Copper Alloy C97400
UNS C97400
C97400 is a higher-nickel leaded nickel silver casting alloy in the cast copper-nickel series, with roughly 5 % Pb for free machining and enough nickel to lift strength and corrosion resistance above C97300.
Reference datasheet — C97400 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.
C97400 tempers and conditions
C97400 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress-relief annealed casting | Use when close machining tolerances or SCC-sensitive service require residual stresses to be removed. | 110 | 235 | 22 | 65 HB | 6.2 % IACS |
M03/M04 Centrifugal / Static Mold Cast | Choose for pressure-tight bushings, rings and sleeves where a finer, denser structure is needed. | 130 | 260 | 18 | 75 HB | 6 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways C97400 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
M01-AsCastDefault | M01/M02 As Sand Cast | Surface finish |
M07-ContCast | M07 Continuous Cast | Surface finish |
What is C97400?
C97400 is a higher-nickel leaded nickel silver casting alloy in the cast copper-nickel series, with roughly 5 % Pb for free machining and enough nickel to lift strength and corrosion resistance above C97300. Typical properties are 117 MPa yield, 241 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 70 HB, supplied as as-cast, centrifugal and continuous castings plus a TQ50 stress-relieved condition, for valve components and ornamental fittings. Electrical conductivity is 6 % IACS, the lead prevents fusion welding, and the wide freezing range demands careful gating and risering. C97600 is the normal choice for food and dairy service. C97400 has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,010°C (1,850 °F). C97400 has a yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi).
What is C97400 used for?
- valve bodies and trim
- marine hardware
- decorative castings
- sanitary fittings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 6 % IACS, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 117 MPa (17 ksi), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
C97400 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C97400 has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,010°C (1,850 °F).
Mechanical12
C97400 has a yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi).
Thermal6
C97400 is rated for continuous service to 230°C (446 °F). It conducts heat at 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C97400 conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C97400 takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
C97400's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. C97400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C97400
Is C97400 easy to machine?
Free-machining thanks to ~5 % Pb — rating about 70 % of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake carbide, light feeds and good chip breaking.
Can C97400 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (lead causes hot cracking and porosity); repair by brazing or soft soldering, or use mechanical joints.
Can C97400 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: wide freezing range needs generous risering, chills and clean melt practice; degas and avoid Al/Si pickup to prevent dross and hard spots.
C97400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 58 – 61 | 59.5 |
| NiNi + Co | 15.5 – 17 | 16.2 |
| Sn | 2.5 – 3.5 | 3 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 4.5 – 5.5 | 5 |
| Fe | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Sb | ≤ 0.15 | |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Znremainder, typically 13–17 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C97400?
Polishes to a bright silver-white color; accepts nickel, chrome or silver plating and chemical patination — do not anodize.
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 C97400 cost?
C97400 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C97400 — frequently asked
What is C97400 used for?
C97400 is typically used for valve bodies and trim, marine hardware, decorative castings and sanitary fittings. In short: higher-nickel leaded nickel silver; free-machining cast trim alloy; not fusion weldable.
What is the yield strength of C97400?
C97400 has a typical yield strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) and a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is C97400 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining thanks to ~5 % Pb — rating about 70 % of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake carbide, light feeds and good chip breaking.
Can C97400 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (lead causes hot cracking and porosity); repair by brazing or soft soldering, or use mechanical joints.
What surface finishes work on C97400?
Polishes to a bright silver-white color; accepts nickel, chrome or silver plating and chemical patination — do not anodize.
Can C97400 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: wide freezing range needs generous risering, chills and clean melt practice; degas and avoid Al/Si pickup to prevent dross and hard spots.
What is the maximum service temperature of C97400?
C97400 is rated for continuous use to about 230°C (446 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C97400 cost?
C97400 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), 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)
- Copper Alloy C97400 alloy datasheet (Standards & Properties) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — 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.