Copper Alloy ZCuPb10Sn10
ZCuPb10Sn10 is a high-leaded cast tin bronze (nominally 10% lead, 10% tin), equivalent to C93700, in which the free lead phase gives self-lubrication, conformability and dirt embeddability.
Reference datasheet — ZCuPb10Sn10 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 S condition
ZCuPb10Sn10 tempers and conditions
ZCuPb10Sn10 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. S 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDefault Sand cast | Pick for large, single-piece or small-batch bearing shells, worm wheels and pump-housing bushings; slow mould cooling leaves the lowest strength of the cast forms at 200 MPa tensile and 70 HB. | 90 | 200 | 10 | 70 HB | 10 % IACS |
Permanent (metal) mould cast | Choose for medium-batch, higher-strength bushings: fast cooling in the metal mould gives a denser structure, 240 MPa tensile and 80 HB, with elongation reduced to 8%. | 110 | 240 | 8 | 80 HB | 10 % IACS |
Continuous cast bar/tube | Use continuously cast bar and tube when off-the-shelf sizes and direct machining into bushings are the priority; uniform structure at 240 MPa tensile, 75 HB and 8% elongation. | 115 | 240 | 8 | 75 HB | 10 % IACS |
Centrifugal cast | Pick for large-diameter bearing shells and bimetal bushings; centrifugal casting gives the densest structure with few pores or slag inclusions, reaching 250 MPa tensile, 120 MPa yield and 80 HB. | 120 | 250 | 9 | 80 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
What is ZCuPb10Sn10?
ZCuPb10Sn10 is a high-leaded cast tin bronze (nominally 10% lead, 10% tin), equivalent to C93700, in which the free lead phase gives self-lubrication, conformability and dirt embeddability. It is used for medium-duty sleeve bearings and bushings that run with marginal lubrication, supplied as sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous castings. Strength is modest at 200 MPa tensile, 90 MPa yield, 10% elongation and 70 HB, and the lead content rules out fusion welding and restricts drinking-water use. For higher load capacity use ZCuSn10Pb1. ZCuPb10Sn10 has a density of 8.93 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 82% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 762°C (1,404 °F). ZCuPb10Sn10 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
What is ZCuPb10Sn10 used for?
- sleeve bearings
- bushings
- thrust washers
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 76 GPa (11 Msi), worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
ZCuPb10Sn10 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZCuPb10Sn10-S; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
ZCuPb10Sn10 has a density of 8.93 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 82% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 762°C (1,404 °F).
Mechanical15
ZCuPb10Sn10 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
Thermal6
ZCuPb10Sn10 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 47 W/m·K (27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZCuPb10Sn10 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, worse than 74% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZCuPb10Sn10 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
ZCuPb10Sn10's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. ZCuPb10Sn10 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZCuPb10Sn10
Is ZCuPb10Sn10 easy to machine?
Machinability is excellent, roughly 80% of the AISI free-cutting reference. The lead phase breaks chips, so sharp positive-rake tools at high speed, run dry or with minimum-quantity lubrication, produce mirror-finish bores.
Can ZCuPb10Sn10 be welded?
At 10% lead the alloy is essentially not fusion weldable; hot cracking and lead fume are both risks. Repair only by low-temperature soft soldering or brazing, with good ventilation.
Can ZCuPb10Sn10 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only, with no cold forming. Sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous casting are all suitable; pour at about 1100–1180 °C with good feeding to prevent segregation and coalescence of the lead phase.
ZCuPb10Sn10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sn | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Pbfree lead phase provides self-lubrication | 8 – 11 | 10 |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 2 | |
| Niimpurity limit | ≤ 2 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Sbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Pimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Simpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Alimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cubalance, approx. 78-82% | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZCuPb10Sn10?
Can be turned, honed and roller-burnished. Surfaces accept tin plating or chemical polishing but cannot be anodized, and lead content limits use in food-contact and drinking-water parts.
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 ZCuPb10Sn10 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- C93700
How much does ZCuPb10Sn10 cost?
ZCuPb10Sn10 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.
ZCuPb10Sn10 — frequently asked
What is ZCuPb10Sn10 used for?
ZCuPb10Sn10 is typically used for sleeve bearings, bushings and thrust washers. In short: self-lubricating bearing bronze; highest machinability in family; not for potable water.
What is the yield strength of ZCuPb10Sn10?
ZCuPb10Sn10 has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 88% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZCuPb10Sn10 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades). Machinability is excellent, roughly 80% of the AISI free-cutting reference. The lead phase breaks chips, so sharp positive-rake tools at high speed, run dry or with minimum-quantity lubrication, produce mirror-finish bores.
Can ZCuPb10Sn10 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). At 10% lead the alloy is essentially not fusion weldable; hot cracking and lead fume are both risks. Repair only by low-temperature soft soldering or brazing, with good ventilation.
What surface finishes work on ZCuPb10Sn10?
Can be turned, honed and roller-burnished. Surfaces accept tin plating or chemical polishing but cannot be anodized, and lead content limits use in food-contact and drinking-water parts.
Can ZCuPb10Sn10 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only, with no cold forming. Sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous casting are all suitable; pour at about 1100–1180 °C with good feeding to prevent segregation and coalescence of the lead phase.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZCuPb10Sn10?
ZCuPb10Sn10 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 ZCuPb10Sn10-S and ZCuPb10Sn10-Li?
S is the default condition — pick for large, single-piece or small-batch bearing shells, worm wheels and pump-housing bushings; slow mould cooling leaves the lowest strength of the cast forms at 200 MPa tensile and 70 HB. Li: pick for large-diameter bearing shells and bimetal bushings; centrifugal casting gives the densest structure with few pores or slag inclusions, reaching 250 MPa tensile, 120 MPa yield and 80 HB. Yield strength is 90 MPa in S versus 120 MPa in Li.
How much does ZCuPb10Sn10 cost?
ZCuPb10Sn10 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
- C93700 High Leaded Tin Bronze alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B584 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM (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.