero-to-negative-rake carbide or HSS brass tooling, light or no cutting fluid, ~80 % of C36000 productivity.
Can C48600 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not suited to fusion welding (lead causes hot cracking and zinc fume); join by soft soldering, silver brazing or mechanical/threaded connections, and fume-extract when heating.
What surface finishes work on C48600?
Bright dips, buffs and takes Ni/Cr or PVD plating readily; use benzotriazole passivation or lacquer for retained lustre and always perform the DZR-qualifying anneal before final machining.
Can C48600 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrudes and hot stamps superbly at 650–750 °C; cold bending and crimping should be done in O60 or H01, with an anneal at 450–550 °C between heavy cold-work steps.
What is the maximum service temperature of C48600?
C48600 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 C48600-H02 and C48600-O60?
H02 is the default condition — the standard stocked condition for DZR brass bar and hollow rod: straight, close-tolerance, best chip control for high-speed screw machining of fittings. O60: fully recrystallised, maximum ductility — choose for deep drawing, bending, flaring, cold heading or when maximum dezincification resistance after heat treatment is specified. Yield strength is 320 MPa in H02 versus 125 MPa in O60.
How much does C48600 cost?
C48600 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sources
- EN 12164 — Copper and copper alloys: Rod for free machining purposes (CW602N) — CEN (2016)
- EN 12165 — Copper and copper alloys: Wrought and unwrought forging stock — CEN (2016)
- BS 2874 / CZ132 leaded arsenical brass rod — BSI (1986)
- CDA/UNS alloy database — leaded brasses C48xxx — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (dezincification of brasses) — ASM International (2005)
- ISO 6509 — Corrosion of metals and alloys: dezincification resistance test — ISO (2014)
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.