Copper Alloy ZCuZn16Si4
ZCuZn16Si4 is a silicon brass casting alloy equivalent to EN CC761S, in which about 4% Si gives high strength and pressure tightness without lead.
Reference datasheet — ZCuZn16Si4 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
ZCuZn16Si4 tempers and conditions
ZCuZn16Si4 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 condition for valve bodies, pump housings and fittings poured in green/resin sand. | 200 | 380 | 18 | 100 HB | 7 % IACS |
Permanent (metal) mould cast, as-cast | Choose for higher strength and ductility in repeat-production small/medium parts poured in iron dies. | 230 | 420 | 22 | 110 HB | 7 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast | Use for bushings, sleeves and rings where a dense, inclusion-free rotational casting is needed. | 230 | 420 | 20 | 110 HB | 7 % IACS |
Continuously cast bar/tube | Pick for machined-from-bar fittings and bushings needing uniform fine structure and best pressure tightness. | 240 | 430 | 16 | 115 HB | 7 % IACS |
What is ZCuZn16Si4?
ZCuZn16Si4 is a silicon brass casting alloy equivalent to EN CC761S, in which about 4% Si gives high strength and pressure tightness without lead. Default values are 380 MPa tensile, 200 MPa yield, 18% elongation and 100 HB, with service to 200 °C, making it the strongest of the plain cast brasses listed here and a common choice for water valves and pump housings in sand, permanent-mould, centrifugal and continuous castings. Machinability is about 50% of free-cutting brass and the silicides accelerate tool wear, so parts cost more to machine than leaded ZCuZn40Pb2. The alloy is hot-short, so welded pressure boundaries should be avoided. ZCuZn16Si4 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 820°C (1,508 °F). ZCuZn16Si4 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 54% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi).
What is ZCuZn16Si4 used for?
- water valves
- pump housings
- marine fittings
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 98 GPa (14.2 Msi), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 7 % IACS, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
ZCuZn16Si4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZCuZn16Si4-S; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
ZCuZn16Si4 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 820°C (1,508 °F).
Mechanical15
ZCuZn16Si4 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 54% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi).
Thermal6
ZCuZn16Si4 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 19 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZCuZn16Si4 conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZCuZn16Si4 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
ZCuZn16Si4's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); 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. ZCuZn16Si4 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZCuZn16Si4
Is ZCuZn16Si4 easy to machine?
Machines to a rating of about 50 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp carbide, positive rake and generous coolant; silicides cause tool wear and gummy chips at low speed.
Can ZCuZn16Si4 be welded?
TIG/oxy-fuel repair possible with silicon-bronze filler and preheat 150–250 °C, but the alloy is hot-short and prone to porosity; avoid welded pressure boundaries where possible.
Can ZCuZn16Si4 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy only: excellent fluidity fills 2–3 mm walls, so use directional solidification and moderate risers; pour 980–1050 °C and avoid excessive superheat to limit Si oxide dross.
ZCuZn16Si4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 79 – 81 | 80 |
| Si | 2.5 – 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Alimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mnimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Snimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Sbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| impurities totalsum of impurities per GB/T 1176 | ≤ 2 | |
| Zn | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZCuZn16Si4?
Not anodizable; degrease and pickle to remove the tenacious Si-rich oxide before nickel/chrome or tin plating, or buff and lacquer for decorative 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 ZCuZn16Si4 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- CC761S
How much does ZCuZn16Si4 cost?
ZCuZn16Si4 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.
ZCuZn16Si4 — frequently asked
What is ZCuZn16Si4 used for?
ZCuZn16Si4 is typically used for water valves, pump housings and marine fittings. In short: strongest cast brass here; lead-free pressure-tight castings; harder on tooling.
What is the yield strength of ZCuZn16Si4?
ZCuZn16Si4 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 54% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZCuZn16Si4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades). Machines to a rating of about 50 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp carbide, positive rake and generous coolant; silicides cause tool wear and gummy chips at low speed.
Can ZCuZn16Si4 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). TIG/oxy-fuel repair possible with silicon-bronze filler and preheat 150–250 °C, but the alloy is hot-short and prone to porosity; avoid welded pressure boundaries where possible.
What surface finishes work on ZCuZn16Si4?
Not anodizable; degrease and pickle to remove the tenacious Si-rich oxide before nickel/chrome or tin plating, or buff and lacquer for decorative parts.
Can ZCuZn16Si4 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy only: excellent fluidity fills 2–3 mm walls, so use directional solidification and moderate risers; pour 980–1050 °C and avoid excessive superheat to limit Si oxide dross.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZCuZn16Si4?
ZCuZn16Si4 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 ZCuZn16Si4-S and ZCuZn16Si4-La?
S is the default condition — default condition for valve bodies, pump housings and fittings poured in green/resin sand. La: pick for machined-from-bar fittings and bushings needing uniform fine structure and best pressure tightness. Yield strength is 200 MPa in S versus 240 MPa in La.
How much does ZCuZn16Si4 cost?
ZCuZn16Si4 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
- EN 1982 Copper and copper alloys — Ingots and castings (CC761S) — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA alloy datasheet C87500 silicon brass — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- 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.