Copper Alloy C85400
UNS C85400 · ASTM B584
C85400 is a leaded yellow brass (Cu-Zn-Pb) casting alloy covered by ASTM B584, supplied as sand and permanent-mold castings in the M01, M02, M05 and M07 conditions.
Reference datasheet — C85400 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
C85400 tempers and conditions
C85400 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 ASTM B584 sand casting condition — the normal stocked/produced form for valve bodies and fittings. | 83 | 234 | 35 | 50 HB | 21.5 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for higher-volume parts needing better surface finish, tighter tolerance and a slightly finer, stronger structure than sand casting. | 95 | 255 | 28 | 55 HB | 21.5 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Choose for bushings, sleeves and rings where a dense, porosity-free wall is required. | 95 | 250 | 30 | 55 HB | 21.5 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar/tube stock for screw-machine parts — most uniform structure and best machined finish. | 105 | 260 | 25 | 60 HB | 21.5 % IACS |
What is C85400?
C85400 is a leaded yellow brass (Cu-Zn-Pb) casting alloy covered by ASTM B584, supplied as sand and permanent-mold castings in the M01, M02, M05 and M07 conditions. Engineers specify it for free-cutting machinability at roughly 80% of C36000 combined with good fluidity and low cost, with typical properties of 234 MPa tensile strength, 83 MPa yield, 35% elongation and 50 HB. Strength is modest, electrical conductivity is 21.5% IACS and service temperature is limited to about 200 °C. It is not fusion weldable and can dezincify in aggressive water; C85500 is the nearest higher-strength cast yellow brass. C85400 has a density of 8.47 g/cm³ (0.306 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 855°C (1,571 °F). C85400 has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
What is C85400 used for?
- plumbing hardware
- electrical fittings
- ornamental castings
- general machinery parts
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 80% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 83 MPa (12 ksi), worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 97 GPa (14.1 Msi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
C85400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C85400-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C85400 has a density of 8.47 g/cm³ (0.306 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 855°C (1,571 °F).
Mechanical15
C85400 has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
Thermal6
C85400 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 87 W/m·K (50.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.7 µm/m·K (11.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C85400 conducts electricity at 21.5 % IACS, better than 54% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C85400 takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 87% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.
Manufacturability8
C85400'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. C85400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C85400
Is C85400 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈80% of C36000) with short chips; use zero-to-negative rake brass tooling, high speeds and light lubricant, and observe lead-dust/coolant hygiene.
Can C85400 be welded?
Not suitable for fusion welding (lead and zinc fume/hot cracking); join by soft soldering (excellent) or silver brazing (good) with low heat input.
Can C85400 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only — excellent fluidity and feeding for thin-wall sand and permanent-mold castings; degas and use good gating to avoid zinc-oxide dross and shrinkage porosity.
C85400 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 | 65 – 70 | 67 |
| Sn | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 1.5 – 3.8 | 3 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Nimax, incl. Co | ≤ 1 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | ≥ 24 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C85400?
Buffs to a bright yellow finish and takes Ni/Cr or lacquer well; no anodizing — use chemical patina or clear coat for decorative work, and pressure-tight parts may need impregnation.
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 C85400 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B584
How much does C85400 cost?
C85400 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
C85400 — frequently asked
What is C85400 used for?
C85400 is typically used for plumbing hardware, electrical fittings, ornamental castings and general machinery parts. In short: free-machining cast brass; low-cost general-purpose casting; not fusion weldable.
What is the yield strength of C85400?
C85400 has a typical yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C85400 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈80% of C36000) with short chips; use zero-to-negative rake brass tooling, high speeds and light lubricant, and observe lead-dust/coolant hygiene.
Can C85400 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not suitable for fusion welding (lead and zinc fume/hot cracking); join by soft soldering (excellent) or silver brazing (good) with low heat input.
What surface finishes work on C85400?
Buffs to a bright yellow finish and takes Ni/Cr or lacquer well; no anodizing — use chemical patina or clear coat for decorative work, and pressure-tight parts may need impregnation.
Can C85400 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only — excellent fluidity and feeding for thin-wall sand and permanent-mold castings; degas and use good gating to avoid zinc-oxide dross and shrinkage porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of C85400?
C85400 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 C85400-M01 and C85400-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard ASTM B584 sand casting condition — the normal stocked/produced form for valve bodies and fittings. M07: continuous-cast bar/tube stock for screw-machine parts — most uniform structure and best machined finish. Yield strength is 83 MPa in M01 versus 105 MPa in M07.
How much does C85400 cost?
C85400 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C85400 (Leaded Yellow Brass) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.