Copper Alloy C46400 · temper · default condition
Copper Alloy C46400-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other C46400 tempers.
Pick for maximum ductility: cold bending, forming, spinning and welded fabrications.
What is C46400-O?
C46400-O is C46400 in the O temper — pick for maximum ductility: cold bending, forming, spinning and welded fabrications. C46400-O has a yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). C46400-O has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 73% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 96% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
C46400-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for C46400-O — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C46400 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C46400-O has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 73% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Mechanical11
C46400-O has a yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C46400-O is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 116 W/m·K (67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 63% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 21.2 µm/m·K (11.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C46400-O conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 62% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C46400-O takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability8
C46400-O's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 52% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (60/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C46400 tempers and conditions
C46400 is also supplied in 11 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C46400 overview.
- ODefaultPick for maximum ductility: cold bending, forming, spinning and welded fabrications.172 MPa yield · 95 HB
- H50Hot-extruded rod finished by a cold draw pass — the standard naval-brass bar temper with raised yield strength and good straightness/tolerance.300 MPa yield · 135 HB
- H02Workhorse condition for marine shafting, valve stems and machined fittings — best strength/machining balance.235 MPa yield · 120 HB
- M11Hot-forged naval brass water-quenched from forging heat — retained beta phase gives slightly higher strength and hardness than air cooling with modest loss of ductility.190 MPa yield · 110 HB
- O50Lightly annealed condition — grain structure partly recrystallised for a compromise between the forming ductility of a full anneal and slightly higher strength.180 MPa yield · 90 HB
- M10Hot-forged naval brass cooled in still air — duplex α+β structure with moderate strength and high ductility, typical of marine forgings and valve bodies.170 MPa yield · 95 HB
- O60Fully soft-annealed naval brass — lowest strength and hardness with maximum ductility for deep forming, bending and subsequent cold work.150 MPa yield · 78 HB
Working with C46400-O
Is C46400 easy to machine?
α+β structure with almost no lead: gummy, long chips — run ~30% of free-cutting brass speed, use positive-rake sharp tools and generous coolant.
Can C46400 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with silicon-bronze or naval-brass filler is workable but zinc fumes and porosity are issues; brazing and soft soldering are the preferred joining routes.
Can C46400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability (forge/extrude 650–800 °C); cold formability only fair — anneal at 425–600 °C between heavy draws and stress-relieve to avoid SCC.
What surface finishes work on C46400?
Bright-dips, polishes and patinates well; not anodizable — specify lacquer, Ni/Cr or tin plating for appearance or extra corrosion protection.
C46400 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 | 59 – 62 | 60.5 |
| Sn | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Znremainder, nominally ~39% | balance | — |
C46400-O — frequently asked
What is C46400-O used for?
C46400-O is typically used for marine hardware, propeller shafts and turnbuckles. In short: salt-water corrosion resistant.
What is the yield strength of C46400-O?
C46400-O has a typical yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is C46400-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 52% of copper alloy grades). α+β structure with almost no lead: gummy, long chips — run ~30% of free-cutting brass speed, use positive-rake sharp tools and generous coolant.
Can C46400-O be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). GTAW/GMAW with silicon-bronze or naval-brass filler is workable but zinc fumes and porosity are issues; brazing and soft soldering are the preferred joining routes.
What surface finishes work on C46400-O?
Bright-dips, polishes and patinates well; not anodizable — specify lacquer, Ni/Cr or tin plating for appearance or extra corrosion protection.
Can C46400-O be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability (forge/extrude 650–800 °C); cold formability only fair — anneal at 425–600 °C between heavy draws and stress-relieve to avoid SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C46400-O?
C46400-O 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 C46400-O and C46400-H06?
O is the default condition — pick for maximum ductility: cold bending, forming, spinning and welded fabrications. H06: wire/strip temper for springy marine fasteners and mesh; very limited ductility. Yield strength is 172 MPa in O versus 450 MPa in H06.
Can FabDigit make parts in C46400-O?
Yes — C46400-O is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B21/B21M — Naval Brass Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B171/B171M — Copper-Alloy Plate for Condensers and Heat Exchangers — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C46400 — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion of Copper Alloys — ASM International (2005)
- GB/T 4423 (HSn62-1) (2020)
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.