Copper Alloy HBsC3
HBsC3 is a high-strength cast brass in the JIS H5120 family, a copper-zinc casting alloy with aluminium and iron additions that raise strength well above HBsC1.
Reference datasheet — HBsC3 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 F-SAND condition
HBsC3 tempers and conditions
HBsC3 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. F-SAND is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Use for thick or intricate seawater castings where residual stress plus chlorides/ammonia would risk stress-corrosion cracking; strength drops only slightly. | 305 | 645 | 20 | 172 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
F-SANDDefault F | Default stocked/ordered condition: as-cast sand or shell mould castings meeting JIS H5120 CAC303 minimums. | 320 | 660 | 18 | 180 HB | 8 % IACS |
F | Pick for machined bar, nuts and worm-wheel blanks; sound, low-porosity stock with uniform properties along the bar. | 345 | 690 | 18 | 185 HB | 8 % IACS |
F | Pick for rings, bushings and sleeves: finer, denser structure gives slightly higher strength and hardness than sand cast. | 350 | 700 | 17 | 190 HB | 8 % IACS |
What is HBsC3?
HBsC3 is a high-strength cast brass in the JIS H5120 family, a copper-zinc casting alloy with aluminium and iron additions that raise strength well above HBsC1. In the as-cast condition it reaches roughly 320 MPa yield, 660 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 180 HB, and is supplied as sand, centrifugal and continuous castings, with a stress-relieved condition also on file. Engineers select it for heavily loaded marine and mechanical castings, but fusion welding and weld repair are difficult and machinability is only about 35 % of free-cutting brass. Where weld repair matters more than strength, a lower-strength high-tensile brass such as HBsC1 is the nearer choice. HBsC3 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 89% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 890°C (1,634 °F). HBsC3 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 68% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is HBsC3 used for?
- propeller components
- heavy-duty bushings
- pump housings
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 65/100, worse than 87% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 8 % IACS, worse than 81% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
HBsC3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for HBsC3-F-SAND; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
HBsC3 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 89% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 890°C (1,634 °F).
Mechanical15
HBsC3 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 68% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
HBsC3 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 19.5 µm/m·K (10.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
HBsC3 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, worse than 81% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HBsC3 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
HBsC3's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. HBsC3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with HBsC3
Is HBsC3 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough bronze rather than free-cutting brass: use sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speed with generous feed and coolant; hard Fe/Al-rich particles accelerate tool wear.
Can HBsC3 be welded?
Fusion welding and weld repair are difficult (aluminium oxide film, zinc fume, hot cracking) — braze or mechanically join where possible, and stress-relieve any weldment.
Can HBsC3 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: pour ~1000–1050 °C with good degassing, chills and generous risers to avoid shrinkage porosity; not suitable for cold forming.
HBsC3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuJIS H5120 CAC303 | 60 – 65 | 62.5 |
| Almain strengthener (β-phase former) | 3 – 5 | 4.2 |
| Mn | 2.5 – 5 | 3.5 |
| Fegrain refinement / wear resistance | 0.5 – 2 | 1.2 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Snimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Niimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Znremainder, nominally ~28 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on HBsC3?
Takes a bright polish and can be chrome- or nickel-plated after careful cleaning of the Al-oxide film; no anodizing — use lacquer or paint for atmospheric protection.
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).
How much does HBsC3 cost?
HBsC3 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.
HBsC3 — frequently asked
What is HBsC3 used for?
HBsC3 is typically used for propeller components, heavy-duty bushings and pump housings. In short: highest-strength cast brass; marine-duty casting alloy; tough, non-free-cutting brass.
What is the yield strength of HBsC3?
HBsC3 has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 68% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is HBsC3 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a tough bronze rather than free-cutting brass: use sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speed with generous feed and coolant; hard Fe/Al-rich particles accelerate tool wear.
Can HBsC3 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding and weld repair are difficult (aluminium oxide film, zinc fume, hot cracking) — braze or mechanically join where possible, and stress-relieve any weldment.
What surface finishes work on HBsC3?
Takes a bright polish and can be chrome- or nickel-plated after careful cleaning of the Al-oxide film; no anodizing — use lacquer or paint for atmospheric protection.
Can HBsC3 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: pour ~1000–1050 °C with good degassing, chills and generous risers to avoid shrinkage porosity; not suitable for cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of HBsC3?
HBsC3 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 HBsC3 F-SAND and HBsC3 F-CENT?
F-SAND is the default condition — default stocked/ordered condition: as-cast sand or shell mould castings meeting JIS H5120 CAC303 minimums. F-CENT: pick for rings, bushings and sleeves: finer, denser structure gives slightly higher strength and hardness than sand cast. Yield strength is 320 MPa in F-SAND versus 350 MPa in F-CENT.
How much does HBsC3 cost?
HBsC3 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
- JIS H5120 Copper and copper alloy castings (CAC303 / HBsC3) — JSA (2016)
- GB/T 1176 Cast copper and copper alloys (ZCuZn25Al6Fe3Mn3) — SAC (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Copper and Copper Alloys (cast high-strength brasses) — ASM International (1990)
- CDA alloy datasheets C86200 / C86300 (manganese bronze) — Copper Development Association (2023)
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.