Copper Alloy CuNi2SiCr
EN CuNi2SiCr · UNS C64726
CuNi2SiCr (C64726) is an age-hardenable copper-nickel-silicon alloy with a chromium addition, available as AM powder (as-built, as-built plus age, solution-treated plus age, HIP plus age) and as wrought TB00, TF00, TH04 and TM04 tempers.
Reference datasheet — CuNi2SiCr 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 AB+A condition
CuNi2SiCr tempers and conditions
CuNi2SiCr is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. AB+A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated | Soft wrought bar/strip for forming, bending or deep drawing before the customer's own ageing cycle. | 160 | 350 | 40 | 90 HB | 20 % IACS |
As built (as printed) | Pick when the part will be machined and aged afterwards, or where ductility matters more than strength/conductivity. | 300 | 400 | 20 | 115 HB | 18 % IACS |
Hot isostatically pressed then aged | For fatigue- or pressure-critical cooling channels where residual LPBF porosity must be closed. | 480 | 590 | 18 | 11 HRC | 40 % IACS |
AB+ADefault LPBF as-built plus direct precipitation ageing | Standard supplied condition for conformal-cooling mould inserts: near-peak strength and conductivity without distortion from a solution treatment. | 500 | 600 | 12 | 190 HB | 36 % IACS |
LPBF, solution treated (≈900–950 °C, quenched) and aged | Choose when maximum conductivity and homogeneous properties are needed and the geometry tolerates quench distortion. | 530 | 630 | 14 | 200 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Standard hardened wrought bar/plate condition (EN 12163 R590/HB180 class) for electrodes, dies and backing plates. | 530 | 630 | 15 | 195 HB | 43 % IACS |
Mill hardened, full hard | Mill-hardened strip supplied ready to stamp and form for connectors and lead frames — no customer heat treatment. | 620 | 680 | 9 | 208 HB | 40 % IACS |
TD04 and precipitation hardened | Highest-strength wrought condition for small rod, wire and strip where formability is not required. | 660 | 720 | 8 | 215 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is CuNi2SiCr?
CuNi2SiCr (C64726) is an age-hardenable copper-nickel-silicon alloy with a chromium addition, available as AM powder (as-built, as-built plus age, solution-treated plus age, HIP plus age) and as wrought TB00, TF00, TH04 and TM04 tempers. It balances 36% IACS and 160 W/m·K with 500 MPa yield, 600 MPa tensile, 190 HB and 12% elongation, which is why it is used for conformally cooled mould inserts and current-carrying wear parts. Conductivity is well below pure copper or GRCop grades, service is limited to about 350 °C, and the HAZ over-ages after welding unless re-aged. CuNi2SiCr has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,050°C (1,922 °F). CuNi2SiCr has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 132 GPa (19.1 Msi).
What is CuNi2SiCr used for?
- conformal-cooled injection mold inserts
- electrode holders
- wear-resistant conductive parts
Advantages
- High service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Stiff — 132 GPa (19.1 Msi), better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 500 MPa (72.5 ksi), better than 89% of copper alloy grades
CuNi2SiCr properties
Typical room-temperature values for CuNi2SiCr-AB+A; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
CuNi2SiCr has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,050°C (1,922 °F).
Mechanical15
CuNi2SiCr has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 132 GPa (19.1 Msi).
Thermal6
CuNi2SiCr is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 160 W/m·K (92.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 74% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CuNi2SiCr conducts electricity at 36 % IACS, better than 73% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CuNi2SiCr takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
CuNi2SiCr's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. CuNi2SiCr is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CuNi2SiCr
Is CuNi2SiCr easy to machine?
Machine in the aged condition with sharp, polished-flute carbide at high speed and generous flood coolant; the alloy is gummy and work-hardens, so avoid dwelling and use positive rake.
Can CuNi2SiCr be welded?
Laser and electron-beam welding work well on thin sections; TIG/MIG possible with matching or Cu-Ni filler, but the HAZ over-ages and needs re-ageing (≈480 °C/3 h) to restore hardness.
Can CuNi2SiCr be formed, bent or molded?
LPBF requires green or high-power IR lasers, pre-heated plate and low-oxygen atmosphere due to copper's reflectivity; wrought material should be formed in the TB00 solution-treated temper and aged afterwards.
CuNi2SiCr 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Niforms Ni2Si strengthening precipitates | 1.6 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Si | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Crgrain refinement and additional Cr-rich precipitation | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Mnimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Others (total)sum of unlisted elements | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Cubalance, ≈96.5 % nominal; ranges per DIN/EN CW112C (CuNi2SiCr), close to CDA C647xx family | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on CuNi2SiCr?
Polishes to a mirror finish for mould cavities; not anodisable — protect with electroless nickel, hard chrome or PVD coatings against wear and against contact with ammonia-bearing media.
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 CuNi2SiCr in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- C64726
How much does CuNi2SiCr cost?
CuNi2SiCr 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.
CuNi2SiCr — frequently asked
What is CuNi2SiCr used for?
CuNi2SiCr is typically used for conformal-cooled injection mold inserts, electrode holders and wear-resistant conductive parts. In short: age-hardenable conductive tooling copper; strongest of the conformal-cooling coppers; mirror-polishable mould material.
What is the yield strength of CuNi2SiCr?
CuNi2SiCr has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 89% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is CuNi2SiCr easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades). Machine in the aged condition with sharp, polished-flute carbide at high speed and generous flood coolant; the alloy is gummy and work-hardens, so avoid dwelling and use positive rake.
Can CuNi2SiCr be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Laser and electron-beam welding work well on thin sections; TIG/MIG possible with matching or Cu-Ni filler, but the HAZ over-ages and needs re-ageing (≈480 °C/3 h) to restore hardness.
What surface finishes work on CuNi2SiCr?
Polishes to a mirror finish for mould cavities; not anodisable — protect with electroless nickel, hard chrome or PVD coatings against wear and against contact with ammonia-bearing media.
Can CuNi2SiCr be formed, bent or molded?
LPBF requires green or high-power IR lasers, pre-heated plate and low-oxygen atmosphere due to copper's reflectivity; wrought material should be formed in the TB00 solution-treated temper and aged afterwards.
What is the maximum service temperature of CuNi2SiCr?
CuNi2SiCr is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between CuNi2SiCr AB+A and CuNi2SiCr-TB00?
AB+A is the default condition — standard supplied condition for conformal-cooling mould inserts: near-peak strength and conductivity without distortion from a solution treatment. TB00: soft wrought bar/strip for forming, bending or deep drawing before the customer's own ageing cycle. Yield strength is 500 MPa in AB+A versus 160 MPa in TB00.
How much does CuNi2SiCr cost?
CuNi2SiCr 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 12163 / EN 12420 — Copper and copper alloys, rod and forgings (CuNi2SiCr, CW112C) — CEN (2016)
- ASTM B105 / CDA alloy registration, C647xx Cu-Ni-Si series — ASTM / Copper Development Association (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Cu-Ni-Si precipitation-hardening alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- LPBF copper alloy powder datasheets (CuNi2SiCr) from AM system and powder suppliers — various (SLM/TRUMPF/atomiser datasheets) (2023)
- copper.org alloy property database, Cu-Ni-Si alloys — CDA (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.