Aluminum bronze · UNS C61400 · CDA 614
C61400 Aluminum Bronze Tubesheets & Forgings
Forged and machined to ASTM B171/ASME SB-171, ASTM B150 and ASTM B169: condenser tube plates, seamless rolled rings, flanges, discs, sleeves, bars and blocks.
Summary
UNS C61400 is a wrought aluminum bronze containing 6.0 to 8.0 % aluminum and 1.5 to 3.5 % iron, with the balance copper. Under ASTM B171/B171M it must reach a minimum tensile strength of 485 MPa (70 ksi), a minimum yield strength of 205 MPa (30 ksi) at 0.5 % extension and 35 % minimum elongation in 50 mm, for plate 50 mm (2 in.) and under.
It is specified for condenser tubesheets, seawater piping and heat-exchanger components because its corrosion resistance and high-velocity seawater erosion resistance are comparable with 70/30 copper-nickel (C71500) at substantially higher strength.
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., an open-die forging works in Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China operating since 1997, forges C61400 tubesheets, seamless rolled rings, flanges, discs and bars to ASTM B171, B150 and B169, with EN 10204 3.1 certification as standard. Contact sales@steelforgepieces.com or +86 189 2135 9659.
C61400 at a glance
- UNS number
- C61400CDA 614, copper-aluminum alloy
- Nominal composition
- Cu rem, Al 7 %, Fe 2 %Al 6.0 to 8.0, Fe 1.5 to 3.5 per ASTM B171
- Min. tensile strength
- 485 MPa / 70 ksiASTM B171, thickness 50 mm and under
- Min. yield strength
- 205 MPa / 30 ksiat 0.5 % extension under load
- Min. elongation
- 35 %in 50 mm (2 in.)
- Density
- 7.89 g/cm³0.285 lb/in³
- Nearest equivalents
- CA106, CW303G, 2.0932CuAl8Fe3, CuAl7Fe2 (FR)
- Forms forged here
- Tubesheets, rings, flangesdiscs, sleeves, bars, blocks
Chemical and mechanical limits from ASTM B171/B171M. Physical data from the Copper Development Association. Sources are listed in section 13.
1. What C61400 aluminum bronze is
C61400 is a single-phase wrought aluminum bronze, a copper alloy strengthened by 6 to 8 % aluminum with 1.5 to 3.5 % iron added for grain refinement. It is used where a component must resist seawater and dilute non-oxidising acids while carrying real mechanical load.
The aluminum forms a tough, self-healing alumina film on the surface. This film governs the corrosion behaviour of the alloy, and it is also the reason soldering and oxyacetylene welding do not work well on it, as covered in section 6. Because C61400 is essentially single-phase it stays ductile: ASTM B171 demands 35 % elongation, against 10 % for the higher-aluminum nickel aluminum bronzes such as C63000.
C61400 is a wrought alloy, not a casting alloy. It is supplied as hot-rolled or forged product, then cold worked and annealed as required to meet the dimensions and properties ordered. In British and European practice the same alloy family appears as CA106 and CW303G, and the German material number is 2.0932. The spellings "aluminum bronze" and "aluminium bronze" refer to the same material.
The alloy is listed in ASTM B171/B171M, Standard Specification for Copper-Alloy Plate and Sheet for Pressure Vessels, Condensers, and Heat Exchangers, alongside C36500, C44300, C46400, C61300, C63000, C63200, C70600, C71500 and C72200. ASME adopts it as SB-171, which brings it into pressure-vessel work under the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.
2. C61400 chemical composition
ASTM B171/B171M limits C61400 to 6.0 to 8.0 % aluminum and 1.5 to 3.5 % iron, with copper as the remainder, manganese 1.0 % max, zinc 0.20 % max, lead 0.01 % max and phosphorus 0.015 % max.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role in the alloy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu), incl. silver | – | Remainder | Base metal |
| Aluminum (Al) | 6.0 | 8.0 | Strength and the protective alumina film |
| Iron (Fe) | 1.5 | 3.5 | Grain refinement, strength |
| Manganese (Mn) | – | 1.0 | Deoxidation, minor strengthening |
| Zinc (Zn) | – | 0.20 | Residual limit |
| Lead (Pb) | – | 0.01 | Residual limit, hot-shortness control |
| Phosphorus (P) | – | 0.015 | Residual limit |
Source: ASTM B171/B171M composition table for copper alloy UNS C61400. The Copper Development Association additionally requires copper plus the sum of named elements to be 99.5 % minimum.
