Copper Alloy C72950-TS160
Temper
UNS C72950
TS160 = 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.
Values for the TS160 condition
Other C72950 tempers and conditions
C72950 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at C72950.
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 |
TS160This page 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-TS160?
C72950-TS160 is C72950 in the TS160 temper — highest-strength cold-rolled plus aged strip and wire for springs, contacts and connectors; very limited formability. C72950-TS160 has a yield strength of 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) — stronger than 100% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi). C72950-TS160 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). AT110 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; TS160 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,080 MPa (157 ksi), better than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Stiff — 138 GPa (20 Msi), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 4.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 84% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 9 % IACS, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
C72950-TS160 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C72950-TS160; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C72950 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C72950-TS160 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-TS160 has a yield strength of 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) — stronger than 100% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
Thermal6
C72950-TS160 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C72950-TS160 conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, worse than 78% 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-TS160 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-TS160's machinability is good (55/100, better than 71% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C72950-TS160
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.
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.
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 | — |
C72950-TS160 — frequently asked
What is C72950-TS160 used for?
C72950-TS160 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-TS160?
C72950-TS160 has a typical yield strength of 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) — stronger than 100% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C72950-TS160 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 71% 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-TS160 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-TS160?
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-TS160 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-TS160?
C72950-TS160 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.