Copper Alloy C86100
UNS C86100
C86100 is a high-strength cast manganese bronze — a high-copper yellow brass alloyed with manganese, aluminium and iron — and sits at the top of the cast manganese bronze group for strength and wear resistance.
Reference datasheet — C86100 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
C86100 tempers and conditions
C86100 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 commercial condition for gears, bearings and marine hardware poured in sand moulds. | 415 | 820 | 20 | 225 HB | 8 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Stock form for machined bushings, nuts and gear blanks — uniform dense structure, best machined yield of the cast forms. | 425 | 830 | 20 | 225 HB | 8 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for large rings, bushings and gear blanks where the denser, finer-grained centrifugal structure raises strength and soundness. | 430 | 840 | 20 | 230 HB | 8 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Use for repeat-production small gears and wear parts needing tighter dimensions and a chilled, slightly stronger skin. | 430 | 840 | 18 | 230 HB | 8 % IACS |
What is C86100?
C86100 is a high-strength cast manganese bronze — a high-copper yellow brass alloyed with manganese, aluminium and iron — and sits at the top of the cast manganese bronze group for strength and wear resistance. Engineers specify it for heavily loaded sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous castings: 820 MPa tensile, 415 MPa yield, 20% elongation, 225 HB. The trade-offs are low machinability (about 25–30% of free-cutting brass), 8% IACS conductivity, a 200 °C service ceiling and dezincification risk; C86200 or leaded C86700 are the usual step down when machining cost matters. C86100 has a density of 7.53 g/cm³ (0.272 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 862°C (1,584 °F). C86100 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is C86100 used for?
- Gears
- Marine hardware
- Propeller hubs
- Bushings
Advantages
- Lightweight — 7.53 g/cm³ (0.272 lb/in³), better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 415 MPa (60.2 ksi), better than 82% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 8 % IACS, worse than 81% of copper alloy grades
C86100 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C86100-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C86100 has a density of 7.53 g/cm³ (0.272 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 862°C (1,584 °F).
Mechanical14
C86100 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C86100 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C86100 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, worse than 81% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C86100 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
C86100's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
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. C86100 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C86100
Is C86100 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough, gummy high-strength brass — use rigid setups, sharp carbide, positive rake, moderate speed and heavy coolant; rating only ~25–30 % of free-cutting brass.
Can C86100 be welded?
GMAW/GTAW with matching aluminium-bronze or Mn-bronze filler is possible but the Al-rich oxide and Zn fuming demand preheat control; oxyacetylene welding and soldering are not recommended.
Can C86100 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast-only alloy — good fluidity in sand, permanent mould, centrifugal and continuous casting; keep gating quiet to avoid Al/Zn oxide films and use chills for heavy sections.
C86100 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 | 66 – 68 | 67 |
| Alprimary strengthener | 4.5 – 5.5 | 5 |
| Mn | 2.5 – 5 | 3.5 |
| Fegrain refining / hard phase | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Znremainder, nominally 21–25 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C86100?
Takes a bright mechanical polish; chemical blackening or clear lacquer for decorative use; avoid anodizing and avoid tight-clearance chrome plating on porous cast surfaces.
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 C86100 cost?
C86100 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.
C86100 — frequently asked
What is C86100 used for?
C86100 is typically used for gears, marine hardware, propeller hubs and bushings. In short: strongest cast manganese bronze; high-load gear alloy; hard, wear-resistant castings.
What is the yield strength of C86100?
C86100 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 82% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C86100 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a tough, gummy high-strength brass — use rigid setups, sharp carbide, positive rake, moderate speed and heavy coolant; rating only ~25–30 % of free-cutting brass.
Can C86100 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). GMAW/GTAW with matching aluminium-bronze or Mn-bronze filler is possible but the Al-rich oxide and Zn fuming demand preheat control; oxyacetylene welding and soldering are not recommended.
What surface finishes work on C86100?
Takes a bright mechanical polish; chemical blackening or clear lacquer for decorative use; avoid anodizing and avoid tight-clearance chrome plating on porous cast surfaces.
Can C86100 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast-only alloy — good fluidity in sand, permanent mould, centrifugal and continuous casting; keep gating quiet to avoid Al/Zn oxide films and use chills for heavy sections.
What is the maximum service temperature of C86100?
C86100 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 C86100-M01 and C86100-M02?
M01 is the default condition — standard commercial condition for gears, bearings and marine hardware poured in sand moulds. M02: pick for large rings, bushings and gear blanks where the denser, finer-grained centrifugal structure raises strength and soundness. Yield strength is 415 MPa in M01 versus 430 MPa in M02.
How much does C86100 cost?
C86100 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)
- CDA Standard Designation C86100 alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
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.