Copper Alloy C61600
UNS C61600 · ASTM B111
C61600 is a low-aluminum wrought aluminum bronze in the C50000–C69999 bronze family, supplied mainly as seamless condenser and heat-exchanger tube to ASTM B111.
Reference datasheet — C61600 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 O61 condition
C61600 tempers and conditions
C61600 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. O61 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size | Grain-size-controlled soft anneal when deep drawing or tight U-bends demand uniform, fine-grained ductility. | 155 | 385 | 60 | 72 HB | 18 % IACS |
O61Default Annealed | Standard condition for seawater condenser and heat-exchanger tubing; maximum ductility for expanding into tubesheets and U-bending. | 170 | 400 | 55 | 80 HB | 18 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Mild cold work for formed parts needing more strength than annealed while still bending readily. | 240 | 430 | 40 | 112 HB | 18 % IACS |
Light drawn | Light draw pass for straightness and dimensional control while keeping enough ductility for tube expansion. | 275 | 450 | 35 | 110 HB | 18 % IACS |
Drawn, general purpose | General-purpose drawn tube temper: good balance of strength, straightness and residual ductility. | 340 | 480 | 25 | 132 HB | 18 % IACS |
Drawn and stress-relieved | Drawn tube given a low-temperature stress relief to cut residual stress before service in ammonia-bearing or high-stress environments. | 380 | 500 | 20 | 142 HB | 18 % IACS |
Half hard | Common stock condition for machined fittings, sleeves and fasteners where moderate strength is needed. | 400 | 515 | 20 | 150 HB | 17.5 % IACS |
Full hard | Highest cold-worked strength; choose for wear sleeves, shafting and high-pressure tubing where forming is minimal. | 470 | 585 | 10 | 9 HRC | 17 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways C61600 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
WO50 | Welded tube, drawn and annealed | Surface finish |
What is C61600?
C61600 is a low-aluminum wrought aluminum bronze in the C50000–C69999 bronze family, supplied mainly as seamless condenser and heat-exchanger tube to ASTM B111. Engineers specify it for seawater and brackish-water corrosion resistance combined with 400 MPa tensile strength, 170 MPa yield and 55 % elongation in the annealed condition, which supports tube expanding, U-bending and deep drawing. Thermal conductivity is 88 W/m·K and electrical conductivity 18 % IACS, both well below pure copper, and service is limited to about 250 °C. Where higher-strength rod or bar is required rather than tube, C62200 is the usual step up. C61600 has a density of 8.2 g/cm³ (0.296 lb/in³), lighter than 85% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,040°C (1,904 °F). C61600 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C61600 used for?
- condenser tubes
- heat exchanger tubing
- marine piping
- distiller tubes
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 65/100, worse than 87% of copper alloy grades
C61600 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C61600-O61; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C61600 has a density of 8.2 g/cm³ (0.296 lb/in³), lighter than 85% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,040°C (1,904 °F).
Mechanical11
C61600 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C61600 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 88 W/m·K (50.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C61600 conducts electricity at 18 % IACS, better than 51% 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 C61600 takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 87% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C61600's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. C61600 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C61600
Is C61600 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough, gummy bronze — rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, moderate speed with generous coolant; expect ~30 % of free-cutting brass throughput and stringy chips.
Can C61600 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with aluminum-bronze filler works well; keep interpass temperature low, clean the Al-oxide film with stainless brush, avoid oxyacetylene and heavy heat input.
Can C61600 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O61/OS tempers — tube expanding, U-bending and deep drawing are routine; anneal ~600–650 °C between heavy passes.
C61600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allow-aluminum bronze range; confirm exact registered limits against the current CDA/UNS sheet before ordering | 2.5 – 3.5 | 3 |
| Cubalance, plus small residual Fe/Ni/Si/Zn/Pb/Mn impurity limits per the governing product standard | balance |
What surface finishes work on C61600?
Not anodizable; takes fine polishing and develops a protective dull-bronze film in service. FeSO₄ dosing or clean-water start-up is standard for condenser tubes; electroplating requires careful oxide removal.
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 C61600 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B111
How much does C61600 cost?
C61600 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.
C61600 — frequently asked
What is C61600 used for?
C61600 is typically used for condenser tubes, heat exchanger tubing, marine piping and distiller tubes. In short: seawater condenser tube alloy; most formable aluminum bronze; corrosion over strength.
What is the yield strength of C61600?
C61600 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C61600 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a tough, gummy bronze — rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, moderate speed with generous coolant; expect ~30 % of free-cutting brass throughput and stringy chips.
Can C61600 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). GTAW/GMAW with aluminum-bronze filler works well; keep interpass temperature low, clean the Al-oxide film with stainless brush, avoid oxyacetylene and heavy heat input.
What surface finishes work on C61600?
Not anodizable; takes fine polishing and develops a protective dull-bronze film in service. FeSO₄ dosing or clean-water start-up is standard for condenser tubes; electroplating requires careful oxide removal.
Can C61600 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O61/OS tempers — tube expanding, U-bending and deep drawing are routine; anneal ~600–650 °C between heavy passes.
What is the maximum service temperature of C61600?
C61600 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C61600-O61 and C61600-H04?
O61 is the default condition — standard condition for seawater condenser and heat-exchanger tubing; maximum ductility for expanding into tubesheets and U-bending. H04: highest cold-worked strength; choose for wear sleeves, shafting and high-pressure tubing where forming is minimal. Yield strength is 170 MPa in O61 versus 470 MPa in H04.
How much does C61600 cost?
C61600 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 B111/B111M — Seamless Copper and Copper-Alloy Condenser Tubes and Ferrule Stock — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Aluminum bronzes) — ASM International (1990)
- CDA/UNS Copper Alloy Data Sheets (C6xxxx wrought aluminum bronzes) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
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.