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C46400 Naval Brass Casting
C46400 Naval Brass Casting
C46400 (UNS C46400, CDA 464, Naval Brass, equivalent to EN 1982 CC768S / CuZn38Sn1-C, IS 318 HTB2) is the premier marine-grade brass casting alloy, engineered specifically for service in seawater, brackish water, and aggressive marine atmospheres. The defining feature of C46400 Naval Brass is its 0.5–1.0% tin addition, which inhibits dezincification – the selective leaching of zinc from the brass matrix that progressively weakens and destroys standard yellow brass in seawater service. With a tensile strength of 380–420 MPa, excellent corrosion resistance, and good machinability, C46400 is the material of choice for marine deck fittings, through-hull fittings, sea cocks, propeller shaft hardware, pump housings for seawater service, marine plumbing fittings, and structural marine hardware. Electrical Accessories India manufactures C46400 Naval Brass castings by sand casting and gravity die casting at our Jamnagar, Gujarat foundry.
Alloy Overview – Why Tin Inhibits Dezincification
Standard yellow brass (Cu ~63%, Zn ~37%) suffers dezincification in stagnant or slow-moving seawater: zinc ions selectively leach from the alloy surface, leaving a weak, porous copper-rich sponge that has lost nearly all mechanical strength. The tin addition in Naval Brass (0.5–1.0% Sn) inhibits this mechanism by stabilizing the alpha-beta microstructure and reducing zinc ion mobility at grain boundaries, providing dezincification resistance in most marine service conditions without the cost of DZR inhibitor additions (arsenic) required in wrought forms. C46400 has been the standard marine brass for over 150 years – the “Naval” name reflects its historical use in Royal Navy shipbuilding. The alloy’s tensile strength of 380 MPa exceeds standard yellow brass (270 MPa) and red brass (240 MPa) castings, making it suitable for structural and pressure-bearing marine components.
Material Composition
| Element | Min % | Max % | Typical % | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 59.0 | 62.0 | 60.5 | Primary matrix, corrosion resistance |
| Zinc (Zn) | Balance | Balance | ~38.5 | Strength, castability |
| Tin (Sn) | 0.50 | 1.00 | 0.75 | Dezincification inhibitor, strength |
| Lead (Pb) | – | 0.20 | 0.10 | Minor machinability aid |
| Iron (Fe) | – | 0.10 | 0.05 | Impurity limit |
| Aluminium (Al) | – | 0.05 | – | Impurity limit |
| Nickel (Ni) | – | 0.20 | – | Minor addition, toughness |
| Manganese (Mn) | – | 0.10 | – | Impurity limit |
| Silicon (Si) | – | 0.05 | – | Impurity limit |
| Arsenic (As) | – | 0.05 | – | Optional DZR enhancer |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Sand Cast | Gravity Die Cast | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 380 min | 420 min | ASTM B584 / EN 1982 |
| 0.2% Yield Strength (MPa) | 140 min | 170 min | ASTM E8 |
| Elongation (%) | 20 min | 22 min | ASTM E8 |
| Hardness (HB) | 80–110 | 90–120 | ASTM E10 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.50 | – | |
| Electrical Conductivity (%IACS) | 22–25 | ASTM B193 | |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | ~109 | – | |
| Melting Range (°C) | 880–900 | – | |
| Machinability Rating (%) | 40–50 | CDA (C36000=100%) | |
| Dezincification Resistance | Good (Sn-inhibited) | ISO 6509 | |
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Designation | Common Name |
|---|---|---|
| USA (UNS / ASTM B584) | C46400 / CDA 464 | Naval Brass Casting |
| Europe (EN 1982) | CC768S | CuZn38Sn1-C (Naval Brass) |
| Germany (DIN 1709) | CuZn38Sn1-C / WNr 2.0590 | Sondermessing (Special Brass) |
| UK (BS 1400) | HTB1 | High Tensile Brass Casting Grade 1 |
| India (IS 318) | HTB2 | High Tensile Brass Casting Grade 2 |
| Japan (JIS H5111) | C4622 | Naval Brass Casting |
| ISO | CuZn38Sn1-C | Naval Brass Sand Casting |
| China (GB/T 1176) | ZCuZn38Sn1 | 铸造海军黄铜 (Naval Brass) |
Physical and Corrosion Properties
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dezincification Resistance | Good | Sn-inhibited; ISO 6509 plug depth <200 µm |
