Copper Alloy ZCuZn33Pb2-La
Finish state
La = continuous cast bar/tube
Best when machining semi-finished bar or tube stock: highest soundness and strength, ready for automatic lathes.
Values for the La condition
Other ZCuZn33Pb2 tempers and conditions
ZCuZn33Pb2 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at ZCuZn33Pb2.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDefault Sand cast | Standard, most-stocked condition for valve bodies and hardware castings of moderate size and complexity. | 80 | 200 | 18 | 55 HB | 26 % IACS |
Permanent (metal) mould cast | Pick for higher-volume small fittings needing finer grain, better surface and ~10–20 % higher strength than sand cast. | 95 | 230 | 16 | 62 HB | 25 % IACS |
Centrifugal cast | Choose for hollow cylindrical parts (bushings, sleeves, flanges) where a dense, porosity-free wall is required. | 95 | 235 | 15 | 62 HB | 26 % IACS |
LaThis page Continuous cast bar/tube | Best when machining semi-finished bar or tube stock: highest soundness and strength, ready for automatic lathes. | 110 | 250 | 12 | 68 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is ZCuZn33Pb2-La?
ZCuZn33Pb2-La is ZCuZn33Pb2 supplied in the La condition — best when machining semi-finished bar or tube stock: highest soundness and strength, ready for automatic lathes. ZCuZn33Pb2-La has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi). ZCuZn33Pb2-La has a density of 8.5 g/cm³ (0.307 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F). S is the default condition FabDigit quotes; La is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 98 GPa (14.2 Msi), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 110 MPa (16 ksi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
ZCuZn33Pb2-La properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZCuZn33Pb2-La; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZCuZn33Pb2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
ZCuZn33Pb2-La has a density of 8.5 g/cm³ (0.307 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F).
Mechanical15
ZCuZn33Pb2-La has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi).
Thermal6
ZCuZn33Pb2-La is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 112 W/m·K (64.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.5 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZCuZn33Pb2-La conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, better than 59% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (53/100), worse than 92% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZCuZn33Pb2-La takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 2.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 89% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
ZCuZn33Pb2-La's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZCuZn33Pb2-La
Is ZCuZn33Pb2 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour — use sharp neutral-rake carbide or HSS tools, high speed, light feed, water-soluble coolant; chips break short thanks to the lead phase.
Can ZCuZn33Pb2 be welded?
Poor for fusion welding (lead cracking, zinc fume); repair by brazing or soldering with proper fume extraction instead.
Can ZCuZn33Pb2 be formed, bent or molded?
Good gravity sand/die casting fluidity; use adequate gating and risers, pour ~1000–1050 °C and cover the melt to limit zinc loss.
What surface finishes work on ZCuZn33Pb2?
Polishes and buffs well; readily nickel/chrome or gold electroplated for sanitary hardware, or chemically polished and lacquered — no anodizing.
ZCuZn33Pb2 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 | 63 – 67 | 65 |
| Pbfree-machining phase | 1 – 3 | 2 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.8 | — |
| Sbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Snimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Alimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Niimpurity limit | ≤ 1 | — |
| Total impuritiestotal impurities | ≤ 1.5 | — |
| Znbalance, about 33% | balance | — |
ZCuZn33Pb2-La — frequently asked
What is ZCuZn33Pb2-La used for?
ZCuZn33Pb2-La is typically used for sanitary fittings, hardware castings and decorative parts. In short: free-machining sanitary brass; highest conductivity here; low strength, low hardness.
What is the yield strength of ZCuZn33Pb2-La?
ZCuZn33Pb2-La has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 82% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZCuZn33Pb2-La easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 98% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour — use sharp neutral-rake carbide or HSS tools, high speed, light feed, water-soluble coolant; chips break short thanks to the lead phase.
Can ZCuZn33Pb2-La be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor for fusion welding (lead cracking, zinc fume); repair by brazing or soldering with proper fume extraction instead.
What surface finishes work on ZCuZn33Pb2-La?
Polishes and buffs well; readily nickel/chrome or gold electroplated for sanitary hardware, or chemically polished and lacquered — no anodizing.
Can ZCuZn33Pb2-La be formed, bent or molded?
Good gravity sand/die casting fluidity; use adequate gating and risers, pour ~1000–1050 °C and cover the melt to limit zinc loss.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZCuZn33Pb2-La?
ZCuZn33Pb2-La 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 ZCuZn33Pb2-S and ZCuZn33Pb2-La?
S is the default condition — standard, most-stocked condition for valve bodies and hardware castings of moderate size and complexity. La: best when machining semi-finished bar or tube stock: highest soundness and strength, ready for automatic lathes. Yield strength is 80 MPa in S versus 110 MPa in La.
Sources
- EN 1982 Copper and copper alloys — Ingots and castings (CuZn33Pb2-C / CC750S) — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA copper alloy datasheets (leaded yellow brass castings) — 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.