Copper Alloy C61500
UNS C61500
C61500 is a nickel-bearing aluminum bronze in the C50000–C69999 wrought bronze family, using the nickel addition to raise strength and corrosion resistance above standard aluminum bronze.
Reference datasheet — C61500 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 O60 condition
C61500 tempers and conditions
C61500 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. O60 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
O60Default Soft annealed | Choose for deep drawing, severe bending and forming, or when maximum ductility and toughness are needed before final heat/work hardening. | 215 | 500 | 50 | 130 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Light annealed | Choose when moderate forming ability must be combined with somewhat higher strength and better flatness than a full anneal. | 290 | 550 | 35 | 155 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Half hard | General-purpose cold-rolled temper: good strength with enough ductility for moderate bends and light forming. | 480 | 620 | 12 | 180 HB | 10 % IACS |
Full hard | Pick for high-strength flat parts, washers, bushing stock and wear surfaces where only gentle forming is required. | 585 | 690 | 6 | 205 HB | 10 % IACS |
Extra hard | Use where near-maximum strength and stiffness in thin gauge are needed and forming is limited to flat blanking or slight bends with grain. | 640 | 725 | 4 | 220 HB | 10 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring, diaphragm and contact stock: highest strength and elastic limit of the flat-rolled tempers, with minimal formability. | 690 | 760 | 3 | 235 HB | 10 % IACS |
What is C61500?
C61500 is a nickel-bearing aluminum bronze in the C50000–C69999 wrought bronze family, using the nickel addition to raise strength and corrosion resistance above standard aluminum bronze. It is specified for marine and fluid-handling parts that must also be deep drawn or heavily formed: 215 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 50% elongation, 130 HB (70 HRB), 45 W/m·K, 10.5% IACS and service to 400 °C, with formability 75, weldability 70 and corrosion resistance 82. Machinability is low at 28, and cold-worked strength is lost in the weld HAZ. C61000 is the nearest alternative where cost and machining volume dominate. C61500 has a density of 7.72 g/cm³ (0.279 lb/in³), lighter than 89% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,045°C (1,913 °F). C61500 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 52% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C61500 used for?
- valve components
- marine fasteners
- pump shafts
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 70/100, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C61500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C61500-O60; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C61500 has a density of 7.72 g/cm³ (0.279 lb/in³), lighter than 89% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,045°C (1,913 °F).
Mechanical14
C61500 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 52% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C61500 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C61500 conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, worse than 72% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C61500 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C61500's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability very good (75/100).
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. C61500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C61500
Is C61500 easy to machine?
Tough, work-hardening chips: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, moderate speed with heavy feed and generous flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can C61500 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with matching aluminium-bronze filler (ERCuAl-A2) works well; remove alumina film mechanically or with AC/He shielding, keep interpass temperature low and expect loss of cold-worked strength in the HAZ.
Can C61500 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O60/O50 tempers — deep drawing and severe bends are practical; hard tempers should only be blanked or bent gently with the grain, with interstage annealing at 600–700 °C followed by rapid cooling.
C61500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 7.7 – 8.3 | 8 |
| Niraises strength and dealuminification resistance | 1.8 – 2.2 | 2 |
| Curemainder, Cu + named elements ≥ 99.5 % | ≥ 89 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C61500?
Not anodisable; polishes to a rich golden lustre, accepts nickel/chrome or tin plating after thorough oxide removal (alkaline clean + acid activation), and self-passivates in service to a stable brown-olive film.
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 C61500 cost?
C61500 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.
C61500 — frequently asked
What is C61500 used for?
C61500 is typically used for valve components, marine fasteners and pump shafts. In short: nickel-strengthened aluminum bronze; formable and corrosion resistant; 400 °C service capability.
What is the yield strength of C61500?
C61500 has a typical yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 52% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C61500 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades). Tough, work-hardening chips: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, moderate speed with heavy feed and generous flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can C61500 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW/GMAW with matching aluminium-bronze filler (ERCuAl-A2) works well; remove alumina film mechanically or with AC/He shielding, keep interpass temperature low and expect loss of cold-worked strength in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on C61500?
Not anodisable; polishes to a rich golden lustre, accepts nickel/chrome or tin plating after thorough oxide removal (alkaline clean + acid activation), and self-passivates in service to a stable brown-olive film.
Can C61500 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O60/O50 tempers — deep drawing and severe bends are practical; hard tempers should only be blanked or bent gently with the grain, with interstage annealing at 600–700 °C followed by rapid cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of C61500?
C61500 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C61500-O60 and C61500-H08?
O60 is the default condition — choose for deep drawing, severe bending and forming, or when maximum ductility and toughness are needed before final heat/work hardening. H08: spring, diaphragm and contact stock: highest strength and elastic limit of the flat-rolled tempers, with minimal formability. Yield strength is 215 MPa in O60 versus 690 MPa in H08.
How much does C61500 cost?
C61500 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
- C61500 alloy data (Copper Development Association alloy database) — CDA / copper.org (2023)
- ASTM B169 – Copper-Aluminum Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (copper alloys in seawater) — ASM International (2005)
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.