Copper Alloy C87900
UNS C87900 · ASTM B584
C87900 is a lead-free cast silicon brass covered by ASTM B584, supplied in M04, M05 and M01 conditions and used mainly as a die-casting alloy.
Reference datasheet — C87900 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 M04 condition
C87900 tempers and conditions
C87900 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. M04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As sand cast | Low-volume or large structural castings; coarser grain gives the lowest strength and hardness of the three routes. | 185 | 380 | 20 | 100 HB | 6.5 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Choose for thicker-section valve bodies and fittings where die-casting tooling is not justified; slightly lower strength than die cast. | 205 | 415 | 18 | 115 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
M04Default As pressure die cast | Standard commercial condition: high-pressure die cast thin-wall fittings and hardware, highest strength of the cast forms. | 240 | 448 | 15 | 125 HB | 6.7 % IACS |
What is C87900?
C87900 is a lead-free cast silicon brass covered by ASTM B584, supplied in M04, M05 and M01 conditions and used mainly as a die-casting alloy. It is chosen for structural fittings that need strength without lead, reaching 448 MPa tensile strength, 240 MPa yield, 15% elongation and 125 HB (72 HRB) with a machinability rating of 78. Electrical conductivity is only 6.7% IACS and service temperature is limited to about 200 °C. It is not fusion weldable and chip breaking is only fair without lead; C85800 is the leaded die-casting alternative where machining volume dominates. C87900 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). C87900 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) — stronger than 52% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
What is C87900 used for?
- structural hardware
- marine fittings
- plumbing components
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 28 W/m·K (16.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.7 % IACS, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C87900 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C87900-M04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C87900 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).
Mechanical13
C87900 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) — stronger than 52% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C87900 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 28 W/m·K (16.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.2 µm/m·K (11.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C87900 conducts electricity at 6.7 % IACS, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C87900 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
C87900's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100).
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. C87900 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C87900
Is C87900 easy to machine?
Chip-breaking is fair without lead — use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed and generous coolant; rating ≈80% of free-cutting brass.
Can C87900 be welded?
Fusion welding not recommended (silicon oxide film, hot cracking); join by brazing or soft soldering with active flux, or mechanically.
Can C87900 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent die-casting alloy: pour ~980–1040 °C, narrow freezing range gives thin walls and sharp detail, but degas and skim silicon oxide dross.
C87900 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 | 63 – 67 | 65 |
| Siraises fluidity and strength | 0.75 – 1.25 | 1 |
| Pblow-lead / lead-free service | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Znremainder, nominally ~33–34% | balance |
What surface finishes work on C87900?
Buffs to a bright yellow finish; readily nickel/chrome or tin electroplated after careful de-smutting — anodizing does not apply.
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 C87900 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B584
How much does C87900 cost?
C87900 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
C87900 — frequently asked
What is C87900 used for?
C87900 is typically used for structural hardware, marine fittings and plumbing components. In short: lead-free cast brass; highest strength cast brass here; good die-casting detail.
What is the yield strength of C87900?
C87900 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) — stronger than 52% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is C87900 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades). Chip-breaking is fair without lead — use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed and generous coolant; rating ≈80% of free-cutting brass.
Can C87900 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding not recommended (silicon oxide film, hot cracking); join by brazing or soft soldering with active flux, or mechanically.
What surface finishes work on C87900?
Buffs to a bright yellow finish; readily nickel/chrome or tin electroplated after careful de-smutting — anodizing does not apply.
Can C87900 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent die-casting alloy: pour ~980–1040 °C, narrow freezing range gives thin walls and sharp detail, but degas and skim silicon oxide dross.
What is the maximum service temperature of C87900?
C87900 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 C87900-M04 and C87900-M01?
M04 is the default condition — standard commercial condition: high-pressure die cast thin-wall fittings and hardware, highest strength of the cast forms. M01: low-volume or large structural castings; coarser grain gives the lowest strength and hardness of the three routes. Yield strength is 240 MPa in M04 versus 185 MPa in M01.
How much does C87900 cost?
C87900 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 B176 — Copper-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B584 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM International (2022)
- CDA Alloy Database — C87900 silicon brass — Copper Development Association (2023)
- 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.