3. C61400 mechanical properties
For C61400 plate 50 mm (2 in.) and under in the M20 or O25 temper, ASTM B171 requires 485 MPa (70 ksi) minimum tensile strength, 205 MPa (30 ksi) minimum yield strength at 0.5 % extension, and 35 % minimum elongation in 50 mm. Above 50 mm up to 140 mm the minimums drop to 450 MPa and 195 MPa, with elongation unchanged.
3.1 Specified minimums
| Thickness | Tensile strength, min. | Yield strength, min. 0.5 % extension under load |
Yield strength, min. 0.2 % offset |
Elongation in 50 mm, min. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mm (2 in.) and under | 485 MPa 70 ksi |
205 MPa 30 ksi |
195 MPa 28 ksi |
35 % |
| Over 50 to 140 mm (2 to 5 in.), incl. | 450 MPa 65 ksi |
195 MPa 28 ksi |
180 MPa 26 ksi |
35 % |
Source: ASTM B171/B171M mechanical requirements table. Yield strength is determined as the stress producing 0.5 % elongation under load, that is 0.254 mm (0.01 in.) in a 50 mm (2 in.) gauge length.
3.2 Typical values
Specified minimums are acceptance criteria, not design values. Typical room-temperature results published by the Copper Development Association for flat product are noticeably higher.
| Temper | Section | Tensile | Yield (0.5 % ext.) | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O60, soft annealed | 25 mm (1 in.) | 525 MPa / 76 ksi | 230 MPa / 33 ksi | 45 % | 81 HRB |
| O60, soft annealed | 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) | 540 MPa / 78 ksi | 240 MPa / 35 ksi | 42 % | 82 HRB |
| H04, hard | 25 mm (1 in.) | 540 MPa / 78 ksi | 310 MPa / 45 ksi | 40 % | 84 HRB |
| H04, hard | 3.2 mm (0.125 in.) | 615 MPa / 89 ksi | 415 MPa / 60 ksi | 32 % | 87 HRB |
Source: Copper Development Association alloy data for C61400, flat products, measured at 20 °C (68 °F). Imperial figures are the published values. Metric figures are converted.
4. C61400 physical properties
C61400 has a density of 7.89 g/cm³, a liquidus of 1046 °C (1915 °F), a modulus of elasticity of 117 GPa (17,000 ksi), an electrical conductivity of 14 % IACS and a thermal conductivity of about 67.5 W/(m·K) at 20 °C.
| Property | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.89 g/cm³ | 0.285 lb/in³ |
| Melting point, liquidus | 1046 °C | 1915 °F |
| Melting point, solidus | 1041 °C | 1905 °F |
| Modulus of elasticity, tension | 117 GPa | 17,000 ksi |
| Modulus of rigidity | 44 GPa | 6,400 ksi |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34 | 0.34 |
| Electrical conductivity | 14 % IACS | 14 % IACS |
| Thermal conductivity | 67.5 W/(m·K) | 39 Btu/(ft·h·°F) |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion 20 to 300 °C (68 to 572 °F) | 16.2 × 10⁻⁶ /K | 9.0 × 10⁻⁶ /°F |
| Specific heat capacity | 377 J/(kg·K) | 0.09 Btu/(lb·°F) |
Source: Copper Development Association alloy data for C61400. Imperial values are as published. Metric values for thermal conductivity and specific heat are converted.
5. Equivalent grades and specifications
C61400 is cross-referenced to BS CA106, EN CW303G, DIN material 2.0932 and the compositional designation CuAl8Fe3. These are nearest equivalents, not interchangeable substitutes. Always order to a named standard and grade.
5.1 International cross-reference
| System | Designation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA, UNS | C61400 (CDA 614) | The governing designation used throughout this page |
| EN | CW303G, EN 12420, EN 12165 | Forgings and forging stock |
| Germany, DIN | 2.0932 (DIN 1653, DIN 17665) | Material number |
| UK, BS | CA106, BS 2872, BS 2874, BS 2875 | Forgings, rod, plate |
| Compositional | CuAl8Fe3 | Also quoted as CuAl7Fe2 in French practice |
| USA, Federal and SAE | QQ-C-450, SAE J461, SAE J463 | Legacy designations |
5.2 Product standards covering C61400
| Specification | Product form | ASME equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM B171/B171M | Plate and sheet for pressure vessels, condensers and heat exchangers. The usual tubesheet specification. | ASME SB-171 |
| ASTM B150/B150M | Aluminum bronze rod, bar and shapes | ASME SB-150 |
| ASTM B169/B169M | Aluminum bronze plate, sheet, strip and rolled bar | ASME SB-169 |
| ASTM B111/B111M | Seamless condenser tubes and ferrule stock | ASME SB-111 |
| ASTM B315 | Seamless copper alloy pipe and tube | ASME SB-315 |
| ASTM B608 | Welded copper alloy pipe | – |
| ASTM B432 | Copper and copper alloy clad steel plate | – |
| ASTM F467 and F468 | Nonferrous nuts, bolts, hex cap screws and studs | – |
Source: Copper Development Association standards cross-reference for C61400 and ASTM B171/B171M scope.
