Copper Alloy C84500
UNS C84500 · ASTM B584
C84500 is a leaded semi-red brass casting alloy covered by ASTM B584, in which the lead phase gives free-machining chips and helps produce pressure-tight castings at moderate strength — 103 MPa yield, 241 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and 55 HB.
Reference datasheet — C84500 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
C84500 tempers and conditions
C84500 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 commercial condition for ASTM B584 valve bodies, fittings and general hardware castings. | 103 | 241 | 28 | 55 HB | 16 % IACS |
As investment cast | Choose for small, intricate near-net-shape hardware and decorative parts with minimal machining allowance. | 103 | 241 | 25 | 55 HB | 16 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for cylindrical parts (bushings, rings, flanges) needing denser, slightly stronger structure than sand casting. | 110 | 248 | 25 | 58 HB | 16 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Use for medium-to-high volume fittings where finer grain, tighter tolerance and better pressure tightness are wanted. | 117 | 255 | 20 | 60 HB | 16 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Best choice for machined-from-bar/tube parts: sound, low-porosity stock with the highest as-cast strength of this alloy. | 124 | 262 | 22 | 60 HB | 16 % IACS |
What is C84500?
C84500 is a leaded semi-red brass casting alloy covered by ASTM B584, in which the lead phase gives free-machining chips and helps produce pressure-tight castings at moderate strength — 103 MPa yield, 241 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and 55 HB. It is poured in sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous casting for plumbing fittings, hardware and small pump bodies. Electrical conductivity is 16 % IACS and maximum service temperature 200 °C; the lead content rules out fusion welding and can restrict potable-water parts where low-lead rules apply, in which case C83600 or a bismuth-bearing alloy is the alternative. C84500 has a density of 8.58 g/cm³ (0.31 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 843°C (1,549 °F). C84500 has a yield strength of 103 MPa (14.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
What is C84500 used for?
- plumbing fittings
- hardware castings
- small pump bodies
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 90 GPa (13.1 Msi), worse than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 65/100, worse than 87% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 103 MPa (14.9 ksi), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
C84500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C84500-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C84500 has a density of 8.58 g/cm³ (0.31 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 843°C (1,549 °F).
Mechanical13
C84500 has a yield strength of 103 MPa (14.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
Thermal6
C84500 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 20.3 µm/m·K (11.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C84500 conducts electricity at 16 % IACS, worse than 52% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C84500 takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 87% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
C84500's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); 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. C84500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C84500
Is C84500 easy to machine?
Free-machining at ~80 % of C36000; use sharp positive-rake tools, light feeds and flood coolant, chips break short thanks to the lead phase.
Can C84500 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (lead causes hot cracking and porosity); join by soft soldering or silver brazing with low-temperature filler.
Can C84500 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only — pours easily in sand, permanent mold, centrifugal and continuous casting with good pressure tightness; not cold-formable.
C84500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 73 – 77 | 75 |
| Sn | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Pbfree-machining phase | 6 – 7.5 | 7 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Niincl. Co, max | ≤ 1 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Zn | ≥ 13 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C84500?
Takes bright nickel/chrome plating, tin plating for potable-water parts, chemical patina or clear lacquer; polish with non-embedding compounds to avoid lead smear.
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 C84500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B584
How much does C84500 cost?
C84500 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.
C84500 — frequently asked
What is C84500 used for?
C84500 is typically used for plumbing fittings, hardware castings and small pump bodies. In short: pressure-tight leaded brass; free-machining cast copper alloy; mid-strength plumbing casting.
What is the yield strength of C84500?
C84500 has a typical yield strength of 103 MPa (14.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 86% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C84500 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining at ~80 % of C36000; use sharp positive-rake tools, light feeds and flood coolant, chips break short thanks to the lead phase.
Can C84500 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 or silver brazing with low-temperature filler.
What surface finishes work on C84500?
Takes bright nickel/chrome plating, tin plating for potable-water parts, chemical patina or clear lacquer; polish with non-embedding compounds to avoid lead smear.
Can C84500 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only — pours easily in sand, permanent mold, centrifugal and continuous casting with good pressure tightness; not cold-formable.
What is the maximum service temperature of C84500?
C84500 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 C84500-M01 and C84500-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard commercial condition for ASTM B584 valve bodies, fittings and general hardware castings. M07: best choice for machined-from-bar/tube parts: sound, low-porosity stock with the highest as-cast strength of this alloy. Yield strength is 103 MPa in M01 versus 124 MPa in M07.
How much does C84500 cost?
C84500 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 — Standard Specification for 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)
- CDA Standard Designation C84500 alloy datasheet — 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.