FabDigit

Copper Alloy C65500-H04

Supply condition

UNS C65500 · ASTM B98, B96 · EN CuSi3Mn, CW116C

H04 = full hard

Choose for maximum strength in rod, wire and fasteners where little further forming is required.

CNC machiningSheet metalSpecialty cost $$$$$

Values for the H04 condition

Other C65500 tempers and conditions

C65500 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at C65500.

Compare all 10 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Soft annealed
Fully softened, coarse-grain C65500 with the lowest strength and highest ductility of the annealed tempers, intended for severe cold forming and deep drawing.1503956276 HB7 % IACS
ODefault
Annealed
Most stocked condition for deep drawing, spinning, severe bending and welded fabrication.1654006078 HB7 % IACS
Light annealed
Fine-grain (≈0.025 mm) light anneal of C65500 that restores most ductility while keeping strength and hardness slightly above the fully soft state.1704155585 HB7 % IACS
As hot forged and air cooled
Hot-forged C65500 silicon bronze cooled in air, giving a recrystallised structure with moderate strength, good ductility and excellent weldability.1754153595 HB7 % IACS
As hot rolled
Pick for large extruded sections, forging stock and weld-fabricated parts where no temper control is needed.1904205090 HB7 % IACS
Quarter hard
Light cold work when moderate strength must be combined with continued bending/forming.27547035120 HB6.9 % IACS
Half hard
General-purpose strength/ductility compromise for bolts, screws, marine shafting and machined parts.34554022150 HB7 % IACS
H04This page
Full hard
Choose for maximum strength in rod, wire and fasteners where little further forming is required.45066013185 HB7 % IACS
Extra hard
Heavily drawn wire and strip for springy clips and high-strength small sections.550740819 HRC6.8 % IACS
Spring hard
Spring temper wire for marine springs, meshes and fasteners needing high elastic limit.650830521 HRC6.7 % IACS

What is C65500-H04?

C65500-H04 is C65500 supplied in the H04 condition — choose for maximum strength in rod, wire and fasteners where little further forming is required. C65500-H04 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi). C65500-H04 has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 971°C (1,780 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H04 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Readily welded — 92/100, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
  • High strength — 450 MPa (65.3 ksi), better than 86% of copper alloy grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 84% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 7 % IACS, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades

C65500-H04 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C65500-H04; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C65500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

C65500-H04 has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 971°C (1,780 °F).

Density8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)971°C1,780 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,019°C1,866 °F

Mechanical13

C65500-H04 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus103 GPa14.9 Msi
Shear Modulus38.6 GPa5.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus115 GPa16.7 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)660 MPa95.7 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)450 MPa65.3 ksi
Elongation at Break13%
Reduction in Area55%
Shear Strength380 MPa55.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)220 MPa31.9 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)80 J59 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell185 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B92 HRB

Thermal6

C65500-H04 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °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 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion210 J/g90.3 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

C65500-H04 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 Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 84% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.27 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good72/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in seawater, brines, most non-oxidizing acids, alkalis and organics; resists dezincification and is largely immune to stress-corrosion cracking in ammonia compared with brasses. Attacked by oxidizing acids (nitric), ferric/mercury salts, moist ammonia at high concentration and sulphur-bearing media.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C65500-H04 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability8

C65500-H04's machinability is fair (36/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability fair (45/100).

MachinabilityFair36/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)30%
WeldabilityExcellent92/100
Formability (cold)Fair45/100
CastabilityGood55/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent85/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper alloy; use chemical/statuary patina, clear lacquer or electroplating instead

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

Working with C65500-H04

Is C65500 easy to machine?

Rated only ~30 % of free-cutting brass — gummy and work-hardening; use sharp positive-rake tools, rigid setups, moderate speed with generous coolant and avoid dwell.

Can C65500 be welded?

One of the best-welding copper alloys: GTAW/GMAW with ERCuSi-A filler, no preheat on thin sections, keep interpass low and avoid overheating to limit Si oxide film; brazing and silver soldering also good, resistance welding fair.

Can C65500 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in O temper (deep draw, spin, roll thread, cold head); hot work 700–875 °C only, since Si narrows the hot ductility window; anneal 480–700 °C and quench or air cool.

What surface finishes work on C65500?

Takes a bright mechanical polish and accepts statuary/brown chemical patinas, oxidizing dips and clear lacquer; electroplates (Ni, Cr) readily after activation — anodizing is not applicable.

C65500 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
Si2.8 – 3.83.1
Mn0.5 – 1.30.9
Fe≤ 0.8
Zn≤ 1.5
NiNi + Co, max≤ 0.6
Sn≤ 0.6
Pb≤ 0.05
Curemainder, 94.8 % min incl. Ag≥ 94.8 (balance)

C65500-H04 — frequently asked

What is C65500-H04 used for?

C65500-H04 is typically used for silicon bronze fasteners and bolts, propeller shafts, chemical process vessels, anchor chain, underwater structural hardware and welding filler rod. In short: heavy marine structural bronze.

What is the yield strength of C65500-H04?

C65500-H04 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.

Is C65500-H04 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades). Rated only ~30 % of free-cutting brass — gummy and work-hardening; use sharp positive-rake tools, rigid setups, moderate speed with generous coolant and avoid dwell.

Can C65500-H04 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). One of the best-welding copper alloys: GTAW/GMAW with ERCuSi-A filler, no preheat on thin sections, keep interpass low and avoid overheating to limit Si oxide film; brazing and silver soldering also good, resistance welding fair.

What surface finishes work on C65500-H04?

Takes a bright mechanical polish and accepts statuary/brown chemical patinas, oxidizing dips and clear lacquer; electroplates (Ni, Cr) readily after activation — anodizing is not applicable.

Can C65500-H04 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in O temper (deep draw, spin, roll thread, cold head); hot work 700–875 °C only, since Si narrows the hot ductility window; anneal 480–700 °C and quench or air cool.

What is the maximum service temperature of C65500-H04?

C65500-H04 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between C65500-O and C65500-H08?

O is the default condition — most stocked condition for deep drawing, spinning, severe bending and welded fabrication. H08: spring temper wire for marine springs, meshes and fasteners needing high elastic limit. Yield strength is 165 MPa in O versus 650 MPa in H08.

Can FabDigit make parts in C65500-H04?

Yes — C65500-H04 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. ASTM B98/B98M Copper-Silicon Alloy Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
  2. ASTM B96/B96M Copper-Silicon Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip and Bar — ASTM International (2016)
  3. EN 12163/12167 CuSi3Mn (CW116C) — CEN (2016)
  4. C65500 alloy datasheet (properties, tempers, machinability) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2024)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  6. ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
  7. GB/T 5231 / GB/T 13808 QSi3-1 — (SAC) (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.