| Seawater Corrosion Resistance | Good – flowing | Not suitable for stagnant seawater without As addition |
| Stress Corrosion Cracking | Moderate resistance | Avoid ammonia and amine environments |
| Erosion Corrosion (Impingement) | Fair | Max flow velocity 1.5 m/s in seawater |
| Galvanic Compatibility | Compatible with bronze, cupronickel | Avoid contact with stainless steel without isolation |
| Max Service Temperature | 180°C (dry); 120°C (water service) | – |
Applications
C46400 Naval Brass castings serve demanding marine, industrial, and structural applications: marine through-hull fittings, sea cocks, and strainer bodies in pleasure and commercial vessels; boat deck hardware (cleats, fairleads, padeyes, bollards, sampson posts); propeller shaft nuts, shaft brackets, and sterngear components; seawater-cooled pump housings and impellers; marine heat exchanger water box covers; offshore subsea fittings in shallow service; marine electrical conduit fittings and cable entry bodies for saltwater environments; industrial valve bodies for seawater cooling circuits, ballast systems, and desalination plants; and pressure fittings for hydraulic lines in marine applications. Ashore, C46400 is specified wherever dezincification resistance is required but the higher cost of DZR brass or bronze is not warranted.
Casting Processes Available
| Process | Weight Range | Tolerance | Surface Finish | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Casting | 0.1–150 kg | CT7–CT9 | Ra 6.3–12.5 µm | Marine hardware, valve bodies, complex shapes |
| Gravity Die Casting | 0.1–15 kg | CT5–CT7 | Ra 3.2–6.3 µm | Fittings, connectors, pump components |
| Investment Casting | 0.05–5 kg | CT4–CT5 | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Precision marine hardware, complex deck fittings |
Pressure Testing and Quality
All C46400 Naval Brass pressure castings (valve bodies, pump housings, through-hull fittings) are hydrostatically pressure tested to 1.5× working pressure before dispatch. Dezincification testing per ISO 6509 available on request (plug depth <200 µm threshold). EN 10204 3.1 material test certificates confirming composition within ASTM B584 / EN 1982 CC768S limits supplied with every production batch.
Pricing
US$ 11.50 per kilogram (CIF major port, indicative). Price subject to casting process, weight, complexity, quantity, and machining requirements. MOQ: sample from 1 piece; production from 50 pieces. Firm quotation within 24 hours on receipt of drawing.
Quality Standards
ASTM B584 (C46400 sand castings); EN 1982 CC768S; IS 318 HTB2; ISO 6509 (dezincification test on request); ISO 9001:2015; EN 10204 3.1 material test certificates; hydrostatic pressure test certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is C46400 Naval Brass the same as Admiralty Metal?
No. Admiralty Metal (C44300) is a wrought brass alloy (Cu 71%, Zn 28%, Sn 1%) used for heat exchanger tubing, while Naval Brass C46400 is a casting alloy (Cu ~60%, Zn ~38–39%, Sn 0.75%). Both contain tin as a dezincification inhibitor, but the copper content and product form differ. C46400 is the cast form; C46400 wrought rod (ASTM B21) is used for forged and machined marine fittings.
Does C46400 meet ISO 6509 dezincification requirements?
C46400 typically achieves ISO 6509 plug depths of 100–180 µm (threshold: 200 µm), providing dezincification resistance adequate for most marine and plumbing applications. For aggressive dezincification environments (stagnant seawater, hot water above 60°C), the arsenic-inhibited variant (As 0.02–0.06% addition) or CC762S DZR brass is recommended.
Related Brass Casting Grades
- C85700 Yellow Brass Casting
- C83600 Red Brass Casting – LG2 Gunmetal
- C86500 Manganese Bronze – High Tensile Brass Casting
- CC768S Naval Brass Casting – CuZn38Sn1 EN 1982
- CC762S DZR Brass Casting
- Brass Castings – All Grades
Request a Quote
Contact Electrical Accessories India for C46400 Naval Brass castings. Price: US$ 11.50/kg. Email: info@elecaccs.com | www.elecaccs.com