Copper Alloy C90500
UNS C90500 · AISI/SAE 620 · ASTM B584 C90500
C90500 is an 88Cu-10Sn-2Zn tin bronze (gun metal) casting alloy listed as ASTM B584 C90500, SAE 620/62 and ZCuSn10Zn2.
Reference datasheet — C90500 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
C90500 tempers and conditions
C90500 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As investment cast | Use for intricate near-net valve internals and decorative/marine hardware needing fine detail and low machining allowance. | 148 | 305 | 20 | 72 HB | 11 % IACS |
M01Default As sand cast | Default and most-stocked condition: sand-cast valve bodies, fittings and pump parts to ASTM B584. | 152 | 310 | 25 | 75 HB | 11 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for hollow cylindrical parts (bushings, wear rings, large sleeves) needing dense, porosity-free walls. | 165 | 320 | 20 | 78 HB | 11 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Choose for medium-volume small fittings where the chilled, finer grain gives higher strength and better surface. | 172 | 331 | 18 | 82 HB | 11 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Standard stock form for bar, tube and hollow bushing blanks: dense, uniform structure with higher yield strength but lower elongation. | 179 | 331 | 15 | 80 HB | 11 % IACS |
What is C90500?
C90500 is an 88Cu-10Sn-2Zn tin bronze (gun metal) casting alloy listed as ASTM B584 C90500, SAE 620/62 and ZCuSn10Zn2. The higher tin content gives 152 MPa yield, 310 MPa tensile, 25% elongation, about 75 HB, 103 GPa modulus, 71 W/m·K and 11% IACS, with service to 260 °C, and the alloy casts with the fluidity and pressure tightness expected of valve, pump and steam fittings. It is cast-only and effectively not fusion weldable, and the long freezing range makes microshrinkage a risk in heavy sections. C90300 is the alternative when more elongation is wanted. C90500 has a density of 8.72 g/cm³ (0.315 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F). C90500 has a yield strength of 152 MPa (22 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 67% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is C90500 used for?
- valves
- pump bodies
- marine fittings
- steam fittings
Advantages
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
C90500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C90500-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C90500 has a density of 8.72 g/cm³ (0.315 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F).
Mechanical11
C90500 has a yield strength of 152 MPa (22 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 67% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C90500 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 71 W/m·K (41 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 54% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C90500 conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C90500 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
C90500's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. C90500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C90500
Is C90500 easy to machine?
Machines to a good finish with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tooling at ~30 % of free-cutting brass; chips are gummy because the alloy is essentially lead-free, so use generous coolant and avoid dwelling.
Can C90500 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (hot-short, Sn oxide films); repair by braze welding or gas/TIG with matching Cu-Sn filler and preheat, and prefer silver brazing or soldering for joining.
Can C90500 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast-only alloy with excellent fluidity and pressure tightness — feed generously (long freezing range causes microshrinkage), degas the melt, and design uniform walls with chills at heavy sections; not cold formable.
C90500 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 | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Zn | 1 – 3 | 2 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Niincluding Co | ≤ 1 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.2 | |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | |
| P0.30 max for continuous cast (ASTM B505) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cubalance, Cu + named elements ≥ 99.4 % | ≥ 86 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C90500?
Takes a fine machined/polished bronze finish and accepts tin, nickel or chromium plating; not anodizable — use chemical patinas or clear lacquer for decorative parts.
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 C90500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- 620
- ASTM
- B584 C90500
- Trade names
- 62
- Also called
- Alloy D
- Similar grades
- ZCuSn10Zn2
How much does C90500 cost?
C90500 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.
C90500 — frequently asked
What is C90500 used for?
C90500 is typically used for valves, pump bodies, marine fittings and steam fittings. In short: classic gun-metal casting alloy; excellent pressure tightness; harder than C90300.
What is the yield strength of C90500?
C90500 has a typical yield strength of 152 MPa (22 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 67% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C90500 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades). Machines to a good finish with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tooling at ~30 % of free-cutting brass; chips are gummy because the alloy is essentially lead-free, so use generous coolant and avoid dwelling.
Can C90500 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (hot-short, Sn oxide films); repair by braze welding or gas/TIG with matching Cu-Sn filler and preheat, and prefer silver brazing or soldering for joining.
What surface finishes work on C90500?
Takes a fine machined/polished bronze finish and accepts tin, nickel or chromium plating; not anodizable — use chemical patinas or clear lacquer for decorative parts.
Can C90500 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast-only alloy with excellent fluidity and pressure tightness — feed generously (long freezing range causes microshrinkage), degas the melt, and design uniform walls with chills at heavy sections; not cold formable.
What is the maximum service temperature of C90500?
C90500 is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C90500-M01 and C90500-M07?
M01 is the default condition — default and most-stocked condition: sand-cast valve bodies, fittings and pump parts to ASTM B584. M07: standard stock form for bar, tube and hollow bushing blanks: dense, uniform structure with higher yield strength but lower elongation. Yield strength is 152 MPa in M01 versus 179 MPa in M07.
How much does C90500 cost?
C90500 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 B271 — Copper-Base Alloy Centrifugal Castings — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- Alloy C90500 property datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- GB/T 1176 ZCuSn10Zn2 — SAC (2013)
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.