Copper Alloy ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li
Finish state
Li = centrifugally cast
Best choice for worm-gear rims, bushings and sleeves — dense, porosity-free wall with highest strength.
Values for the Li condition
Other ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 tempers and conditions
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDefault Sand cast | Most common condition for one-off and small-batch heavy gears, nuts and housings. | 330 | 620 | 20 | 160 HB | 8 % IACS |
Permanent (metal) mould cast | Pick for repeat production parts needing finer grain, higher hardness and tighter dimensions. | 350 | 660 | 20 | 170 HB | 8 % IACS |
Continuously cast bar/tube | Stock bar and tube form for machined nuts, bushings and gear blanks with uniform structure. | 350 | 660 | 20 | 170 HB | 8 % IACS |
LiThis page Centrifugally cast | Best choice for worm-gear rims, bushings and sleeves — dense, porosity-free wall with highest strength. | 360 | 680 | 20 | 175 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
What is ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li?
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li is ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 supplied in the Li condition — best choice for worm-gear rims, bushings and sleeves — dense, porosity-free wall with highest strength. ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li has a yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi). ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li has a density of 7.6 g/cm³ (0.275 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 880°C (1,616 °F). S is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Li is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 7.6 g/cm³ (0.275 lb/in³), better than 93% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 41 W/m·K (23.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of copper alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 8.5 % IACS, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li has a density of 7.6 g/cm³ (0.275 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 880°C (1,616 °F).
Mechanical14
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li has a yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
Thermal6
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 41 W/m·K (23.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 19.5 µm/m·K (10.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (63/100), better than 52% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li
Is ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough gummy bronze — rigid setups, sharp carbide (K10/K20) with positive rake, moderate speed and generous feed; hard Fe-Al particles cause abrasive tool wear.
Can ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 be welded?
Fusion welding is generally avoided; if unavoidable use GTAW with Al-bronze filler, preheat 150–250 °C and strong Zn-fume extraction — repair welds should be stress-relieved.
Can ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: pour 980–1050 °C with fluxed, deoxidized melt, bottom or tilt gating to avoid Al oxide films, and adequate feeders because of the wide freezing range.
What surface finishes work on ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3?
Cannot be anodized; finish by machining/polishing, shot blasting, or Ni/Cr plating; stress-relieve 250–300 °C before service in ammonia-bearing environments to limit SCC.
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 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 | 60 – 66 | 63 |
| Al | 2.5 – 5 | 4 |
| Fe | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Mn | 2.5 – 5 | 3.5 |
| Niimpurity, counted in total | ≤ 3 | — |
| Pbimpurity | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Snimpurity | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Siimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Other (total impurities)GB/T 1176 total impurity limit | ≤ 2 | — |
| Znnominally ~26 % | balance | — |
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li — frequently asked
What is ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li used for?
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li is typically used for marine propellers, heavy-duty gears and bearing bushings. In short: strongest cast brass here; 620 MPa as-cast tensile; abrasive to cutting tools.
What is the yield strength of ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li?
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 74% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a tough gummy bronze — rigid setups, sharp carbide (K10/K20) with positive rake, moderate speed and generous feed; hard Fe-Al particles cause abrasive tool wear.
Can ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is generally avoided; if unavoidable use GTAW with Al-bronze filler, preheat 150–250 °C and strong Zn-fume extraction — repair welds should be stress-relieved.
What surface finishes work on ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li?
Cannot be anodized; finish by machining/polishing, shot blasting, or Ni/Cr plating; stress-relieve 250–300 °C before service in ammonia-bearing environments to limit SCC.
Can ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: pour 980–1050 °C with fluxed, deoxidized melt, bottom or tilt gating to avoid Al oxide films, and adequate feeders because of the wide freezing range.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li?
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-S and ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3-Li?
S is the default condition — most common condition for one-off and small-batch heavy gears, nuts and housings. Li: best choice for worm-gear rims, bushings and sleeves — dense, porosity-free wall with highest strength. Yield strength is 330 MPa in S versus 360 MPa in Li.
Sources
- EN 1982 Copper and copper alloys — Ingots and castings (CC762S) — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA copper alloy datasheets (manganese bronze family) — Copper Development Association (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.