Copper Alloy C96600
UNS C96600
C96600 is an age-hardenable cast copper-nickel-beryllium alloy that combines high strength and hardness with useful electrical and thermal conductivity.
Reference datasheet — C96600 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 TF00 condition
C96600 tempers and conditions
C96600 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. TF00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated | Choose when heavy machining or straightening must be done before final ageing; softest and most ductile condition. | 240 | 505 | 20 | 135 HB | 4.5 % IACS |
As sand cast | Pick for lowest-cost rough castings that will be machined and then heat treated, or where moderate strength with more ductility is enough. | 260 | 480 | 15 | 150 HB | 5 % IACS |
TF00Default Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Standard supply condition: maximum strength, hardness and wear resistance for mould inserts, bearings and high-strength marine parts. | 585 | 760 | 5 | 30 HRC | 6 % IACS |
What is C96600?
C96600 is an age-hardenable cast copper-nickel-beryllium alloy that combines high strength and hardness with useful electrical and thermal conductivity. Aged material reaches 585 MPa yield, 760 MPa tensile, 5% elongation, 285 HB (30 HRC), with 42 W/m·K thermal conductivity, 6% IACS and service to 330 °C; it is supplied as sand, investment and continuous castings in M01, TB00 and TF00 conditions. Elongation is low and beryllium-bearing dust and fume require controlled handling, which raises processing cost. Where beryllium is not acceptable, the spinodal Cu-Ni-Sn grade C96800 is the nearest alternative. C96600 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,170°C (2,138 °F). C96600 has a yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 150 GPa (21.8 Msi).
What is C96600 used for?
- plastic injection mold inserts
- high-strength bushings
- wear-resistant bearings
- electrical contact components
Advantages
- Stiff — 150 GPa (21.8 Msi), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 585 MPa (84.8 ksi), better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 330°C (626 °F), better than 93% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 5%, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6 % IACS, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades
C96600 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C96600-TF00; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C96600 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,170°C (2,138 °F).
Mechanical13
C96600 has a yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 93% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 150 GPa (21.8 Msi).
Thermal6
C96600 is rated for continuous service to 330°C (626 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C96600 conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C96600 takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C96600's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); 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. C96600 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C96600
Is C96600 easy to machine?
Tough and gummy in the solution-treated state and abrasive when aged — use sharp carbide tooling, low speed with heavy positive feed, rigid setups, flood coolant, and wet-grind only to control beryllium-bearing dust.
Can C96600 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with matching or Cu-Ni filler is possible but requires low heat input, clean joints, forced local exhaust for beryllium fume, and re-solution + re-ageing to restore strength in the HAZ.
Can C96600 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand, investment or continuous castings only; design generous fillets and feeders because solidification range is wide, then rough-machine before ageing to limit distortion.
C96600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ni | 29 – 33 | 30 |
| Beprecipitation-hardening element | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Fe | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Si | ≤ 0.15 | |
| C | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 | |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Curemainder, nominally ~67–68% | balance |
What surface finishes work on C96600?
Takes a high mirror polish suitable for plastic-mould surfaces; can be electroless nickel or hard chrome plated, but do not anodise — passivate or use protective coatings in aggressive service.
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 C96600 cost?
C96600 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.
C96600 — frequently asked
What is C96600 used for?
C96600 is typically used for plastic injection mold inserts, high-strength bushings, wear-resistant bearings and electrical contact components. In short: age-hardening cast Cu-Ni; high strength with conductivity; mold-insert grade.
What is the yield strength of C96600?
C96600 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 93% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is C96600 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades). Tough and gummy in the solution-treated state and abrasive when aged — use sharp carbide tooling, low speed with heavy positive feed, rigid setups, flood coolant, and wet-grind only to control beryllium-bearing dust.
Can C96600 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). GTAW/GMAW with matching or Cu-Ni filler is possible but requires low heat input, clean joints, forced local exhaust for beryllium fume, and re-solution + re-ageing to restore strength in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on C96600?
Takes a high mirror polish suitable for plastic-mould surfaces; can be electroless nickel or hard chrome plated, but do not anodise — passivate or use protective coatings in aggressive service.
Can C96600 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand, investment or continuous castings only; design generous fillets and feeders because solidification range is wide, then rough-machine before ageing to limit distortion.
What is the maximum service temperature of C96600?
C96600 is rated for continuous use to about 330°C (626 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C96600-TF00 and C96600-TB00?
TF00 is the default condition — standard supply condition: maximum strength, hardness and wear resistance for mould inserts, bearings and high-strength marine parts. TB00: choose when heavy machining or straightening must be done before final ageing; softest and most ductile condition. Yield strength is 585 MPa in TF00 versus 240 MPa in TB00.
How much does C96600 cost?
C96600 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
- UNS C96600 cast copper-nickel-beryllium alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASTM B505/B505M — Copper Alloy Continuous Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B369 — Copper-Nickel Alloy Castings — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Copper-beryllium and Cu-Ni-Be alloy handling and heat treatment guides — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2022)
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.