Copper Alloy ZCuSn10Zn2
GB ZQSn10-2
ZCuSn10Zn2 is a general-purpose cast tin bronze with about 10% tin and 2% zinc, listed as ZQSn10-2 and matching the C90300 "Navy G" composition.
Reference datasheet — ZCuSn10Zn2 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
ZCuSn10Zn2 tempers and conditions
ZCuSn10Zn2 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 | Default route for valve bodies, pump housings and one-off/low-volume parts; highest ductility, lowest strength and hardness. | 140 | 290 | 18 | 75 HB | 12 % IACS |
Permanent (metal) mould cast | Chill casting for series production of small fittings: finer grain, higher strength and hardness but reduced elongation. | 160 | 300 | 10 | 85 HB | 12 % IACS |
Continuously cast bar/tube | Stock bar and tube for machined bearings and gears; directional solidification gives sound, uniform structure with good machined surface finish. | 170 | 320 | 12 | 88 HB | 12 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast | Choice for bushings, sleeves and worm-gear rims: dense, porosity-free wall with the highest strength and hardness of the four routes. | 175 | 330 | 12 | 90 HB | 12 % IACS |
What is ZCuSn10Zn2?
ZCuSn10Zn2 is a general-purpose cast tin bronze with about 10% tin and 2% zinc, listed as ZQSn10-2 and matching the C90300 "Navy G" composition. It is chosen for pressure-tight castings in water and seawater service, combining 290 MPa tensile strength, 140 MPa yield, 18% elongation, 75 HB and 12% IACS conductivity, with service to about 260 °C; forms include sand, permanent-mould, continuous and centrifugal castings. Being unleaded it machines more gummily than leaded bronzes and is not reliably fusion weldable. For gear and wear duty at higher hardness use ZCuSn10Pb1. ZCuSn10Zn2 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F). ZCuSn10Zn2 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
What is ZCuSn10Zn2 used for?
- pump housings
- valve bodies
- marine fittings
- impellers
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 84% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
ZCuSn10Zn2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZCuSn10Zn2-S; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
ZCuSn10Zn2 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 854°C (1,569 °F).
Mechanical12
ZCuSn10Zn2 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
ZCuSn10Zn2 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 74.8 W/m·K (43.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 50% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZCuSn10Zn2 conducts electricity at 12 % IACS, worse than 62% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 84% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZCuSn10Zn2 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
ZCuSn10Zn2's machinability is good (55/100, better than 71% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); 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. ZCuSn10Zn2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZCuSn10Zn2
Is ZCuSn10Zn2 easy to machine?
Machines to a good finish with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools and generous coolant; chips are short but gummier than leaded bronzes — expect ~30–35 % of AISI 1212 speeds and avoid rubbing/burnishing at low feeds.
Can ZCuSn10Zn2 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (hot-short, tin segregation); repair by brazing or by GTAW with matching Cu-Sn filler and 150–250 °C preheat only for non-critical areas.
Can ZCuSn10Zn2 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — good fluidity and moderately wide freezing range means it needs directional solidification, adequate risering and chills to avoid interdendritic shrinkage; degas and cover the melt to limit hydrogen and tin oxide.
ZCuSn10Zn2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Snprincipal strengthening/anti-friction addition | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Zndeoxidiser, improves fluidity and soundness | 1 – 3 | 2 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 1.5 | |
| Nitolerated impurity | ≤ 2 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Sbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Pimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Simpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Alkept very low to avoid dross/oxide films | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cu≈86–89 % typical | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZCuSn10Zn2?
Not anodizable; use tin, nickel or chrome plating for wear/appearance, chemical patina or clear lacquer for decorative work, and light polishing after shot-blasting to remove casting skin.
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 ZCuSn10Zn2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- ZQSn10-2
- Similar grades
- C90300
How much does ZCuSn10Zn2 cost?
ZCuSn10Zn2 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.
ZCuSn10Zn2 — frequently asked
What is ZCuSn10Zn2 used for?
ZCuSn10Zn2 is typically used for pump housings, valve bodies, marine fittings and impellers. In short: marine-grade tin bronze; most ductile grade here; navy G equivalent composition.
What is the yield strength of ZCuSn10Zn2?
ZCuSn10Zn2 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 74% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZCuSn10Zn2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 71% of copper alloy grades). Machines to a good finish with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools and generous coolant; chips are short but gummier than leaded bronzes — expect ~30–35 % of AISI 1212 speeds and avoid rubbing/burnishing at low feeds.
Can ZCuSn10Zn2 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (hot-short, tin segregation); repair by brazing or by GTAW with matching Cu-Sn filler and 150–250 °C preheat only for non-critical areas.
What surface finishes work on ZCuSn10Zn2?
Not anodizable; use tin, nickel or chrome plating for wear/appearance, chemical patina or clear lacquer for decorative work, and light polishing after shot-blasting to remove casting skin.
Can ZCuSn10Zn2 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — good fluidity and moderately wide freezing range means it needs directional solidification, adequate risering and chills to avoid interdendritic shrinkage; degas and cover the melt to limit hydrogen and tin oxide.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZCuSn10Zn2?
ZCuSn10Zn2 is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZCuSn10Zn2-S and ZCuSn10Zn2-Li?
S is the default condition — default route for valve bodies, pump housings and one-off/low-volume parts; highest ductility, lowest strength and hardness. Li: choice for bushings, sleeves and worm-gear rims: dense, porosity-free wall with the highest strength and hardness of the four routes. Yield strength is 140 MPa in S versus 175 MPa in Li.
How much does ZCuSn10Zn2 cost?
ZCuSn10Zn2 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
- ASTM B505/B505M — Copper Alloy Continuous Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B584 — Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications — ASTM International (2022)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C90300 (Navy G Bronze) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — 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.