Copper Alloy ERCuAl-A3-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS C61900
Default reference condition: undiluted all-weld-metal properties used for joint and repair design.
Values for the AW condition
Other ERCuAl-A3 tempers and conditions
ERCuAl-A3 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at ERCuAl-A3.
- AW-SR
- AW
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As-welded then stress relieved | Pick when residual stress and stress-corrosion/hydrogen cracking risk in thick multi-pass aluminium-bronze weldments must be reduced. | 325 | 660 | 10 | 17 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
AWDefaultThis page As-welded deposit | Default reference condition: undiluted all-weld-metal properties used for joint and repair design. | 345 | 690 | 8 | 20 HRC | 9 % IACS |
What is ERCuAl-A3-AW?
ERCuAl-A3-AW is ERCuAl-A3 heat treated to AW — default reference condition: undiluted all-weld-metal properties used for joint and repair design. ERCuAl-A3-AW has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 73% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi). ERCuAl-A3-AW has a density of 7.5 g/cm³ (0.271 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F).
Advantages
- Lightweight — 7.5 g/cm³ (0.271 lb/in³), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 88% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 60/100, better than 76% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 9 % IACS, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
ERCuAl-A3-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for ERCuAl-A3-AW; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ERCuAl-A3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
ERCuAl-A3-AW has a density of 7.5 g/cm³ (0.271 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F).
Mechanical14
ERCuAl-A3-AW has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 73% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 115 GPa (16.7 Msi).
Thermal6
ERCuAl-A3-AW is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 46 W/m·K (26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ERCuAl-A3-AW conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 88% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ERCuAl-A3-AW takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
ERCuAl-A3-AW's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ERCuAl-A3-AW
Is ERCuAl-A3 easy to machine?
Hard duplex deposit: use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, moderate speed with heavy feed and flood coolant; expect ~20% of AISI 1212 machinability and abrasive tool wear from kappa phase.
Can ERCuAl-A3 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with DCEP (MIG) or AC/DCEN (TIG), argon shielding, 150–250 °C preheat and interpass below ~250 °C on thick sections; keep stringer beads, clean alumina film between passes, avoid excessive heat input to limit beta-phase embrittlement and cracking.
Can ERCuAl-A3 be formed, bent or molded?
Deposit is not intended for cold forming; the wire itself feeds well but the weld metal has only 5–12% elongation, so plan machining-to-size rather than bending or peening-heavy work.
What surface finishes work on ERCuAl-A3?
Grind or machine overlays to size, then polish; the alloy takes a bronze luster but the tenacious alumina film requires pickling or abrasive prep before plating, painting or brazing — anodizing is not applicable.
ERCuAl-A3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alhighest-Al class of the ERCuAl series; duplex alpha+beta deposit | 10 – 11.5 | 10.7 |
| Fegrain refiner / kappa-phase former | 2 – 4.5 | 3.2 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mnproducer-controlled; not limited in all editions | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Niincidental/residual in most heats | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Other, total | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Cubalance; wrought counterparts quoted as C62400 / C61900 depending on Al-Fe level | balance | — |
ERCuAl-A3-AW — frequently asked
What is ERCuAl-A3-AW used for?
ERCuAl-A3-AW is typically used for heavy wear surfacing, propeller and pump shaft build-up, aluminum bronze structural welding and cavitation-resistant overlays. In short: hardest aluminum bronze filler; cavitation and wear overlays; low deposit ductility.
What is the yield strength of ERCuAl-A3-AW?
ERCuAl-A3-AW has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 73% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ERCuAl-A3-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades). Hard duplex deposit: use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, moderate speed with heavy feed and flood coolant; expect ~20% of AISI 1212 machinability and abrasive tool wear from kappa phase.
Can ERCuAl-A3-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). GTAW/GMAW with DCEP (MIG) or AC/DCEN (TIG), argon shielding, 150–250 °C preheat and interpass below ~250 °C on thick sections; keep stringer beads, clean alumina film between passes, avoid excessive heat input to limit beta-phase embrittlement and cracking.
What surface finishes work on ERCuAl-A3-AW?
Grind or machine overlays to size, then polish; the alloy takes a bronze luster but the tenacious alumina film requires pickling or abrasive prep before plating, painting or brazing — anodizing is not applicable.
Can ERCuAl-A3-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Deposit is not intended for cold forming; the wire itself feeds well but the weld metal has only 5–12% elongation, so plan machining-to-size rather than bending or peening-heavy work.
What is the maximum service temperature of ERCuAl-A3-AW?
ERCuAl-A3-AW is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ERCuAl-A3-AW and ERCuAl-A3 AW-SR?
AW is the default condition — default reference condition: undiluted all-weld-metal properties used for joint and repair design. AW-SR: pick when residual stress and stress-corrosion/hydrogen cracking risk in thick multi-pass aluminium-bronze weldments must be reduced. Yield strength is 345 MPa in AW versus 325 MPa in AW-SR.
Sources
- AWS A5.7/A5.7M — Specification for Copper and Copper-Alloy Bare Welding Rods and Electrodes — American Welding Society (2021)
- AWS A5.13/A5.13M — Specification for Surfacing Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding (aluminium-bronze surfacing data) — American Welding Society (2010)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (aluminium bronzes) — ASM International (1990)
- CDA / copper.org alloy data for high-aluminium aluminium bronzes (C62400 class) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- Aluminium-bronze filler metal datasheets (ERCuAl-A2/A3 all-weld-metal properties) — Various consumable producers (2023)
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.