Copper Alloy C63280-TQ50
Supply condition
UNS C63280 · ASTM B150
TQ50 = quenched and tempered
Use where maximum strength and hardness with uniform section properties are required in heavy bar and forgings.
Values for the TQ50 condition
Other C63280 tempers and conditions
C63280 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at C63280.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Soft condition for maximum ductility before forming or as a stress-relieved state after welding. | 350 | 700 | 20 | 11 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
M30Default As hot extruded | Standard stock condition for rod, bar and shapes; best balance of strength, ductility and price. | 470 | 790 | 15 | 21 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Hot rolled and cold drawn | Choose for tighter dimensional tolerance and slightly higher yield in small-diameter bar. | 520 | 815 | 12 | 22 HRC | 7 % IACS |
TQ50This page Quenched and tempered | Use where maximum strength and hardness with uniform section properties are required in heavy bar and forgings. | 550 | 830 | 12 | 24 HRC | 6.5 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Highest strength condition, specified for heavily loaded shafts and fasteners where κ-phase distribution is controlled. | 580 | 855 | 10 | 26 HRC | 6.5 % IACS |
What is C63280-TQ50?
C63280-TQ50 is C63280 supplied in the TQ50 condition — use where maximum strength and hardness with uniform section properties are required in heavy bar and forgings. C63280-TQ50 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 92% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C63280-TQ50 has a density of 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,040°C (1,904 °F). M30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; TQ50 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Lightweight — 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 550 MPa (79.8 ksi), better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 60/100, better than 76% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.5 % IACS, worse than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Low fracture toughness — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 4.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
C63280-TQ50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C63280-TQ50; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C63280 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C63280-TQ50 has a density of 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,040°C (1,904 °F).
Mechanical17
C63280-TQ50 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 92% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C63280-TQ50 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C63280-TQ50 conducts electricity at 6.5 % IACS, worse than 91% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C63280-TQ50 takes about 65 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 81% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C63280-TQ50's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C63280-TQ50
Is C63280 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough duplex alloy — rigid setup, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speed (50–90 m/min) with generous coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening.
Can C63280 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW readily with ERCuNiAl-A2/B3 filler under argon; preheat 150–200 °C for heavy sections, clean the oxide film before each pass and avoid excessive heat input.
Can C63280 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 800–900 °C; cold forming is limited to gentle bends — anneal at 620–670 °C and slow-cool for any severe cold work.
What surface finishes work on C63280?
Not anodizable; pickle in sulphuric/nitric to remove the alumina film, then polish, or apply epoxy/antifouling coatings for immersed service — no plating usually needed.
C63280 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 | 8.5 – 9.5 | 9 |
| NiNi ≥ Fe usually specified for dealloying resistance | 4 – 5.5 | 4.8 |
| Fe | 4 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Mn | 1.2 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Curemainder, ~74.5 % min | balance | — |
C63280-TQ50 — frequently asked
What is C63280-TQ50 used for?
C63280-TQ50 is typically used for propeller shafts, landing gear components and high-load marine fasteners. In short: stronger than C63200; shaft-grade nickel-aluminum bronze; limited cold formability.
What is the yield strength of C63280-TQ50?
C63280-TQ50 has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 92% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C63280-TQ50 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a tough duplex alloy — rigid setup, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speed (50–90 m/min) with generous coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening.
Can C63280-TQ50 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). GTAW/GMAW readily with ERCuNiAl-A2/B3 filler under argon; preheat 150–200 °C for heavy sections, clean the oxide film before each pass and avoid excessive heat input.
What surface finishes work on C63280-TQ50?
Not anodizable; pickle in sulphuric/nitric to remove the alumina film, then polish, or apply epoxy/antifouling coatings for immersed service — no plating usually needed.
Can C63280-TQ50 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 800–900 °C; cold forming is limited to gentle bends — anneal at 620–670 °C and slow-cool for any severe cold work.
What is the maximum service temperature of C63280-TQ50?
C63280-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 C63280-M30 and C63280-O60?
M30 is the default condition — standard stock condition for rod, bar and shapes; best balance of strength, ductility and price. O60: soft condition for maximum ductility before forming or as a stress-relieved state after welding. Yield strength is 470 MPa in M30 versus 350 MPa in O60.
Sources
- ASTM B150/B150M — Aluminum Bronze Rod, Bar, and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA UNS Alloy Database (C632xx nickel-aluminum bronzes) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Nickel Aluminium Bronze alloy datasheets — Nickel Institute / Aviva Metals / Columbia Metals (2021)
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.