Copper Alloy GRCop-84 HIP-PM
Heat-treated state
HIP-PM = hIP-consolidated powder
For large near-net preforms and thick sections where extrusion is impractical; slightly lower strength than extruded but fully isotropic.
Values for the HIP-PM condition
What is GRCop-84 HIP-PM?
GRCop-84 HIP-PM is GRCop-84 heat treated to HIP-PM — for large near-net preforms and thick sections where extrusion is impractical; slightly lower strength than extruded but fully isotropic. GRCop-84 HIP-PM has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi). GRCop-84 HIP-PM has a density of 8.76 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,070°C (1,958 °F).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 800°C (1,472 °F), better than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 288 W/m·K (166.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 65 % IACS, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 400 MPa (58 ksi), better than 80% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
GRCop-84 HIP-PM properties
Typical room-temperature values for GRCop-84 HIP-PM; 7 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are GRCop-84 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
GRCop-84 HIP-PM has a density of 8.76 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,070°C (1,958 °F).
Mechanical12
GRCop-84 HIP-PM has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
Thermal6
GRCop-84 HIP-PM is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 288 W/m·K (166.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
GRCop-84 HIP-PM conducts electricity at 65 % IACS, better than 82% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 100% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of GRCop-84 HIP-PM takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
GRCop-84 HIP-PM's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with GRCop-84 HIP-PM
Is GRCop-84 easy to machine?
Gummy like copper but abrasively loaded with hard Cr₂Nb particles — use sharp uncoated or diamond-coated carbide, high speed/light feed, flood coolant, and expect faster tool wear than CuCrZr.
Can GRCop-84 be welded?
Electron-beam and laser welding are preferred (narrow HAZ keeps the dispersoid fine); avoid high-heat-input arc processes and never solution-anneal expecting precipitation — Cr₂Nb is thermally stable, not age-hardenable.
Can GRCop-84 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a casting alloy — it must be made by rapid solidification (gas atomization) then L-PBF, DED, HIP or extrusion; hot working around 700–850 °C is possible, cold formability is limited.
What surface finishes work on GRCop-84?
Cannot be anodized; abrasive-flow or chemical polishing of internal channels, then electroless/electrolytic nickel or a thermal-barrier/oxidation coating for hot-gas surfaces.
GRCop-84 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cr8 at% — forms Cr2Nb dispersoid | 6.2 – 6.9 | 6.5 |
| Nb4 at% — stoichiometric with Cr for Cr2Nb | 5.4 – 6.1 | 5.8 |
| Opowder oxygen pickup, typical AM powder limit | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Cu≈87.7 wt% | balance |
GRCop-84 HIP-PM — frequently asked
What is GRCop-84 HIP-PM used for?
GRCop-84 HIP-PM is typically used for rocket engine liners, thrust chambers and aerospace heat exchangers. In short: strongest GRCop variant; usable to 800 °C; conductive high-temperature AM copper.
What is the yield strength of GRCop-84 HIP-PM?
GRCop-84 HIP-PM has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 80% of copper alloy grades.
Is GRCop-84 HIP-PM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades). Gummy like copper but abrasively loaded with hard Cr₂Nb particles — use sharp uncoated or diamond-coated carbide, high speed/light feed, flood coolant, and expect faster tool wear than CuCrZr.
Can GRCop-84 HIP-PM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Electron-beam and laser welding are preferred (narrow HAZ keeps the dispersoid fine); avoid high-heat-input arc processes and never solution-anneal expecting precipitation — Cr₂Nb is thermally stable, not age-hardenable.
What surface finishes work on GRCop-84 HIP-PM?
Cannot be anodized; abrasive-flow or chemical polishing of internal channels, then electroless/electrolytic nickel or a thermal-barrier/oxidation coating for hot-gas surfaces.
Can GRCop-84 HIP-PM be formed, bent or molded?
Not a casting alloy — it must be made by rapid solidification (gas atomization) then L-PBF, DED, HIP or extrusion; hot working around 700–850 °C is possible, cold formability is limited.
What is the maximum service temperature of GRCop-84 HIP-PM?
GRCop-84 HIP-PM is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- GRCop-84: A High-Temperature Copper Alloy for High-Heat-Flux Applications (NASA/TM-2005-213566) — NASA Glenn Research Center (2005)
- Mechanical and thermophysical property data for L-PBF GRCop-84 / GRCop-42 — NASA MSFC additive manufacturing reports (2021)
- Cu-Cr-Nb (GRCop) AM powder datasheets — AM powder suppliers (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.