Copper Alloy C93500
UNS C93500
C93500 is a leaded tin bronze in the cast bronze family (C90000–C95999), historically designated Alloy 3C, with roughly 9 % lead dispersed through the tin-bronze matrix for conformability and free machining.
Reference datasheet — C93500 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
C93500 tempers and conditions
C93500 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. M07 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As sand cast | Choose for shaped castings, housings and large or one-off bearing bodies where a pattern is used. | 110 | 221 | 20 | 60 HB | 15 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Used for large-diameter sleeves, thrust washers and wear rings needing sound, segregation-free walls. | 131 | 234 | 20 | 63 HB | 15 % IACS |
M07Default As continuous cast | Standard stock form for bushings and bearing sleeves: dense, low-porosity continuous-cast bar and hollow bar. | 138 | 241 | 20 | 65 HB | 15 % IACS |
What is C93500?
C93500 is a leaded tin bronze in the cast bronze family (C90000–C95999), historically designated Alloy 3C, with roughly 9 % lead dispersed through the tin-bronze matrix for conformability and free machining. It is specified for medium-duty bearings and bushings and is supplied as sand, centrifugal and continuous castings, with 241 MPa tensile strength, 138 MPa yield, 20 % elongation, 65 HB and 15 % IACS conductivity. The lead content makes it essentially unweldable by fusion, and the alloy is not cold-workable. Where higher bearing loads or anti-seizure capability are needed, C93700 or C93800 are the nearest alternatives. C93500 has a density of 8.92 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 762°C (1,404 °F). C93500 has a yield strength of 138 MPa (20 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 76% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
What is C93500 used for?
- bushings
- bearings
- general castings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 97 GPa (14.1 Msi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 138 MPa (20 ksi), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C93500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C93500-M07; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C93500 has a density of 8.92 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 762°C (1,404 °F).
Mechanical15
C93500 has a yield strength of 138 MPa (20 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 76% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
Thermal6
C93500 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 71 W/m·K (41 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 54% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C93500 conducts electricity at 15 % IACS, worse than 54% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C93500 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability7
C93500's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); 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. C93500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C93500
Is C93500 easy to machine?
Free-machining thanks to the lead phase — short chips, high speeds, use positive-rake tooling and light feeds; bore-and-hone bushings for final ID.
Can C93500 be welded?
Essentially unweldable by fusion due to ~9 % lead (hot cracking, porosity); joins are made by soldering or, with care, silver brazing.
Can C93500 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — sand, centrifugal or continuous cast; not cold-workable, but bushings can be lightly press-fit sized after machining.
C93500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuincludes Ag | 83 – 86 | 85 |
| Sn | 4.3 – 6 | 5 |
| Pb | 8 – 10 | 9 |
| Zn | ≤ 2 | 0.5 |
| Niincl. Co | ≤ 1 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.55 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P0.30 max for continuous cast (B505) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 |
What surface finishes work on C93500?
Machined/honed finishes are typical; can be tin- or nickel-plated for appearance or corrosion; polishes to a moderate lustre but lead smears.
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 C93500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Alloy 3C
How much does C93500 cost?
C93500 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.
C93500 — frequently asked
What is C93500 used for?
C93500 is typically used for bushings, bearings and general castings. In short: free-machining bearing bronze; good conformability, medium loads; not fusion weldable.
What is the yield strength of C93500?
C93500 has a typical yield strength of 138 MPa (20 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 76% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is C93500 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining thanks to the lead phase — short chips, high speeds, use positive-rake tooling and light feeds; bore-and-hone bushings for final ID.
Can C93500 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Essentially unweldable by fusion due to ~9 % lead (hot cracking, porosity); joins are made by soldering or, with care, silver brazing.
What surface finishes work on C93500?
Machined/honed finishes are typical; can be tin- or nickel-plated for appearance or corrosion; polishes to a moderate lustre but lead smears.
Can C93500 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — sand, centrifugal or continuous cast; not cold-workable, but bushings can be lightly press-fit sized after machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of C93500?
C93500 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 C93500-M07 and C93500-M01?
M07 is the default condition — standard stock form for bushings and bearing sleeves: dense, low-porosity continuous-cast bar and hollow bar. M01: choose for shaped castings, housings and large or one-off bearing bodies where a pattern is used. Yield strength is 138 MPa in M07 versus 110 MPa in M01.
How much does C93500 cost?
C93500 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 Alloy Castings — ASTM (2018)
- ASTM B584 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM (2022)
- ASTM B271 — Copper-Base Alloy Centrifugal Castings — ASTM (2020)
- CDA/copper.org alloy datasheet C93500 — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.