UNS C96400 Copper-Nickel
C96400 copper-nickel is a copper-nickel alloy formulated for casting. Cited properties are appropriate for the as-fabricated (no temper or treatment) condition. C96400 is the UNS number for this material. Additionally, the common industry name is Cast 70-30 Copper-Nickel. Older literature may refer to this material as ASTM Copper-Nickel Type B, but this is now discouraged.
It has a fairly high ductility among cast copper-nickels. In addition, it has a fairly high base cost and a moderately low electrical conductivity.
The graph bars on the material properties cards below compare C96400 copper-nickel to: cast copper-nickels (top), all copper alloys (middle), and the entire database (bottom). A full bar means this is the highest value in the relevant set. A half-full bar means it's 50% of the highest, and so on.
Mechanical Properties
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus
140 GPa 20 x 106 psi
Elongation at Break
25 %
Poisson's Ratio
0.33
Shear Modulus
51 GPa 7.5 x 106 psi
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS)
490 MPa 71 x 103 psi
Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof)
260 MPa 38 x 103 psi
Thermal Properties
Latent Heat of Fusion
240 J/g
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical
260 °C 500 °F
Melting Completion (Liquidus)
1240 °C 2260 °F
Melting Onset (Solidus)
1170 °C 2140 °F
Specific Heat Capacity
400 J/kg-K 0.1 BTU/lb-°F
Thermal Conductivity
28 W/m-K 16 BTU/h-ft-°F
Thermal Expansion
15 µm/m-K
Electrical Properties
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume
5.0 % IACS
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific)
5.1 % IACS
Otherwise Unclassified Properties
Base Metal Price
45 % relative
Density
8.9 g/cm3 550 lb/ft3
Embodied Carbon
5.9 kg CO2/kg material
Embodied Energy
87 MJ/kg 37 x 103 BTU/lb
Embodied Water
280 L/kg 33 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Resilience: Ultimate (Unit Rupture Work)
100 MJ/m3
Resilience: Unit (Modulus of Resilience)
250 kJ/m3
Stiffness to Weight: Axial
8.6 points
Stiffness to Weight: Bending
19 points
Strength to Weight: Axial
15 points
Strength to Weight: Bending
16 points
Thermal Diffusivity
7.8 mm2/s
Thermal Shock Resistance
17 points
Alloy Composition
Among cast copper alloys, the composition of C96400 copper-nickel is notable for containing a comparatively high amount of nickel (Ni). Nickel is used to improve strength (particularly at elevated temperatures) and corrosion resistance. It also creates the need for additional care during casting.
| Cu | 62.3 to 71.3 | |
| Ni | 28 to 32 | |
| Nb | 0.5 to 1.5 | |
| Fe | 0.25 to 1.5 | |
| Mn | 0 to 1.5 | |
| Si | 0 to 0.5 | |
| C | 0 to 0.15 | |
| P | 0 to 0.020 | |
| S | 0 to 0.020 | |
| Pb | 0 to 0.010 | |
| res. | 0 to 0.5 |
All values are % weight. Ranges represent what is permitted under applicable standards.
Followup Questions
Similar Alloys
Further Reading
ASTM B369: Standard Specification for Copper-Nickel Alloy Castings
ASTM B505: Standard Specification for Copper Alloy Continuous Castings
Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials, ASM Handbook vol. 2, ASM International, 1993