UNS C96900 Copper-Nickel
C96900 copper-nickel is a copper-nickel alloy formulated for casting. Cited properties are appropriate for the heat treated (HT) condition. It has a moderately low heat capacity among cast copper-nickels. In addition, it has a fairly low ductility and a fairly high tensile strength.
The graph bars on the material properties cards below compare C96900 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
120 GPa 18 x 106 psi
Elongation at Break
4.5 %
Poisson's Ratio
0.34
Shear Modulus
45 GPa 6.6 x 106 psi
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS)
850 MPa 120 x 103 psi
Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof)
830 MPa 120 x 103 psi
Thermal Properties
Latent Heat of Fusion
210 J/g
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical
210 °C 400 °F
Melting Completion (Liquidus)
1060 °C 1950 °F
Melting Onset (Solidus)
960 °C 1760 °F
Specific Heat Capacity
380 J/kg-K 0.091 BTU/lb-°F
Thermal Expansion
17 µm/m-K
Electrical Properties
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume
9.0 % IACS
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific)
9.2 % IACS
Otherwise Unclassified Properties
Base Metal Price
39 % relative
Density
8.8 g/cm3 550 lb/ft3
Embodied Carbon
4.6 kg CO2/kg material
Embodied Energy
72 MJ/kg 31 x 103 BTU/lb
Embodied Water
360 L/kg 43 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Resilience: Ultimate (Unit Rupture Work)
38 MJ/m3
Resilience: Unit (Modulus of Resilience)
2820 kJ/m3
Stiffness to Weight: Axial
7.7 points
Stiffness to Weight: Bending
19 points
Strength to Weight: Axial
27 points
Strength to Weight: Bending
23 points
Thermal Shock Resistance
30 points
Alloy Composition
Among cast copper alloys, the composition of C96900 copper-nickel is notable for containing comparatively high amounts of nickel (Ni) and tin (Sn). Nickel is used to improve strength (particularly at elevated temperatures) and corrosion resistance. It also creates the need for additional care during casting. Tin is used to improve strength, bearing properties, and corrosion resistance against certain types of media. It also places certain constraints on cast part design, so as to avoid porosity problems.
| Cu | 73.6 to 78 | |
| Ni | 14.5 to 15.5 | |
| Sn | 7.5 to 8.5 | |
| Fe | 0 to 0.5 | |
| Zn | 0 to 0.5 | |
| Mn | 0.050 to 0.3 | |
| Si | 0 to 0.3 | |
| Mg | 0 to 0.15 | |
| Nb | 0 to 0.1 | |
| Pb | 0 to 0.020 | |
| res. | 0 to 0.5 |
All values are % weight. Ranges represent what is permitted under applicable standards.
Followup Questions
Similar Alloys
Further Reading
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