C84400 Leaded Semi-Red Brass pipe/tube (CDA 844, C844)
C84400 is a leaded semi-red brass copper alloy primarily composed of copper (Cu: 79.0–82.0%), zinc (Zn: 7.0–10.0%), lead (Pb: 6.3–7.7%), and tin (Sn: 2.9–3.5%), with trace amounts of iron, nickel, antimony, and other elements
Parameter
Chemical Composition
Mechanical Properties

Detailed Dimensional Range for Tubes

C84400 copper tubes are available in the following standardized dimensions (excluding unrelated shapes like bars, plates, or structural profiles):

  • Outer Diameter (O.D.): 1" to 16" (25.4 mm to 406.4 mm) .
  • Wall Thickness: Customizable; manufacturers typically require consultation for specific thickness requirements .
  • Standard Length: 144" (12 feet or 3.66 meters) .

Note: Tubes with larger diameters (e.g., up to 20" for rectangular profiles) are possible but fall outside the standard tube range and may require special orders .

International Standards

C84400 copper tubes adhere to the following key standards:

  • ASTM B505/B505M-18: Specifies requirements for continuous cast copper alloy products, including chemical composition, mechanical properties, and dimensional tolerances for tubes .
  • ASTM B30: Covers standards for copper alloy ingots and castings, ensuring material consistency for valves, pumps, and general engineering applications .

Key Compliance Aspects:

  • Chemical composition limits (e.g., Cu, Zn, Pb, Sn ratios) .
  • Mechanical performance criteria (e.g., tensile strength, elongation) .
  • Dimensional accuracy and surface quality for industrial use .

C84400, classified as a leaded semi-red brass (or tin bronze in some classifications), is a multi-component copper alloy optimized for castability, machinability, and corrosion resistance. Its chemical composition adheres to ASTM B505/B505M standards . The elemental ranges are as follows:

ElementContent (wt.%)Remarks
Copper (Cu)78.00–82.00Base metal, providing electrical/thermal conductivity and structural integrity.
Zinc (Zn)7.00–10.00Enhances strength and castability; forms α+β brass matrix.
Lead (Pb)6.00–8.00Improves machinability and pressure-tightness in castings.
Tin (Sn)2.30–3.50Strengthens via solid-solution hardening; improves corrosion resistance.
Nickel (Ni)≤1.00Refines grain structure and enhances toughness.
Iron (Fe)≤0.40Increases hardness but limited to avoid brittleness.
Phosphorus (P)≤0.02Acts as a deoxidizer; forms phosphorite phases for grain refinement.
Antimony (Sb)≤0.25Prevents dezincification in corrosive environments.
Sulfur (S)≤0.08Residual element from processing; kept low to avoid embrittlement.
Silicon (Si)≤0.005Controlled to minimize oxide formation during casting.
Aluminum (Al)≤0.005Trace impurity; limits oxidation during melting.

Notes:

  • Minor elements (e.g., Sb, S) are tightly controlled to meet ASTM specifications .
  • The high Pb content (6–8%) enables excellent self-lubrication, making it ideal for low-load bearings and valves .

Mechanical Properties of C84400 Copper Alloy

C84400 exhibits a balanced combination of strength, ductility, and wear resistance, tailored for cast applications. Key mechanical properties per ASTM standards and industrial reports include:

Typical Mechanical Properties (As-Cast Condition):

PropertyValueRemarks
Tensile Strength (Rm)207–379 MPa (30–55 ksi)Minimum requirement: 207 MPa (30 ksi) . Higher values achievable via heat treatment.
Yield Strength (Rp0.2)103–172 MPa (15–25 ksi)Minimum requirement: 103 MPa (15 ksi) .
Elongation (A)15–32%Varies with casting quality and heat treatment; minimum 16% per ASTM .
Hardness55–60 HB (Brinell)Optimal for machining; higher hardness (e.g., 423 HBW) achievable via aging .
Impact Toughness (KV)31–44 JSuitable for dynamic load applications .
Modulus of Elasticity89–130 GPa (13,000–19,000 ksi)Lower than pure copper due to alloying elements .

