Copper Alloy C87610
UNS C87610
C87610 (Alloy 12A) is a low-lead cast silicon bronze in the UNS C87000 series, offered in sand, permanent-mould, continuous, centrifugal and investment cast conditions with a stress-relieved option.
Reference datasheet — C87610 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
C87610 tempers and conditions
C87610 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sand cast + stress relief anneal | Use when tight dimensional stability after machining or resistance to residual-stress cracking is required. | 160 | 370 | 22 | 95 HB | 6.9 % IACS |
M01Default As sand cast | Default condition for valve bodies, pump housings and water-meter parts poured in green/no-bake sand molds. | 170 | 380 | 20 | 100 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As pressure die cast | Near-net-shape small valve internals and decorative hardware needing fine detail and low machining stock. | 180 | 400 | 20 | 105 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for sleeves, bushings and pump wear rings needing a dense, inclusion-free wall. | 185 | 400 | 22 | 105 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Higher-volume fittings where faster solidification gives finer grain and better surface than sand. | 190 | 415 | 20 | 110 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar and tube stock for machined low-lead plumbing fittings; most uniform, porosity-free structure. | 195 | 420 | 22 | 110 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
What is C87610?
C87610 (Alloy 12A) is a low-lead cast silicon bronze in the UNS C87000 series, offered in sand, permanent-mould, continuous, centrifugal and investment cast conditions with a stress-relieved option. Default properties are 170 MPa yield, 380 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation, 100 HB and 6.7 % IACS, and it is specified for pump and valve castings where lead limits, pressure tightness and corrosion resistance apply together. Weldability with ERCuSi-A is good, but machinability is only about 40–48 % of free-cutting brass because of the low lead content. C87600 is the nearest alternative when higher yield strength is needed. C87610 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 820°C (1,508 °F). C87610 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
What is C87610 used for?
- Pump housings
- Valve bodies
- Marine fittings
- Plumbing hardware
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 84% 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
C87610 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C87610-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C87610 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 820°C (1,508 °F).
Mechanical15
C87610 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
Thermal6
C87610 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
C87610 conducts electricity at 6.7 % IACS, worse than 89% 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 C87610 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
C87610's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 59% of copper alloy grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. C87610 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C87610
Is C87610 easy to machine?
Machines like a gummy medium-hard bronze (~40–48 % of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, generous feed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge; chips are stringy because of the low lead.
Can C87610 be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/GMAW using ERCuSi-A filler and argon shielding; preheat is normally unnecessary, keep interpass low and avoid heavy oxide films from silicon.
Can C87610 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy with good fluidity and thin-section fill; use adequate risering because of the fairly wide freezing range, and degas the melt to limit hydrogen porosity.
C87610 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 element | 3 – 5 | 4 |
| Zn | 3 – 5 | 4 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Pblow-lead limit for potable-water service (NSF/ANSI 61, AB1953) | ≤ 0.09 | |
| Almax; controlled to avoid casting defects | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Curemainder, 90.0 % min per ASTM B584 | ≥ 90 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C87610?
Not anodizable; takes bright polishing, chemical browning/patina, clear lacquer, or nickel/chrome electroplating over a copper strike.
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 C87610 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Alloy 12A
How much does C87610 cost?
C87610 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.
C87610 — frequently asked
What is C87610 used for?
C87610 is typically used for pump housings, valve bodies, marine fittings and plumbing hardware. In short: low-lead plumbing bronze; alloy 12A silicon bronze; good thin-section fill.
What is the yield strength of C87610?
C87610 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C87610 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 59% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a gummy medium-hard bronze (~40–48 % of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, generous feed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge; chips are stringy because of the low lead.
Can C87610 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent with GTAW/GMAW using ERCuSi-A filler and argon shielding; preheat is normally unnecessary, keep interpass low and avoid heavy oxide films from silicon.
What surface finishes work on C87610?
Not anodizable; takes bright polishing, chemical browning/patina, clear lacquer, or nickel/chrome electroplating over a copper strike.
Can C87610 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy with good fluidity and thin-section fill; use adequate risering because of the fairly wide freezing range, and degas the melt to limit hydrogen porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of C87610?
C87610 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 C87610-M01 and C87610-M07?
M01 is the default condition — default condition for valve bodies, pump housings and water-meter parts poured in green/no-bake sand molds. M07: continuous-cast bar and tube stock for machined low-lead plumbing fittings; most uniform, porosity-free structure. Yield strength is 170 MPa in M01 versus 195 MPa in M07.
How much does C87610 cost?
C87610 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 B505/B505M — Copper Alloy Continuous Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B806 — Copper Alloy Permanent Mold Castings for General Applications — ASTM International (2020)
- CDA Alloy Database — C87610 silicon bronze — Copper Development Association (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- NSF/ANSI 61 & 372 low-lead drinking-water requirements — NSF International (2023)
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.