Copper Alloy C85800
UNS C85800 · ASTM B176
C85800 is a leaded yellow brass die-casting alloy covered by ASTM B176, supplied in the as-cast M04 condition.
Reference datasheet — C85800 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 M04 condition
C85800 tempers and conditions
C85800 is supplied in one standard condition, M04. M04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
What is C85800?
C85800 is a leaded yellow brass die-casting alloy covered by ASTM B176, supplied in the as-cast M04 condition. High-volume plumbing and hardware producers use it for its die-fill and free-machining response, with 379 MPa tensile strength, 205 MPa yield, 15% elongation, 55 HB, 103 GPa elastic modulus, 84 W/m·K and 26% IACS. Elongation is lower than sand-cast yellow brasses, corrosion resistance is rated 45 and service is limited to about 200 °C. The alloy is not fusion weldable and die life is short compared with zinc alloys; C87900 is the usual lead-free die-casting substitute. C85800 has a density of 8.5 g/cm³ (0.307 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 857°C (1,575 °F). C85800 has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — weaker than 53% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is C85800 used for?
- die-cast plumbing fittings
- faucet bodies
- hardware components
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C85800 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C85800-M04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C85800 has a density of 8.5 g/cm³ (0.307 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 857°C (1,575 °F).
Mechanical11
C85800 has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — weaker than 53% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C85800 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 84 W/m·K (48.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.8 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C85800 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C85800 takes about 40 MJ of energy and emits 2.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 100% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
C85800's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. C85800 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C85800
Is C85800 easy to machine?
Free-machining thanks to the lead and β-phase — sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools, high speeds, light coolant; expect short chips.
Can C85800 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (zinc fume, lead hot-shortness); join by soldering or brazing with low-temperature filler, or mechanically.
Can C85800 be formed, bent or molded?
High-pressure die cast at ~950–1000 °C metal temperature with heat-checking-resistant steel dies; excellent fluidity gives thin walls but expect short die life versus zinc alloys.
C85800 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuASTM B176 specifies 57.0 min | 57 – 64 | 60 |
| Pbmachinability/die-fill addition | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| Sn | ≤ 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.55 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | ≥ 31 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C85800?
Deburr/tumble, bright-dip or chromate, then nickel-chrome plating, PVD or lacquered polished finish; no anodizing.
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 C85800 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B176
How much does C85800 cost?
C85800 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C85800 — frequently asked
What is C85800 used for?
C85800 is typically used for die-cast plumbing fittings, faucet bodies and hardware components. In short: brass die-casting workhorse; thin walls, sharp detail; short die life.
What is the yield strength of C85800?
C85800 has a typical yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — weaker than 53% of copper alloy grades.
Is C85800 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining thanks to the lead and β-phase — sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools, high speeds, light coolant; expect short chips.
Can C85800 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (zinc fume, lead hot-shortness); join by soldering or brazing with low-temperature filler, or mechanically.
What surface finishes work on C85800?
Deburr/tumble, bright-dip or chromate, then nickel-chrome plating, PVD or lacquered polished finish; no anodizing.
Can C85800 be formed, bent or molded?
High-pressure die cast at ~950–1000 °C metal temperature with heat-checking-resistant steel dies; excellent fluidity gives thin walls but expect short die life versus zinc alloys.
What is the maximum service temperature of C85800?
C85800 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C85800 cost?
C85800 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), 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 B176 — Standard Specification for Copper-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C85800 (copper.org) — Copper Development Association (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.