Copper Alloy C70600-OS050
Temper · default condition
UNS C70600 · ASTM B111/B466 · EN CuNi10Fe1Mn, CW352H · GB BFe10-1-1
OS050 = annealed to 0.050 mm grain size
Standard stocked annealed condition for seawater tube, plate and sheet where maximum ductility and formability are needed.
Values for the OS050 condition
Other C70600 tempers and conditions
C70600 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C70600.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Fully soft annealed strip/tube for deep drawing, tube expanding into tubesheets and severe bending. | 110 | 300 | 42 | 60 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
OS050DefaultThis page Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size | Standard stocked annealed condition for seawater tube, plate and sheet where maximum ductility and formability are needed. | 120 | 310 | 40 | 65 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Hot-rolled plate condition for welded seawater piping, tubesheets and structural marine fabrications. | 140 | 315 | 35 | 70 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
Light drawn | Preferred condition for condenser and heat-exchanger tube needing higher pressure rating while still expandable into tubesheets. | 250 | 350 | 25 | 90 HB | 9.3 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Mild cold-worked strip/rod when moderate strength must be combined with continued bending and forming. | 290 | 360 | 20 | 100 HB | 9.3 % IACS |
Half hard | General-purpose cold-worked temper for pressure tube, fittings and machined parts requiring higher yield strength. | 380 | 415 | 10 | 125 HB | 9.2 % IACS |
Full hard | Hard temper strip/rod/tube for maximum strength in mildly formed or straight parts; expect springback and low ductility. | 440 | 470 | 6 | 145 HB | 9.1 % IACS |
Extra hard | Heavily cold-worked strip for flat springs, clips and wear surfaces where forming is minimal. | 480 | 510 | 4 | 160 HB | 9 % IACS |
Spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for springs, diaphragms and contacts in marine or brackish environments. | 515 | 545 | 3 | 170 HB | 9 % IACS |
What is C70600-OS050?
C70600-OS050 is C70600 in the OS050 temper — standard stocked annealed condition for seawater tube, plate and sheet where maximum ductility and formability are needed. C70600-OS050 has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 79% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi). C70600-OS050 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,100°C (2,012 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% 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
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 5.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C70600-OS050 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C70600-OS050; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C70600 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C70600-OS050 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,100°C (2,012 °F).
Mechanical13
C70600-OS050 has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 79% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi).
Thermal6
C70600-OS050 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 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C70600-OS050 conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, worse than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C70600-OS050 takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C70600-OS050's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades); weldability excellent (92/100); 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 C70600-OS050
Is C70600 easy to machine?
Gummy, work-hardening chip: use positive-rake sharp carbide, moderate speed (~60–90 m/min), heavy feed and generous coolant; rating only ~20 % of free-cutting brass.
Can C70600 be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/GMAW using CuNi 70/30 filler (ERCuNi/AWS A5.7); no preheat, keep interpass cool, avoid sulfur/carbon contamination and back-purge to prevent oxide entrapment.
Can C70600 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O60/OS050 — deep drawing, tube bending and tubesheet expansion are routine; anneal 700–850 °C then water quench between heavy reductions.
What surface finishes work on C70600?
Not anodizable; typically supplied clean/pickled and left to form its protective seawater film. Can be polished, tin- or nickel-plated; avoid pre-service exposure to sulfide-polluted water.
C70600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Niincludes Co | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Feessential for impingement resistance | 1 – 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Mn | 0 – 1 | 0.6 |
| Zn | ≤ 1 | — |
| Pb0.02 max for welded tube per some specs | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| C | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Cu86.5 % min including Ag | balance | — |
C70600-OS050 — frequently asked
What is C70600-OS050 used for?
C70600-OS050 is typically used for seawater piping systems, condenser and heat-exchanger tubes, shipbuilding hardware and offshore desalination equipment. In short: standard 90/10 marine cupronickel; strong biofouling resistance; highly weldable copper alloy.
What is the yield strength of C70600-OS050?
C70600-OS050 has a typical yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 79% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C70600-OS050 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades). Gummy, work-hardening chip: use positive-rake sharp carbide, moderate speed (~60–90 m/min), heavy feed and generous coolant; rating only ~20 % of free-cutting brass.
Can C70600-OS050 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent with GTAW/GMAW using CuNi 70/30 filler (ERCuNi/AWS A5.7); no preheat, keep interpass cool, avoid sulfur/carbon contamination and back-purge to prevent oxide entrapment.
What surface finishes work on C70600-OS050?
Not anodizable; typically supplied clean/pickled and left to form its protective seawater film. Can be polished, tin- or nickel-plated; avoid pre-service exposure to sulfide-polluted water.
Can C70600-OS050 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O60/OS050 — deep drawing, tube bending and tubesheet expansion are routine; anneal 700–850 °C then water quench between heavy reductions.
What is the maximum service temperature of C70600-OS050?
C70600-OS050 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 C70600-OS050 and C70600-H08?
OS050 is the default condition — standard stocked annealed condition for seawater tube, plate and sheet where maximum ductility and formability are needed. H08: maximum cold-worked strength for springs, diaphragms and contacts in marine or brackish environments. Yield strength is 120 MPa in OS050 versus 515 MPa in H08.
Sources
- ASTM B111/B111M — Copper and Copper-Alloy Seamless Condenser Tubes — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM B466/B466M — Seamless Copper-Nickel Pipe and Tube — ASTM (2020)
- EN 12449 / CW352H CuNi10Fe1Mn — CEN (2016)
- C70600 alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Guide to the Use of Copper-Nickel Alloys in Seawater Systems — Nickel Institute / CDA (2016)
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.