Physical Properties:

  • Density: 8.69 g/cm³ (0.314 lb/in³) .
  • Melting Range: 843–1004°C (1549–1840°F) .
  • Thermal Conductivity: 41.8–72.4 W/m·K (24.1–41.8 Btu·ft/(hr·ft²·°F)) .
  • Electrical Conductivity: 16.4% IACS (0.095 MS/m) .
  • Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 10.0 × 10⁻⁶/°C (18.0 × 10⁻⁶/°F) .

Heat Treatment and Fabrication:

  • Stress Relieving: 260–500°C (500–932°F) for 1 hour per inch of thickness .
  • Weldability: Suitable for soldering and brazing; oxygen-acetylene and gas-shielded arc welding are not recommended .
  • Machinability: Rated 90/100 (free-cutting brass = 100) due to Pb lubrication .
INTRODUCTION

C84400 copper tube is a lead semi-red brass alloy. The production process and product advantages are as follows:


Production process

Smelting and casting


The raw materials are cathode copper and phosphor copper alloy, which are melted at about 1200℃ in an industrial frequency furnace and formed by horizontal continuous casting.


In the early production, there were problems of pore defects and substandard mechanical properties. Later, the scrap rate was significantly reduced by improving the pouring and riser design, controlling the cooling rate and optimizing the smelting environment (such as reducing steel liquid air absorption).


Subsequent processing


The copper tube after continuous casting needs to be water-cooled to 50℃, followed by cold processing processes such as milling, planetary rolling, triple drawing and disc drawing to refine the grains and improve the strength.


The waste emulsion, copper chips, etc. generated during the processing will be recycled, reflecting the environmentally friendly process.


Heat treatment and welding


Stress relief treatment (500°F/260℃, 1 hour per inch of thickness) is required to avoid deformation caused by residual stress.

Suitable for soldering, but oxyacetylene welding and gas shielded arc welding are not recommended to avoid thermal cracking.

Product Advantages

Excellent mechanical properties

Tensile strength ≥ 207 MPa, yield strength ≥ 103 MPa, elongation ≥ 16%, Brinell hardness 55 BHN, suitable for low-load bearings and structural parts.


Processability and economy


Cutting performance score of 90 (out of 100), suitable for precision machining; good casting performance, can adapt to sand casting, metal mold casting and other processes.

High cost-effectiveness, widely used in mass production fields such as building hardware, pipe fittings, etc.

Physical and chemical properties


Thermal conductivity 41.9 BTU/(ft²·hr·°F), electrical conductivity 16.4% IACS, both heat dissipation and electrical conductivity, suitable for electrical equipment and heat exchangers.

Leaded design (2.0-3.0%) provides good pressure sealing and excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for ships and marine engineering.

Widely used


It covers architectural decoration, low-pressure valves, musical instruments, industrial accessories and other fields. It is one of the most popular pipe alloys in the US market.

FAQ

Q1:Do you provide samples? Is it free or extra?
A1:Yes, we can provide samples free of charge and the customer will pay the freight.
Q2:What if I don't have export experience ?
A2:We have reliable forwarder agent which can ship items to you by sea/air/Express to your doorstep. Any way, we will help you choose the most suitable shipping service.
Q3:How long is your lead time?
A3:If it is in stock, it is usually 5-10 days. Or, if there is no inventory, 15 days, depending on the quantity.
Q4:What are your terms of payment?
A4:30% T/T deposit in advance, 70% T/T balance within 5 days after B/L copy, 100%.Irrevocable L/C at sight, 100% Irrevocable L/C after receive B/L 30-120 days, O/A.
Q5:How is your technical support?
A5:We provide lifetime online support through Whatsapp/ Skype/ Wechat/ Email. Any problem after delivery, we will offer you call anytime.

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