Copper Alloy C81500-F (As fabricated)
Temper
UNS C81500
Pick when only moderate strength is needed and the part will be heat treated later or used soft.
Values for the F condition
Other C81500 tempers and conditions
C81500 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at C81500.
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 |
FThis page 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-F?
C81500-F is C81500 in the F temper — pick when only moderate strength is needed and the part will be heat treated later or used soft. C81500-F has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C81500-F 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). TF00 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 230 W/m·K (132.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 55 % IACS, better than 80% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 110 MPa (16 ksi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C81500-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for C81500-F; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C81500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C81500-F 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-F has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C81500-F is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 230 W/m·K (132.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C81500-F conducts electricity at 55 % IACS, better than 80% 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-F 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-F's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C81500-F
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).
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.
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) | — |
C81500-F — frequently asked
What is C81500-F used for?
C81500-F 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-F?
C81500-F has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is C81500-F easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% 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-F 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-F?
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-F 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-F?
C81500-F is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.