Copper Alloy C89836
UNS C89836
C89836 is a lead-free cast bronze in which bismuth replaces lead as the machining aid, meeting low-lead potable-water regulations while keeping the castability of leaded red brass.
Reference datasheet — C89836 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.
C89836 tempers and conditions
C89836 is supplied in one standard condition, M04-Centrifugal.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways C89836 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Investment | Investment (precision) cast, as-cast | Surface finish |
M01-AsCastDefault | Sand Cast, as-cast | Surface finish |
M02-PermMold | Permanent Mold Cast, as-cast | Surface finish |
M07-Continuous | Continuous Cast bar/tube | Surface finish |
What is C89836?
C89836 is a lead-free cast bronze in which bismuth replaces lead as the machining aid, meeting low-lead potable-water regulations while keeping the castability of leaded red brass. Default properties are 115 MPa yield, 250 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation, 60 HB and 15 % IACS with service to 200 °C; it is poured as sand, continuous, permanent-mold, centrifugal and investment castings. Bismuth promotes hot cracking, so fusion welding is not recommended, and the wide freezing range needs generous risering and chills. C89844 is the nearest lead-free alternative when higher machinability is required. C89836 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). C89836 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
What is C89836 used for?
- potable water valves
- plumbing fittings
- meter bodies
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 96 GPa (13.9 Msi), worse than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 65/100, worse than 87% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
C89836 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C89836 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).
Mechanical13
C89836 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C89836 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 72 W/m·K (41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 52% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C89836 conducts electricity at 15 % IACS, worse than 54% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C89836 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
C89836's machinability is very good (82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); 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. C89836 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C89836
Is C89836 easy to machine?
Machines much like leaded red brass — bismuth breaks chips; use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, 150–300 m/min, light-duty soluble oil, and expect ~85 % of free-cutting brass rates.
Can C89836 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (bismuth causes hot/grain-boundary cracking); join by soft soldering or silver brazing, or mechanically.
Can C89836 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only: wide freezing range demands generous risering, chills and directional solidification to avoid dispersed microporosity; no cold forming.
C89836 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 | 3 – 5 | 4 |
| Bilead substitute; provides chip breaking and pressure tightness | 1.7 – 2.7 | 2.2 |
| Zn | 6 – 10 | 7.5 |
| Pblow-lead limit for NSF/ANSI 372 potable-water service | ≤ 0.09 | |
| Niincidental | ≤ 1 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cubalance; ranges are approximate per ASTM B584/B505 bismuth-bronze listing — verify against current standard | ≥ 84 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C89836?
Takes tin, nickel and chrome plating well after proper cleaning; polishes to a satin bronze luster; passivation/flushing per NSF 61 before potable-water use.
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 C89836 cost?
C89836 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C89836 — frequently asked
What is C89836 used for?
C89836 is typically used for potable water valves, plumbing fittings and meter bodies. In short: lead-free potable-water bronze; bismuth replaces lead; good as-cast machinability.
What is the yield strength of C89836?
C89836 has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades.
Is C89836 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades). Machines much like leaded red brass — bismuth breaks chips; use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, 150–300 m/min, light-duty soluble oil, and expect ~85 % of free-cutting brass rates.
Can C89836 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (bismuth causes hot/grain-boundary cracking); join by soft soldering or silver brazing, or mechanically.
What surface finishes work on C89836?
Takes tin, nickel and chrome plating well after proper cleaning; polishes to a satin bronze luster; passivation/flushing per NSF 61 before potable-water use.
Can C89836 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only: wide freezing range demands generous risering, chills and directional solidification to avoid dispersed microporosity; no cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of C89836?
C89836 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C89836 cost?
C89836 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), 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)
- CDA Standard Designation / Alloy Data for C898xx bismuth bronzes — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- NSF/ANSI 61 & NSF/ANSI 372 – Drinking Water System Components / Lead Content — 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.