What is H68 brass?
H68 brass strip stands out as an exceptional material in the copper alloy family, demonstrating distinctive performance characteristics that make it highly valuable across multiple industrial sectors. Below is an in‑depth exploration of its key properties:
Core Mechanical Properties
H68 brass strip exhibits outstanding mechanical characteristics. Its tensile strength is moderate-while not as high as that of high‑strength alloy steels, it is fully adequate for general engineering applications, approximately equivalent to 70% of the tensile strength of common construction steel reinforcement. Moreover, it possesses exceptional ductility, capable of being stretched to about 1.3 times its original length without fracture. This property ensures excellent performance in both cold and hot forming processes, minimizing crack formation and significantly improving manufacturing efficiency.
Composition and Structural Advantages
The superior performance of H68 brass strip stems from its carefully designed composition. It primarily consists of about 68% copper and 32% zinc-a "golden ratio" that balances hardness and plasticity while providing good electrical and thermal conductivity. The addition of trace elements such as iron and lead further enhances its machinability, resulting in smoother processing. In terms of microstructure, H68 brass strip features a distinctive crystal‑lattice arrangement that promotes uniform stress distribution, thereby improving the material's overall stability.
Broad Application Scenarios
Thanks to its unique properties, H68 brass strip is widely used in various fields:
Electronics industry: Often employed in connectors and terminals, where its good conductivity and spring elasticity ensure stable signal transmission.
Decorative hardware: Favored for its ease of processing and oxidation resistance, enabling the production of elegant and durable products.
Mechanical manufacturing: Commonly used as gasket or shim material, with thicknesses between 0.5 mm and 3 mm being particularly ideal.
FAQ
| What is H68 brass? H68 brass is a copper-zinc alloy according to the Chinese GB standard, containing approximately 68% copper and 32% zinc. It is renowned for its excellent cold workability. |
| What is the U.S. equivalent of H68 brass? The direct U.S. equivalent of H68 brass is UNS C26000. |
| What is the European equivalent of H68 brass? The European standard equivalent of H68 brass is CuZn30 (also identified as CW505L). |
| What is the chemical composition of H68 brass? The typical composition of H68 brass is 67.0-70.0% copper, with the remainder being zinc and very low levels of impurities (lead ≤ 0.03%). |
| What are the key mechanical properties of H68 brass? In the annealed condition, H68 brass typically exhibits a tensile strength of about 300-400 MPa, excellent elongation (>45%), and good ultimate strength. |
| What is H68 brass primarily used for? H68 brass is primarily used for deep drawing, stamping, and forming complex parts such as cartridge cases (its common name is "cartridge brass"), radiator cores, electrical sockets, and decorative items. |
| How does the machinability of H68 brass rate? The machinability of H68 brass is rated at approximately 30% on the industry scale where free-cutting brass C36000 is 100%, meaning it produces long, ductile chips. |
| Can H68 brass be welded? Yes, H68 brass can be welded and brazed using appropriate techniques and filler metals (like silicon bronze or brass fillers), though it requires skill due to zinc's volatility. |
| What is the density of H68 brass? The density of H68 brass is approximately 8.53 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). |
| Is H68 brass resistant to dezincification corrosion? H68 brass has moderate resistance to dezincification. For environments highly prone to this type of corrosion, specific inhibitor-added brasses like C44300 are often recommended instead of H68 brass. |
| What is the difference between H68 brass and H62 brass? The main difference is copper content. H68 brass (~68% Cu) is more ductile and better for cold forming. H62 brass (~62% Cu) is stronger and better for hot working and general hardware. |
| What tempers is H68 brass available in? H68 brass is commonly supplied in tempers such as annealed (soft), quarter hard, half hard, and hard to suit different forming and strength requirements. |
Our product range
1. Pure Copper (Sheet, Tube, Wire)
Primary Grades: T1 (C11000), T2 (C10100). We prioritize C11000 (T1) for its excellent conductivity.
Standards: ASTM B152 (Sheet), ASTM B75/B88 (Tube), ASTM B1/B3 (Wire), EN, JIS, GB/T.
Typical Sizes:
Tube: OD 6mm – 200mm.
Sheet: Thickness 0.5mm – 50mm.
Wire: Diameter 1.0mm – 10mm.
2. Phosphorus Deoxidized Copper (Tube, Sheet)
Primary Grades: TP1 (C12000 / CW023A), TP2 (C12200). Ideal for welding and plumbing.
Standards: ASTM B188, ASTM B75/B88, EN 12451, JIS H3300.
Typical Sizes:
Tube: OD 8mm – 150mm.
Sheet: Thickness 1.0mm – 30mm.
3. Brass (Strip & Coil)
Primary Grades: H96, H68, H62 (CuZn37 / C28000). We strongly recommend H62 for its excellent balance of strength and machinability.
Standards: ASTM B36, ASTM B134, EN 1652, JIS H3100.
Typical Sizes:
Strip/Coil: Thickness 0.1mm – 3.0mm, Width up to 600mm.
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Our factory
Our facility is equipped with industry-advanced continuous casting and rolling production lines, precision rolling mills, multi-pass drawing units, and automated forming equipment, enabling efficient and stable transformation from copper rods to finished products. Our core machinery allows us to flexibly manufacture a full range of grades-including pure copper (e.g., C11000/T1), phosphorus deoxidized copper (e.g., C12200/TP2), and brass (e.g., H62)-in the form of sheets, tubes, rods, strips, and wires. We also provide tailored processing services such as cutting, slitting, and precision finishing.
