Copper Alloy C80500
UNS C80500 · ASTM B369
C80500 is a cast copper grade to ASTM B369 that balances high conductivity against practical foundry behaviour.
Reference datasheet — C80500 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 M01 condition
C80500 tempers and conditions
C80500 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. M01 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As chill cast | For thin-walled, fine-detail conductive parts where surface finish matters more than strength. | 60 | 175 | 40 | 43 HB | 92 % IACS |
M01Default As sand cast | Standard stocked condition for general electrical/thermal copper castings of moderate size and complexity. | 62 | 180 | 40 | 44 HB | 92 % IACS |
As investment cast | Complex near-net-shape conductive parts (contact fingers, clamps) with minimal machining. | 65 | 180 | 38 | 45 HB | 92 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Choose for rings, bushings and hollow conductor bodies needing denser, more gas-free structure than sand casting. | 70 | 195 | 40 | 48 HB | 92 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Medium-volume runs of switchgear contacts and terminals where finer grain and tighter tolerance are wanted. | 70 | 195 | 40 | 48 HB | 92 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Bar and tube stock for machined conductive components; densest and most uniform structure of the cast conditions. | 78 | 210 | 35 | 50 HB | 92 % IACS |
What is C80500?
C80500 is a cast copper grade to ASTM B369 that balances high conductivity against practical foundry behaviour. It offers 92% IACS and 355 W/m·K with 62 MPa yield, 180 MPa tensile, 40% elongation and 44 HB, making it a general-purpose choice for conductive hardware and heat-transfer castings up to about 200 °C. Strength is low, so loaded joints need generous section or mechanical backing, and shrinkage of about 4% plus gas solubility demand deoxidation and heavy risering. Choose C80300 when maximum 100% IACS conductivity is required. C80500 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F). C80500 has a yield strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 99% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C80500 used for?
- General conductive copper castings
- Electrical hardware and terminal castings
- Switchgear clamps and connectors
- Heat-transfer castings
- Cooling jackets
- Grounding and bonding hardware
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 355 W/m·K (205.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 92 % IACS, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 60/100, better than 76% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 62 MPa (8.99 ksi), worse than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
C80500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C80500-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C80500 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).
Mechanical13
C80500 has a yield strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 99% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C80500 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 355 W/m·K (205.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C80500 conducts electricity at 92 % IACS, better than 89% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C80500 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C80500's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. C80500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C80500
Is C80500 easy to machine?
Gummy and long-chipping — use sharp, high-rake, polished-flute tools, high speed with light feed and copious flood coolant; rating ≈20% of free-cutting brass.
Can C80500 be welded?
Good with GTAW/GMAW using ERCu filler and preheat 200–400 °C on heavy sections; keep interpass short and avoid hydrogen pickup — brazing and soldering are excellent.
Can C80500 be formed, bent or molded?
Melt under charcoal/inert cover, deoxidize and pour hot with generous risers and chills — copper's high shrinkage (~4%) and gas solubility cause porosity if degassing is skipped.
C80500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bboron added as deoxidizer | 0.02 – 0.04 | 0.03 |
| CuCu including Ag, minimum | ≥ 99.75 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C80500?
Not anodizable; buff/polish easily, electroplate Ni, Sn or Ag for contact surfaces, or apply lacquer/chemical patina to control oxidation.
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 C80500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B369
How much does C80500 cost?
C80500 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.
C80500 — frequently asked
What is C80500 used for?
C80500 is typically used for general conductive copper castings, electrical hardware and terminal castings, switchgear clamps and connectors, heat-transfer castings, cooling jackets and grounding and bonding hardware. In short: general-purpose cast copper; 92% IACS conductivity; excellent brazing and soldering.
What is the yield strength of C80500?
C80500 has a typical yield strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 99% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C80500 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and long-chipping — use sharp, high-rake, polished-flute tools, high speed with light feed and copious flood coolant; rating ≈20% of free-cutting brass.
Can C80500 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Good with GTAW/GMAW using ERCu filler and preheat 200–400 °C on heavy sections; keep interpass short and avoid hydrogen pickup — brazing and soldering are excellent.
What surface finishes work on C80500?
Not anodizable; buff/polish easily, electroplate Ni, Sn or Ag for contact surfaces, or apply lacquer/chemical patina to control oxidation.
Can C80500 be formed, bent or molded?
Melt under charcoal/inert cover, deoxidize and pour hot with generous risers and chills — copper's high shrinkage (~4%) and gas solubility cause porosity if degassing is skipped.
What is the maximum service temperature of C80500?
C80500 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 C80500-M01 and C80500-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for general electrical/thermal copper castings of moderate size and complexity. M07: bar and tube stock for machined conductive components; densest and most uniform structure of the cast conditions. Yield strength is 62 MPa in M01 versus 78 MPa in M07.
How much does C80500 cost?
C80500 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 B824 — Standard Specification for General Requirements for Copper Alloy Castings — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM B369 — Copper-Nickel Alloy Castings (referenced alias) — ASTM International (2020)
- CDA Cast Copper Alloy Data — C80500 — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.