Copper Alloy C72950
UNS C72950
C72950 (Toughmet 3) is a higher-nickel spinodal copper-nickel-tin alloy, the strongest grade in the C70000–C79999 family at 720 MPa yield, 830 MPa tensile and 300 HB (32 HRC) with 12% elongation.
Reference datasheet — C72950 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the AT110 condition
C72950 tempers and conditions
C72950 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. AT110 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated | Soft supersaturated condition for forming, deep drawing or machining before the customer performs spinodal ageing. | 320 | 550 | 35 | 175 HB | 5 % IACS |
AT110Default Solution treated, cold worked and spinodally age hardened, 110 ksi min… | The standard stocked rod/bar condition — best balance of 760+ MPa strength, ductility and machinability for bearings and bushings. | 720 | 830 | 12 | 32 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Spinodally age hardened, 120 ksi min UTS | Higher-strength aged rod/bar for heavily loaded bushings and downhole components where a little ductility can be traded away. | 800 | 900 | 9 | 34 HRC | 9 % IACS |
Mill hardened strip/wire, 160 ksi UTS class | Highest-strength cold-rolled plus aged strip and wire for springs, contacts and connectors; very limited formability. | 1,080 | 1,150 | 3 | 40 HRC | 9 % IACS |
What is C72950?
C72950 (Toughmet 3) is a higher-nickel spinodal copper-nickel-tin alloy, the strongest grade in the C70000–C79999 family at 720 MPa yield, 830 MPa tensile and 300 HB (32 HRC) with 12% elongation. It is used as a beryllium-copper substitute for high-load bearings, bushings and connectors, supplied as bar and rod in the TX00 solution-treated condition and the aged AT110, AT120 and TS160 tempers. Conductivity is low at 8% IACS with 32 W/m·K thermal conductivity, service is limited to 260 °C, and aged material cannot be cold formed or fusion welded. C72650 gives more conductivity and forming latitude at lower strength. C72950 has a density of 8.86 g/cm³ (0.32 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,040°C (1,904 °F). C72950 has a yield strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 97% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
What is C72950 used for?
- heavy-duty bearings
- bushings
- connectors
- landing gear components
Advantages
- High strength — 720 MPa (104 ksi), better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Stiff — 138 GPa (20 Msi), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 32 W/m·K (18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 4.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 84% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 8 % IACS, worse than 81% of copper alloy grades
C72950 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C72950-AT110; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C72950 has a density of 8.86 g/cm³ (0.32 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,040°C (1,904 °F).
Mechanical16
C72950 has a yield strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 97% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
Thermal6
C72950 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 32 W/m·K (18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C72950 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, worse than 81% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C72950 takes about 68 MJ of energy and emits 4.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability6
C72950's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the copper alloy family
Yield strength against density for every copper alloy grade FabDigit runs. C72950 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C72950
Is C72950 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with short chips in the aged AT tempers — use sharp carbide, moderate speed (~120–180 m/min) and positive rake; avoid machining the gummy TX00 solution-treated state.
Can C72950 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended for load-bearing joints — the HAZ over-ages and loses strength; use mechanical fastening, shrink fits or brazing with re-ageing if unavoidable.
Can C72950 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend or draw only in the TX00 solution-treated temper and age afterwards; aged AT/TS tempers tolerate little cold bending.
C72950 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nispinodal-forming solute | 14.5 – 15.5 | 15 |
| Sn | 7.5 – 8.5 | 8 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Nbgrain-refining addition, when present | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Cubalance, ~76 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C72950?
Polishes to a bright bronze finish and accepts electroless nickel, silver or tin plating; no anodizing (copper alloy) — light oxidation gives a natural protective film.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on copper alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C72950 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Toughmet 3
How much does C72950 cost?
C72950 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C72950 — frequently asked
What is C72950 used for?
C72950 is typically used for heavy-duty bearings, bushings, connectors and landing gear components. In short: strongest spinodal copper-nickel; beryllium-copper replacement; high-load bearing bronze.
What is the yield strength of C72950?
C72950 has a typical yield strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 97% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C72950 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades). Machines cleanly with short chips in the aged AT tempers — use sharp carbide, moderate speed (~120–180 m/min) and positive rake; avoid machining the gummy TX00 solution-treated state.
Can C72950 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is not recommended for load-bearing joints — the HAZ over-ages and loses strength; use mechanical fastening, shrink fits or brazing with re-ageing if unavoidable.
What surface finishes work on C72950?
Polishes to a bright bronze finish and accepts electroless nickel, silver or tin plating; no anodizing (copper alloy) — light oxidation gives a natural protective film.
Can C72950 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend or draw only in the TX00 solution-treated temper and age afterwards; aged AT/TS tempers tolerate little cold bending.
What is the maximum service temperature of C72950?
C72950 is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C72950-AT110 and C72950-TX00?
AT110 is the default condition — the standard stocked rod/bar condition — best balance of 760+ MPa strength, ductility and machinability for bearings and bushings. TX00: soft supersaturated condition for forming, deep drawing or machining before the customer performs spinodal ageing. Yield strength is 720 MPa in AT110 versus 320 MPa in TX00.
How much does C72950 cost?
C72950 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ToughMet 3 AT / TS Alloy Data Sheets — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2022)
- ASTM B929 — Standard Specification for Wrought Copper-Nickel-Tin Spinodal Alloy Rod, Bar and Wire — ASTM International (2021)
- CDA Alloy Database — C72900/C72950 Cu-Ni-Sn spinodal alloys — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.