Copper Alloy C89844
UNS C89844
C89844 is a lead-free cast bronze that uses bismuth with a selenium addition to restore the machinability lost when lead is removed, and it is used for low-lead plumbing hardware.
Reference datasheet — C89844 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
C89844 tempers and conditions
C89844 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 as-cast sand casting condition for valve bodies and plumbing fittings; most widely stocked/produced form. | 110 | 255 | 20 | 55 HB | 17 % IACS |
As investment cast | Use for complex near-net-shape lead-free valve internals where machining access is limited. | 115 | 255 | 18 | 56 HB | 17 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for rings, bushings and sleeves needing a dense, inclusion-free wall from centrifugal casting. | 120 | 265 | 20 | 58 HB | 17 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Choose for higher-volume fittings needing better surface finish, tighter tolerance and slightly higher strength than sand cast. | 125 | 275 | 18 | 60 HB | 17 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar/tube stock for screw-machined low-lead plumbing components; finest grain and highest yield strength. | 150 | 290 | 13 | 68 HB | 17 % IACS |
What is C89844?
C89844 is a lead-free cast bronze that uses bismuth with a selenium addition to restore the machinability lost when lead is removed, and it is used for low-lead plumbing hardware. It rates about 80 for machinability and provides 110 MPa yield, 255 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 55 HB with service to 200 °C, in sand, permanent-mold, centrifugal and continuous cast forms. Fusion welding is not recommended because bismuth grain-boundary films cause hot cracking, and the wide freezing range requires careful risering. C89836 is the closest lead-free alternative. C89844 has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 843°C (1,549 °F). C89844 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 95 GPa (13.8 Msi).
What is C89844 used for?
- potable water fittings
- meter bodies
- valve components
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 95 GPa (13.8 Msi), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 110 MPa (16 ksi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C89844 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C89844-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C89844 has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 843°C (1,549 °F).
Mechanical14
C89844 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 95 GPa (13.8 Msi).
Thermal6
C89844 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 20.5 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C89844 conducts electricity at 17 % IACS, better than 50% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C89844 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
C89844's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); 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. C89844 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C89844
Is C89844 easy to machine?
Machines like a leaded red brass at roughly 80 % of C36000 — use sharp positive-rake tooling, higher feed to break the shorter chip, and avoid dwell that smears the bismuth phase.
Can C89844 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (bismuth grain-boundary films cause hot cracking); join by soldering or silver brazing with low-temperature, short-dwell cycles.
Can C89844 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only: pour 1050–1120 °C, use good risering and chills as the freezing range is wide; not intended for cold or hot working.
C89844 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cusemi-red brass base | 79 – 83 | 81 |
| Sn | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Bifree-machining phase replacing Pb | 0.8 – 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Serefines/disperses the bismuth phase | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Pblow-lead limit for potable water service | ≤ 0.2 | 0.09 |
| Niincl. Co | ≤ 1 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Zn | ≥ 12 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C89844?
Buffs and polishes well and accepts standard Ni/Cr and PVD decorative plating; pickle carefully since bismuth-rich surface layers can etch preferentially.
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 C89844 cost?
C89844 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.
C89844 — frequently asked
What is C89844 used for?
C89844 is typically used for potable water fittings, meter bodies and valve components. In short: machinability rating of 80; bismuth–selenium lead-free bronze; low-lead plumbing castings.
What is the yield strength of C89844?
C89844 has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C89844 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a leaded red brass at roughly 80 % of C36000 — use sharp positive-rake tooling, higher feed to break the shorter chip, and avoid dwell that smears the bismuth phase.
Can C89844 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (bismuth grain-boundary films cause hot cracking); join by soldering or silver brazing with low-temperature, short-dwell cycles.
What surface finishes work on C89844?
Buffs and polishes well and accepts standard Ni/Cr and PVD decorative plating; pickle carefully since bismuth-rich surface layers can etch preferentially.
Can C89844 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only: pour 1050–1120 °C, use good risering and chills as the freezing range is wide; not intended for cold or hot working.
What is the maximum service temperature of C89844?
C89844 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 C89844-M01 and C89844-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard as-cast sand casting condition for valve bodies and plumbing fittings; most widely stocked/produced form. M07: continuous-cast bar/tube stock for screw-machined low-lead plumbing components; finest grain and highest yield strength. Yield strength is 110 MPa in M01 versus 150 MPa in M07.
How much does C89844 cost?
C89844 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 B763 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for Valve Applications — ASTM International (2020)
- CDA Alloy Database — C89844 bismuth-selenium copper alloy — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Copper and Copper Alloys (cast) — ASM International (1990)
- Federalloy bismuth-selenium no-lead casting alloys — The Federal Metal Company (2021)
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.