Copper Alloy C62581-TQ50
Supply condition · default condition
UNS C62581 · ASTM B150
TQ50 = quench hardened and temper annealed
Standard supply condition for bar, shapes and forgings when maximum strength and wear/galling resistance are required.
Values for the TQ50 condition
Other C62581 tempers and conditions
C62581 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at C62581.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As hot extruded | Lowest-cost mill condition for extruded rod and bar where slightly lower strength and a little more ductility are acceptable. | 414 | 758 | 5 | 21 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
As hot forged and air cooled | Forgings and heavy sections used directly from the press without a separate quench-and-temper cycle. | 448 | 772 | 4 | 23 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
TQ50DefaultThis page Quench hardened and temper annealed | Standard supply condition for bar, shapes and forgings when maximum strength and wear/galling resistance are required. | 483 | 793 | 3 | 26 HRC | — |
What is C62581-TQ50?
C62581-TQ50 is C62581 supplied in the TQ50 condition — standard supply condition for bar, shapes and forgings when maximum strength and wear/galling resistance are required. C62581-TQ50 has a yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 793 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi). C62581-TQ50 has a density of 7.3 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,015°C (1,859 °F).
Advantages
- Lightweight — 7.3 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), better than 100% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 483 MPa (70.1 ksi), better than 88% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 7.5 % IACS, worse than 84% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
C62581-TQ50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C62581-TQ50; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C62581 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C62581-TQ50 has a density of 7.3 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,015°C (1,859 °F).
Mechanical14
C62581-TQ50 has a yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 793 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
Thermal5
C62581-TQ50 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C62581-TQ50 conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 84% 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 C62581-TQ50 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
C62581-TQ50's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C62581-TQ50
Is C62581 easy to machine?
Machine with sharp, rigid, positive-rake carbide at modest speed and heavy feed with flood coolant; the hard κ phase makes chips abrasive and tool wear high (~20 % of AISI 1212).
Can C62581 be welded?
Fusion welding is difficult and crack-sensitive — use GTAW/GMAW with matching Cu-Al filler, 200–300 °C preheat, low heat input, and expect a locally embrittled HAZ; mechanical joining or brazing-free press fits are preferred.
Can C62581 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only (700–850 °C forging/extrusion); cold bending or forming is not practical because room-temperature ductility is 1–6 %.
What surface finishes work on C62581?
Not anodisable; finish by grinding/lapping for bearing surfaces, and use passivation, chemical patina or electroless nickel/chrome plating where a decorative or extra-wear surface is needed.
C62581 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alhigh-Al variant of the C625xx forging bronzes | 12.5 – 13.5 | 13 |
| Fegrain refiner / κ-phase former | 3 – 5 | 4 |
| Nioptional/residual per registered limits | ≤ 2 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | — |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Curemainder, ≈78–82 % (Cu + named elements 99.5 % min) | balance | — |
C62581-TQ50 — frequently asked
What is C62581-TQ50 used for?
C62581-TQ50 is typically used for aerospace fasteners, high-load bolts and forged mechanical parts. In short: strongest B150 aluminum bronze; forged fastener grade; hard, abrasive, low-ductility.
What is the yield strength of C62581-TQ50?
C62581-TQ50 has a typical yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 793 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 88% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is C62581-TQ50 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Machine with sharp, rigid, positive-rake carbide at modest speed and heavy feed with flood coolant; the hard κ phase makes chips abrasive and tool wear high (~20 % of AISI 1212).
Can C62581-TQ50 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is difficult and crack-sensitive — use GTAW/GMAW with matching Cu-Al filler, 200–300 °C preheat, low heat input, and expect a locally embrittled HAZ; mechanical joining or brazing-free press fits are preferred.
What surface finishes work on C62581-TQ50?
Not anodisable; finish by grinding/lapping for bearing surfaces, and use passivation, chemical patina or electroless nickel/chrome plating where a decorative or extra-wear surface is needed.
Can C62581-TQ50 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only (700–850 °C forging/extrusion); cold bending or forming is not practical because room-temperature ductility is 1–6 %.
What is the maximum service temperature of C62581-TQ50?
C62581-TQ50 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C62581-TQ50 and C62581-M30?
TQ50 is the default condition — standard supply condition for bar, shapes and forgings when maximum strength and wear/galling resistance are required. M30: lowest-cost mill condition for extruded rod and bar where slightly lower strength and a little more ductility are acceptable. Yield strength is 483 MPa in TQ50 versus 414 MPa in M30.
Sources
- ASTM B150/B150M — Aluminum Bronze Rod, Bar, and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Standard Designations for Wrought Copper Alloys (C625xx aluminium bronzes) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (copper alloys in seawater) — ASM International (2005)
- High-strength aluminium bronze wear alloys (Cu-13Al-4Fe class) datasheets — Ampco Metal / aluminium-bronze producers (2022)
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.