Copper Alloy C63000 · temper
Copper Alloy C63000-O60
Properties of the O60 condition, compared with the other C63000 tempers.
Softened condition (slow-cooled anneal) used for maximum ductility before further hot/cold forming or machining of complex parts.
What is C63000-O60?
C63000-O60 is C63000 in the O60 temper — softened condition (slow-cooled anneal) used for maximum ductility before further hot/cold forming or machining of complex parts. C63000-O60 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — stronger than 65% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C63000-O60 has a density of 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,043°C (1,909 °F). HR50 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O60 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 84% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 65/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 7 % IACS, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 38.9 W/m·K (22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
C63000-O60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C63000-O60 — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C63000 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C63000-O60 has a density of 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,043°C (1,909 °F).
Mechanical14
C63000-O60 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — stronger than 65% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C63000-O60 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 38.9 W/m·K (22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C63000-O60 conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C63000-O60 takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 3.9 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C63000-O60's machinability is poor (34/100, worse than 52% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C63000 tempers and conditions
C63000 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C63000 overview.
- HR50DefaultStandard stocked condition for ASTM B150 / AMS 4640 nickel-aluminium bronze rod, bar and shapes for marine shafting and valve stems.415 MPa yield · 197 HB
- TQ50Choose when maximum and most uniform strength/hardness through heavy sections is needed (heavy forgings, landing-gear bushings, high-load stems).485 MPa yield · 212 HB
- M10Nickel-aluminium bronze forged to shape and air cooled from the hot-working temperature; retains a fine worked structure with high strength and good toughness.380 MPa yield · 197 HB
- O32Extruded nickel-aluminium bronze given a temper (sub-critical) anneal to stabilise the structure and relieve residual stress with only slight strength loss.340 MPa yield · 180 HB
- O25Hot-rolled plate/bar fully annealed for maximum ductility and lowest residual stress at somewhat reduced strength.325 MPa yield · 170 HB
- O60Softened condition (slow-cooled anneal) used for maximum ductility before further hot/cold forming or machining of complex parts.310 MPa yield · 150 HB
Working with C63000-O60
Is C63000 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough duplex material: rigid setups, sharp carbide with positive rake, 60–120 m/min, heavy feed and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and gummy chips (rating ≈30% of free-cutting brass).
Can C63000 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with matching C63000/NAB filler works well; preheat 150–250 °C for heavy sections, avoid excessive heat input and interpass oxide entrapment, no post-weld quench required.
Can C63000 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work 700–900 °C (excellent forgeability); cold forming is poor — limit to gentle bends with generous radii and interstage annealing.
What surface finishes work on C63000?
Not anodisable; use fine polishing, shot blasting or chemical patination, and avoid electroplating unless a nickel strike is applied over the Al-oxide film.
C63000 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 | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| NiNi + Co | 4 – 5.5 | 4.8 |
| Fe | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Si | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Curemainder, 78% min | ≥ 78 (balance) | — |
C63000-O60 — frequently asked
What is C63000-O60 used for?
C63000-O60 is typically used for marine propeller shafting, valve stems, pump sleeves and bushings, aircraft landing-gear bushings, aircraft bearings and heavy-duty gears. In short: extremely tough bronze.
What is the yield strength of C63000-O60?
C63000-O60 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — stronger than 65% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C63000-O60 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (34/100, worse than 52% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a tough duplex material: rigid setups, sharp carbide with positive rake, 60–120 m/min, heavy feed and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and gummy chips (rating ≈30% of free-cutting brass).
Can C63000-O60 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW/GMAW with matching C63000/NAB filler works well; preheat 150–250 °C for heavy sections, avoid excessive heat input and interpass oxide entrapment, no post-weld quench required.
What surface finishes work on C63000-O60?
Not anodisable; use fine polishing, shot blasting or chemical patination, and avoid electroplating unless a nickel strike is applied over the Al-oxide film.
Can C63000-O60 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work 700–900 °C (excellent forgeability); cold forming is poor — limit to gentle bends with generous radii and interstage annealing.
What is the maximum service temperature of C63000-O60?
C63000-O60 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 C63000-HR50 and C63000-H04?
HR50 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for ASTM B150 / AMS 4640 nickel-aluminium bronze rod, bar and shapes for marine shafting and valve stems. H04: small-diameter cold-drawn rod and wire where higher yield strength and better surface/straightness are wanted; ductility is reduced. Yield strength is 415 MPa in HR50 versus 550 MPa in H04.
Can FabDigit make parts in C63000-O60?
Yes — C63000-O60 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B150/B150M — Aluminum Bronze Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM (2019)
- AMS 4640 — Nickel-Aluminum Bronze Bar, Rod, Shapes, Forgings — SAE International (2018)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM (2019)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C63000 (copper.org) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13C — Corrosion: Environments and Industries — ASM International (2006)
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.