Copper Alloy C63600-O61
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS C63600 · ASTM B150
O61 = annealed
Softest condition — pick for deep cold heading, severe upsetting or maximum ductility.
Values for the O61 condition
Other C63600 tempers and conditions
C63600 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at C63600.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
O61DefaultThis page Annealed | Softest condition — pick for deep cold heading, severe upsetting or maximum ductility. | 170 | 415 | 45 | 105 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
As hot extruded | As-extruded larger diameters before drawing — economical stock for machined parts and forging blanks. | 185 | 420 | 40 | 108 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
1/8 hard | Light draw for straight, sizeable rod that still cold-heads well — common fastener stock. | 275 | 450 | 35 | 130 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Quarter-hard rod/wire for higher proof strength fasteners and shafts with moderate remaining ductility. | 380 | 485 | 25 | 145 HB | — |
Half hard | Half-hard drawn rod/wire when higher strength and better chip control matter more than bending ductility. | 450 | 550 | 15 | 170 HB | — |
Full hard | Hard-drawn wire and small rod for springs, screens and high-strength fastener blanks. | 550 | 640 | 8 | 200 HB | — |
What is C63600-O61?
C63600-O61 is C63600 heat treated to O61 — softest condition — pick for deep cold heading, severe upsetting or maximum ductility. C63600-O61 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C63600-O61 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,027°C (1,881 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 70/100, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C63600-O61 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C63600-O61; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C63600 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C63600-O61 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,027°C (1,881 °F).
Mechanical13
C63600-O61 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C63600-O61 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.7 µm/m·K (9.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C63600-O61 conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, worse than 76% 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 C63600-O61 takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
C63600-O61's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C63600-O61
Is C63600 easy to machine?
Rated ~40 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, generous coolant and avoid dwelling; chips are stringy in the annealed temper, so prefer H01/H02 for screw-machine work.
Can C63600 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with aluminium-bronze filler (ERCuAl-A2) under argon; clean the tenacious Al oxide immediately before welding and keep interpass temperature low.
Can C63600 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold-heading, upsetting and thread-rolling alloy in O61/H00; anneal around 600–650 °C with rapid cool if multiple heavy draws are needed.
What surface finishes work on C63600?
Not anodisable; take a bright golden polish, and use abrasive/chemical de-oxidation before plating, soldering or lacquering to break the aluminium oxide film.
C63600 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 | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| Si | 0.7 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| CuCu + Ag, remainder | ≥ 95 (balance) | — |
C63600-O61 — frequently asked
What is C63600-O61 used for?
C63600-O61 is typically used for electrical connectors, corrosion-resistant fasteners and marine fittings. In short: best cold-heading aluminum bronze; moderate strength, good conductivity; corrosion-resistant fastener stock.
What is the yield strength of C63600-O61?
C63600-O61 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C63600-O61 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades). Rated ~40 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, generous coolant and avoid dwelling; chips are stringy in the annealed temper, so prefer H01/H02 for screw-machine work.
Can C63600-O61 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with aluminium-bronze filler (ERCuAl-A2) under argon; clean the tenacious Al oxide immediately before welding and keep interpass temperature low.
What surface finishes work on C63600-O61?
Not anodisable; take a bright golden polish, and use abrasive/chemical de-oxidation before plating, soldering or lacquering to break the aluminium oxide film.
Can C63600-O61 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold-heading, upsetting and thread-rolling alloy in O61/H00; anneal around 600–650 °C with rapid cool if multiple heavy draws are needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of C63600-O61?
C63600-O61 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 C63600-O61 and C63600-H04?
O61 is the default condition — softest condition — pick for deep cold heading, severe upsetting or maximum ductility. H04: hard-drawn wire and small rod for springs, screens and high-strength fastener blanks. Yield strength is 170 MPa in O61 versus 550 MPa in H04.
Sources
- ASTM B150/B150M — Aluminum Bronze Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C63600 (UNS) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (copper alloys in seawater) — ASM International (2005)
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.