Copper Alloy C49300
UNS C49300
C49300 is a lead-free free-cutting wrought brass in which bismuth replaces lead as the chip-breaking phase, giving a machinability rating of 88.
Reference datasheet — C49300 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
C49300 tempers and conditions
C49300 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. H02 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick when maximum ductility is needed for bending, staking, flaring or heavy cold heading, or to relieve residual stress before service in water. | 120 | 340 | 45 | 65 HB | 27 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Pick for large-diameter rod, hot-forged valve bodies and parts machined from as-extruded stock where strength demands are modest. | 150 | 370 | 30 | 85 HB | 26 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Compromise temper for parts that must be both cold-formed and machined, e.g. drawn rod for headed water fittings. | 240 | 400 | 25 | 105 HB | 26 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | Default stocked condition for CNC/screw-machine rod: best balance of strength, straightness, surface finish and chip control. | 310 | 440 | 18 | 125 HB | 26 % IACS |
Full hard | Pick for maximum strength, wear resistance and stiffness of thin sections such as spindles, stems and fasteners; ductility and forming are limited. | 420 | 520 | 8 | 155 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is C49300?
C49300 is a lead-free free-cutting wrought brass in which bismuth replaces lead as the chip-breaking phase, giving a machinability rating of 88. It is chosen for potable-water and food-contact parts that must meet lead limits while still running on screw machines, and is supplied as rod, bar and forging stock in M30, O61, H01, H02 and H04 tempers. Default properties are 310 MPa yield, 440 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation, 125 HB (65 HRB), 26 % IACS and service to 200 °C. Formability is limited and fusion welding is not recommended; C36000 remains the lower-cost choice where lead is permitted. C49300 has a density of 8.5 g/cm³ (0.307 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F). C49300 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is C49300 used for?
- lead-free plumbing fittings
- potable water fittings
- food-contact hardware
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.1 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of copper alloy grades
C49300 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C49300-H02; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C49300 has a density of 8.5 g/cm³ (0.307 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Mechanical13
C49300 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C49300 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.5 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C49300 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 64% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C49300 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
C49300's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. C49300 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C49300
Is C49300 easy to machine?
Runs on screw machines and CNC at C36000-like speeds with 85–90 % of its machinability; use sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD, high-pressure coolant and slightly larger chip loads because Bi chips are stringier than Pb chips.
Can C49300 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (Zn fume, Bi hot-shortness); join by soldering, silver brazing or mechanical/adhesive methods.
Can C49300 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrude/forge in a narrow 650–750 °C window — above that bismuth films embrittle grain boundaries; cold heading and bending are best done in O61 or H01 temper with interstage annealing at 450–550 °C.
C49300 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuper CDA/UNS C49300 registration | 70 – 73 | 71.5 |
| Snimproves dezincification and erosion resistance | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Bifree-cutting chip-breaking phase replacing Pb | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Pdezincification inhibitor / deoxidizer | 0.02 – 0.15 | 0.06 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Pblead-free limit (NSF 61 / EU 4MS weighted-average compliance) | ≤ 0.09 | |
| Znbalance, approx. 22–26 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C49300?
Takes bright polishing, Ni/Cr, Sn and PVD coatings well; degrease and mildly pickle first, and stress-relieve (250–300 °C) machined parts to avoid season cracking before plating.
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).
How much does C49300 cost?
C49300 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.
C49300 — frequently asked
What is C49300 used for?
C49300 is typically used for lead-free plumbing fittings, potable water fittings and food-contact hardware. In short: lead-free free-cutting brass; machinability rating 88; potable-water compliant.
What is the yield strength of C49300?
C49300 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C49300 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades). Runs on screw machines and CNC at C36000-like speeds with 85–90 % of its machinability; use sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD, high-pressure coolant and slightly larger chip loads because Bi chips are stringier than Pb chips.
Can C49300 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (Zn fume, Bi hot-shortness); join by soldering, silver brazing or mechanical/adhesive methods.
What surface finishes work on C49300?
Takes bright polishing, Ni/Cr, Sn and PVD coatings well; degrease and mildly pickle first, and stress-relieve (250–300 °C) machined parts to avoid season cracking before plating.
Can C49300 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrude/forge in a narrow 650–750 °C window — above that bismuth films embrittle grain boundaries; cold heading and bending are best done in O61 or H01 temper with interstage annealing at 450–550 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of C49300?
C49300 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 C49300-H02 and C49300-O61?
H02 is the default condition — default stocked condition for CNC/screw-machine rod: best balance of strength, straightness, surface finish and chip control. O61: pick when maximum ductility is needed for bending, staking, flaring or heavy cold heading, or to relieve residual stress before service in water. Yield strength is 310 MPa in H02 versus 120 MPa in O61.
How much does C49300 cost?
C49300 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
- ASTM B927/B124 — brass rod, bar and forgings (UNS C49300) — ASTM International (2023)
- Standard Designations for Wrought and Cast Copper and Copper Alloys (UNS C49xxx bismuth brasses) — Copper Development Association (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (copper alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- Lead-free bismuth brass rod datasheets (free-cutting alternatives to C36000) — Wieland / Mueller / Ningbo Jintian (2023)
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.