Copper Alloy C96900
UNS C96900 · EN CC383H, CuNi30Fe1Mn1NbSi-C
C96900 (CC383H, CuNi30Fe1Mn1NbSi-C) is a niobium-microalloyed high-strength cast copper-nickel developed to exceed standard C96400 in heavy marine propulsion castings.
Reference datasheet — C96900 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 TX00 condition
C96900 tempers and conditions
C96900 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. TX00 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As sand cast | Soft as-cast sand castings, ordered when the part will be spinodally aged after rough machining or when maximum ductility is wanted. | 240 | 480 | 12 | 160 HB | 7 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Centrifugally cast sleeves/rings in the unhardened condition, normally a semi-finished stage before TX00 aging. | 260 | 520 | 15 | 170 HB | 7 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar/tube stock in the soft condition — the usual purchase form for shops that heat treat in-house. | 275 | 550 | 18 | 180 HB | 7.5 % IACS |
TX00Default Spinodal heat treated | Standard commercial hardened condition — best balance of ~650 MPa yield, wear/galling resistance and residual ductility for bearings, bushings and valve parts. | 655 | 795 | 8 | 28 HRC | 11 % IACS |
TX00 high-strength age | Peak-aged producer temper for the highest yield and galling resistance in downhole and heavily loaded subsea bearings; accept lower elongation and impact. | 745 | 860 | 5 | 32 HRC | 12 % IACS |
What is C96900?
C96900 (CC383H, CuNi30Fe1Mn1NbSi-C) is a niobium-microalloyed high-strength cast copper-nickel developed to exceed standard C96400 in heavy marine propulsion castings. Hardened material gives 655 MPa yield, 795 MPa tensile, 8% elongation and 275 HB (28 HRC), with 40 W/m·K thermal conductivity, 11% IACS, service to 260 °C, machinability score 58 and corrosion resistance score 78; conditions on file are M01, M02, M07, TX00 and TX00-HS. Fusion welding is not recommended for structural joints, and casting practice must control tin segregation. C96400 remains the choice where full weldability matters more than strength. C96900 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,010°C (1,850 °F). C96900 has a yield strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) and a tensile strength of 795 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
What is C96900 used for?
- large ship propellers
- high-load marine pump castings
- offshore structural fittings
Advantages
- High strength — 655 MPa (95 ksi), better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Stiff — 138 GPa (20 Msi), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
C96900 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C96900-TX00; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C96900 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,010°C (1,850 °F).
Mechanical15
C96900 has a yield strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) and a tensile strength of 795 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
Thermal5
C96900 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.4 µm/m·K (9.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C96900 conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, worse than 68% 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 C96900 takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 6.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C96900's machinability is good (58/100, better than 73% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. C96900 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C96900
Is C96900 easy to machine?
Machines well in the aged TX00 temper with sharp carbide tooling, positive rake and modest speeds (60–120 m/min); chips break cleanly, no lead needed, and the soft as-cast temper is gummier than the hardened one.
Can C96900 be welded?
Not recommended for structural joints — fusion welding over-ages the spinodal structure and risks tin segregation cracking; use mechanical joints, or requalify with a full post-weld solution + aging cycle.
Can C96900 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as continuous, centrifugal or sand castings; control pour temperature and cooling to avoid tin inverse segregation, and rough-machine before the spinodal age for best dimensional stability.
C96900 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NiNi + Co may be reported together | 14.5 – 15.5 | 15 |
| Snspinodal hardening element | 7.5 – 8.5 | 8 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Mndeoxidiser | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Nbgrain refiner, optional | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Pbkeep low for hot-tear resistance | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Curemainder, nominally ~76.5 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C96900?
Takes a fine bearing-grade polish (Ra < 0.4 µm); tin, silver or chemical Ni plating is possible for anti-galling or electrical contact duty — anodizing does not apply.
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 C96900 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CC383HCuNi30Fe1Mn1NbSi-C
How much does C96900 cost?
C96900 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.
C96900 — frequently asked
What is C96900 used for?
C96900 is typically used for large ship propellers, high-load marine pump castings and offshore structural fittings. In short: strongest cast Cu-Ni; nb-microalloyed propeller grade; higher strength than C96400.
What is the yield strength of C96900?
C96900 has a typical yield strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) and a tensile strength of 795 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 96% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C96900 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 73% of copper alloy grades). Machines well in the aged TX00 temper with sharp carbide tooling, positive rake and modest speeds (60–120 m/min); chips break cleanly, no lead needed, and the soft as-cast temper is gummier than the hardened one.
Can C96900 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended for structural joints — fusion welding over-ages the spinodal structure and risks tin segregation cracking; use mechanical joints, or requalify with a full post-weld solution + aging cycle.
What surface finishes work on C96900?
Takes a fine bearing-grade polish (Ra < 0.4 µm); tin, silver or chemical Ni plating is possible for anti-galling or electrical contact duty — anodizing does not apply.
Can C96900 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as continuous, centrifugal or sand castings; control pour temperature and cooling to avoid tin inverse segregation, and rough-machine before the spinodal age for best dimensional stability.
What is the maximum service temperature of C96900?
C96900 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 C96900-TX00 and C96900-M01?
TX00 is the default condition — standard commercial hardened condition — best balance of ~650 MPa yield, wear/galling resistance and residual ductility for bearings, bushings and valve parts. M01: soft as-cast sand castings, ordered when the part will be spinodally aged after rough machining or when maximum ductility is wanted. Yield strength is 655 MPa in TX00 versus 240 MPa in M01.
How much does C96900 cost?
C96900 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 International (2018)
- ASTM B929 — Copper-Nickel-Tin Spinodal Alloy Castings — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- ToughMet 3 CX (UNS C96900) cast alloy datasheet — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2021)
- UNS C96900 alloy record / Copper Alloy Data — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: 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.