Copper Alloy C83400
UNS C83400
C83400 is a low-lead cast red brass of about 90% Cu and 10% Zn, also called commercial red or 316 brass, poured as sand, permanent-mold and continuous castings.
Values for the As Cast condition
C83400 tempers and conditions
C83400 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. As Cast is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As CastDefault As Cast (M01/M02 sand or permanent-mold, as-cast condition) | Standard supply condition for ASTM B584 C83400 sand castings — electrical hardware and fittings needing conductivity plus corrosion resistance. | 69 | 234 | 35 | 50 HB | 32 % IACS |
Continuous Cast (ASTM B505/B505M, as-cast bar & tube) | Choose for machined bar and tube stock — directional solidification gives denser, slightly stronger and more uniform material than sand castings. | 83 | 241 | 30 | 55 HB | 32 % IACS |
What is C83400?
C83400 is a low-lead cast red brass of about 90% Cu and 10% Zn, also called commercial red or 316 brass, poured as sand, permanent-mold and continuous castings. It is chosen for electrical conductivity unusually high for a cast copper alloy (32% IACS, 159 W/m·K) together with good castability, brazeability and resistance to atmospheric and fresh-water corrosion, which suits conductive hardware and fittings. Strength and hardness are low (234 MPa tensile, 69 MPa yield, 50 HB, 35% elongation), the alloy cannot be heat treated, service is limited to about 200 °C, and the very low lead content makes it less machinable than leaded C83600. C83400 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,010°C (1,850 °F). C83400 has a yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) and a tensile strength of 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) — weaker than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 96.5 GPa (14 Msi).
What is C83400 used for?
- Electrical connectors and terminals
- Conductive brackets and clamps
- Screw machine hardware
- Plumbing and hardware fittings
- Fresh-water fittings
- Decorative cast components
- Grounding and busbar hardware
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 80% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 69 MPa (10 ksi), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 96.5 GPa (14 Msi), worse than 90% of copper alloy grades
C83400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C83400-As Cast; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C83400 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,010°C (1,850 °F).
Mechanical13
C83400 has a yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) and a tensile strength of 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) — weaker than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 96.5 GPa (14 Msi).
Thermal6
C83400 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 159 W/m·K (91.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 73% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C83400 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, better than 72% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C83400 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability7
C83400's machinability is good (58/100, better than 73% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); 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. C83400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C83400
Is C83400 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly but with stringier chips than leaded red brass (65% rating); use sharp positive-rake tools, generous coolant and light finishing cuts.
Can C83400 be welded?
Oxyacetylene and braze welding with copper-silicon or low-fuming bronze filler work best; arc welding is only fair due to zinc fuming and porosity.
Can C83400 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy — sand, permanent-mold and continuous casting all practical; good fluidity, moderate shrinkage, gate and riser generously for sound sections.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to C83400. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better58 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.5 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 220 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 6× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
C83400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuincludes Ag | 88 – 92 | 90 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| NiNi + Co | ≤ 1 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Zn | ≥ 8 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C83400?
Solders and brazes readily, takes bright buffing and decorative lacquer, and is easily nickel/chrome plated; no anodizing (copper base).
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).
Passivation
Plating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C83400 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Commercial Red Brass
How much does C83400 cost?
C83400 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), cheaper than about 58% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C83400 — frequently asked
What is C83400 used for?
C83400 is typically used for electrical connectors and terminals, conductive brackets and clamps, screw machine hardware, plumbing and hardware fittings, fresh-water fittings and decorative cast components. In short: hard-wearing architectural bronze.
What is the yield strength of C83400?
C83400 has a typical yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) and a tensile strength of 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) — weaker than 96% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is C83400 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 73% of copper alloy grades). Machines cleanly but with stringier chips than leaded red brass (65% rating); use sharp positive-rake tools, generous coolant and light finishing cuts.
Can C83400 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Oxyacetylene and braze welding with copper-silicon or low-fuming bronze filler work best; arc welding is only fair due to zinc fuming and porosity.
What surface finishes work on C83400?
Solders and brazes readily, takes bright buffing and decorative lacquer, and is easily nickel/chrome plated; no anodizing (copper base).
Can C83400 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy — sand, permanent-mold and continuous casting all practical; good fluidity, moderate shrinkage, gate and riser generously for sound sections.
What is the maximum service temperature of C83400?
C83400 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C83400 cost?
C83400 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), cheaper than about 58% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C83400?
Yes — C83400 is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B584 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM B505/B505M — Copper Alloy Continuous Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA Alloy Database — C83400 property sheet — Copper Development Association (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.