Copper Alloy C61600-H55
Temper
UNS C61600 · ASTM B111
H55 = light drawn
Light draw pass for straightness and dimensional control while keeping enough ductility for tube expansion.
Values for the H55 condition
Other C61600 tempers and conditions
C61600 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at C61600.
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 |
H55This page 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 |
What is C61600-H55?
C61600-H55 is C61600 in the H55 temper — light draw pass for straightness and dimensional control while keeping enough ductility for tube expansion. C61600-H55 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C61600-H55 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). O61 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H55 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 80% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 80% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 65/100, worse than 87% of copper alloy grades
C61600-H55 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C61600-H55; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C61600 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C61600-H55 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-H55 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C61600-H55 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 87 W/m·K (50.3 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-H55 conducts electricity at 18 % IACS, better than 51% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C61600-H55 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-H55's machinability is fair (36/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C61600-H55
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.
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.
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 | — |
C61600-H55 — frequently asked
What is C61600-H55 used for?
C61600-H55 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-H55?
C61600-H55 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C61600-H55 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, better than 55% 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-H55 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). 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-H55?
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-H55 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-H55?
C61600-H55 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 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.