ThePipingMart Blog Grades C31600 Copper Alloy – Composition, Properties, and Uses

C31600 Copper Alloy – Composition, Properties, and Uses

C31600 Copper Alloy

Copper alloys are essential to various industries because of their unique properties, including good electrical conductivity, excellent thermal conductance, and high corrosion resistance. C31600 copper alloy is one such alloy that offers a range of features, making it useful in several applications. This blog post will explore c31600 copper alloy, discussing its composition, physical and mechanical properties, uses, hardness, heat treatment, welding, and corrosion resistance.

C31600 Copper Alloy Composition

C31600 copper alloy is a variation of brass, a copper-zinc alloy. It is a brass that primarily contains copper, zinc, and lead. The brass comprises 62 – 65% copper, 2 – 3.5% lead, and 32 – 35% zinc. The addition of lead makes it easier for the machine. The lead content also improves the physical properties of the copper-zinc alloy.

Element Content (%)
Cu 89
Pb 1
Ni 1
Zn 8.1

C31600 Copper Alloy Physical Properties

C31600 copper alloy has excellent physical properties, making it a popular choice for various applications. Its density is 8.44 g/cc, with a melting point of 890°C (1,634°F). This copper alloy has a thermal conductivity of 54.0 W/mK and a thermal expansion coefficient of 21.1 x 10^-6/K. Its electrical conductivity is 14% of the International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS).

Properties Metric Imperial
Density 8.86 g/cm3 0.320 lb/in3
Melting point 1010°C 1850°F

C31600 Copper Alloy Mechanical Properties

C31600 copper alloy is also known for its mechanical properties. It has a tensile strength of 390 MPa and a yield strength of 180 MPa. The elongation at break for this copper alloy is 20%, which means it can undergo plastic deformation before breaking. The hardness of C31600 copper alloy is rated at 63 Rockwell B.

Properties Metric Imperial
Tensile strength 255-462 MPa 37000-67000 psi
Yield strength (depending on temper) 83.0-407 MPa 12000-59000 psi
Elongation at break 45.00% 45.00%
Modulus of elasticity (in 304.8 mm) 115 GPa 16700 ksi
Machinability (UNS C36000 (free-cutting brass) = 100%) 80% 80%

C31600 Copper Alloy Thermal Properties

Properties Metric Imperial
Thermal expansion coefficient (@20.0 – 300°C/ 68.0 – 572°F) 18.4 µm/m°C 10.2 µin/in°F
Thermal conductivity (@20.0°C/ 68.0°F) 140 W/mK 972 BTU-in/hr.ft².°F

C31600 Copper Alloy Equivalent

  • ASTM B140
  • MIL V-18436

C31600 Copper Alloy Uses

C31600 copper alloy finds various applications because of its unique physical and mechanical properties. It is suitable for making hardware items like fasteners, springs, screws, and valves. It is widely used in the plumbing industry for making fittings. C31600 copper alloy is also effective in making electrical components, such as switches and connectors.

C31600 Copper Alloy Hardness

C31600 copper alloy’s hardness can be measured using the Rockwell B test. It has a rating of 63 Rockwell B, similar to the corrosion-resistant brass alloy CZ114. The hardness rating indicates that the C31600 copper alloy resists deformation and can withstand wear and tear for an extended period.

C31600 Copper Alloy Heat Treatment

C31600 copper alloy can undergo heat treatment, which helps in improving its properties. The heat treatment process involves annealing, which involves heating the alloy to a specific temperature that softens it. The heat treatment also helps to improve the alloy’s machinability and ductility.

C31600 Copper Alloy Welding

C31600 copper alloy can be joined using several welding techniques, including MIG, TIG, and brazing. The technique of choice for welding C31600 copper alloy is TIG welding. TIG welding is preferred because it produces less distortion and produces high-quality welds.

C31600 Copper Alloy Corrosion Resistance

C31600 copper alloy boasts high corrosion resistance, making it suitable for harsh environments. The alloy resists corrosion from many chemicals, making it an ideal choice for the marine industry. It is also resistant to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking, which can be problematic for other materials.

Conclusion:

C31600 copper alloy has many physical and mechanical properties that make it suitable for various applications. Its unique combination of properties makes it popular in the plumbing and electrical industries and widely used in the marine industry. C31600 copper alloy is a valuable material in harsh environments with high corrosion resistance. Understanding the composition, physical properties, mechanical properties, uses, hardness, heat treatment, welding, and corrosion resistance of C31600 copper alloy can help make informed decisions when selecting materials for various applications.

Related Post