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Copper Alloy C63020-M20

Finish state

UNS C63020 · ASTM B150

M20 = as hot rolled

Near-net forged shafts, flanges and valve bodies before heat treatment; usually followed by TQ50 to meet B150 minima.

High cost $$$$

Values for the M20 condition

Other C63020 tempers and conditions

C63020 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at C63020.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Soft annealed
Furnace-annealed condition supplied for maximum ductility prior to heavy machining or hot working; not a service condition for structural loads.4507602015 HRC7.5 % IACS
M20This page
As hot rolled
Near-net forged shafts, flanges and valve bodies before heat treatment; usually followed by TQ50 to meet B150 minima.5208001719 HRC7 % IACS
As hot extruded
Mill-condition bar taken straight from extrusion; pick it when parts will be heat treated after rough machining or when full TQ50 strength is not needed.5508301621 HRC—
Drawn and stress relieved
Cold-drawn small-diameter bar with a stress-relief anneal; chosen for straightness, tighter tolerance and good surface on fasteners and pins.6509001226 HRC7 % IACS
TQ50Default
Quench hardened and tempered
Standard stocked condition for C63020 bar/forgings; use whenever the full 900 MPa class strength and ASTM B150 property minima are required.7259651329 HRC7 % IACS

What is C63020-M20?

C63020-M20 is C63020 supplied in the M20 condition — near-net forged shafts, flanges and valve bodies before heat treatment; usually followed by TQ50 to meet B150 minima. C63020-M20 has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 91% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C63020-M20 has a density of 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,027°C (1,881 °F). TQ50 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; M20 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 94% of copper alloy grades
  • High strength — 520 MPa (75.4 ksi), better than 91% of copper alloy grades
  • Tough — resists crack growth — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
  • High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Low electrical conductivity — 7 % IACS, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades

C63020-M20 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C63020-M20; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C63020 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

C63020-M20 has a density of 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,027°C (1,881 °F).

Density7.58 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,027°C1,881 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,054°C1,929 °F

Mechanical16

C63020-M20 has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 91% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus117 GPa17 Msi
Shear Modulus44 GPa6.4 Msi
Bulk Modulus110 GPa16 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.32
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)800 MPa116 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)520 MPa75.4 ksi
Elongation at Break17%
Reduction in Area22%
Compressive Strength550 MPa79.8 ksi
Shear Strength480 MPa69.6 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)250 MPa36.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)30 J22.1 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell225 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C19 HRC
Hardness, Vickers236 HV

Thermal6

C63020-M20 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)300°C572 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

C63020-M20 conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.46×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.69 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseweakly magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.27 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good78/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in seawater, brine and neutral chlorides; good against dilute non-oxidising acids, alkalis and hydrocarbons. Attacked by oxidising acids (nitric, chromic), ammonia/ammonium compounds, cyanides, and sulphide-polluted stagnant seawater (selective phase corrosion).

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C63020-M20 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.8 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

C63020-M20's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability poor (25/100).

MachinabilityPoor32/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)24%
WeldabilityFair50/100
Formability (cold)Poor25/100
CastabilityGood60/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair35/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper alloy; use passivation/pickling, no anodic film of engineering value

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with C63020-M20

Is C63020 easy to machine?

Machine at low surface speed with rigid setups, positive-rake carbide or CBN and generous coolant; hard κ-phase particles cause rapid tool wear, chips are stringy — chip-break by interrupted feed.

Can C63020 be welded?

GTAW/GMAW with matching NAB filler (ERCuNiAl / AWS A5.7 A-2); preheat 150–200 °C, control interpass below ~250 °C and post-weld temper at ~675 °C to restore corrosion resistance and avoid gamma-2.

Can C63020 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot work between about 850 and 950 °C only; cold formability is very poor — no significant bending or cold heading in the TQ50 condition.

What surface finishes work on C63020?

Not anodizable; pickle/passivate after heat treatment, then mechanically polish or bead-blast. Accepts electroless nickel or chrome plating with proper activation; naturally forms a protective olive-brown alumina/oxide film in seawater.

C63020 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Al10 – 1110.5
NiNi + Co4.2 – 65
Fe4 – 5.54.7
Mn≤ 1.50.8
Si≤ 0.25—
Zn≤ 0.3—
Sn≤ 0.25—
Pb≤ 0.03—
Curemainder, 74.5 % min≥ 74.5 (balance)—

C63020-M20 — frequently asked

What is C63020-M20 used for?

C63020-M20 is typically used for marine gears, high-load bushings, aerospace fittings and pump components. In short: highest-strength aluminum bronze; heat-treatable nickel-aluminum bronze; seawater service to 300 °C.

What is the yield strength of C63020-M20?

C63020-M20 has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 91% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is C63020-M20 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades). Machine at low surface speed with rigid setups, positive-rake carbide or CBN and generous coolant; hard κ-phase particles cause rapid tool wear, chips are stringy — chip-break by interrupted feed.

Can C63020-M20 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). GTAW/GMAW with matching NAB filler (ERCuNiAl / AWS A5.7 A-2); preheat 150–200 °C, control interpass below ~250 °C and post-weld temper at ~675 °C to restore corrosion resistance and avoid gamma-2.

What surface finishes work on C63020-M20?

Not anodizable; pickle/passivate after heat treatment, then mechanically polish or bead-blast. Accepts electroless nickel or chrome plating with proper activation; naturally forms a protective olive-brown alumina/oxide film in seawater.

Can C63020-M20 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot work between about 850 and 950 °C only; cold formability is very poor — no significant bending or cold heading in the TQ50 condition.

What is the maximum service temperature of C63020-M20?

C63020-M20 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 C63020-TQ50 and C63020-O60?

TQ50 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for C63020 bar/forgings; use whenever the full 900 MPa class strength and ASTM B150 property minima are required. O60: furnace-annealed condition supplied for maximum ductility prior to heavy machining or hot working; not a service condition for structural loads. Yield strength is 725 MPa in TQ50 versus 450 MPa in O60.

Sources

  1. ASTM B150/B150M — Aluminum Bronze Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
  2. CDA/UNS Alloy Data — C630xx Nickel-Aluminum Bronzes — Copper Development Association (2023)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. Nickel-Aluminium Bronze bar and forging datasheets — Specialty copper alloy 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.