Copper Alloy C92900
UNS C92900
C92900 is a leaded nickel-tin bronze casting alloy (C90000–C95999) in which nickel refines the structure and raises strength while lead keeps it free-cutting.
Reference datasheet — C92900 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 M07 condition
C92900 tempers and conditions
C92900 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. M07 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As sand cast | Choose for one-off or large complex shapes (worm gear blanks, housings); slightly lower strength and more porosity than continuous cast. | 180 | 325 | 8 | 100 HB | 10 % IACS |
As pressure die cast | For repeat-production small/medium parts needing closer dimensions than sand casting and a chilled, fine structure. | 210 | 345 | 8 | 105 HB | 10 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Best route for large rings, gear rims and thick-wall bushings — centrifugal pressure gives sound, fine-grained metal. | 215 | 350 | 10 | 105 HB | 10 % IACS |
M07Default As continuous cast | Standard stock form (continuous-cast bar/tube per ASTM B505) — densest structure and highest strength; pick for machined gears, nuts and bushings. | 220 | 345 | 10 | 105 HB | 10 % IACS |
What is C92900?
C92900 is a leaded nickel-tin bronze casting alloy (C90000–C95999) in which nickel refines the structure and raises strength while lead keeps it free-cutting. It reaches 220 MPa yield, 345 MPa tensile, 10 % elongation and 105 HB with service to 260 °C and a machinability rating of 75 — the strongest and hardest of the leaded tin bronzes listed here. Typical forms are sand, permanent-mold and centrifugal castings for gears, worm wheels and heavily loaded structural parts. Weldability is poor because of the lead, and the alloy cannot be cold formed; C92500 is the nearest lower-strength option. C92900 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 855°C (1,571 °F). C92900 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 51% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 107 GPa (15.5 Msi).
What is C92900 used for?
- gears
- worm wheels
- structural castings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 80% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C92900 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C92900-M07; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C92900 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 855°C (1,571 °F).
Mechanical15
C92900 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 51% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 107 GPa (15.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C92900 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C92900 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, worse than 74% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C92900 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
C92900's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 80% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
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. C92900 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C92900
Is C92900 easy to machine?
Free-machining thanks to lead and the hard δ-phase: use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; chips break short and surfaces finish well for bearing bores.
Can C92900 be welded?
Poor weldability — lead causes hot cracking; repair by brazing or by low-heat GTAW with matching bronze filler, preheat and slow cooling, or prefer mechanical joining.
Can C92900 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — not cold formable; needs strong risers/chills to avoid tin microporosity, and pouring around 1100–1150 °C with degassing/deoxidation (P or Ca-B).
C92900 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuCu + named elements = 99.3 % min | 82 – 86 | 84 |
| Sn | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Pb | 2 – 3.2 | 2.5 |
| NiNi + Co | 2.8 – 4 | 3.4 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| P | ≤ 0.5 | |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 |
What surface finishes work on C92900?
Machine or grind bearing surfaces; can be tin- or nickel-plated, chemically patinated or lacquered; anodizing is not applicable.
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 C92900 cost?
C92900 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.
C92900 — frequently asked
What is C92900 used for?
C92900 is typically used for gears, worm wheels and structural castings. In short: strongest leaded tin bronze; nickel-refined casting alloy; free-machining at 75.
What is the yield strength of C92900?
C92900 has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 51% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C92900 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 80% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining thanks to lead and the hard δ-phase: use sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; chips break short and surfaces finish well for bearing bores.
Can C92900 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor weldability — lead causes hot cracking; repair by brazing or by low-heat GTAW with matching bronze filler, preheat and slow cooling, or prefer mechanical joining.
What surface finishes work on C92900?
Machine or grind bearing surfaces; can be tin- or nickel-plated, chemically patinated or lacquered; anodizing is not applicable.
Can C92900 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — not cold formable; needs strong risers/chills to avoid tin microporosity, and pouring around 1100–1150 °C with degassing/deoxidation (P or Ca-B).
What is the maximum service temperature of C92900?
C92900 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 C92900-M07 and C92900-M01?
M07 is the default condition — standard stock form (continuous-cast bar/tube per ASTM B505) — densest structure and highest strength; pick for machined gears, nuts and bushings. M01: choose for one-off or large complex shapes (worm gear blanks, housings); slightly lower strength and more porosity than continuous cast. Yield strength is 220 MPa in M07 versus 180 MPa in M01.
How much does C92900 cost?
C92900 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 B505/B505M — Continuous Cast Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM B22 — Bronze Castings for Bridges and Turntables — ASTM International (2017)
- Copper Alloy C92900 alloy datasheet (copper.org) — Copper Development Association (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.