Copper Alloy C79600
UNS C79600
C79600 is a free-cutting leaded nickel silver rod alloy in the Cu-Ni-Zn family, supplied in O61, M30, OS035, H01, H02 and H04 conditions for screw-machine production.
Reference datasheet — C79600 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 H02 condition
C79600 tempers and conditions
C79600 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. H02 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick when maximum ductility for staking, riveting or secondary forming of machined parts is needed. | 165 | 400 | 32 | 105 HB | 9 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.035 mm grain size | Grain-size-controlled anneal ordered when consistent deep-drawing or coining response is required after machining. | 175 | 415 | 30 | 105 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Standard mill condition for large-diameter rod and shapes before any drawing; best straightness-to-cost for rough machining. | 210 | 450 | 25 | 125 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Choose when parts still need some bending or swaging after machining but better chip control than annealed. | 310 | 480 | 22 | 140 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | The default stocked rod condition — best balance of strength, straightness and free-cutting behaviour for screw-machine parts. | 400 | 550 | 15 | 160 HB | 8 % IACS |
Full hard | Use for small-diameter pins, shafts and springy parts where maximum strength and stiffness of the as-drawn bar matters. | 480 | 620 | 8 | 11 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
What is C79600?
C79600 is a free-cutting leaded nickel silver rod alloy in the Cu-Ni-Zn family, supplied in O61, M30, OS035, H01, H02 and H04 conditions for screw-machine production. It combines corrosion resistance and a bright silvery finish with a machinability rating near 70% of C36000; the default condition gives 400 MPa yield, 550 MPa tensile, 15% elongation, 160 HB, 85 HRB and 8% IACS electrical conductivity. Lead makes the alloy unsuitable for fusion welding and limits cold forming and hot shortness must be respected — use unleaded C77600 where welding or deep drawing is required. C79600 has a density of 8.52 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 875°C (1,607 °F). C79600 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C79600 used for?
- screw-machine rod stock
- valve components
- decorative hardware
- plumbing fittings
Advantages
- High strength — 400 MPa (58 ksi), better than 80% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 8 % IACS, worse than 81% of copper alloy grades
C79600 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C79600-H02; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C79600 has a density of 8.52 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 875°C (1,607 °F).
Mechanical12
C79600 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C79600 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C79600 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, worse than 81% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C79600 takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C79600's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. C79600 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C79600
Is C79600 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour — lead breaks chips; run at brass-type speeds with sharp positive-rake tools and light oil; rating ≈70 % of C36000.
Can C79600 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (lead causes hot shortness); join by soft soldering, low-temperature silver brazing or mechanical means.
Can C79600 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrude/forge at ~700–800 °C; cold forming limited by the beta phase and lead — keep bends generous and anneal between heavy operations.
C79600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 43 – 46 | 44.5 |
| Niincludes Co | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 0.8 – 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Znremainder, nominally ~44% | balance |
What surface finishes work on C79600?
Polishes to a bright silver-white lustre; readily nickel-, chrome- or silver-plated, and often lacquered to prevent tarnish. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners (SCC risk).
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).
How much does C79600 cost?
C79600 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.
C79600 — frequently asked
What is C79600 used for?
C79600 is typically used for screw-machine rod stock, valve components, decorative hardware and plumbing fittings. In short: free-cutting nickel silver rod; 70% of C36000 machinability; bright finish, low conductivity.
What is the yield strength of C79600?
C79600 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 80% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C79600 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour — lead breaks chips; run at brass-type speeds with sharp positive-rake tools and light oil; rating ≈70 % of C36000.
Can C79600 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (lead causes hot shortness); join by soft soldering, low-temperature silver brazing or mechanical means.
What surface finishes work on C79600?
Polishes to a bright silver-white lustre; readily nickel-, chrome- or silver-plated, and often lacquered to prevent tarnish. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners (SCC risk).
Can C79600 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrude/forge at ~700–800 °C; cold forming limited by the beta phase and lead — keep bends generous and anneal between heavy operations.
What is the maximum service temperature of C79600?
C79600 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 C79600-H02 and C79600-O61?
H02 is the default condition — the default stocked rod condition — best balance of strength, straightness and free-cutting behaviour for screw-machine parts. O61: pick when maximum ductility for staking, riveting or secondary forming of machined parts is needed. Yield strength is 400 MPa in H02 versus 165 MPa in O61.
How much does C79600 cost?
C79600 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
- ASTM B151/B151M — Copper-Nickel-Zinc (Nickel Silver) Rod and Bar — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy Database — C79600 leaded nickel silver — 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.