Copper Alloy YBsC3
YBsC3 is a leaded yellow brass casting alloy to JIS H5120, used where machining cost governs rather than strength.
Reference datasheet — YBsC3 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
YBsC3 tempers and conditions
YBsC3 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. F-SAND is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Optional low-temperature treatment to relieve casting/machining stresses and reduce ammonia-related SCC risk before plating. | 95 | 285 | 28 | 65 HB | 27 % IACS |
F-SANDDefault F | Default supply condition for valve bodies, fittings and hardware in low volumes or large parts. | 105 | 295 | 25 | 70 HB | 26 % IACS |
F | Choose for rings, sleeves and large-bore pump/valve bodies where pressure tightness and clean wall structure matter. | 120 | 310 | 25 | 75 HB | 26 % IACS |
F | Choose for medium/high volume small fittings needing tighter dimensions and finer grain, slightly higher strength. | 125 | 320 | 20 | 80 HB | 26 % IACS |
F | Choose when machining bushings, valve stems or fittings from bar stock — dense, pore-free, best machined finish. | 130 | 315 | 22 | 80 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is YBsC3?
YBsC3 is a leaded yellow brass casting alloy to JIS H5120, used where machining cost governs rather than strength. Default-condition values are 105 MPa yield, 295 MPa tensile, 25% elongation and about 70 HB with a machinability rating of 85 and service to 200 °C; it is available as sand, permanent-mould, continuous and centrifugal castings, and in a stress-relieved condition. Lead makes fusion welding impractical and the alloy is susceptible to dezincification, so seawater and ammonia service needs coating or a different alloy. For higher strength in the same JIS family, use HBsC1. YBsC3 has a density of 8.4 g/cm³ (0.303 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F). YBsC3 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
What is YBsC3 used for?
- plumbing fittings
- valve bodies
- decorative hardware
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 96 GPa (13.9 Msi), worse than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 85% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
YBsC3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for YBsC3-F-SAND; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
YBsC3 has a density of 8.4 g/cm³ (0.303 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Mechanical15
YBsC3 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
YBsC3 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
YBsC3 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of YBsC3 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
YBsC3's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. YBsC3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with YBsC3
Is YBsC3 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour with the lead phase — use zero-to-negative rake carbide, high speeds, light coolant; chips break short.
Can YBsC3 be welded?
Poor for fusion welding (lead cracking, zinc fume); repair by braze/solder or low-heat brazing with flux and adequate ventilation.
Can YBsC3 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — very fluid in sand, metal and centrifugal moulds; provide generous feeding to avoid zinc-drossy shrink porosity, keep pour ≈1000–1050 °C.
YBsC3 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 CAC203 | 58 – 64 | 61 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 0.5 – 3 | 1.8 |
| Sn | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Al | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Nicounted with Cu in some editions | ≤ 1 | 0.2 |
| Znremainder, approx. 33–40 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on YBsC3?
Buffs to a bright yellow finish; readily Ni/Cr or brass-plated and lacquered; no anodizing — chemical passivation or clear coat prevents tarnish.
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 YBsC3 cost?
YBsC3 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
YBsC3 — frequently asked
What is YBsC3 used for?
YBsC3 is typically used for plumbing fittings, valve bodies and decorative hardware. In short: best-machining cast brass; low-cost plumbing castings; not fusion weldable.
What is the yield strength of YBsC3?
YBsC3 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is YBsC3 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour with the lead phase — use zero-to-negative rake carbide, high speeds, light coolant; chips break short.
Can YBsC3 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor for fusion welding (lead cracking, zinc fume); repair by braze/solder or low-heat brazing with flux and adequate ventilation.
What surface finishes work on YBsC3?
Buffs to a bright yellow finish; readily Ni/Cr or brass-plated and lacquered; no anodizing — chemical passivation or clear coat prevents tarnish.
Can YBsC3 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — very fluid in sand, metal and centrifugal moulds; provide generous feeding to avoid zinc-drossy shrink porosity, keep pour ≈1000–1050 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of YBsC3?
YBsC3 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 YBsC3 F-SAND and YBsC3 F-CC?
F-SAND is the default condition — default supply condition for valve bodies, fittings and hardware in low volumes or large parts. F-CC: choose when machining bushings, valve stems or fittings from bar stock — dense, pore-free, best machined finish. Yield strength is 105 MPa in F-SAND versus 130 MPa in F-CC.
How much does YBsC3 cost?
YBsC3 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 H 5120 Copper and copper alloy castings (CAC203 / YBsC3) — JISC (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA copper alloy datasheets (cast leaded yellow brasses, C85xxx) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (copper alloys) — ASM International (2005)
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.