Copper Alloy C90500-M01
Finish state · default condition
UNS C90500 · AISI/SAE 620 · ASTM B584 C90500
M01 = as sand cast
Default and most-stocked condition: sand-cast valve bodies, fittings and pump parts to ASTM B584.
Values for the M01 condition
Other C90500 tempers and conditions
C90500 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at C90500.
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 |
M01DefaultThis page 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-M01?
C90500-M01 is C90500 supplied in the M01 condition — default and most-stocked condition: sand-cast valve bodies, fittings and pump parts to ASTM B584. C90500-M01 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). C90500-M01 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).
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-M01 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C90500-M01; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C90500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C90500-M01 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-M01 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-M01 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-M01 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-M01 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-M01'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C90500-M01
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.
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.
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) | — |
C90500-M01 — frequently asked
What is C90500-M01 used for?
C90500-M01 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-M01?
C90500-M01 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-M01 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-M01 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-M01?
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-M01 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-M01?
C90500-M01 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.