What is UNS C46400 Naval Brass Plate?
UNS C46400 is a copper-zinc-tin alloy universally known as Naval Brass, engineered for marine, Oil & Gas, and Petrochemical service where strength, seawater corrosion resistance, and good machinability are required. The 0.5–1.0% tin addition is the defining feature - it suppresses dezincification, the selective leaching of zinc that destroys standard brasses in salt water.
As flat-rolled plate, C46400 is produced to ASME SB-171 and ASTM B171, the two standards most engineers and specifiers in the pressure-vessel and heat-exchanger industries reference. The material is widely used for condenser tubesheets, heat-exchanger baffles, valve bodies, pump components, desalination plant internals, and shipbuilding hardware.
C46400 Specifications
| Parameter | Value / Range |
|---|---|
| UNS Designation | C46400 |
| Common Name | Naval Brass |
| EN / DIN Equivalent | CW719R / CuZn39Sn1 |
| Applicable Standards | ASME SB-171, ASTM B171, EN 1653, DIN, JIS |
| Copper (Cu) | 59.0 – 64.0% |
| Tin (Sn) | 0.50 – 1.0% |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 0.20% |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.10% |
| Zinc (Zn) | Remainder (≈ 36 – 41%) |
| Tensile Strength | 379 – 552 MPa (55 – 80 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.5% offset) | ≥ 152 MPa (22 ksi) |
| Elongation in 50 mm | 25 – 50% |
| Hardness | HRB 50 – 85 (temper dependent) |
| Available Tempers | M, O60, H01, H02, H03, H04 |
| Thickness Range | 0.5 mm – 100 mm (≈ 1/32" – 4") |
| Width Range | Up to 2,500 mm (≈ 100") |
| Length Range | Up to 6,000 mm (≈ 240") |
| Thickness Tolerance | Per ASME SB-171 / ASTM B171 Table 1 (tighter on request) |
| Flatness / Camber | Per ASME SB-171 / ASTM B171 |
| Mill Test Certificate | EN 10204 Type 3.1 (Type 3.2 on request) |
| Third-Party Inspection | SGS / BV / TÜV / Lloyd's / DNV / customer-nominated |
| Country of Origin | People's Republic of China |
Available Forms: Plate (primary) · Sheet · Coil · Strip - all produced from the same qualified mill under the same MTC programme.
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C46400 Plate - Manufacturing, Compliance & Supply Capabilities
ASME SB-171 / ASTM B171 Compliance
Our mill produces UNS C46400 Copper Alloy Plate in full compliance with both ASME SB-171 and ASTM B171 - the two specifications referenced in pressure-vessel, heat-exchanger, and marine procurement. EN 1653, DIN, and JIS equivalents are also available on request. Each plate carries full traceability from the original cast heat number to the finished bundle, with records retained per ISO 9001 document control.
Chemical Composition & Mechanical Properties
Chemistry range per ASME SB-171 / ASTM B171: Cu 59.0–64.0% · Sn 0.50–1.0% · Pb ≤ 0.20% · Fe ≤ 0.10% · Zn remainder. The tin content is held tightly so dezincification behaviour is consistent batch to batch.
Typical mechanical properties (plate, room temperature): tensile strength 379–552 MPa (55–80 ksi) · yield strength ≥ 152 MPa (22 ksi) · elongation in 50 mm 25–50% · hardness HRB 50–85 depending on temper. Test certificates record the actual values for the supplied batch.
Available Temper / Heat-Treatment Condition
C46400 plate is supplied in the temper best matched to the forming, machining, or in-service strength requirement. Common options:
M (As-Manufactured) - general fabrication
O60 (Soft-Annealed) - deep drawing and forming
H01 (Quarter-Hard) - moderate strength, good formability
H02 (Half-Hard) - default for machined components and tubesheets
H03 / H04 (Three-Quarter-Hard / Hard) - high-strength service
Custom temper / hardness targets can be discussed for project-critical components.
