Copper Alloy C54400-H08
Supply condition
UNS C54400 · ASTM B139 · EN CuSn4Pb4Zn4, 2.1096 · JIS C5341, C5441
H08 = spring hard
Only for wire/small sections needing spring-like elastic limit; very limited bending capability.
Values for the H08 condition
Other C54400 tempers and conditions
C54400 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at C54400.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose when maximum ductility for bending, staking or heading is needed before finish machining. | 130 | 310 | 40 | 70 HB | 19.5 % IACS |
Soft annealed | Fully softened annealed condition of C54400 — lowest strength, highest ductility for forming and heavy machining stock. | 131 | 310 | 48 | 65 HB | 19 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Hot-rolled/hot-worked mill condition of leaded phosphor bronze C54400 — low strength, high ductility, ready for cold finishing or machining. | 150 | 330 | 40 | 70 HB | 19 % IACS |
Half hard | Compromise temper when some cold bending or riveting follows machining. | 275 | 400 | 28 | 125 HB | 19 % IACS |
H04Default Full hard | Standard stocked temper for screw-machine bushings, bearings and fasteners — best balance of strength and chip control. | 393 | 470 | 20 | 150 HB | 19 % IACS |
Extra hard | Pick for maximum strength/wear in small-diameter rod and wire where no forming is required. | 450 | 520 | 10 | 175 HB | 18.5 % IACS |
H08This page Spring hard | Only for wire/small sections needing spring-like elastic limit; very limited bending capability. | 510 | 580 | 6 | 195 HB | 18 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Heaviest cold-rolled temper of C54400 — maximum strength and spring properties with very little remaining ductility. | 565 | 605 | 3 | 190 HB | 18 % IACS |
What is C54400-H08?
C54400-H08 is C54400 supplied in the H08 condition — only for wire/small sections needing spring-like elastic limit; very limited bending capability. C54400-H08 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 90% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi). C54400-H08 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 927°C (1,701 °F). H04 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H08 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 510 MPa (74 ksi), better than 90% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% 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
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
C54400-H08 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C54400-H08; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C54400 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C54400-H08 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 927°C (1,701 °F).
Mechanical12
C54400-H08 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 90% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C54400-H08 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 85 W/m·K (49.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 52% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.1 µm/m·K (9.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C54400-H08 conducts electricity at 18 % IACS, better than 51% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C54400-H08 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
C54400-H08's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C54400-H08
Is C54400 easy to machine?
Excellent screw-machine alloy (~80 % of free-cutting brass); lead gives short chips — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and soluble-oil coolant.
Can C54400 be welded?
Fusion welding not recommended (lead causes hot cracking); join by soft soldering (excellent) or low-temperature silver brazing with care, or use mechanical/press fits.
Can C54400 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot working poor due to lead; cold form only in O61/H02 tempers — H04 and harder tolerate only gentle bends with generous radii.
What surface finishes work on C54400?
Takes a fine turned or buffed finish; electroplate with tin, nickel or silver, or apply chemical patina/lacquer — anodizing does not apply.
C54400 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 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Zn | 1.5 – 4.5 | 3 |
| Pdeoxidiser/strengthener | 0.01 – 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Curemainder, Cu + named elements ≥ 99.5 % | balance | — |
C54400-H08 — frequently asked
What is C54400-H08 used for?
C54400-H08 is typically used for bearings, thrust washers and bushings. In short: free-machining phosphor bronze.
What is the yield strength of C54400-H08?
C54400-H08 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 90% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C54400-H08 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Excellent screw-machine alloy (~80 % of free-cutting brass); lead gives short chips — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and soluble-oil coolant.
Can C54400-H08 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Fusion welding not recommended (lead causes hot cracking); join by soft soldering (excellent) or low-temperature silver brazing with care, or use mechanical/press fits.
What surface finishes work on C54400-H08?
Takes a fine turned or buffed finish; electroplate with tin, nickel or silver, or apply chemical patina/lacquer — anodizing does not apply.
Can C54400-H08 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot working poor due to lead; cold form only in O61/H02 tempers — H04 and harder tolerate only gentle bends with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of C54400-H08?
C54400-H08 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 C54400-H04 and C54400-O61?
H04 is the default condition — standard stocked temper for screw-machine bushings, bearings and fasteners — best balance of strength and chip control. O61: choose when maximum ductility for bending, staking or heading is needed before finish machining. Yield strength is 393 MPa in H04 versus 130 MPa in O61.
Can FabDigit make parts in C54400-H08?
Yes — C54400-H08 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 B139/B139M Phosphor Bronze Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2017)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C54400 — 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.