Copper Alloy C53400
UNS C53400 · EN CW458K
C53400 is a leaded phosphor bronze from the C50000–C69999 wrought bronze family, also designated CW458K, in which a lead addition is combined with tin-bronze spring characteristics to give free-cutting behaviour.
Reference datasheet — C53400 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 H04 condition
C53400 tempers and conditions
C53400 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. H04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As hot rolled | Hot-rolled bar/plate stock for machined bushings where temper control is not required. | 140 | 310 | 45 | 65 HB | 19 % IACS |
Soft annealed | Pick for deep drawing, severe bending or heavy forming before a final temper. | 145 | 320 | 48 | 60 HB | 20 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold work for moderate forming plus better stiffness than annealed. | 290 | 380 | 22 | 110 HB | 18 % IACS |
Half hard | Balanced strength and residual bend ductility for stamped contacts and washers. | 380 | 435 | 10 | 135 HB | 18 % IACS |
H04Default Full hard | The standard stock condition for screw-machine bushings, spacers and contact springs. | 450 | 490 | 6 | 150 HB | 18 % IACS |
Extra hard | Higher elastic limit for flat springs and clips that need only gentle forming. | 515 | 550 | 4 | 170 HB | 18 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring-temper strip for contact fingers and load-bearing spring washers. | 545 | 585 | 3.5 | 180 HB | 18 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength; use only for flat, near-straight spring parts. | 570 | 620 | 3 | 190 HB | 18 % IACS |
What is C53400?
C53400 is a leaded phosphor bronze from the C50000–C69999 wrought bronze family, also designated CW458K, in which a lead addition is combined with tin-bronze spring characteristics to give free-cutting behaviour. Engineers select it for turned and stamped bearing and contact parts; in the default condition it shows 450 MPa yield, 490 MPa tensile, 6% elongation, 150 HB (87 HRB) and a machinability score of 78. The limits are low ductility in hard tempers (formability score 35), 18% IACS conductivity, service to 150 °C and no fusion weldability. Where lead-free stock is required, unleaded phosphor bronze is the nearest alternative. C53400 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 955°C (1,751 °F). C53400 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
What is C53400 used for?
- bushings
- bearings
- precision machined parts
Advantages
- High strength — 450 MPa (65.3 ksi), better than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
C53400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C53400-H04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C53400 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 955°C (1,751 °F).
Mechanical13
C53400 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
C53400 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 84 W/m·K (48.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.8 µm/m·K (9.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C53400 conducts electricity at 18 % IACS, better than 51% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 64% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C53400 takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
C53400's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. C53400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C53400
Is C53400 easy to machine?
Free-cutting for a bronze (≈80 % of C36000): use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feed and oil-based coolant; lead gives short chips.
Can C53400 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (lead causes hot cracking); join by soft soldering or silver brazing with low-heat input, or use mechanical fastening.
Can C53400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60/H01; H04 and harder tempers should be limited to gentle bends (bend across the rolling direction) and stress-relieved at 190–230 °C after forming.
C53400 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 | 3.5 – 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Pdeoxidizer / strengthener | 0.03 – 0.35 | 0.15 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Curemainder, Cu + named elements 99.5 % min | ≥ 92 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C53400?
Takes tin, nickel, silver and gold plating well; can be buffed to a bright bronze finish or chemically darkened — anodizing does not apply.
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 C53400 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW458K
How much does C53400 cost?
C53400 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.
C53400 — frequently asked
What is C53400 used for?
C53400 is typically used for bushings, bearings and precision machined parts. In short: free-cutting phosphor bronze; spring strength with machinability; not fusion weldable.
What is the yield strength of C53400?
C53400 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C53400 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades). Free-cutting for a bronze (≈80 % of C36000): use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feed and oil-based coolant; lead gives short chips.
Can C53400 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (lead causes hot cracking); join by soft soldering or silver brazing with low-heat input, or use mechanical fastening.
What surface finishes work on C53400?
Takes tin, nickel, silver and gold plating well; can be buffed to a bright bronze finish or chemically darkened — anodizing does not apply.
Can C53400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60/H01; H04 and harder tempers should be limited to gentle bends (bend across the rolling direction) and stress-relieved at 190–230 °C after forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of C53400?
C53400 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C53400-H04 and C53400-M20?
H04 is the default condition — the standard stock condition for screw-machine bushings, spacers and contact springs. M20: hot-rolled bar/plate stock for machined bushings where temper control is not required. Yield strength is 450 MPa in H04 versus 140 MPa in M20.
How much does C53400 cost?
C53400 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 B103/B103M — Phosphor Bronze Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B139/B139M — Phosphor Bronze Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2017)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C53400 — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 12163 / EN 12164 — Copper and copper alloys, rod for general and free-machining purposes (CuSn-Pb grades) — CEN (2016)
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.