Copper Alloy ZCuZn40Pb2
ZCuZn40Pb2 is a leaded cast yellow brass (nominally Cu-40Zn-2Pb) used for free-machining plumbing and mechanical castings.
Reference datasheet — ZCuZn40Pb2 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
ZCuZn40Pb2 tempers and conditions
ZCuZn40Pb2 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. S is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDefault Sand cast | Choose the common as-sand-cast supply state for one-off and small-batch valve bodies and fittings of complex shape, accepting 250 MPa tensile from the coarser structure. | 130 | 250 | 18 | 85 HB | 25 % IACS |
Permanent (metal) mould cast | Pick permanent metal mould casting for volume runs of thin-wall fittings and hardware: grain refinement gives 310 MPa tensile and 23 % elongation, both above sand cast. | 150 | 310 | 23 | 95 HB | 26 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast | Use centrifugal casting for bushing, sleeve and nut blanks of rotational form; the dense, low-porosity structure matches or slightly exceeds permanent mould at 310 MPa tensile. | 150 | 310 | 22 | 95 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is ZCuZn40Pb2?
ZCuZn40Pb2 is a leaded cast yellow brass (nominally Cu-40Zn-2Pb) used for free-machining plumbing and mechanical castings. Its machinability score of 82 is the highest in this cast brass group, and default properties are 250 MPa tensile, 130 MPa yield, 18% elongation and 85 HB with service to 200 °C. It is cast in sand, permanent-mould and centrifugal processes and machines into valve and pump parts with long tool life. Strength and ductility are lower than unleaded ZCuZn38, fusion welding is poor because of lead hot cracking, and the lead content should be checked against low-lead potable-water requirements; ZCuZn16Si4 is the lead-free alternative for water-carrying parts. ZCuZn40Pb2 has a density of 8.5 g/cm³ (0.307 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F). ZCuZn40Pb2 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 92 GPa (13.3 Msi).
What is ZCuZn40Pb2 used for?
- valve bodies
- pump parts
- plumbing fittings
- bushings
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 92 GPa (13.3 Msi), worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 52/100, worse than 93% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), worse than 77% of copper alloy grades
ZCuZn40Pb2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZCuZn40Pb2-S; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
ZCuZn40Pb2 has a density of 8.5 g/cm³ (0.307 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Mechanical15
ZCuZn40Pb2 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 92 GPa (13.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ZCuZn40Pb2 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 56% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZCuZn40Pb2 conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, better than 59% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZCuZn40Pb2 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 2.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
ZCuZn40Pb2's machinability is very good (82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); 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. ZCuZn40Pb2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZCuZn40Pb2
Is ZCuZn40Pb2 easy to machine?
Free-cutting grade: run high speed and heavy feed with 0° to negative rake tooling, with little or no cutting fluid needed. Chips break short and tool life is long.
Can ZCuZn40Pb2 be welded?
Fusion weldability is poor, with lead-induced hot cracking and zinc fume. Repair by brazing or with lead-bearing solders and use forced fume extraction.
Can ZCuZn40Pb2 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: sand, permanent-mould and centrifugal casting are all suitable, and the high fluidity allows thin walls. Feed with risers, and control zinc vaporisation and shrinkage porosity.
ZCuZn40Pb2 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 | 58 – 63 | 60.5 |
| Pbfree lead, improves machinability | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Alimproves casting fluidity and strength | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.8 | |
| impurities totaltotal impurities incl. Fe per GB/T 1176 | ≤ 1.5 | |
| Znbalance, about 36-40% | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZCuZn40Pb2?
Can be polished, nickel or chrome plated, chemically passivated or lacquer-sealed. For long-term contact with chlorinated fresh water, evaluate dezincification resistance; the alloy cannot be anodised.
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).
How much does ZCuZn40Pb2 cost?
ZCuZn40Pb2 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.
ZCuZn40Pb2 — frequently asked
What is ZCuZn40Pb2 used for?
ZCuZn40Pb2 is typically used for valve bodies, pump parts, plumbing fittings and bushings. In short: best-machining cast brass; free-cutting valve alloy; poor fusion weldability.
What is the yield strength of ZCuZn40Pb2?
ZCuZn40Pb2 has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 77% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ZCuZn40Pb2 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades). Free-cutting grade: run high speed and heavy feed with 0° to negative rake tooling, with little or no cutting fluid needed. Chips break short and tool life is long.
Can ZCuZn40Pb2 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion weldability is poor, with lead-induced hot cracking and zinc fume. Repair by brazing or with lead-bearing solders and use forced fume extraction.
What surface finishes work on ZCuZn40Pb2?
Can be polished, nickel or chrome plated, chemically passivated or lacquer-sealed. For long-term contact with chlorinated fresh water, evaluate dezincification resistance; the alloy cannot be anodised.
Can ZCuZn40Pb2 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only: sand, permanent-mould and centrifugal casting are all suitable, and the high fluidity allows thin walls. Feed with risers, and control zinc vaporisation and shrinkage porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZCuZn40Pb2?
ZCuZn40Pb2 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 ZCuZn40Pb2-S and ZCuZn40Pb2-J?
S is the default condition — choose the common as-sand-cast supply state for one-off and small-batch valve bodies and fittings of complex shape, accepting 250 MPa tensile from the coarser structure. J: pick permanent metal mould casting for volume runs of thin-wall fittings and hardware: grain refinement gives 310 MPa tensile and 23 % elongation, both above sand cast. Yield strength is 130 MPa in S versus 150 MPa in J.
How much does ZCuZn40Pb2 cost?
ZCuZn40Pb2 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
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA Alloy Datasheets C85700 / C85800 (leaded yellow brass) — Copper Development Association (2020)
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.