Copper Alloy C89320
UNS C89320
C89320 is a lead-free cast bronze from the C89000 bismuth-bearing family, in which bismuth replaces lead as the chip-breaking, porosity-sealing phase for potable-water service.
Reference datasheet — C89320 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
C89320 tempers and conditions
C89320 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 condition for valve bodies, water-meter housings and pump castings to ASTM B584 / B62-replacement practice. | 117 | 241 | 15 | 60 HB | 12 % IACS |
As chill cast | For intricate lead-free fittings and decorative/functional waterway parts needing near-net shape. | 117 | 241 | 13 | 62 HB | 12 % IACS |
As pressure die cast | Choose for higher-volume small plumbing fittings needing better surface finish and slightly finer structure than sand casting. | 131 | 255 | 14 | 65 HB | 12 % IACS |
As investment cast | Use for thick-wall rings, sleeves and bushings where soundness and higher yield strength are required (ASTM B271 practice). | 138 | 262 | 14 | 66 HB | 12 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Standard form for machined bar and tube stock (ASTM B505); finest structure and highest strength/hardness of the cast conditions. | 152 | 276 | 12 | 70 HB | 12 % IACS |
What is C89320?
C89320 is a lead-free cast bronze from the C89000 bismuth-bearing family, in which bismuth replaces lead as the chip-breaking, porosity-sealing phase for potable-water service. Engineers specify it as a drop-in replacement for leaded red brass in sand, permanent-mould and continuous castings, with 241 MPa tensile strength, 117 MPa yield, 15 % elongation, 60 HB and a machinability rating of 80. Electrical conductivity is 12 % IACS and maximum service temperature is about 200 °C. Fusion welding and weld repair are not recommended because bismuth causes hot shortness, so joints are soft-soldered or mechanical. C89320 has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F). C89320 has a yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
What is C89320 used for?
- Potable water fittings
- Valve bodies
- Pump housings
- Plumbing hardware
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 117 MPa (17 ksi), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
C89320 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C89320-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C89320 has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F).
Mechanical14
C89320 has a yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C89320 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 60 W/m·K (34.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C89320 conducts electricity at 12 % IACS, worse than 62% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C89320 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
C89320's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. C89320 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C89320
Is C89320 easy to machine?
Machines much like leaded red brass — free-breaking chips from the Bi phase; use sharp positive-rake carbide/HSS, high speeds, light feeds and good lubrication for best finish.
Can C89320 be welded?
Fusion welding and weld repair are not recommended (bismuth causes hot shortness/liquation cracking); rely on sound casting practice and soft soldering instead.
Can C89320 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry-friendly drop-in for red-brass practice; keep melt clean and use directional solidification/chills, as the wide freezing range and Bi segregation can give microporosity in heavy sections.
C89320 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sn | 5 – 7 | 6 |
| Bilead substitute, forms discrete soft phase | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Zn | ≤ 1 | |
| Pblead-free limit per NSF/ANSI 372 | ≤ 0.09 | |
| Ni | ≤ 1 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.35 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cu | ≥ 87 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C89320?
Takes standard bronze finishes: polishing, nickel/chrome electroplating and clear lacquer; passivation/pickling should avoid strongly oxidizing acids that attack the Bi phase.
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 C89320 cost?
C89320 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.
C89320 — frequently asked
What is C89320 used for?
C89320 is typically used for potable water fittings, valve bodies, pump housings and plumbing hardware. In short: lead-free plumbing bronze; drop-in for leaded red brass; high machinability rating 80.
What is the yield strength of C89320?
C89320 has a typical yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C89320 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Machines much like leaded red brass — free-breaking chips from the Bi phase; use sharp positive-rake carbide/HSS, high speeds, light feeds and good lubrication for best finish.
Can C89320 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding and weld repair are not recommended (bismuth causes hot shortness/liquation cracking); rely on sound casting practice and soft soldering instead.
What surface finishes work on C89320?
Takes standard bronze finishes: polishing, nickel/chrome electroplating and clear lacquer; passivation/pickling should avoid strongly oxidizing acids that attack the Bi phase.
Can C89320 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry-friendly drop-in for red-brass practice; keep melt clean and use directional solidification/chills, as the wide freezing range and Bi segregation can give microporosity in heavy sections.
What is the maximum service temperature of C89320?
C89320 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 C89320-M01 and C89320-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard condition for valve bodies, water-meter housings and pump castings to ASTM B584 / B62-replacement practice. M07: standard form for machined bar and tube stock (ASTM B505); finest structure and highest strength/hardness of the cast conditions. Yield strength is 117 MPa in M01 versus 152 MPa in M07.
How much does C89320 cost?
C89320 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 Continuous Cast Copper Alloy Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B271 Copper-Base Alloy Centrifugal Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- NSF/ANSI 61 & NSF/ANSI 372 (drinking water system components / lead content) — NSF International (2023)
- Copper Alloy C89320 alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.