Copper Alloy C94500
UNS C94500
C94500 is a high-lead tin bronze in the cast bronze family (C90000–C95999), carrying 16–22% Pb in a copper–tin matrix for wear resistance combined with moderate mechanical properties.
Reference datasheet — C94500 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
C94500 tempers and conditions
C94500 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. M01 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M01Default As sand cast | Standard stocked condition for bushings, bearing shells and general castings per ASTM B584/B505. | 83 | 172 | 12 | 50 HB | 10 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar/tube stock (ASTM B505) — denser, finer structure and slightly higher strength for machined bushings. | 90 | 207 | 10 | 55 HB | 10 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Centrifugally cast rings and sleeves — sound, low-porosity walls for larger bearing sizes. | 90 | 190 | 11 | 53 HB | 10 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Permanent-mold castings for repeat small parts needing better surface and dimensional consistency than sand casting. | 90 | 185 | 10 | 55 HB | 10 % IACS |
What is C94500?
C94500 is a high-lead tin bronze in the cast bronze family (C90000–C95999), carrying 16–22% Pb in a copper–tin matrix for wear resistance combined with moderate mechanical properties. It suits gears, bushings and valve internals where the part must machine easily and run against steel with marginal lubrication, and is produced as sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous castings. Default-condition values are 83 MPa yield, 172 MPa tensile, 12% elongation, 50 HB, 10% IACS and service to 230 °C. It is not weldable and is weaker than C94400, which is the usual step up when strength is short. C94500 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 762°C (1,404 °F). C94500 has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
What is C94500 used for?
- Gears
- Bushings
- Valve components
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 76 GPa (11 Msi), worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- 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 — 8/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 83 MPa (12 ksi), worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
C94500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C94500-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C94500 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 762°C (1,404 °F).
Mechanical14
C94500 has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
Thermal6
C94500 is rated for continuous service to 230°C (446 °F). It conducts heat at 46.9 W/m·K (27.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C94500 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, worse than 74% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C94500 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
C94500's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
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. C94500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C94500
Is C94500 easy to machine?
Excellent free-machining behaviour (≈80 % of free-cutting brass); use sharp positive-rake tools, light feeds and generous coolant to avoid lead smearing on bearing bores.
Can C94500 be welded?
Not recommended for arc or gas welding due to 16–22 % Pb; repair by soft soldering or mechanical joining, and preheat/degas carefully if brazing must be attempted.
Can C94500 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast-only alloy — no cold or hot working; pour at ~1120–1180 °C with good venting and directional solidification to limit lead sweat and gravity segregation.
C94500 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 | 6 – 8 | 7 |
| Pb | 16 – 22 | 19 |
| Zn | ≤ 1.2 | |
| Niincluding Co | ≤ 1 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.5 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Curemainder, 73 % min | ≥ 73 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C94500?
Machined or honed bores are the normal finish; tin or nickel plating is possible after careful degreasing, but bright polishing is limited by the soft lead phase.
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 C94500 cost?
C94500 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.
C94500 — frequently asked
What is C94500 used for?
C94500 is typically used for gears, bushings and valve components. In short: high-lead wear bronze; machines like free-cutting brass; moderate strength, no welding.
What is the yield strength of C94500?
C94500 has a typical yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C94500 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-machining behaviour (≈80 % of free-cutting brass); use sharp positive-rake tools, light feeds and generous coolant to avoid lead smearing on bearing bores.
Can C94500 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not recommended for arc or gas welding due to 16–22 % Pb; repair by soft soldering or mechanical joining, and preheat/degas carefully if brazing must be attempted.
What surface finishes work on C94500?
Machined or honed bores are the normal finish; tin or nickel plating is possible after careful degreasing, but bright polishing is limited by the soft lead phase.
Can C94500 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast-only alloy — no cold or hot working; pour at ~1120–1180 °C with good venting and directional solidification to limit lead sweat and gravity segregation.
What is the maximum service temperature of C94500?
C94500 is rated for continuous use to about 230°C (446 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C94500-M01 and C94500-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for bushings, bearing shells and general castings per ASTM B584/B505. M07: continuous-cast bar/tube stock (ASTM B505) — denser, finer structure and slightly higher strength for machined bushings. Yield strength is 83 MPa in M01 versus 90 MPa in M07.
How much does C94500 cost?
C94500 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 Rod, Bar, Tube — ASTM (2018)
- ASTM B584 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM (2022)
- ASTM B271 — Copper-Base Alloy Centrifugal Castings — ASTM (2020)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C94500 (high-leaded tin bronze) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (cast bronzes) — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 1176 ( ZCuPb20Sn5) — 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.