Copper Alloy C87300
UNS C87300
C87300 is a cast silicon bronze in the UNS C87000 series, used as a general-purpose corrosion-resistant casting alloy.
Reference datasheet — C87300 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
C87300 tempers and conditions
C87300 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 as-cast sand foundry condition for pump bodies, valves and marine fittings per ASTM B584. | 200 | 379 | 30 | 85 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As investment cast | Use for thin-wall, near-net marine hardware and impellers where surface finish and detail matter. | 210 | 400 | 25 | 88 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Chill-cast condition for medium-volume valve and fitting production with tighter dimensions and finer grain. | 215 | 410 | 28 | 90 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for pressure-tight rings, bushings and sleeves — denser, finer structure gives slightly higher strength than sand cast. | 220 | 415 | 27 | 90 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar and tube stock — highest strength and soundest structure for machined parts. | 235 | 425 | 24 | 95 HB | 7 % IACS |
What is C87300?
C87300 is a cast silicon bronze in the UNS C87000 series, used as a general-purpose corrosion-resistant casting alloy. Default properties are 200 MPa yield, 379 MPa tensile, 30 % elongation and 85 HB, with 29 W/m·K thermal conductivity, 6.7 % IACS electrical conductivity and service to 200 °C; it is produced by sand, permanent-mould, investment and continuous casting. Its ductility and excellent fluidity suit thin-wall and detailed parts, and it welds readily with ERCuSi-A filler. Machinability is about 40 % of free-cutting brass and strength is modest — C87600 or C87700 are the alternatives when higher yield is required. C87300 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 917°C (1,683 °F). C87300 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — weaker than 54% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is C87300 used for?
- Valve components
- Marine fittings
- Pump housings
- Decorative castings
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.7 % IACS, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
C87300 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C87300-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C87300 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 917°C (1,683 °F).
Mechanical11
C87300 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — weaker than 54% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C87300 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C87300 conducts electricity at 6.7 % IACS, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 88% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C87300 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
C87300's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. C87300 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C87300
Is C87300 easy to machine?
Gummy, tough chips — rating ~40% of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with light-to-moderate feed, generous coolant and avoid dwelling.
Can C87300 be welded?
Excellent — GTAW/GMAW with ERCuSi-A filler, argon shielding, no preheat needed for thin walls; keep interpass temperature low to limit silicate inclusions.
Can C87300 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and low shrinkage for thin-wall sand, permanent-mold, investment and continuous casting; degas and use good gating/filtering to avoid silicon-oxide dross entrapment.
C87300 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siprimary solid-solution strengthener | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Pbmax; low-lead grade suited to potable-water service | ≤ 0.09 | |
| Cu | ≥ 94 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C87300?
Takes a bright polish and chemical patinas well; electroplate (Ni/Cr) or clear-lacquer for stable appearance — anodizing is not applicable.
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 C87300 cost?
C87300 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.
C87300 — frequently asked
What is C87300 used for?
C87300 is typically used for valve components, marine fittings, pump housings and decorative castings. In short: most ductile silicon bronze; thin-wall casting alloy; lead-free and weldable.
What is the yield strength of C87300?
C87300 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — weaker than 54% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C87300 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 57% of copper alloy grades). Gummy, tough chips — rating ~40% of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with light-to-moderate feed, generous coolant and avoid dwelling.
Can C87300 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent — GTAW/GMAW with ERCuSi-A filler, argon shielding, no preheat needed for thin walls; keep interpass temperature low to limit silicate inclusions.
What surface finishes work on C87300?
Takes a bright polish and chemical patinas well; electroplate (Ni/Cr) or clear-lacquer for stable appearance — anodizing is not applicable.
Can C87300 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and low shrinkage for thin-wall sand, permanent-mold, investment and continuous casting; degas and use good gating/filtering to avoid silicon-oxide dross entrapment.
What is the maximum service temperature of C87300?
C87300 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 C87300-M01 and C87300-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard as-cast sand foundry condition for pump bodies, valves and marine fittings per ASTM B584. M07: continuous-cast bar and tube stock — highest strength and soundest structure for machined parts. Yield strength is 200 MPa in M01 versus 235 MPa in M07.
How much does C87300 cost?
C87300 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 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM B806 / B505 — Continuous and Centrifugal Copper Alloy Castings — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- C87300 Alloy Datasheet (Copper Development Association) — copper.org (2024)
- 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.