Copper Alloy C97300
UNS C97300
C97300 is a leaded copper-zinc-nickel (nickel silver) casting alloy in the ASTM cast copper-nickel series, using a free lead phase for free-cutting behaviour and nickel for a bright silvery colour.
Reference datasheet — C97300 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
C97300 tempers and conditions
C97300 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. M01 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M01Default As sand cast | Standard ASTM B584 sand casting condition — the stocked/most common form for valve trim and decorative hardware. | 117 | 240 | 18 | 55 HB | 6 % IACS |
As plaster cast | Use for intricate decorative hardware and small trim where near-net shape and fine detail matter. | 117 | 235 | 15 | 55 HB | 6 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for higher-volume small parts needing better surface finish and slightly finer grain than sand casting. | 125 | 250 | 16 | 58 HB | 6 % IACS |
As chill cast | Choose for bushings, sleeves and rings where dense, porosity-free wall sections are required. | 128 | 255 | 16 | 60 HB | 6 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Best choice for machined bar, tube and bushing stock — densest structure and the highest as-cast strength. | 138 | 262 | 14 | 62 HB | 6 % IACS |
What is C97300?
C97300 is a leaded copper-zinc-nickel (nickel silver) casting alloy in the ASTM cast copper-nickel series, using a free lead phase for free-cutting behaviour and nickel for a bright silvery colour. It is chosen for decorative hardware, plumbing trim and lightly loaded bearings, and is poured as sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous castings at 117 MPa yield, 240 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 55 HB. Strength is low, electrical conductivity is only 6 % IACS, and the lead content rules out fusion welding. C97400 or C97600 are the usual steps up when more strength or corrosion resistance is needed. C97300 has a density of 8.95 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 880°C (1,616 °F). C97300 has a yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is C97300 used for?
- decorative hardware
- plumbing fixtures
- musical instrument fittings
- small bearings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6 % IACS, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 117 MPa (17 ksi), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades
C97300 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C97300-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C97300 has a density of 8.95 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 880°C (1,616 °F).
Mechanical13
C97300 has a yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C97300 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C97300 conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C97300 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
C97300's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 82% 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. C97300 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C97300
Is C97300 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour from the lead phase — use positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feed; chips break short and surface finish is very good.
Can C97300 be welded?
Not weldable by fusion processes (lead causes hot cracking/porosity); join by soft soldering, mechanical fastening, or silver brazing only on low-lead sections.
Can C97300 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting-only alloy: fluid melt, good pressure tightness with generous risering; degas and avoid excessive superheat to limit zinc/lead loss.
C97300 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 ≥ 99.4% | 53 – 58 | 56 |
| Niincl. Co | 11 – 14 | 12 |
| Pbfree-machining phase | 8 – 11 | 10 |
| Sn | 1.5 – 3 | 2 |
| Fe | ≤ 1.5 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.15 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Zn | ≥ 17 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C97300?
Buffs to a bright silvery finish and takes nickel/chrome or silver plating well; do not anodize — protect with lacquer if tarnish resistance is needed.
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 C97300 cost?
C97300 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.
C97300 — frequently asked
What is C97300 used for?
C97300 is typically used for decorative hardware, plumbing fixtures, musical instrument fittings and small bearings. In short: free-cutting nickel silver casting; bright silvery as-cast colour; lowest-strength C97 grade.
What is the yield strength of C97300?
C97300 has a typical yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C97300 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour from the lead phase — use positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feed; chips break short and surface finish is very good.
Can C97300 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not weldable by fusion processes (lead causes hot cracking/porosity); join by soft soldering, mechanical fastening, or silver brazing only on low-lead sections.
What surface finishes work on C97300?
Buffs to a bright silvery finish and takes nickel/chrome or silver plating well; do not anodize — protect with lacquer if tarnish resistance is needed.
Can C97300 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting-only alloy: fluid melt, good pressure tightness with generous risering; degas and avoid excessive superheat to limit zinc/lead loss.
What is the maximum service temperature of C97300?
C97300 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 C97300-M01 and C97300-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard ASTM B584 sand casting condition — the stocked/most common form for valve trim and decorative hardware. M07: best choice for machined bar, tube and bushing stock — densest structure and the highest as-cast strength. Yield strength is 117 MPa in M01 versus 138 MPa in M07.
How much does C97300 cost?
C97300 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 B584 — Standard Specification for Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM B505/B505M — Copper Alloy Continuous Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B271 — Copper-Base Alloy Centrifugal Castings — ASTM International (2020)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C97300 (12% Leaded Nickel Silver) — Copper Development Association (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.