6. Forging, heat treatment, welding and machining
C61400 is forged and hot worked between 788 °C and 927 °C (1450 to 1700 °F) and annealed between 607 °C and 899 °C (1125 to 1650 °F). It welds well by gas shielded arc and coated metal arc processes, but must not be soldered or oxyacetylene welded. Its machinability rating is 20 on the free-cutting brass scale.
6.1 Thermal processing
| Operation | Range (°C) | Range (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Forging and hot working | 788 to 927 | 1450 to 1700 |
| Annealing | 607 to 899 | 1125 to 1650 |
Capacity for hot forming is rated good, and so is capacity for cold work. Cold working is the normal route to properties above the annealed condition, since C61400 is not precipitation hardened.
6.2 Joining
| Process | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Gas shielded arc welding (GTAW, GMAW) | Good | The usual route for tubesheet cladding and repair |
| Coated metal arc welding | Good | – |
| Spot, seam and butt welding | Good | – |
| Brazing | Fair | Flux selection is critical because of the alumina film |
| Soldering | Not recommended | Alumina film prevents reliable wetting |
| Oxyacetylene welding | Not recommended | Oxide entrapment |
6.3 Machining
C61400 has a machinability rating of 20, where free-cutting brass C36000 is 100. It cuts as a tough, gummy material, so sharp tooling, positive rake, rigid setups, generous coolant and a steady feed rather than high speed all matter. For drilled tubesheets this is decisive: hole finish and hole-to-hole positional accuracy on a several-hundred-hole plate are governed by fixturing and tool life, which is why deep-hole drilling is done on dedicated CNC machines rather than adapted equipment. Common fabrication processes for the alloy include blanking, drawing, forming and bending, and heading and roll threading.
7. Comparison with C61300, C63000, C70600 and C71500
Among the alloys listed in ASTM B171, C61400 sits between the copper-nickels and the nickel aluminum bronzes. It is roughly 40 % stronger than C71500 (70/30 copper-nickel) while keeping 35 % elongation, whereas C63000 is stronger again but falls to 10 % elongation.
| Alloy | Type | Tensile min. | Yield min. 0.5 % ext. | Elong. min. | Typically chosen for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C61400 | Aluminum bronze | 485 MPa 70 ksi | 205 MPa 30 ksi | 35 % | Seawater tubesheets, strength with ductility and weldability |
| C61300 | Aluminum bronze, tin bearing | 520 MPa 75 ksi | 255 MPa 37 ksi | 30 % | Higher strength where the tin addition is accepted |
| C63000 | Nickel aluminum bronze | 620 MPa 90 ksi | 250 MPa 36 ksi | 10 % | Highest strength and wear resistance, low ductility |
| C70600 | 90/10 copper-nickel | 275 MPa 40 ksi | 105 MPa 15 ksi | 30 % | Seawater corrosion resistance where loads are low |
| C71500 | 70/30 copper-nickel | 345 MPa 50 ksi | 140 MPa 20 ksi | 30 % | Higher-velocity seawater, condenser tubing |
Source: ASTM B171/B171M mechanical requirements table, tempers M20 and O25. All figures are specification minimums, not typical values.
In practice the choice for a seawater-cooled condenser often comes down to the tubesheet and tube pair. C61400 tube plates are commonly used with C70600 or C71500 tubing because the two materials sit close together galvanically and the tubesheet supplies the strength the copper-nickel cannot. Where the duty is abrasive or the loads are high, as in pump and valve internals and wear components, C63000 is normally specified instead and the loss of ductility is accepted.
8. C61400 forged product forms and size envelope
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. supplies C61400 as forged and machined tubesheets, seamless rolled rings, flanges, discs, sleeves, hollow bars, round bars and blocks, made to customer drawing within an equipment envelope of a 6,300 t press, a 6,000 mm ring mill and single pieces to 30 t.
Tubesheets and tube plates
Fixed, stationary and floating tubesheets, baffles and support plates, drilled, grooved and finished to drawing or TEMA practice.
Seamless rolled rings
Radial-axial rolled rings and forged rings, rectangular or contoured section.
Flanges and discs
Weld-neck and blind flange blanks, discs and blanks for subsequent machining.
