Copper Alloy C81400
UNS C81400 · EN CC140C, CuCr1-C
A cast copper-chromium alloy combining high electrical/thermal conductivity with elevated strength and hardness after heat treatment; chosen for cast components needing conductivity plus wear/strength beyond pure copper.
Reference datasheet — C81400 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 TF00 condition
C81400 tempers and conditions
C81400 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. TF00 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 sand cast | Untreated sand casting; pick when only conductivity and shape matter and strength is secondary. | 100 | 225 | 20 | 55 HB | 55 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Centrifugal cast rings/bushings in the as-cast state; denser and slightly stronger than sand cast. | 110 | 245 | 22 | 60 HB | 55 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Permanent-mold as-cast condition; finer grain and better surface than sand cast for repeat parts. | 110 | 240 | 20 | 60 HB | 55 % IACS |
Solution heat treated | Solution treated ~980–1000 °C and water quenched; softest, most machinable/formable state, aged afterwards to final properties. | 110 | 240 | 25 | 55 HB | 40 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar stock in the as-cast state, usually bought for subsequent heat treatment and machining. | 120 | 255 | 20 | 65 HB | 58 % IACS |
TF00Default Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Standard commercial condition: full strength/hardness with ~70% IACS conductivity — the state used for electrode holders, contact arms and conductive castings. | 250 | 350 | 11 | 110 HB | 70 % IACS |
What is C81400?
A cast copper-chromium alloy combining high electrical/thermal conductivity with elevated strength and hardness after heat treatment; chosen for cast components needing conductivity plus wear/strength beyond pure copper. C81400 has a density of 8.83 g/cm³ (0.319 lb/in³), heavier than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,075°C (1,967 °F). C81400 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 54% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C81400 used for?
- resistance welding electrode holders
- switchgear contact blocks
- high-strength conductive castings
- current-carrying structural parts
Advantages
- High service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 70 % IACS, better than 83% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 259 W/m·K (149.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of copper alloy grades
C81400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C81400-TF00; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C81400 has a density of 8.83 g/cm³ (0.319 lb/in³), heavier than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,075°C (1,967 °F).
Mechanical12
C81400 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 54% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C81400 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 259 W/m·K (149.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.6 µm/m·K (9.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C81400 conducts electricity at 70 % IACS, better than 83% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C81400 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C81400's machinability is good (55/100, better than 71% of copper alloy grades); weldability 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. C81400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C81400
Is C81400 easy to machine?
Gummy like most high-conductivity coppers (~20 % of AISI 1212); machine in the aged TF00 state with sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light feed and flood coolant; capture beryllium-bearing dust.
Can C81400 be welded?
GTAW/EBW possible with matching or CuSi filler under argon, but the heat-affected zone over-ages — re-solution treat and re-age structural joints; ensure fume extraction for Be.
Can C81400 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy: cast in sand, permanent mold, centrifugal or continuous processes with tight melt protection to avoid chromium oxidation loss; generous risering is needed for the copper-like solidification shrinkage.
C81400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Crprecipitation-hardening addition | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Begrain refiner / deoxidizer; requires beryllium dust controls | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.06 |
| CuCu + named elements 99.5 % min | balance |
What surface finishes work on C81400?
Not anodizable; use bright dip/pickle, mechanical polish, or silver, tin or nickel plating for contact surfaces and lacquer for tarnish control.
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 C81400 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CC140CCuCr1-C
- Trade names
- Alloy 70C
How much does C81400 cost?
C81400 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.
C81400 — frequently asked
What is C81400 used for?
C81400 is typically used for resistance welding electrode holders, switchgear contact blocks, high-strength conductive castings and current-carrying structural parts. In short: conductive cast Cu-Cr; 70 % IACS after aging; beryllium-bearing; control dust.
What is the yield strength of C81400?
C81400 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 54% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C81400 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 71% of copper alloy grades). Gummy like most high-conductivity coppers (~20 % of AISI 1212); machine in the aged TF00 state with sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light feed and flood coolant; capture beryllium-bearing dust.
Can C81400 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). GTAW/EBW possible with matching or CuSi filler under argon, but the heat-affected zone over-ages — re-solution treat and re-age structural joints; ensure fume extraction for Be.
What surface finishes work on C81400?
Not anodizable; use bright dip/pickle, mechanical polish, or silver, tin or nickel plating for contact surfaces and lacquer for tarnish control.
Can C81400 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy: cast in sand, permanent mold, centrifugal or continuous processes with tight melt protection to avoid chromium oxidation loss; generous risering is needed for the copper-like solidification shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of C81400?
C81400 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C81400-TF00 and C81400-M01?
TF00 is the default condition — standard commercial condition: full strength/hardness with ~70% IACS conductivity — the state used for electrode holders, contact arms and conductive castings. M01: untreated sand casting; pick when only conductivity and shape matter and strength is secondary. Yield strength is 250 MPa in TF00 versus 100 MPa in M01.
How much does C81400 cost?
C81400 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 B770 — Copper-Beryllium Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B824 — General Requirements for Copper Alloy Castings — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy Database — C81400 chromium copper casting alloy — 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.