What is DEF STAN 02-833?
DEF STAN 02-833 is the UK Ministry of Defence standard for wrought nickel-aluminium bronze. It combines high strength, good fatigue life and excellent seawater corrosion resistance with immunity to biofouling, and is specified for submarine and surface-fleet valves, pumps, fasteners and seawater-handling components.
Should you specify DEF STAN 02-833?
Specify DEF STAN 02-833 when the contract, drawing or naval customer calls for a British Defence Standard material and the component has to be released against UK MoD documentation. Choosing an equivalent grade because it is easier to source usually costs more time in concession paperwork than it saves on lead time.
Against DEF STAN 02-747, the cast predecessor it supersedes, 02-833 is a wrought product: it delivers higher and more consistent mechanical properties, a finer equiaxed grain structure, and can be volumetrically inspected by ultrasonics rather than radiography. That inspection difference alone often decides the choice on high-integrity pressure-boundary parts.
Against C63200, the closest American grade, the two behave similarly in seawater. The real difference is the approval route: 02-833 carries UK naval acceptance, C63200 carries US naval acceptance. If you supply into both programmes, check whether your customer will accept a dual-certified batch before splitting the order.
The trade-off to plan around is cold formability - this alloy is worked hot, and machining is slower than free-machining brass, so allow for it in cycle-time estimates and tooling.
Best for UK naval and submarine programmes where a British Defence Standard release and ultrasonic inspection are contractual.
DEF STAN 02-833 quick reference
The handful of figures buyers compare first. This is a quick reference, not the full specification.
| Property | Quick reference value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm (spec min) | ≥ 680 MPa (GR) / ≥ 620 MPa (CL) |
| 0.2% proof stress Rp0.2 (spec min) | ≥ 245 MPa (CL) |
| Elongation (spec min) | ≥ 15 % (CL) |
| Izod impact (spec min) | ≥ 23 J (CL) |
| Typical hardness | 165 - 200 HB |
| Corrosion note | Excellent in seawater; immune to biofouling and hydrogen embrittlement |
Overview
DEF STAN 02-833 is a British Defence Standard nickel-aluminium bronze which has the unique combination of properties of high strength, good fatigue and excellent seawater corrosion resistance. It also has immunity to biofouling and extremely good wear resistance and anti-galling properties.
DEF STAN 02-833 is a high tensile wrought alloy, which has a proven track record of being used throughout the British submarine build program since the 1980s and is now being used for wider applications within the commercial marine and petrochemical industries.
Superseding DEF STAN 02-747 for all components, for the same chemistry DEF STAN 02-833 offers significantly higher mechanical strength and improved integrity. Furthermore, the finer grain structure of DEF STAN 02-833 allows for ultrasonic inspection, which is a fraction of the cost of x-ray radiographic examination (required for DEF STAN 02-747 castings).
This is a wrought alloy that benefits from extreme consistency in properties, fine equiaxed grain structure and low cost volumetric inspection. Furthermore, representative test pieces are taken giving accurate analysis of properties from material to component.
Full certified technical data, mechanical test reports and equivalent specifications are available on copperalloys.net, our technical and manufacturing site.
Key features
Seawater corrosion resistance
Good resistance to seawater corrosion and immune to biofouling, making it well-suited to marine and naval applications.
Hydrogen embrittlement immunity
Immune to hydrogen embrittlement.
Anti-galling characteristics
Anti-galling behaviour under load against mating components.
Ultrasonic-inspectable
Finer grain structure of DEF STAN 02-833 allows for low-cost ultrasonic inspection.
Need the full chemistry and mechanical test data?
Full certified technical data, mechanical test reports and equivalent specifications are available on copperalloys.net, our technical and manufacturing site.
View the full DEF STAN 02-833 technical datasheet on copperalloys.netApplications
Typical marine & naval components
- Critical valve systems for advanced naval vessels
- Sea water pumping and general sea water handling components
- Cooling systems
- Heat exchangers
- Fuel systems
- Observation kits
- Vessel propulsion components
- Safety-critical high-integrity applications, manipulation equipment and sound-propagation navigation equipment
Also specially engineered into
- Non-sparking safety tooling
- Valve stems and seats
- Wear plates
- Welding clamps
- Valve spindles and components
- Fasteners and bearing bushes
- Condenser end plates for steam generation equipment and desalination plants
- Hydraulic rams, ballast tanks and associated components
- Marine chains, connectors and geographical location centres
Cast, Wrought (forged)
Bar, Rod, Plate, Sheet, Tube, Sections, Rings
Naval Defence, Marine, Aerospace
Manufacturing ranges
With very little limitation on size, DEF STAN 02-833 is available as standard in rod, bar, blocks, rings, tubes and discs up to a piece weight of 4,500 kg / 9,900 lbs.
Copper Alloys is also regularly making customised shaped forgings and can increase piece weight up to 20,000 kg / 44,000 lbs.
Copper Alloys Ltd also offers finished machined components in all alloys, complete project management and tailored mechanical properties beyond those of the specification to meet special requirements.
Equivalent specifications
Related specifications
British Defence Standards
European
American Defence Standards
Frequently asked questions
Need DEF STAN 02-833 for your project?
Our UK sales team can confirm availability, lead times, certification and the best specification for your application. Send an enquiry and we will come back to you with next steps.
Information provided is for reference only
All chemical, mechanical, production, product-form and industry figures on this page are indicative estimates compiled for general reference and to aid early-stage material selection. They are not engineering, procurement, safety, regulatory or design advice and must not be relied upon as such.
Before specifying, purchasing or using any material, confirm the requirements against the current controlled version of the relevant standard and obtain a certified material test report and written technical confirmation from Copper Alloys Ltd or another qualified foundry. Copper Alloys Ltd accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information presented on this page.