Copper Alloy C85500
UNS C85500 · ASTM B584
C85500 is a low-lead cast yellow brass in the ASTM B584 family, available in the M01, M02, M05 and M07 casting conditions.
Reference datasheet — C85500 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
C85500 tempers and conditions
C85500 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 usual stocked/produced form for valve bodies, fittings and hardware. | 172 | 414 | 35 | 75 HB | 27 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for rings, bushings and sleeves where a denser, more sound wall than sand casting is needed (ASTM B271). | 185 | 425 | 30 | 80 HB | 27 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar/tube stock (ASTM B505) for machined parts — sound, dense and dimensionally consistent. | 190 | 430 | 28 | 82 HB | 27 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Chill-cast finer grain gives higher strength and hardness with somewhat lower ductility; for medium-volume hardware (ASTM B806). | 195 | 435 | 25 | 85 HB | 27 % IACS |
What is C85500?
C85500 is a low-lead cast yellow brass in the ASTM B584 family, available in the M01, M02, M05 and M07 casting conditions. It is chosen where a cast brass must carry more load than a standard leaded grade, offering 414 MPa tensile strength, 172 MPa yield, 35% elongation, 75 HB, 123 W/m·K thermal conductivity and 27% IACS. Machinability is rated 70, so chips are stringier than free-cutting brass, and service is limited to about 200 °C. Fusion welding is difficult and the alloy will dezincify in aggressive water; C85400 is the easier-machining alternative when strength is not critical. C85500 has a density of 8.4 g/cm³ (0.303 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 899°C (1,650 °F). C85500 has a yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 414 MPa (60 ksi) — weaker than 60% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
What is C85500 used for?
- hardware castings
- marine fittings
- ornamental parts
Advantages
- 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
- Easy to machine — 70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 52/100, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C85500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C85500-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C85500 has a density of 8.4 g/cm³ (0.303 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 899°C (1,650 °F).
Mechanical13
C85500 has a yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 414 MPa (60 ksi) — weaker than 60% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C85500 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 123 W/m·K (71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.8 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C85500 conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, better than 67% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C85500 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability5
C85500's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100).
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. C85500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C85500
Is C85500 easy to machine?
Machines well but not as freely as leaded brass — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds; expect stringier chips than C36000.
Can C85500 be welded?
Fusion welding is difficult (zinc volatilisation, porosity); braze or silver-solder instead, or use GTAW with silicon-bronze filler and good fume extraction.
Can C85500 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only — good fluidity for sand, centrifugal, permanent-mold and continuous casting; feed heavy sections and control zinc loss in the melt.
C85500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuper ASTM B584 | 59 – 63 | 61 |
| Pblow-lead grade | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Al | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Niincl. Co | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Znremainder, nominally ~38–40% | balance |
What surface finishes work on C85500?
Polishes and buffs to a bright yellow finish; readily nickel/chrome plated or lacquered; will dezincify and tarnish in aggressive water if unprotected.
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 C85500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B584
How much does C85500 cost?
C85500 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.
C85500 — frequently asked
What is C85500 used for?
C85500 is typically used for hardware castings, marine fittings and ornamental parts. In short: higher-strength cast yellow brass; low lead content; harder to machine than C85400.
What is the yield strength of C85500?
C85500 has a typical yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 414 MPa (60 ksi) — weaker than 60% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C85500 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades). Machines well but not as freely as leaded brass — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds; expect stringier chips than C36000.
Can C85500 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is difficult (zinc volatilisation, porosity); braze or silver-solder instead, or use GTAW with silicon-bronze filler and good fume extraction.
What surface finishes work on C85500?
Polishes and buffs to a bright yellow finish; readily nickel/chrome plated or lacquered; will dezincify and tarnish in aggressive water if unprotected.
Can C85500 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only — good fluidity for sand, centrifugal, permanent-mold and continuous casting; feed heavy sections and control zinc loss in the melt.
What is the maximum service temperature of C85500?
C85500 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 C85500-M01 and C85500-M05?
M01 is the default condition — standard ASTM B584 sand casting condition — the usual stocked/produced form for valve bodies, fittings and hardware. M05: chill-cast finer grain gives higher strength and hardness with somewhat lower ductility; for medium-volume hardware (ASTM B806). Yield strength is 172 MPa in M01 versus 195 MPa in M05.
How much does C85500 cost?
C85500 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 / B271 / B806 — continuous, centrifugal and permanent-mold copper alloy castings — ASTM International (2021)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C85500 — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (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.