Plate Dimensions, Thickness Range & Tolerances
Thickness: 0.5 mm – 100 mm (≈ 1/32" – 4"). Width: up to 2,500 mm (100"). Length: up to 6,000 mm (240"). Thickness, width, and flatness tolerances are held to ASME SB-171 / ASTM B171 Table 1 by default; tighter tolerances are agreed in writing for precision-machined applications.
EN 10204 Type 3.1 Material Test Certificate
Every shipment is delivered with an EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTC issued by the producing mill and referencing the actual heat number. The certificate contains:
Chemical analysis (OES or wet-laboratory method, element by element)
Mechanical test results - tensile, yield, elongation, hardness
Dimensional inspection report - thickness, width, flatness, camber
Heat-treatment / temper confirmation
Surface & visual inspection acceptance
For projects that require witnessed release, an EN 10204 Type 3.2 certificate (TPI-witnessed) is available on request.
Oil & Gas / Petrochemical Project References
Our C46400 plate has been supplied into Oil & Gas and Petrochemical applications including offshore platform seawater systems, refinery condenser and cooler components, heat-exchanger tubesheets and baffles, desalination plant internals, shipbuilding hardware, and pump / valve bodies. A summary project list and anonymised prior-shipment certificates are available under NDA for qualified enquiries.
Third-Party Inspection Capability
For projects that require independent witness testing, we accept any customer-nominated third-party inspection agency - including SGS, BV, TÜV, Lloyd's Register, DNV, Intertek, and ABS. The standard workflow is:
Customer shares the ITP (Inspection & Test Plan) before production
Hold-points are agreed and booked into the production schedule
The inspector witnesses the agreed tests on the agreed dates
The TPI-signed release note accompanies the shipment, together with the EN 10204 3.1 MTC
Country of Origin, Manufacturer & Export Documentation
Country of Origin: People's Republic of China. Manufacturing is carried out at a qualified mill audited by our trading group; the mill's ISO 9001 certificate, company profile, and audit reports are available on request. Export documents routinely issued: Commercial Invoice · Packing List · Bill of Lading · Certificate of Origin (CO) · FORM A for GSP destinations · FORM E for China-ASEAN trade · FORM F for China-Chile · and any embassy- or chamber-legalised documents required by the destination country.
Production Lead Time
Typical lead times for C46400 plate orders:
In-stock mill-standard size & temper: 7 – 14 days
Mill-standard size, mill production: 25 – 35 days
Custom size or non-standard temper: 35 – 50 days
Rush production windows are reviewed case-by-case for project-critical shipments.
Packing & Shipping Terms
Standard export packing: seaworthy wooden pallet or wooden case, plastic film interleaved between plates, steel-strapped bundles, desiccant inside the package. Marking on each bundle: heat number, plate size, temper, standard (ASME SB-171 / ASTM B171), gross/net weight. Container options: 20'GP / 40'GP / 40'HQ for standard plate; break-bulk for oversize plates. Trade terms routinely quoted: FOB China (Shanghai / Tianjin / Qingdao), CFR, CIF, and DAP / DDP on request.
Pricing Structure & FOB China Basis
Quotations are issued on an FOB China basis and are calculated from plate dimensions, temper, quantity, and the metal surcharge (Cu / Zn / Sn) prevailing at order confirmation. MOQ is typically 500 kg per size; volume discounts apply to full-container or multi-tonnage releases. For an accurate, current quote, send the size list, temper, quantity, and destination port to our sales team - formal quotations are typically valid 7 – 14 days.
