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Copper Alloy C63800-H03

Supply condition

UNS C63800 · ASTM B105

H03 = three-quarter hard

Intermediate step between half and full hard for parts needing higher yield with a little bend allowance.

High cost $$$$

Values for the H03 condition

Other C63800 tempers and conditions

C63800 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C63800.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Soft annealed
Softest supply condition for deep drawing or severe forming before final aging/work hardening.2605504083 HRB10 % IACS
Annealed
Standard annealed strip or wire for forming and subsequent cold-work strengthening.2905703586 HRB10 % IACS
Quarter hard
Light cold work when moderate strength must be combined with continued bending/forming ability.5506551592 HRB—
Half hard
General-purpose strength/formability compromise for stamped hardware and contacts.6507251095 HRB—
H03This page
Three-quarter hard
Intermediate step between half and full hard for parts needing higher yield with a little bend allowance.690760897 HRB—
Full hard
Most common structural hard temper for fasteners, washers and flat stampings with mild forming.740795622 HRC—
Extra hard
High-yield temper for flat springs and contacts formed only along the grain with generous bend radii.810860524 HRC—
H08Default
Spring hard
Default stocked strip/wire temper: highest practical combination of spring properties, relaxation resistance and corrosion resistance.855895425 HRC10 % IACS
Extra spring hard
Maximum-strength temper for flat springs and connector fingers loaded essentially in the rolled direction only.895930327 HRC—

What is C63800-H03?

C63800-H03 is C63800 supplied in the H03 condition — intermediate step between half and full hard for parts needing higher yield with a little bend allowance. C63800-H03 has a yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi). C63800-H03 has a density of 7.69 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F). H08 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H03 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 690 MPa (100 ksi), better than 96% of copper alloy grades
  • Lightweight — 7.69 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), better than 90% of copper alloy grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 88% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 44.6 W/m·K (25.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of copper alloy grades

C63800-H03 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C63800-H03; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C63800 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

C63800-H03 has a density of 7.69 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F).

Density7.69 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,030°C1,886 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,060°C1,940 °F

Mechanical13

C63800-H03 has a yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus124 GPa18 Msi
Shear Modulus47 GPa6.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus115 GPa16.7 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.32
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)760 MPa110 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)690 MPa100 ksi
Elongation at Break8%
Shear Strength450 MPa65.3 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)295 MPa42.8 ksi
Hardness, Brinell255 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B97 HRB
Hardness, Rockwell C25 HRC
Hardness, Vickers240 HV

Thermal5

C63800-H03 is rated for continuous service to 215°C (419 °F). It conducts heat at 44.6 W/m·K (25.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.9 µm/m·K (9.39 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity44.6 W/m·K25.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity376 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)16.9 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)215°C419 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

C63800-H03 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, worse than 74% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity10 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.72×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.77 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 88% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.26 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good74/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryVery good in seawater, marine atmosphere and mildly acidic/neutral media thanks to a protective Al-Si oxide film; resists dezincification and is not prone to stress-corrosion cracking in ammonia the way brasses are. Attacked by oxidising acids, strong ammonia/cyanide solutions and hot sulphides.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C63800-H03 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 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)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

C63800-H03's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (38/100).

MachinabilityPoor32/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)30%
WeldabilityFair45/100
Formability (cold)Fair38/100
CastabilityPoor25/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper alloy; use passivation, clear lacquer or plating instead of anodizing

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

Working with C63800-H03

Is C63800 easy to machine?

Rated about 30 % of free-cutting brass — gummy and abrasive; use sharp carbide, positive rake, moderate speed and generous coolant, and expect built-up edge in annealed temper.

Can C63800 be welded?

GTAW/GMAW and resistance welding are feasible with aluminum-bronze filler and oxide removal, but heat destroys the cold-worked strength, so joints are usually mechanical or soldered.

Can C63800 be formed, bent or molded?

Form in O60/O61 or ¼-hard; hard and spring tempers need bend radii of 2–5 t and preferably good-way (transverse) bends, with stress relief at ~230–290 °C after forming.

What surface finishes work on C63800?

Takes a bright gold-bronze polish and accepts tin, nickel or gold plating after alkaline/acid cleaning to strip the tenacious Al-Si oxide; anodizing is not applicable.

C63800 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
Al2.5 – 3.12.8
Si1.5 – 2.11.8
Co0.25 – 0.550.4
Sn≤ 0.2—
Zn≤ 0.8—
Fe≤ 0.2—
Mn≤ 0.1—
Pb≤ 0.05—
Cuincluding Ag; remainder≥ 95 (balance)—

C63800-H03 — frequently asked

What is C63800-H03 used for?

C63800-H03 is typically used for springs, fasteners and electrical/electronic spring contacts. In short: spring-temper aluminum bronze; beryllium-free spring alternative; low formability, high strength.

What is the yield strength of C63800-H03?

C63800-H03 has a typical yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 96% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is C63800-H03 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades). Rated about 30 % of free-cutting brass — gummy and abrasive; use sharp carbide, positive rake, moderate speed and generous coolant, and expect built-up edge in annealed temper.

Can C63800-H03 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). GTAW/GMAW and resistance welding are feasible with aluminum-bronze filler and oxide removal, but heat destroys the cold-worked strength, so joints are usually mechanical or soldered.

What surface finishes work on C63800-H03?

Takes a bright gold-bronze polish and accepts tin, nickel or gold plating after alkaline/acid cleaning to strip the tenacious Al-Si oxide; anodizing is not applicable.

Can C63800-H03 be formed, bent or molded?

Form in O60/O61 or ¼-hard; hard and spring tempers need bend radii of 2–5 t and preferably good-way (transverse) bends, with stress relief at ~230–290 °C after forming.

What is the maximum service temperature of C63800-H03?

C63800-H03 is rated for continuous use to about 215°C (419 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between C63800-H08 and C63800-O60?

H08 is the default condition — default stocked strip/wire temper: highest practical combination of spring properties, relaxation resistance and corrosion resistance. O60: softest supply condition for deep drawing or severe forming before final aging/work hardening. Yield strength is 855 MPa in H08 versus 260 MPa in O60.

Sources

  1. ASTM B105 — Hard-Drawn Copper Alloy Wires for Electric Conductors — ASTM International (2018)
  2. CDA Alloy Datasheet C63800 (UNS C63800) — Copper Development Association (2023)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
  5. Spring-metal strip alloy data (aluminum-silicon bronze 638) — Specialty copper strip 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.