Copper Alloy C81500
UNS C81500
C81500 is a cast chromium-copper (high-copper C80000–C82999 family) that age-hardens through fine chromium precipitates, supplied in F, TB00 (solution treated) and TF00 (aged) conditions.
Reference datasheet — C81500 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
C81500 tempers and conditions
C81500 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. TF00 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated | Soft, supersaturated condition supplied for straightening, machining or subsequent ageing. | 95 | 240 | 30 | 48 HB | 42 % IACS |
As fabricated | Pick when only moderate strength is needed and the part will be heat treated later or used soft. | 110 | 250 | 25 | 55 HB | 55 % IACS |
TF00Default Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Standard commercial condition: best combination of strength, hardness and ~80 % IACS conductivity. | 275 | 350 | 17 | 105 HB | 82 % IACS |
What is C81500?
C81500 is a cast chromium-copper (high-copper C80000–C82999 family) that age-hardens through fine chromium precipitates, supplied in F, TB00 (solution treated) and TF00 (aged) conditions. In the aged state it reaches 275 MPa yield, 350 MPa tensile, 17 % elongation and 105 HB (62 HRB) while keeping 82 % IACS electrical and 315 W/m·K thermal conductivity, which suits current-carrying and heat-sinking castings usable to about 350 °C. Machinability is low (30) and weldability limited (35) because the heat-affected zone loses age hardening; C18200 wrought chromium copper is the nearest alternative when bar or plate is preferred. C81500 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,075°C (1,967 °F). C81500 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C81500 used for?
- resistance welding electrodes
- switchgear parts
- high-conductivity structural castings
- molds
Advantages
- High service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 82 % IACS, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 315 W/m·K (182 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
C81500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C81500-TF00; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C81500 has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,075°C (1,967 °F).
Mechanical11
C81500 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C81500 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 315 W/m·K (182 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C81500 conducts electricity at 82 % IACS, better than 85% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C81500 takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
C81500's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. C81500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C81500
Is C81500 easy to machine?
Gummy and low-rated (≈20 % of AISI 1212); machine in the aged TF00 condition with sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light feed and flood coolant.
Can C81500 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with matching or Cu-Si filler is workable but Cr oxide film must be removed and the HAZ loses age hardening — re-age after welding; oxyfuel and brazing above ~700 °C are not recommended.
Can C81500 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand, permanent-mould or continuous casting; melt under cover/inert protection to limit Cr oxidation and dross, feed generously (long freezing range, high conductivity chills fast).
C81500 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 | 0.4 – 1.5 | 0.9 |
| Siimpurity limit; lowers conductivity | ≤ 0.15 | |
| CuCu + named elements 99.5 min; tramp elements (Pb, Fe, S, P) must be kept very low to preserve conductivity | ≥ 98 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C81500?
Not anodisable; use mechanical polishing, Ni or Ag electroplating for contact surfaces, or chemical blackening; alkaline cleaning before plating to remove Cr-rich oxide.
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 C81500 cost?
C81500 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.
C81500 — frequently asked
What is C81500 used for?
C81500 is typically used for resistance welding electrodes, switchgear parts, high-conductivity structural castings and molds. In short: highest-conductivity cast high-copper; age-hardening cast copper; structural strength at 82 % IACS.
What is the yield strength of C81500?
C81500 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is C81500 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and low-rated (≈20 % of AISI 1212); machine in the aged TF00 condition with sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light feed and flood coolant.
Can C81500 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). GTAW/GMAW with matching or Cu-Si filler is workable but Cr oxide film must be removed and the HAZ loses age hardening — re-age after welding; oxyfuel and brazing above ~700 °C are not recommended.
What surface finishes work on C81500?
Not anodisable; use mechanical polishing, Ni or Ag electroplating for contact surfaces, or chemical blackening; alkaline cleaning before plating to remove Cr-rich oxide.
Can C81500 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand, permanent-mould or continuous casting; melt under cover/inert protection to limit Cr oxidation and dross, feed generously (long freezing range, high conductivity chills fast).
What is the maximum service temperature of C81500?
C81500 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 C81500-TF00 and C81500-TB00?
TF00 is the default condition — standard commercial condition: best combination of strength, hardness and ~80 % IACS conductivity. TB00: soft, supersaturated condition supplied for straightening, machining or subsequent ageing. Yield strength is 275 MPa in TF00 versus 95 MPa in TB00.
How much does C81500 cost?
C81500 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 B505/B505M — Copper Alloy Continuous Castings — ASTM (2018)
- ASTM B824 — General Requirements for Copper Alloy Castings — ASTM (2021)
- CDA Alloy C81500 datasheet (copper.org) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion of Copper and Copper Alloys — 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.