Copper Alloy C83600
UNS C83600 · AISI/SAE 40
C83600 is the classic 85-5-5-5 leaded red brass casting alloy, covered by ASTM B584 and SAE 40, and the most common general-purpose valve and fitting casting alloy in North America.
Reference datasheet — C83600 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
C83600 tempers and conditions
C83600 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. M01 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As investment cast | For intricate near-net valve internals and hardware where dimensional accuracy beats maximum strength. | 110 | 241 | 25 | 58 HB | 15 % IACS |
M01Default As sand cast | Default condition: general-purpose sand-cast valve bodies, fittings and pump parts to ASTM B584. | 117 | 255 | 30 | 60 HB | 15 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Choose for rings, bushings, sleeves and flange blanks where a dense, sound-walled hollow shape is needed. | 124 | 262 | 28 | 62 HB | 15 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Higher-volume small fittings; faster chilling gives finer grain and slightly higher strength than sand cast. | 138 | 269 | 25 | 65 HB | 15 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast solid or hollow bar for machined bushings, glands and screw-machine parts — highest soundness, lowest porosity. | 138 | 248 | 20 | 62 HB | 15 % IACS |
What is C83600?
C83600 is the classic 85-5-5-5 leaded red brass casting alloy, covered by ASTM B584 and SAE 40, and the most common general-purpose valve and fitting casting alloy in North America. Typical as-cast properties are 255 MPa tensile, 117 MPa yield, 30 % elongation, 60 HB, 72 W/m·K thermal conductivity, 15 % IACS and a machinability rating of 84. The lead phase makes it effectively unweldable, and service is limited to about 200 °C. Where lead-free potable-water castings are required, C87500 silicon brass is the usual replacement. C83600 has a density of 8.83 g/cm³ (0.319 lb/in³), heavier than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F). C83600 has a yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 83 GPa (12 Msi).
What is C83600 used for?
- water valves
- pump bodies
- plumbing fittings
- meter housings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 84/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 83 GPa (12 Msi), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 117 MPa (17 ksi), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades
C83600 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C83600-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C83600 has a density of 8.83 g/cm³ (0.319 lb/in³), heavier than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F).
Mechanical12
C83600 has a yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 83 GPa (12 Msi).
Thermal6
C83600 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 72 W/m·K (41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 52% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C83600 conducts electricity at 15 % IACS, worse than 54% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C83600 takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 89% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
C83600's machinability is very good (84/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100).
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. C83600 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C83600
Is C83600 easy to machine?
Free-cutting thanks to the lead phase (~84 % of C36000): use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feed, and expect short chips and excellent thread/bore finish.
Can C83600 be welded?
Not weldable in practice — lead causes hot cracking and porosity; join by soldering (excellent), silver brazing (good) or mechanical/threaded joints, and repair defects with braze filler rather than arc welding.
Can C83600 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting-only alloy with excellent fluidity and pressure tightness in green sand, no-bake, permanent mould, investment and continuous casting; use generous risers to avoid interdendritic shrinkage in heavy sections.
C83600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.3 % | 84 – 86 | 85 |
| Sn | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Pbfree-machining phase; excludes potable-water use under low-lead rules | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Niincl. Co | ≤ 1 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Zn | ≥ 4 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C83600?
Takes bright nickel/chrome and tin plating well after thorough degreasing and Pb-smear removal; can be buffed, chemically or thermally patinated, and is usually lacquered or benzotriazole-passivated rather than anodized.
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 C83600 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- 40
- Also called
- Alloy 4AOunce Metal
- Other
- CC491K
- Similar grades
- B584
How much does C83600 cost?
C83600 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.
C83600 — frequently asked
What is C83600 used for?
C83600 is typically used for water valves, pump bodies, plumbing fittings and meter housings. In short: industry-standard red brass; 85-5-5-5 valve alloy; excellent pressure tightness.
What is the yield strength of C83600?
C83600 has a typical yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C83600 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (84/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades). Free-cutting thanks to the lead phase (~84 % of C36000): use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feed, and expect short chips and excellent thread/bore finish.
Can C83600 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not weldable in practice — lead causes hot cracking and porosity; join by soldering (excellent), silver brazing (good) or mechanical/threaded joints, and repair defects with braze filler rather than arc welding.
What surface finishes work on C83600?
Takes bright nickel/chrome and tin plating well after thorough degreasing and Pb-smear removal; can be buffed, chemically or thermally patinated, and is usually lacquered or benzotriazole-passivated rather than anodized.
Can C83600 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting-only alloy with excellent fluidity and pressure tightness in green sand, no-bake, permanent mould, investment and continuous casting; use generous risers to avoid interdendritic shrinkage in heavy sections.
What is the maximum service temperature of C83600?
C83600 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 C83600-M01 and C83600-M05?
M01 is the default condition — default condition: general-purpose sand-cast valve bodies, fittings and pump parts to ASTM B584. M05: higher-volume small fittings; faster chilling gives finer grain and slightly higher strength than sand cast. Yield strength is 117 MPa in M01 versus 138 MPa in M05.
How much does C83600 cost?
C83600 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 B584 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM B505/B505M — Copper Alloy Continuous Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B271 — Copper-Base Alloy Centrifugal Castings — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B763 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for Valve Applications / B763 investment castings — ASTM International (2020)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C83600 (copper.org) — Copper Development Association (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Copper and Copper Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 1176 — (ZCuSn5Pb5Zn5) — SAC (2013)
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.