Copper Alloy C84100
UNS C84100
C84100 is a semi-red brass casting alloy in the C83000–C89999 family, a variant of C84000 with a slightly different copper–zinc balance and roughly 5 % lead for free machining.
Reference datasheet — C84100 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
C84100 tempers and conditions
C84100 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. M01 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M01Default As sand cast | Standard as-cast sand foundry condition for valve bodies, fittings and general plumbing hardware. | 90 | 207 | 26 | 52 HB | 16.5 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Permanent-mold production of repeat plumbing hardware where tighter tolerances and slightly higher strength than sand casting are wanted. | 97 | 221 | 24 | 55 HB | 16.5 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Choose for rings, bushings and hollow sections where denser, finer-grained metal and higher soundness are needed. | 100 | 228 | 28 | 55 HB | 16.5 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar and tube stock for screw-machined fittings and bushings; best soundness and most uniform machining. | 110 | 234 | 25 | 58 HB | 16.5 % IACS |
What is C84100?
C84100 is a semi-red brass casting alloy in the C83000–C89999 family, a variant of C84000 with a slightly different copper–zinc balance and roughly 5 % lead for free machining. It is used for sand, permanent-mould and continuous-cast plumbing fittings, valve bodies and hardware, with typical as-cast values of 207 MPa tensile, 90 MPa yield, 26 % elongation, 52 HB and 16.5 % IACS conductivity. Strength is slightly below C84000, lead rules out fusion welding, and service is limited to about 200 °C. C83600 is the usual choice when higher strength is needed. C84100 has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 855°C (1,571 °F). C84100 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
What is C84100 used for?
- plumbing fittings
- hardware castings
- valve bodies
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% 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
- Low strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
C84100 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C84100-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C84100 has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 855°C (1,571 °F).
Mechanical12
C84100 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
Thermal6
C84100 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 20.7 µm/m·K (11.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C84100 conducts electricity at 16.5 % IACS, worse than 51% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (57/100), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C84100 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
C84100's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. C84100 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C84100
Is C84100 easy to machine?
Free-machining thanks to ~5% Pb; use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speeds, light feeds and flood coolant — rating ≈80% of AISI 1212.
Can C84100 be welded?
Fusion welding is poor (lead causes hot cracking); join by soft soldering or silver brazing with flux, and avoid overheating that volatilizes zinc.
Can C84100 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — excellent sand/permanent-mold/continuous-cast behaviour with good pressure tightness; keep pouring ~1050–1120 °C and use good gating to avoid shrinkage porosity.
C84100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cusemi-red brass copper range | 79 – 83 | 81 |
| Sn | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Pbfree-machining / pressure-tightness addition; not low-lead compliant | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Niincl. Co | ≤ 1 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Zn | ≥ 12 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C84100?
Takes chromate/BTA passivation, nickel-chrome, tin or lacquer well; polishes to a moderate luster but lead smear and micro-porosity limit mirror finishes.
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 C84100 cost?
C84100 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.
C84100 — frequently asked
What is C84100 used for?
C84100 is typically used for plumbing fittings, hardware castings and valve bodies. In short: free-machining leaded casting; lower strength than C83600; good pressure tightness.
What is the yield strength of C84100?
C84100 has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C84100 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining thanks to ~5% Pb; use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speeds, light feeds and flood coolant — rating ≈80% of AISI 1212.
Can C84100 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is poor (lead causes hot cracking); join by soft soldering or silver brazing with flux, and avoid overheating that volatilizes zinc.
What surface finishes work on C84100?
Takes chromate/BTA passivation, nickel-chrome, tin or lacquer well; polishes to a moderate luster but lead smear and micro-porosity limit mirror finishes.
Can C84100 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — excellent sand/permanent-mold/continuous-cast behaviour with good pressure tightness; keep pouring ~1050–1120 °C and use good gating to avoid shrinkage porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of C84100?
C84100 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 C84100-M01 and C84100-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard as-cast sand foundry condition for valve bodies, fittings and general plumbing hardware. M07: continuous-cast bar and tube stock for screw-machined fittings and bushings; best soundness and most uniform machining. Yield strength is 90 MPa in M01 versus 110 MPa in M07.
How much does C84100 cost?
C84100 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 B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA UNS alloy datasheets (semi-red brass C841xx family) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (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.