Copper Alloy C52100
UNS C52100 · ASTM B139, B103 · EN CuSn8, CW453K · JIS C5210, C5212 · GB QSn8-0.3
C52100 is an 8 % tin phosphor bronze (CuSn8, CW453K, EN 2.1030) covered by ASTM B103 and B139, the higher-tin step above C51000 for heavier spring loads and wear duty.
Values for the H04 condition
C52100 tempers and conditions
C52100 is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard. H04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Fully soft-annealed CuSn8 (O60): lowest strength and maximum ductility for deep drawing, severe forming and coining of phosphor bronze strip, rod and wire. | 150 | 375 | 62 | 60 HB | 13 % IACS |
Annealed | Choose for deep drawing, severe forming or before a subsequent hardening cold-work step. | 170 | 400 | 65 | 80 HB | 13.5 % IACS |
As hot rolled | As-hot-rolled mill temper of CuSn8 phosphor bronze: strength close to the annealed condition with coarse worked structure, used as stock for subsequent cold rolling or drawing. | 180 | 400 | 45 | 70 HB | 13 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size | Fine-grain anneal for stamped parts needing a smooth, orange-peel-free formed surface. | 195 | 420 | 60 | 78 HB | 13.5 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light temper when moderate bending is still required after stamping. | 350 | 470 | 40 | 122 HB | 13 % IACS |
Half hard | Balanced strength/formability temper for contacts and washers with 90° bends. | 450 | 565 | 28 | 147 HB | 13 % IACS |
H04Default Full hard | Default stock temper: high strength with enough ductility for gentle forming — bushings, washers, contact strip. | 585 | 660 | 10 | 170 HB | 13 % IACS |
Extra hard | Use where higher elastic limit is needed but full spring temper would crack on forming. | 640 | 720 | 6 | 14 HRC | 13 % IACS |
Spring hard | Classic phosphor-bronze spring strip/wire temper; low-temperature stress relief (150–200 °C) raises the elastic limit further. | 690 | 760 | 4 | 93 HRB | 13 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Cold-drawn spring wire condition for coil springs, brush wire and woven mesh (ASTM B159). | 720 | 830 | 5 | 19 HRC | 13 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum strength strip for flat springs and diaphragms formed only in the bend-favourable direction. | 745 | 815 | 3 | 20 HRC | 13 % IACS |
What is C52100?
C52100 is an 8 % tin phosphor bronze (CuSn8, CW453K, EN 2.1030) covered by ASTM B103 and B139, the higher-tin step above C51000 for heavier spring loads and wear duty. Strip, wire and rod are available from O61 through H10 and spring temper; the default hard condition gives 585 MPa yield, 660 MPa tensile, HB 170 / HRB 87 and 10 % elongation, with service to 200 °C. Electrical conductivity is only 13 % IACS, machinability is about 20 % of free-cutting brass and fusion welds are porosity-prone; specify leaded C54400 for high-volume turning. C52100 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F). C52100 has a yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
What is C52100 used for?
- Springs
- Bearings & bushings
- Diaphragms
Advantages
- High strength — 585 MPa (84.8 ksi), better than 93% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 4.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C52100 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C52100-H04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C52100 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F).
Mechanical12
C52100 has a yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal5
C52100 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 62 W/m·K (35.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 58% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C52100 conducts electricity at 13 % IACS, worse than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C52100 takes about 72 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 86% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C52100's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); 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. C52100 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C52100
Is C52100 easy to machine?
Gummy and abrasive on tooling — machinability ≈20% of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light feed and generous coolant, or specify leaded C54400 if turning volume is high.
Can C52100 be welded?
Solders and brazes excellently; GTAW/GMAW possible with CuSn filler but hot-short and porosity prone — avoid oxyacetylene welding; resistance welding is fair.
Can C52100 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O61/H01; hard and spring tempers must be bent with generous radii and preferably transverse to rolling direction; stress relieve 175–200 °C /1 h after forming springs.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C52100. Every C52100 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better30 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.5 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 175 / 215 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 6× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better50 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better40 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C52100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sn | 7 – 9 | 8 |
| Pdeoxidizer, raises strength/wear resistance | 0.03 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.5% | balance |
What surface finishes work on C52100?
Takes bright polish, tin/silver/nickel plating and chemical patination well; no anodizing — apply clear lacquer or tarnish inhibitor for decorative use.
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 C52100 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B139B103
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CuSn8CW453K2.10302.1034
- GB (China)
- QSn8-0.3
- JIS
- C5210C5212
- Trade names
- Phosphor Bronze D
- Also called
- Phosphor BronzePhosphor Bronze 8%C
How much does C52100 cost?
C52100 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 58% 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.
C52100 — frequently asked
What is C52100 used for?
C52100 is typically used for springs, bearings & bushings and diaphragms. In short: high-strength phosphor bronze.
What is the yield strength of C52100?
C52100 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 93% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is C52100 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and abrasive on tooling — machinability ≈20% of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light feed and generous coolant, or specify leaded C54400 if turning volume is high.
Can C52100 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Solders and brazes excellently; GTAW/GMAW possible with CuSn filler but hot-short and porosity prone — avoid oxyacetylene welding; resistance welding is fair.
What surface finishes work on C52100?
Takes bright polish, tin/silver/nickel plating and chemical patination well; no anodizing — apply clear lacquer or tarnish inhibitor for decorative use.
Can C52100 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O61/H01; hard and spring tempers must be bent with generous radii and preferably transverse to rolling direction; stress relieve 175–200 °C /1 h after forming springs.
What is the maximum service temperature of C52100?
C52100 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 C52100-H04 and C52100-O60?
H04 is the default condition — default stock temper: high strength with enough ductility for gentle forming — bushings, washers, contact strip. O60: fully soft-annealed CuSn8 (O60): lowest strength and maximum ductility for deep drawing, severe forming and coining of phosphor bronze strip, rod and wire. Yield strength is 585 MPa in H04 versus 150 MPa in O60.
How much does C52100 cost?
C52100 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 58% 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 C52100?
Yes — C52100 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 B103/B103M — Phosphor Bronze Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B159/B159M — Phosphor Bronze Wire — ASTM International (2018)
- EN 1654 / EN 1652 — CuSn8 (CW453K) strip and plate — CEN (2019)
- CDA Alloy Database — C52100 property sheet — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Copper and Copper Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 2059 / GB/T 2049 QSn8-0.3 / — SAC (2017)
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.