Copper Alloy CC496K-GC (Continuously cast bar / tube)
Finish state · default condition
EN CC496K
Default stock form: continuous-cast solid bar and hollow bar for machined bushings, thrust washers and wear strips.
Values for the GC condition
Other CC496K tempers and conditions
CC496K is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at CC496K.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sand cast | Pick for large, complex or one-off bearing housings and bushes where section thickness varies. | 90 | 190 | 10 | 60 HB | 11 % IACS |
Permanent (chill) mould cast | Pick for medium-volume bushes needing finer grain, tighter dimensions and slightly higher strength than sand casting. | 100 | 210 | 8 | 65 HB | 11 % IACS |
GCDefaultThis page Continuously cast bar / tube | Default stock form: continuous-cast solid bar and hollow bar for machined bushings, thrust washers and wear strips. | 110 | 220 | 9 | 68 HB | 11 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast | Pick for large-diameter sleeves and rings needing dense, dross-free walls. | 110 | 220 | 8 | 65 HB | 11 % IACS |
What is CC496K-GC?
CC496K-GC is CC496K supplied in the GC condition — default stock form: continuous-cast solid bar and hollow bar for machined bushings, thrust washers and wear strips. CC496K-GC has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi). CC496K-GC has a density of 9.25 g/cm³ (0.334 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 762°C (1,404 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 78 GPa (11.3 Msi), worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 110 MPa (16 ksi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
CC496K-GC properties
Typical room-temperature values for CC496K-GC; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CC496K reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
CC496K-GC has a density of 9.25 g/cm³ (0.334 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 762°C (1,404 °F).
Mechanical15
CC496K-GC has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).
Thermal6
CC496K-GC is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CC496K-GC conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CC496K-GC takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
CC496K-GC's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CC496K-GC
Is CC496K easy to machine?
Excellent free-machining behaviour — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed; lead gives short chips and low cutting force, but avoid smearing during finish boring.
Can CC496K be welded?
Essentially unweldable by fusion (lead causes hot cracking and porosity); repair by soft soldering or mechanical replacement rather than TIG/MIG.
Can CC496K be formed, bent or molded?
Cast only — wide freezing range needs directional solidification, adequate risering and controlled pouring (~1100–1180 °C) to avoid lead segregation and interdendritic shrinkage.
What surface finishes work on CC496K?
Machine-finish or hone bores to 0.4–0.8 µm Ra; tin or electroless-nickel plating possible, no anodizing; degrease well before any bonding or plating.
CC496K 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Curemainder after Sn/Pb per EN 1982 | 74 – 80 | 77.5 |
| Sn | 6 – 8 | 7 |
| Pbfree lead phase, self-lubricating | 13 – 17 | 15 |
| Zn | ≤ 2 | 0.5 |
| Ni | ≤ 2 | 0.3 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Sb | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | — |
CC496K-GC — frequently asked
What is CC496K-GC used for?
CC496K-GC is typically used for sliding bearings, bushings under moderate load, thrust washers, marine fittings with plain bearings and pump bushings. In short: highest lead bearing bronze; excellent debris embeddability; service to 200 °C.
What is the yield strength of CC496K-GC?
CC496K-GC has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is CC496K-GC easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-machining behaviour — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed; lead gives short chips and low cutting force, but avoid smearing during finish boring.
Can CC496K-GC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Essentially unweldable by fusion (lead causes hot cracking and porosity); repair by soft soldering or mechanical replacement rather than TIG/MIG.
What surface finishes work on CC496K-GC?
Machine-finish or hone bores to 0.4–0.8 µm Ra; tin or electroless-nickel plating possible, no anodizing; degrease well before any bonding or plating.
Can CC496K-GC be formed, bent or molded?
Cast only — wide freezing range needs directional solidification, adequate risering and controlled pouring (~1100–1180 °C) to avoid lead segregation and interdendritic shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of CC496K-GC?
CC496K-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 CC496K-GC and CC496K-GS?
GC is the default condition — default stock form: continuous-cast solid bar and hollow bar for machined bushings, thrust washers and wear strips. GS: pick for large, complex or one-off bearing housings and bushes where section thickness varies. Yield strength is 110 MPa in GC versus 90 MPa in GS.
Sources
- EN 1982 — Copper and copper alloys: Ingots and castings (CuSn7Pb15-C, CC496K) — CEN (2017)
- GB/T 1176 — (ZCuPb15Sn8) — SAC (2013)
- CDA alloy datasheet C93800 (high-leaded tin bronze) — 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.