Bars, blocks and sleeves
Round bar, hollow bar, sleeves, bushes, shells and forged blocks.
8.1 Equipment envelope
The following are the works machine limits. Any individual C61400 order is made to drawing within them.
| Operation | Equipment | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Open-die forging | Hydraulic presses 6,300 t, 4,000 t, 2,000 t | Single pieces to 30 t |
| Ring rolling | Radial-axial mills 6 m, 3 m, 1 m | Max OD 6,000 mm |
| Hammer forging | 5 t, 3 t, 2 t, 1 t, 750 kg | – |
| Heat treatment | 14 furnaces, car-bottom, high-temperature and well type | Well furnaces to 15 m deep |
| Vertical turning | CNC vertical lathes | Swing to Ø5,000 mm |
| Horizontal turning | CNC lathes | Length to 14,000 mm |
| Deep-hole drilling | CNC deep-hole drilling machines | Ø1,600 × 10,000 mm |
Forging, heat treatment, machining, non-destructive testing and mechanical testing for C61400 are all carried out in this works. Material is supplied against a mill test certificate traceable to the melt, issued before dispatch.
9. Applications of C61400
C61400 is used for condenser and heat-exchanger tubesheets, seawater piping systems, pressure vessels and tanks, marine fasteners and hardware, and non-sparking ordnance components.
Power and process
Steam condenser tube plates and head plates, oil coolers, heat-exchanger tubes and tube sheets, corrosion-resistant vessels and tanks.
Marine and offshore
Seawater piping, water boxes, protective sheathing, marine hardware, pressure vessels and welded tanks.
Fasteners
Bolts, nuts, studs and threaded members to ASTM F467 and F468, where corrosion resistance and strength are both required.
Wear and non-sparking
Chutes for abrasive grains, mining shovel components, blending chambers and mixing troughs where non-sparking behaviour is required.
What these applications share is an environment that attacks copper-nickels or stainless steels, such as high-velocity seawater, dilute non-oxidising acids or abrasive slurries, combined with a load the softer corrosion-resistant alloys cannot carry. C61400 also resists stress-corrosion cracking, which is why it appears in marine hardware and pressure-containing parts where brasses would be at risk.
10. Quality, testing and certification
Every C61400 forging is supplied with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate as standard. EN 10204 3.2 certificates witnessed by a classification society or by a third-party inspection body such as SGS or TÜV are available on request.
- Classification society approvals. The works holds CCS, BV, DNV, LR and NK approvals.
- In-house laboratory. Chemical analysis, mechanical testing and metallography are performed in the works own laboratory.
- Non-destructive testing. Ultrasonic inspection and magnetic particle inspection are carried out in house. Acceptance class is to the customer specification.
- Dimensional. Tubesheet hole patterns, ligament width and drilled hole finish are inspected against the drawing before release.
11. How to order C61400 forgings
Send a drawing, or the list below, and you will receive a quotation with a price, a lead time and the proposed certification package.
- Form and quantity. Tubesheet, ring, flange, disc or bar, and number of pieces.
- Dimensions. OD × ID × thickness, or length, finished or with machining allowance.
- Governing specification. ASTM B171/SB-171, ASTM B150, ASTM B169, EN CW303G or a client standard.
- Temper or condition. Annealed (O60), hard (H04), or as-forged and heat treated to the property table.
- Certification. EN 10204 3.1 as standard, or 3.2 with the named inspection body.
- NDT. UT, MT or PT, and the acceptance standard.
- Delivery. Required date and port of discharge.
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.
Open-die forging works, est. 1997No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town,
Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province 214423, China
Phone, WhatsApp and WeChat: +86 189 2135 9659
Email: sales@steelforgepieces.com
Web: www.steelforgepieces.com
Works at a glance
- Integrated melting and open-die forging, operating since 1997
- 460 people, including 9 senior engineers, 32 intermediate engineers and 140 technicians
- Presses to 6,300 t, ring mill to Ø6,000 mm, pieces to 30 t
- Approvals: CCS, BV, DNV, LR, NK
- Export documentation and third-party inspection handled in house
12. Frequently asked questions
What is UNS C61400?
UNS C61400 is a wrought aluminum bronze containing 6.0-8.0 % aluminum and 1.5-3.5 % iron with the balance copper. It is listed in ASTM B171/B171M for plate and sheet used in pressure vessels, condensers and heat exchangers, and is also covered by ASTM B150 (rod and bar), ASTM B169 (plate, sheet, strip and rolled bar) and ASME SB-171.
What is the tensile strength of C61400?
