Copper Alloy C87500
UNS C87500 · ASTM B584
C87500 is a silicon brass casting alloy (CC761S, ASTM B584) used as a low-lead alternative to leaded red and yellow brasses.
Reference datasheet — C87500 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
C87500 tempers and conditions
C87500 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. M01 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M01Default As sand cast | Standard ASTM B584 sand-cast condition for valve bodies, fittings and general low-lead plumbing hardware. | 225 | 440 | 18 | 100 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As pressure die cast | Use for small, thin-walled or intricate net-shape parts needing good surface finish and tight tolerances. | 230 | 450 | 18 | 105 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As investment cast | High-volume pressure die castings (ASTM B176) — highest as-cast strength and ductility, thinnest walls. | 234 | 462 | 21 | 115 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Choose for rings, bushings and sleeves where centrifugal casting gives a denser, cleaner wall than sand casting. | 240 | 470 | 18 | 110 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar/tube stock (ASTM B505) for machined valve components — dense, porosity-free, best for pressure-tight parts. | 245 | 470 | 18 | 115 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Best strength/soundness combination for medium-volume valve and fitting bodies; finer grain than sand cast. | 250 | 480 | 20 | 115 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
What is C87500?
C87500 is a silicon brass casting alloy (CC761S, ASTM B584) used as a low-lead alternative to leaded red and yellow brasses. It offers the highest strength of this group — 440 MPa tensile, 225 MPa yield, 18 % elongation and 100 HB — together with good corrosion resistance, thin-wall castability and, unusually for a cast brass, good weldability. Machinability is only 40–50 % of free-cutting brass, electrical conductivity is low at 6.7 % IACS, and service is limited to about 200 °C. C83600 remains easier and cheaper to machine where lead is acceptable. C87500 has a density of 8.28 g/cm³ (0.299 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 821°C (1,510 °F). C87500 has a yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 50% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
What is C87500 used for?
- potable water fittings
- valve bodies
- marine hardware
Advantages
- Readily welded — 65/100, better than 80% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 27.7 W/m·K (16 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.7 % IACS, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 85% of copper alloy grades
C87500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C87500-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C87500 has a density of 8.28 g/cm³ (0.299 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 821°C (1,510 °F).
Mechanical14
C87500 has a yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 50% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
Thermal6
C87500 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 27.7 W/m·K (16 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C87500 conducts electricity at 6.7 % IACS, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C87500 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
C87500's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (65/100); 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. C87500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C87500
Is C87500 easy to machine?
Machines at roughly 40–50 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp positive-rake carbide, generous coolant and expect gummier, stringier chips than leaded brass.
Can C87500 be welded?
Good with GMAW/GTAW using silicon-bronze (ERCuSi-A) filler and low heat input; oxyacetylene is only fair due to silicon oxide film — clean thoroughly and avoid overheating.
Can C87500 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy only: excellent fluidity for thin walls in sand, permanent-mold and die casting; degas and minimize turbulence to avoid silicon-oxide inclusions, and use directional solidification/chills for pressure-tight parts.
C87500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu79.0 % minimum | ≥ 79 | 82 |
| Si | 3 – 5 | 4 |
| Pbmust meet ≤0.25 % weighted-average lead for potable-water parts (NSF/ANSI 372) | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Znremainder, typically 12–16 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C87500?
Buffs to a bright gold finish and accepts nickel/chrome plating, chemical polishing or clear lacquer; no anodizing (copper alloy).
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 C87500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B584
- Similar grades
- CC761S
How much does C87500 cost?
C87500 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.
C87500 — frequently asked
What is C87500 used for?
C87500 is typically used for potable water fittings, valve bodies and marine hardware. In short: low-lead cast brass; strongest in this family; weldable with silicon bronze.
What is the yield strength of C87500?
C87500 has a typical yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 50% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C87500 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades). Machines at roughly 40–50 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp positive-rake carbide, generous coolant and expect gummier, stringier chips than leaded brass.
Can C87500 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Good with GMAW/GTAW using silicon-bronze (ERCuSi-A) filler and low heat input; oxyacetylene is only fair due to silicon oxide film — clean thoroughly and avoid overheating.
What surface finishes work on C87500?
Buffs to a bright gold finish and accepts nickel/chrome plating, chemical polishing or clear lacquer; no anodizing (copper alloy).
Can C87500 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy only: excellent fluidity for thin walls in sand, permanent-mold and die casting; degas and minimize turbulence to avoid silicon-oxide inclusions, and use directional solidification/chills for pressure-tight parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of C87500?
C87500 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 C87500-M01 and C87500-M05?
M01 is the default condition — standard ASTM B584 sand-cast condition for valve bodies, fittings and general low-lead plumbing hardware. M05: best strength/soundness combination for medium-volume valve and fitting bodies; finer grain than sand cast. Yield strength is 225 MPa in M01 versus 250 MPa in M05.
How much does C87500 cost?
C87500 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 B176 — Copper-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B505/B505M — Copper Alloy Continuous Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C87500 (silicon brass) — Copper Development Association / copper.org (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1982 — Copper and copper alloys, ingots and castings (CC761S CuZn16Si4-C) — CEN (2017)
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.