Copper Alloy C87200
UNS C87200
C87200 is a cast silicon bronze (Cu–Si with minor additions) from the UNS C87000 series, supplied as sand, centrifugal, continuous, permanent-mould and investment castings and in a stress-relieved condition.
Reference datasheet — C87200 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 AS-CAST-SAND condition
C87200 tempers and conditions
C87200 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. AS-CAST-SAND is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Use after heavy welding or repair to relieve residual stress in pressure castings; strength essentially unchanged. | 155 | 370 | 28 | 80 HB | 6.5 % IACS |
AS-CAST-SANDDefault ASTM B584 | Standard as-cast sand-mould condition for pump housings, valve bodies and general marine castings. | 165 | 379 | 25 | 85 HB | 6 % IACS |
As-Cast (Investment / Precision Cast) | Investment casting for thin-wall, near-net-shape impellers and fittings with as-cast surface finish. | 165 | 380 | 25 | 85 HB | 6 % IACS |
As-Cast (Centrifugal Cast, M02) | Choose for rings, bushings and sleeve blanks needing dense, inclusion-free walls. | 172 | 400 | 25 | 90 HB | 6 % IACS |
As-Cast (Permanent Mold, M05) | Permanent-mould production runs where dimensional repeatability and a finer chill structure are wanted. | 172 | 400 | 22 | 90 HB | 6 % IACS |
As-Cast (Continuous Cast, M07) | Continuous-cast bar/tube stock — finest structure and highest strength, best for machined-from-solid parts. | 185 | 415 | 22 | 95 HB | 6 % IACS |
What is C87200?
C87200 is a cast silicon bronze (Cu–Si with minor additions) from the UNS C87000 series, supplied as sand, centrifugal, continuous, permanent-mould and investment castings and in a stress-relieved condition. Default values are 165 MPa yield, 379 MPa tensile, 25 % elongation and 85 HB with service to 200 °C; engineers choose it for the combination of seawater and general corrosion resistance with genuine weldability using ERCuSi-A filler. Electrical conductivity is low at 6 % IACS and machinability runs about 40 % of free-cutting brass, so it is not a screw-machine alloy. C87600 is the nearest alternative when higher strength is needed. C87200 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 821°C (1,510 °F). C87200 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — weaker than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is C87200 used for?
- Valve bodies
- Pump parts
- Marine hardware
- Fittings
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 28.5 W/m·K (16.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6 % IACS, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
C87200 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C87200-AS-CAST-SAND; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C87200 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 821°C (1,510 °F).
Mechanical14
C87200 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — weaker than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C87200 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 28.5 W/m·K (16.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C87200 conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 84% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C87200 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
C87200's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability excellent (88/100).
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. C87200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C87200
Is C87200 easy to machine?
Gummy, stringy chips — rated ~40 % of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, generous feed and soluble-oil coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can C87200 be welded?
Excellent — GTAW/GMAW with ERCuSi-A filler, argon shield, low interpass temperature (<150 °C); no preheat needed on thin sections and no post-weld heat treatment required for most work.
Can C87200 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: needs generous gating and risering because of a wide freezing range; chills and directional solidification prevent interdendritic shrinkage in heavy sections.
C87200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siprincipal strengthening/deoxidising element | 1 – 5 | 4 |
| Zn | ≤ 5 | 3 |
| Fe | ≤ 2.5 | |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | |
| Al | ≤ 1.5 | |
| Sn | ≤ 1 | |
| Pblow-lead; suitable for potable-water service in most jurisdictions | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Cu89.0 % min including silver | ≥ 89 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C87200?
Takes a bright mechanical polish and warm brown/statuary patinas; can be tin, nickel or chrome plated; not anodizable — protect with clear lacquer or wax for architectural exposure.
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 C87200 cost?
C87200 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.
C87200 — frequently asked
What is C87200 used for?
C87200 is typically used for valve bodies, pump parts, marine hardware and fittings. In short: weldable cast silicon bronze; lead-free pump alloy; 25 % as-cast elongation.
What is the yield strength of C87200?
C87200 has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — weaker than 64% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C87200 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 57% of copper alloy grades). Gummy, stringy chips — rated ~40 % of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, generous feed and soluble-oil coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can C87200 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent — GTAW/GMAW with ERCuSi-A filler, argon shield, low interpass temperature (<150 °C); no preheat needed on thin sections and no post-weld heat treatment required for most work.
What surface finishes work on C87200?
Takes a bright mechanical polish and warm brown/statuary patinas; can be tin, nickel or chrome plated; not anodizable — protect with clear lacquer or wax for architectural exposure.
Can C87200 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: needs generous gating and risering because of a wide freezing range; chills and directional solidification prevent interdendritic shrinkage in heavy sections.
What is the maximum service temperature of C87200?
C87200 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 C87200 AS-CAST-SAND and C87200-SR?
AS-CAST-SAND is the default condition — standard as-cast sand-mould condition for pump housings, valve bodies and general marine castings. SR: use after heavy welding or repair to relieve residual stress in pressure castings; strength essentially unchanged. Yield strength is 165 MPa in AS-CAST-SAND versus 155 MPa in SR.
How much does C87200 cost?
C87200 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 (2020)
- CDA Alloy Database — C87200 Cast Silicon Bronze — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (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.