Copper Alloy C52400
UNS C52400 · EN CuSn12, CW454K
C52400 is the highest-tin standard wrought phosphor bronze (10 % Sn; CuSn12 / CW454K), where the tin content maximises strength and wear resistance within the C5xxxx family.
Values for the H04 condition
C52400 tempers and conditions
C52400 is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. H04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As hot rolled | C52400 (10% tin phosphor bronze, CuSn12-type) in the as-hot-rolled mill condition — essentially unworked, giving moderate strength with high ductility and good bearing/wear behaviour. | 185 | 415 | 55 | 90 HB | 11 % IACS |
Soft annealed | Choose for deep forming, severe bending or coining before final age/work hardening. | 200 | 455 | 65 | 90 HB | 11 % IACS |
Light annealed | Light anneal when formability is still needed but soft temper is too weak/coarse-grained. | 250 | 490 | 55 | 100 HB | 11 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Mild cold work for parts needing moderate strength with substantial bending capability. | 380 | 520 | 45 | 112 HB | 11 % IACS |
Half hard | Balanced strength/formability for bushings, washers and formed contacts. | 450 | 585 | 32 | 145 HB | — |
H04Default Full hard | Default stock condition: high strength with usable ductility for bushings, wear plates, formed springs and fasteners. | 585 | 690 | 15 | 180 HB | — |
Extra hard | Higher elastic limit for flat springs formed with generous bend radii. | 655 | 760 | 8 | 14 HRC | 11 % IACS |
Spring hard | Standard choice for phosphor-bronze springs, diaphragms and clips requiring high fatigue life. | 725 | 830 | 5 | 18 HRC | 11 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum elastic limit for flat springs with only slight forming; very limited bendability. | 790 | 895 | 3 | 21 HRC | 11 % IACS |
Cold rolled and stress-relieved | Spring strip given a low-temperature stress relief for higher elastic limit, flatness and lower relaxation. | 800 | 860 | 4 | 19 HRC | 11 % IACS |
What is C52400?
C52400 is the highest-tin standard wrought phosphor bronze (10 % Sn; CuSn12 / CW454K), where the tin content maximises strength and wear resistance within the C5xxxx family. It is used for bearings, bushings and worm gears in strip, rod and bar, providing 585 MPa yield, 690 MPa tensile, HB 180 / HRB 89, 15 % elongation and service to 200 °C. Machinability is rated 22 and formability 45, so it work-hardens quickly and cuts with gummy chips, and fusion welding is poor; choose C52100 or C51900 where more cold forming is required. C52400 has a density of 8.78 g/cm³ (0.317 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 843°C (1,549 °F). C52400 has a yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
What is C52400 used for?
- Bearings
- Worm gears
- Bushings
Advantages
- High strength — 585 MPa (84.8 ksi), better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
C52400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C52400-H04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C52400 has a density of 8.78 g/cm³ (0.317 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 843°C (1,549 °F).
Mechanical12
C52400 has a yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
C52400 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 66% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C52400 conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, worse than 68% 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 C52400 takes about 72 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 86% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
C52400's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. C52400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C52400
Is C52400 easy to machine?
Rating ~20% of free-cutting brass: gummy, stringy chips — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and generous flood coolant; hard tempers machine more cleanly than annealed.
Can C52400 be welded?
Fusion welding is poor (hot cracking from high Sn); prefer resistance spot/seam welding, silver brazing or soft soldering, all of which are excellent.
Can C52400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60/H02 but work-hardens fast — plan intermediate anneals at 480–620 °C; hot working is not recommended, and cold-worked parts should be stress-relieved ~190–230 °C to avoid ammonia SCC.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C52400. Every C52400 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better22 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.5 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 170 / 210 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 | Fair45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better35 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C52400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SnEuropean CuSn12/CW454K runs 11–13% Sn | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Pdeoxidizer, raises strength | 0.03 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Curemainder, ~88–91% | balance |
What surface finishes work on C52400?
Not anodizable; takes bright polishing, tin/nickel/silver/gold plating for contacts, or chemical patina and lacquer for decorative work.
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 C52400 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CuSn12CW454K
- Also called
- Phosphor BronzePhosphor Bronze 10%D
How much does C52400 cost?
C52400 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.
C52400 — frequently asked
What is C52400 used for?
C52400 is typically used for bearings, worm gears and bushings. In short: max-tin wear phosphor bronze.
What is the yield strength of C52400?
C52400 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 93% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is C52400 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades). Rating ~20% of free-cutting brass: gummy, stringy chips — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and generous flood coolant; hard tempers machine more cleanly than annealed.
Can C52400 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Fusion welding is poor (hot cracking from high Sn); prefer resistance spot/seam welding, silver brazing or soft soldering, all of which are excellent.
What surface finishes work on C52400?
Not anodizable; takes bright polishing, tin/nickel/silver/gold plating for contacts, or chemical patina and lacquer for decorative work.
Can C52400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60/H02 but work-hardens fast — plan intermediate anneals at 480–620 °C; hot working is not recommended, and cold-worked parts should be stress-relieved ~190–230 °C to avoid ammonia SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C52400?
C52400 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 C52400-H04 and C52400-M20?
H04 is the default condition — default stock condition: high strength with usable ductility for bushings, wear plates, formed springs and fasteners. M20: c52400 (10% tin phosphor bronze, CuSn12-type) in the as-hot-rolled mill condition — essentially unworked, giving moderate strength with high ductility and good bearing/wear behaviour. Yield strength is 585 MPa in H04 versus 185 MPa in M20.
How much does C52400 cost?
C52400 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 C52400?
Yes — C52400 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 (2019)
- ASTM B139/B139M — Phosphor Bronze Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM (2017)
- EN 1654 / EN 12163 — CuSn12 (CW454K) — CEN (2016)
- GB/T 2059 / GB/T 2040 — QSn10-1 — SAC (2017)
- Copper Alloy C52400 datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.