Copper Alloy CC490K
EN CC490K
CC490K (CuSn3Zn8Pb5-C, C83450) is a leaded tin-zinc bronze of the gunmetal type, with tin and zinc for strength and the lead phase for free-cutting behaviour and pressure tightness.
Reference datasheet — CC490K 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 GS condition
CC490K tempers and conditions
CC490K is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. GS 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSDefault Sand cast | General-purpose route for valve bodies, pump housings and one-off or low-volume complex shapes. | 100 | 215 | 20 | 65 HB | 15 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast | Use for bushes, sleeves and rings where a dense, low-porosity wall and pressure tightness matter. | 105 | 225 | 16 | 68 HB | 16 % IACS |
Gravity (permanent) die cast | Choose for medium-to-high volume fittings needing better surface finish, tighter tolerance and a finer, slightly stronger structure than sand casting. | 110 | 225 | 16 | 70 HB | 16 % IACS |
Continuously cast | Bar, tube and hollow stock for machined bushings and fittings — highest strength and hardness of the four routes thanks to directional, sound solidification. | 130 | 250 | 12 | 75 HB | 17 % IACS |
What is CC490K?
CC490K (CuSn3Zn8Pb5-C, C83450) is a leaded tin-zinc bronze of the gunmetal type, with tin and zinc for strength and the lead phase for free-cutting behaviour and pressure tightness. Typical as-cast values are 100 MPa yield, 215 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 65 HB, available as sand (GS), gravity die (GM), centrifugal (GZ) and continuous (GC) castings for valve bodies, pump housings and plumbing fittings. Strength is low next to high-tensile brasses, the lead content rules out fusion welding, and lead-restricted potable-water work may not accept it. CC752S is the nearer option when higher strength is needed. CC490K has a density of 8.7 g/cm³ (0.314 lb/in³), lighter than 56% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F). CC490K has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 87% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
What is CC490K used for?
- valve bodies
- pump housings
- plumbing fittings
- pressure-tight castings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 90 GPa (13.1 Msi), worse than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 100 MPa (14.5 ksi), worse than 87% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
CC490K properties
Typical room-temperature values for CC490K-GS; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
CC490K has a density of 8.7 g/cm³ (0.314 lb/in³), lighter than 56% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F).
Mechanical14
CC490K has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 87% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
Thermal6
CC490K is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 78 W/m·K (45.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 50% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CC490K conducts electricity at 15 % IACS, worse than 54% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CC490K takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
CC490K's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); 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. CC490K is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CC490K
Is CC490K easy to machine?
Excellent free-machining behaviour from the lead phase — high speeds, light positive-rake tooling, chips break cleanly; watch lead dust/fume hygiene.
Can CC490K be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (lead causes hot cracking); repair by brazing or soft soldering, or use mechanical joints.
Can CC490K be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: good fluidity and pressure tightness in sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous casting; allow ~1.5 % shrinkage and use chills on heavy sections.
CC490K 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sn | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Zn | 7 – 9.5 | 8 |
| Pbfree-machining and pressure-tightness additive | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Niincidental/permitted | ≤ 2 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Sb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| S | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Alkept low to avoid casting defects | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Curemainder, approx. 82–87 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on CC490K?
Takes soft solder and nickel/chrome plating readily after careful degreasing; polishes to a satin lustre but lead smear and micro-porosity limit a true mirror finish; anodizing not applicable.
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 CC490K in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CuSn3Zn8Pb5-C
- Similar grades
- C83450
How much does CC490K cost?
CC490K 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.
CC490K — frequently asked
What is CC490K used for?
CC490K is typically used for valve bodies, pump housings, plumbing fittings and pressure-tight castings. In short: pressure-tight gunmetal casting alloy; free-cutting cast bronze; sand to continuous cast forms.
What is the yield strength of CC490K?
CC490K has a typical yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 87% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is CC490K easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-machining behaviour from the lead phase — high speeds, light positive-rake tooling, chips break cleanly; watch lead dust/fume hygiene.
Can CC490K be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (lead causes hot cracking); repair by brazing or soft soldering, or use mechanical joints.
What surface finishes work on CC490K?
Takes soft solder and nickel/chrome plating readily after careful degreasing; polishes to a satin lustre but lead smear and micro-porosity limit a true mirror finish; anodizing not applicable.
Can CC490K be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: good fluidity and pressure tightness in sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous casting; allow ~1.5 % shrinkage and use chills on heavy sections.
What is the maximum service temperature of CC490K?
CC490K 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 CC490K-GS and CC490K-GC?
GS is the default condition — general-purpose route for valve bodies, pump housings and one-off or low-volume complex shapes. GC: bar, tube and hollow stock for machined bushings and fittings — highest strength and hardness of the four routes thanks to directional, sound solidification. Yield strength is 100 MPa in GS versus 130 MPa in GC.
How much does CC490K cost?
CC490K 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
- EN 1982 — Copper and copper alloys: ingots and castings — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA alloy datasheet C83450 / leaded red brass casting alloys — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASTM B584 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM (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.