Under ASTM B171/B171M, C61400 plate of 50 mm (2 in.) and under must reach a minimum tensile strength of 485 MPa (70 ksi), a minimum yield strength of 205 MPa (30 ksi) at 0.5 % extension and 35 % minimum elongation in 50 mm. For thickness over 50 mm up to 140 mm the minimums fall to 450 MPa (65 ksi) tensile and 195 MPa (28 ksi) yield, with the same 35 % elongation.
Is C61400 the same as CA106 or CW303G?
C61400 is commonly cross-referenced to BS CA106, EN CW303G, DIN material 2.0932 and the designation CuAl8Fe3. These are nearest equivalents rather than exact substitutes. Composition ranges, product forms and test requirements differ between specifications, so the purchase order should state the governing standard and grade.
Why is C61400 used for condenser tubesheets?
C61400 offers corrosion resistance and high-velocity seawater erosion resistance comparable with 70/30 copper-nickel (C71500) but at roughly 40 % higher minimum tensile strength, so a tubesheet can carry higher loads in the same thickness. It is galvanically compatible with copper-nickel tubing, which is why C61400 tube plates are frequently paired with C70600 or C71500 tubes in seawater-cooled condensers and coolers.
Can C61400 be welded?
Yes. Gas shielded arc welding, coated metal arc welding, spot, seam and butt welding are all rated good for C61400. Brazing is rated fair. Soldering and oxyacetylene welding are not recommended, because the tenacious alumina film formed by the alloy interferes with those processes.
What is the forging temperature for C61400?
C61400 is hot worked and forged between 788 C and 927 C (1450-1700 F). The annealing range is 607-899 C (1125-1650 F). The alloy also has good capacity for cold work, which can be used to raise strength above the annealed condition.
What sizes of C61400 tubesheets and rings can be supplied?
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. forges within an equipment envelope of a 6,300 t open-die press, a radial-axial ring mill rolling to 6,000 mm outside diameter, single pieces to 30 t, vertical turning to 5,000 mm swing, turned lengths to 14,000 mm and CNC deep-hole drilling to 1,600 mm diameter by 10,000 mm. C61400 tubesheets, discs, rings, flanges and bars are made to customer drawing within that envelope.
What certification is supplied with C61400 forgings?
An EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate is supplied as standard, covering chemical analysis and mechanical test results. EN 10204 3.2 certificates witnessed by a classification society or by a third-party inspection body such as SGS or TUV are available on request. The works holds CCS, BV, DNV, LR and NK approvals and performs ultrasonic inspection, magnetic particle inspection and metallography in its own laboratory.
Does C61400 work at cryogenic temperatures?
C61400 retains useful mechanical properties at low temperature and is reported by alloy suppliers to remain serviceable down to -269 C (-452 F), so it is used in cryogenic equipment as well as in seawater service. Design values for any specific cryogenic application should be agreed with the design code being used.
What is the difference between C61400 and C63000?
C63000 is a nickel aluminum bronze with 9.0-11.0 % aluminum and 4.0-5.5 % nickel. Under ASTM B171 it must reach 620 MPa minimum tensile strength but only 10 % elongation. C61400 has 6.0-8.0 % aluminum, no deliberate nickel addition, a lower 485 MPa minimum tensile strength and much higher 35 % minimum elongation. C63000 is chosen for strength and wear, C61400 for ductility, weldability and seawater corrosion resistance.
13. Sources and citation
Material data on this page is taken from published standards and from the Copper Development Association. Manufacturing figures describe the plant of Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.
- ASTM International, ASTM B171/B171M, Standard Specification for Copper-Alloy Plate and Sheet for Pressure Vessels, Condensers, and Heat Exchangers, for composition and mechanical minimums.
- Copper Development Association Inc., alloy C61400 property data, for typical mechanical values, physical properties, fabrication ratings and the standards cross-reference.
- Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., works equipment, approvals and certification practice.
Reference summary
UNS C61400 is a wrought aluminum bronze with 6.0 to 8.0 % aluminum and 1.5 to 3.5 % iron, balance copper. ASTM B171/B171M requires a minimum tensile strength of 485 MPa (70 ksi), a minimum yield strength of 205 MPa (30 ksi) at 0.5 % extension and 35 % minimum elongation for plate 50 mm and under. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., an open-die forging works in Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China established in 1997, forges C61400 tubesheets, rings, flanges, discs and bars to ASTM B171, B150 and B169, with EN 10204 3.1 certification as standard and CCS, BV, DNV, LR and NK approvals.
Citation
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. (2026). "C61400 Aluminum Bronze Tubesheets and Forgings (ASTM B171)." steelforgepieces.com. https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Alloy-Steel/UNS-C61400.html (updated 18 September 2026).
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