Copper Alloy C86400
UNS C86400
C86400 is a leaded manganese bronze casting alloy (ASTM B584 family) in which about 1% lead trades strength for free-machining behaviour rated near 65% of C36000.
Reference datasheet — C86400 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
C86400 tempers and conditions
C86400 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 general-purpose condition for valve bodies, housings and one-off or low-volume castings per ASTM B584. | 193 | 448 | 20 | 90 HB | 20 % IACS |
As investment cast | For small, intricate near-net-shape parts where machining allowance must be minimised. | 193 | 448 | 18 | 92 HB | 20 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Choose for bushings, sleeves and rings where the denser, finer-grained centrifugal structure gives slightly higher strength and soundness. | 207 | 483 | 20 | 95 HB | 20 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Use for medium-volume parts needing better surface finish, tighter tolerances and a modest strength gain over sand casting. | 221 | 483 | 18 | 100 HB | 20 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Best choice for machined bar and tube stock: dense, porosity-free structure with the highest as-cast strength and hardness. | 241 | 483 | 15 | 105 HB | 20 % IACS |
What is C86400?
C86400 is a leaded manganese bronze casting alloy (ASTM B584 family) in which about 1% lead trades strength for free-machining behaviour rated near 65% of C36000. It is cast in sand, permanent, investment and centrifugal moulds for gears, bushings and valve parts that need moderate strength with heavy secondary machining: 448 MPa tensile, 193 MPa yield, 20% elongation, 90 HB, 20% IACS. Limits are poor arc weldability, a 200 °C service ceiling and dezincification or ammonia stress-corrosion risk; C86500 gives more strength unleaded, C86700 more strength with good machinability. C86400 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 862°C (1,584 °F). C86400 has a yield strength of 193 MPa (28 ksi) and a tensile strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) — weaker than 56% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
What is C86400 used for?
- Gears
- Bushings
- Valve components
- Machine parts
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 76% 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
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
C86400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C86400-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C86400 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 862°C (1,584 °F).
Mechanical14
C86400 has a yield strength of 193 MPa (28 ksi) and a tensile strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) — weaker than 56% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C86400 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 21.6 µm/m·K (12 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C86400 conducts electricity at 20 % IACS, better than 52% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C86400 takes about 47 MJ of energy and emits 2.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 93% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
C86400's machinability is good (65/100, better than 76% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); 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. C86400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C86400
Is C86400 easy to machine?
Free-machining thanks to ~1% Pb: rated about 65% of C36000, use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools, high speed and light feed with flood coolant; chips are short and breaking.
Can C86400 be welded?
Poor arc weldability — zinc volatilisation and porosity; oxyacetylene braze welding or silver brazing with flux is preferred, and lead content further degrades fusion welds.
Can C86400 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy only: pours well in sand, permanent mold, investment and centrifugal processes with 1.5–2% shrinkage; needs directional solidification and generous risering because of its short freezing range.
C86400 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 | 56 – 62 | 59 |
| Sn | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Pbadded for machinability; not for potable-water service | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Fe | 0.4 – 2 | 1 |
| Al | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Niincluding Co | ≤ 1 | |
| Zn | ≥ 34 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C86400?
Polishes to a bright yellow-gold finish; can be nickel/chrome plated or lacquered, but not anodizable — passivate or lacquer to prevent tarnish and avoid ammonia cleaners (SCC risk).
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 C86400 cost?
C86400 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.
C86400 — frequently asked
What is C86400 used for?
C86400 is typically used for gears, bushings, valve components and machine parts. In short: free-machining manganese bronze; moderate strength, low machining cost.
What is the yield strength of C86400?
C86400 has a typical yield strength of 193 MPa (28 ksi) and a tensile strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) — weaker than 56% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C86400 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 76% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining thanks to ~1% Pb: rated about 65% of C36000, use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools, high speed and light feed with flood coolant; chips are short and breaking.
Can C86400 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor arc weldability — zinc volatilisation and porosity; oxyacetylene braze welding or silver brazing with flux is preferred, and lead content further degrades fusion welds.
What surface finishes work on C86400?
Polishes to a bright yellow-gold finish; can be nickel/chrome plated or lacquered, but not anodizable — passivate or lacquer to prevent tarnish and avoid ammonia cleaners (SCC risk).
Can C86400 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy only: pours well in sand, permanent mold, investment and centrifugal processes with 1.5–2% shrinkage; needs directional solidification and generous risering because of its short freezing range.
What is the maximum service temperature of C86400?
C86400 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 C86400-M01 and C86400-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard general-purpose condition for valve bodies, housings and one-off or low-volume castings per ASTM B584. M07: best choice for machined bar and tube stock: dense, porosity-free structure with the highest as-cast strength and hardness. Yield strength is 193 MPa in M01 versus 241 MPa in M07.
How much does C86400 cost?
C86400 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 (2019)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C86400 (Leaded Manganese Bronze) — 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.