Copper Alloy C83800
UNS C83800
C83800 is a leaded semi-red brass casting alloy (Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb, ASTM B584 family) in which the lead addition buys free-machining behaviour and pressure tightness rather than high strength.
Reference datasheet — C83800 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
C83800 tempers and conditions
C83800 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M01Default As sand cast | Standard stocked condition for valve bodies, fittings and general pressure-tight sand castings per ASTM B584. | 110 | 241 | 25 | 55 HB | 15 % IACS |
As investment cast | For small, intricate near-net-shape pressure parts where sand-cast draft and machining allowance are unacceptable. | 110 | 241 | 22 | 55 HB | 15 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for rings, sleeves and bushings where centrifugal casting gives a denser, slightly stronger and cleaner wall (ASTM B271). | 117 | 255 | 22 | 60 HB | 15 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Choose for medium-volume small fittings needing tighter dimensions, finer grain and modestly higher strength than sand casting. | 124 | 262 | 18 | 62 HB | 15 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Standard for solid bar and hollow tube stock cut into machined hydraulic fittings; densest, most leak-tight and highest-yield form (ASTM B505). | 138 | 262 | 16 | 65 HB | 15 % IACS |
What is C83800?
C83800 is a leaded semi-red brass casting alloy (Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb, ASTM B584 family) in which the lead addition buys free-machining behaviour and pressure tightness rather than high strength. It is used for sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous cast fittings and housings that are machined in volume: 241 MPa tensile, 110 MPa yield, 25% elongation, 55 HB, 72 W/m·K, 15% IACS. Limits are modest strength, a 200 °C maximum service temperature, no fusion weldability, and lead restrictions in potable-water hardware; low-lead red brasses are the usual substitute. C83800 has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 843°C (1,549 °F). C83800 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
What is C83800 used for?
- Hydraulic fittings
- Valves
- Pump bodies
- Water meter housings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 90 GPa (13.1 Msi), worse than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 110 MPa (16 ksi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C83800 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C83800-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C83800 has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 843°C (1,549 °F).
Mechanical11
C83800 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
Thermal6
C83800 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
C83800 conducts electricity at 15 % IACS, worse than 54% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C83800 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
C83800's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 96% 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. C83800 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C83800
Is C83800 easy to machine?
Excellent free-machining behaviour (≈90 % of C36000) — use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools, light feeds and flood coolant; lead gives short chips and good bore finish, so it is ideal for high-volume screw-machine fittings.
Can C83800 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (lead causes hot cracking and porosity); join by soft soldering (excellent) or silver brazing with careful flux and low heat input.
Can C83800 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast alloy only — no cold forming; excellent castability and pressure tightness in sand, permanent-mold, centrifugal and continuous casting, with gating designed to feed the wide freezing range (843–1004 °C).
C83800 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 % | 82 – 83.8 | 83 |
| Sn | 3.3 – 4.2 | 3.8 |
| Pbfree-machining / pressure-tightness phase | 5 – 7 | 6 |
| Zn | 5 – 8 | 6.5 |
| Niincl. Co | ≤ 1 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 |
What surface finishes work on C83800?
Takes electroless/electrolytic Ni, Cr and decorative brass plating well and solders readily; polish to a medium lustre (lead smears at high buffing pressure), and use benzotriazole or lacquer to prevent tarnish.
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 C83800 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Alloy 4BHydraulic Bronze
How much does C83800 cost?
C83800 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.
C83800 — frequently asked
What is C83800 used for?
C83800 is typically used for hydraulic fittings, valves, pump bodies and water meter housings. In short: best-machining cast brass; pressure-tight castings; low-cost plumbing alloy.
What is the yield strength of C83800?
C83800 has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C83800 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-machining behaviour (≈90 % of C36000) — use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools, light feeds and flood coolant; lead gives short chips and good bore finish, so it is ideal for high-volume screw-machine fittings.
Can C83800 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (lead causes hot cracking and porosity); join by soft soldering (excellent) or silver brazing with careful flux and low heat input.
What surface finishes work on C83800?
Takes electroless/electrolytic Ni, Cr and decorative brass plating well and solders readily; polish to a medium lustre (lead smears at high buffing pressure), and use benzotriazole or lacquer to prevent tarnish.
Can C83800 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast alloy only — no cold forming; excellent castability and pressure tightness in sand, permanent-mold, centrifugal and continuous casting, with gating designed to feed the wide freezing range (843–1004 °C).
What is the maximum service temperature of C83800?
C83800 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 C83800-M01 and C83800-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for valve bodies, fittings and general pressure-tight sand castings per ASTM B584. M07: standard for solid bar and hollow tube stock cut into machined hydraulic fittings; densest, most leak-tight and highest-yield form (ASTM B505). Yield strength is 110 MPa in M01 versus 138 MPa in M07.
How much does C83800 cost?
C83800 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 B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- Copper Alloy C83800 alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2024)
- 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.