Copper Alloy C63000 · supply condition · default condition
Copper Alloy C63000-HR50
Properties of the HR50 condition, compared with the other C63000 tempers.
Standard stocked condition for ASTM B150 / AMS 4640 nickel-aluminium bronze rod, bar and shapes for marine shafting and valve stems.
What is C63000-HR50?
C63000-HR50 is C63000 supplied in the HR50 condition — standard stocked condition for ASTM B150 / AMS 4640 nickel-aluminium bronze rod, bar and shapes for marine shafting and valve stems. C63000-HR50 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C63000-HR50 has a density of 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,043°C (1,909 °F).
Advantages
- Lightweight — 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 93% of copper alloy grades
- High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 84% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 415 MPa (60.2 ksi), better than 82% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 65/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 7 % IACS, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 38.9 W/m·K (22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
C63000-HR50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C63000-HR50 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C63000 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C63000-HR50 has a density of 7.58 g/cm³ (0.274 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,043°C (1,909 °F).
Mechanical14
C63000-HR50 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C63000-HR50 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 38.9 W/m·K (22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C63000-HR50 conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 93% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C63000-HR50 takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 3.9 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C63000-HR50's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 66% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (65/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C63000 tempers and conditions
C63000 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C63000 overview.
- HR50DefaultStandard stocked condition for ASTM B150 / AMS 4640 nickel-aluminium bronze rod, bar and shapes for marine shafting and valve stems.415 MPa yield · 197 HB
- TQ50Choose when maximum and most uniform strength/hardness through heavy sections is needed (heavy forgings, landing-gear bushings, high-load stems).485 MPa yield · 212 HB
- M10Nickel-aluminium bronze forged to shape and air cooled from the hot-working temperature; retains a fine worked structure with high strength and good toughness.380 MPa yield · 197 HB
- O32Extruded nickel-aluminium bronze given a temper (sub-critical) anneal to stabilise the structure and relieve residual stress with only slight strength loss.340 MPa yield · 180 HB
- O25Hot-rolled plate/bar fully annealed for maximum ductility and lowest residual stress at somewhat reduced strength.325 MPa yield · 170 HB
- O60Softened condition (slow-cooled anneal) used for maximum ductility before further hot/cold forming or machining of complex parts.310 MPa yield · 150 HB
Working with C63000-HR50
Is C63000 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough duplex material: rigid setups, sharp carbide with positive rake, 60–120 m/min, heavy feed and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and gummy chips (rating ≈30% of free-cutting brass).
Can C63000 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with matching C63000/NAB filler works well; preheat 150–250 °C for heavy sections, avoid excessive heat input and interpass oxide entrapment, no post-weld quench required.
Can C63000 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work 700–900 °C (excellent forgeability); cold forming is poor — limit to gentle bends with generous radii and interstage annealing.
What surface finishes work on C63000?
Not anodisable; use fine polishing, shot blasting or chemical patination, and avoid electroplating unless a nickel strike is applied over the Al-oxide film.
C63000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| NiNi + Co | 4 – 5.5 | 4.8 |
| Fe | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Si | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Curemainder, 78% min | ≥ 78 (balance) | — |
C63000-HR50 — frequently asked
What is C63000-HR50 used for?
C63000-HR50 is typically used for marine propeller shafting, valve stems, pump sleeves and bushings, aircraft landing-gear bushings, aircraft bearings and heavy-duty gears. In short: extremely tough bronze.
What is the yield strength of C63000-HR50?
C63000-HR50 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 82% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C63000-HR50 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 66% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a tough duplex material: rigid setups, sharp carbide with positive rake, 60–120 m/min, heavy feed and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and gummy chips (rating ≈30% of free-cutting brass).
Can C63000-HR50 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW/GMAW with matching C63000/NAB filler works well; preheat 150–250 °C for heavy sections, avoid excessive heat input and interpass oxide entrapment, no post-weld quench required.
What surface finishes work on C63000-HR50?
Not anodisable; use fine polishing, shot blasting or chemical patination, and avoid electroplating unless a nickel strike is applied over the Al-oxide film.
Can C63000-HR50 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work 700–900 °C (excellent forgeability); cold forming is poor — limit to gentle bends with generous radii and interstage annealing.
What is the maximum service temperature of C63000-HR50?
C63000-HR50 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C63000-HR50 and C63000-H04?
HR50 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for ASTM B150 / AMS 4640 nickel-aluminium bronze rod, bar and shapes for marine shafting and valve stems. H04: small-diameter cold-drawn rod and wire where higher yield strength and better surface/straightness are wanted; ductility is reduced. Yield strength is 415 MPa in HR50 versus 550 MPa in H04.
Can FabDigit make parts in C63000-HR50?
Yes — C63000-HR50 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 B150/B150M — Aluminum Bronze Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM (2019)
- AMS 4640 — Nickel-Aluminum Bronze Bar, Rod, Shapes, Forgings — SAE International (2018)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM (2019)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C63000 (copper.org) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13C — Corrosion: Environments and Industries — ASM International (2006)
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.