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Company Profile, Datasheets & Catalogues
Documents available on request:
Group company profile - structure, manufacturing footprint, ISO 9001 certificate
C46400 product datasheet - chemistry, mechanical properties, available sizes
Mill capability catalogue - rolling mills, lab equipment, plate production range
Reference project list - Oil & Gas / Petrochemical supply records (under NDA)
Sample mill test certificates from recent production for reference
C46400 vs. Similar Copper Alloys - Choosing the Right Plate Grade
The most common specification question is how C46400 compares to the alloys typically considered as alternatives for the same job. The table below summarises the differences engineers and specifiers most often weigh.
| UNS Grade | Common Name | Key Composition | Defining Property | Typical Service vs. C46400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C46400 | Naval Brass | 60% Cu / 0.75% Sn / Zn bal | Best balance of seawater resistance + strength | Default for tubesheets, baffles, marine hardware |
| C46200 | Naval Brass (low-Sn) | 62% Cu / 0.5% Sn / Zn bal | Slightly better cold formability | Less severe seawater service |
| C26000 | Cartridge Brass | 70% Cu / 30% Zn | Excellent cold workability | Indoor service - not for marine / salty environments |
| C28000 | Muntz Metal | 60% Cu / 40% Zn | Lower cost, hot-workable | Bolts, large structural marine parts |
| C68700 | Aluminum Brass | 77% Cu / 21% Zn / 2% Al | Excellent resistance to impingement corrosion | Condenser tubes (tube form, not plate) |
| C70600 | Copper-Nickel 90/10 | 90% Cu / 10% Ni | Superior corrosion in high-velocity seawater | Offshore piping and tubesheets |
| C71500 | Copper-Nickel 70/30 | 70% Cu / 30% Ni | Highest strength + corrosion in seawater | Critical offshore piping |
Choosing the Right Plate Grade
For tubesheets, baffles, and valve plates in seawater-cooled heat exchangers in Oil & Gas / Petrochemical service, C46400 is the most common choice because of its balance of strength, dezincification resistance, and cost.
For applications in high-velocity seawater or where extended service life is critical, some engineers specify C70600 (90/10 Cu-Ni) for piping and tubesheets.
For less aggressive brackish-water service, C46200 or C26000 may be specified to reduce cost.
For high-temperature or fire-resistant structural parts, C28000 (Muntz) is sometimes selected.
FAQ
Q: Q1. What is UNS C46400 equivalent to?
A: UNS C46400 is the unified designation for Naval Brass. It is also referenced as CW719R in the European EN system and as CuZn39Sn1 in the DIN system. Under ASME SB-171 and ASTM B171, it is listed as a recognised plate grade for pressure-vessel and heat-exchanger service.
Q: Q2. Is C46400 suitable for marine and seawater service?
A: Yes. The 0.5–1.0% tin addition provides resistance to dezincification in seawater and brackish water. C46400 is widely specified for tubesheets, baffles, condenser components, and marine hardware in Oil & Gas and Petrochemical applications.
Q: Q3. What standards does C46400 plate comply with?
A: C46400 plate is produced to ASME SB-171 and ASTM B171 as the primary standards, and is also available to EN 1653, DIN, and JIS equivalents on request.
Q: Q4. What temper is C46400 plate usually supplied in?
A: The most common tempers for plate are H02 (half-hard) and H01 (quarter-hard). Soft-annealed (O60) is used for deep-drawing; harder tempers (H03, H04) are used for high-strength service. Custom tempers are available on request.
Q: Q5. What is the typical lead time for a C46400 plate order?
A: Mill-standard sizes in stock ship in 7–14 days. Mill-production orders typically require 25–35 days. Custom sizes or non-standard tempers run 35–50 days. Rush windows are reviewed case-by-case for project-critical shipments.
Q: Q6. Do you accept third-party inspection (TPI)?
A: Yes. We accept any SGS, BV, TÜV, Lloyd's, DNV, Intertek, or ABS - or any customer-nominated agency. Hold-points, ITP review, and witness testing are arranged before production starts.
Q: Q7. What is the MOQ for C46400 plate?
A: Standard MOQ is 500 kg per size, with volume discounts for full-container or multi-tonnage orders. Trial orders and qualification samples are welcomed.
Q: Q8. Can you provide an EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTC with each shipment?
A: Yes. Every batch ships with an EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTC referencing the actual heat number and including chemistry, mechanical test results, dimensional inspection, and temper confirmation. Type 3.2 certificates (TPI-witnessed) are available on request.
