Copper Alloy C97600
UNS C97600
C97600 (Alloy 11A), historically sold as "Dairy Metal," is a leaded nickel silver casting alloy with 3-5 % Pb that resists corrosion from milk and food acids while remaining easy to machine.
Reference datasheet — C97600 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
C97600 tempers and conditions
C97600 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 ASTM B584 sand-cast condition for valve bodies, fittings and food-machinery parts. | 165 | 310 | 20 | 80 HB | 4.5 % IACS |
As pressure die cast | Permanent-mold pours for repeat small parts needing tighter tolerances than sand casting. | 175 | 325 | 18 | 85 HB | 4.5 % IACS |
As centrifugally cast | Pick for dense, porosity-free bushings, sleeves and rings; slightly higher strength than sand cast. | 180 | 330 | 18 | 85 HB | 4.5 % IACS |
As continuous cast | Continuous-cast bar/tube stock for screw-machine parts: finest structure, highest strength and best machined surface. | 195 | 345 | 15 | 90 HB | 4.5 % IACS |
What is C97600?
C97600 (Alloy 11A), historically sold as "Dairy Metal," is a leaded nickel silver casting alloy with 3-5 % Pb that resists corrosion from milk and food acids while remaining easy to machine. It is used for food-processing fittings and pump and valve parts, cast by sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous routes at 165 MPa yield, 310 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 80 HB, with a machinability score of 70 and corrosion score of 68. Service is limited to 260 °C, thermal conductivity is 26 W/m·K and electrical conductivity 4.5 % IACS. The lead content prevents fusion welding; C97800 gives higher strength if wear resistance matters more than machinability. C97600 has a density of 8.86 g/cm³ (0.32 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,108°C (2,026 °F). C97600 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
What is C97600 used for?
- dairy and food processing fittings
- pump housings for food equipment
- valve components
- decorative hardware
Advantages
- Stiff — 138 GPa (20 Msi), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 4.5 % IACS, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 89% 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
C97600 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C97600-M01; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C97600 has a density of 8.86 g/cm³ (0.32 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,108°C (2,026 °F).
Mechanical13
C97600 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
Thermal6
C97600 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C97600 conducts electricity at 4.5 % IACS, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C97600 takes about 78 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 90% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
C97600's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 78% 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. C97600 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C97600
Is C97600 easy to machine?
Free-machining thanks to 3–5 % Pb — rating ~70 % of C36000; use sharp positive-rake tools, moderate speeds and good chip breaking; continuous-cast stock gives the best finish.
Can C97600 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (lead causes hot cracking and porosity); join by soft soldering or silver brazing, and preheat/repair-braze castings rather than arc weld.
Can C97600 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — wide freezing range needs good gating, risers and directional solidification; sand, permanent-mold, centrifugal and continuous casting are all practised.
C97600 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 | 63 – 67 | 65 |
| Niincludes Co | 19 – 21.5 | 20 |
| Sn | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Pbfree-machining phase; restricted in modern potable-water/food uses | 3 – 5 | 4 |
| Zn | 3 – 9 | 5 |
| Fe | ≤ 1.5 | |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.15 | |
| S | ≤ 0.08 | |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 |
What surface finishes work on C97600?
Takes a bright silver-white polish and accepts nickel/chrome or tin plating; passivation is unnecessary, and pickling should avoid strong oxidising acids that leach lead.
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 C97600 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Alloy 11A
- Also called
- Dairy Metal
How much does C97600 cost?
C97600 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.
C97600 — frequently asked
What is C97600 used for?
C97600 is typically used for dairy and food processing fittings, pump housings for food equipment, valve components and decorative hardware. In short: original "Dairy Metal" grade; food-acid resistant casting; 70 machinability rating.
What is the yield strength of C97600?
C97600 has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 64% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C97600 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining thanks to 3–5 % Pb — rating ~70 % of C36000; use sharp positive-rake tools, moderate speeds and good chip breaking; continuous-cast stock gives the best finish.
Can C97600 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (lead causes hot cracking and porosity); join by soft soldering or silver brazing, and preheat/repair-braze castings rather than arc weld.
What surface finishes work on C97600?
Takes a bright silver-white polish and accepts nickel/chrome or tin plating; passivation is unnecessary, and pickling should avoid strong oxidising acids that leach lead.
Can C97600 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — wide freezing range needs good gating, risers and directional solidification; sand, permanent-mold, centrifugal and continuous casting are all practised.
What is the maximum service temperature of C97600?
C97600 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 C97600-M01 and C97600-M07?
M01 is the default condition — standard ASTM B584 sand-cast condition for valve bodies, fittings and food-machinery parts. M07: continuous-cast bar/tube stock for screw-machine parts: finest structure, highest strength and best machined surface. Yield strength is 165 MPa in M01 versus 195 MPa in M07.
How much does C97600 cost?
C97600 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 Data Sheet C97600 (leaded nickel bronze / nickel silver) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (cast copper 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.