Copper Alloy CC494K-GC (Continuously cast bar / tube)
Finish state · default condition
EN CC494K
Default stock form: continuous-cast round bar and hollow bar for machined bushings, thrust washers and wear strips.
Values for the GC condition
Other CC494K tempers and conditions
CC494K is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at CC494K.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sand cast | Choose for one-off or large, complex bearing housings and pump parts where section size rules out chill or continuous casting. | 85 | 180 | 10 | 62 HB | 15 % IACS |
Chill / permanent-mould cast | Choose for medium-volume small bushings needing finer grain, tighter tolerance and slightly higher strength than sand casting. | 95 | 200 | 8 | 65 HB | 15 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast | Choose for large-diameter, thick-wall bushings and slide rings where a dense, porosity-free wall is required. | 100 | 215 | 10 | 65 HB | 15 % IACS |
GCDefaultThis page Continuously cast bar / tube | Default stock form: continuous-cast round bar and hollow bar for machined bushings, thrust washers and wear strips. | 105 | 220 | 10 | 68 HB | 15 % IACS |
What is CC494K-GC?
CC494K-GC is CC494K supplied in the GC condition — default stock form: continuous-cast round bar and hollow bar for machined bushings, thrust washers and wear strips. CC494K-GC has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 80 GPa (11.6 Msi). CC494K-GC has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 855°C (1,571 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 50/100, worse than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 80 GPa (11.6 Msi), worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 85% of copper alloy grades
CC494K-GC properties
Typical room-temperature values for CC494K-GC; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CC494K reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
CC494K-GC has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 855°C (1,571 °F).
Mechanical15
CC494K-GC has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 80 GPa (11.6 Msi).
Thermal6
CC494K-GC is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 71 W/m·K (41 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 54% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CC494K-GC conducts electricity at 15 % IACS, worse than 54% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CC494K-GC takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
CC494K-GC's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CC494K-GC
Is CC494K easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour with short chips — use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, 0° to slightly negative rake for interrupted cuts, high speed and light feed; capture lead-bearing swarf for controlled disposal.
Can CC494K be welded?
Essentially unweldable by fusion processes due to 8–11% Pb (hot cracking, lead fume); repair by soft soldering or mechanical means, or use low-Pb bronze if welding is required.
Can CC494K be formed, bent or molded?
Cast-only alloy with a wide freezing range — feed generously with chills and risers to avoid inverse segregation and lead sweat; not cold formable, light coining/broaching of bores only.
What surface finishes work on CC494K?
Bore-size finishing by fine boring, reaming, roller burnishing or honing; tin or nickel plating for potable-water and appearance work, chemical patination for decorative parts, high mirror polish limited by lead smear.
CC494K 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 | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Pb | 8 – 11 | 9 |
| Zn | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| Niincluding Co | ≤ 2 | — |
| Sb | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Cu | ≥ 83 (balance) | — |
CC494K-GC — frequently asked
What is CC494K-GC used for?
CC494K-GC is typically used for bushings, bearings, low-speed sliding components and hydraulic fittings. In short: highest machinability cast bronze; low-load bearing alloy; strong self-lubricating action.
What is the yield strength of CC494K-GC?
CC494K-GC has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is CC494K-GC easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour with short chips — use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, 0° to slightly negative rake for interrupted cuts, high speed and light feed; capture lead-bearing swarf for controlled disposal.
Can CC494K-GC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Essentially unweldable by fusion processes due to 8–11% Pb (hot cracking, lead fume); repair by soft soldering or mechanical means, or use low-Pb bronze if welding is required.
What surface finishes work on CC494K-GC?
Bore-size finishing by fine boring, reaming, roller burnishing or honing; tin or nickel plating for potable-water and appearance work, chemical patination for decorative parts, high mirror polish limited by lead smear.
Can CC494K-GC be formed, bent or molded?
Cast-only alloy with a wide freezing range — feed generously with chills and risers to avoid inverse segregation and lead sweat; not cold formable, light coining/broaching of bores only.
What is the maximum service temperature of CC494K-GC?
CC494K-GC 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 CC494K-GC and CC494K-GS?
GC is the default condition — default stock form: continuous-cast round bar and hollow bar for machined bushings, thrust washers and wear strips. GS: choose for one-off or large, complex bearing housings and pump parts where section size rules out chill or continuous casting. Yield strength is 105 MPa in GC versus 85 MPa in GS.
Sources
- EN 1982 — Copper and copper alloys: Ingots and castings (CuSn5Pb9-C / CC494K) — CEN (2017)
- ASTM B505/B505M — Continuous Cast Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2022)
- CDA Alloy Database — C93400 / C93500 leaded tin bronze — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- DKI Informationsdruck — Guss aus Kupferlegierungen — Deutsches Kupferinstitut (2012)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.