What is C26000 metal?
C26000 Cartridge Brass, also known as free-cutting brass, is a high-zinc brass alloy (approximately 36% zinc) designed for improved machinability, making it a preferred choice for manufacturing components that require intricate threading and shaping, such as cartridges and precision parts in the ammunition, automotive, and electronics industries.
Typical Uses for C26000 Cartridge Brass "70/30":
ARCHITECTURE: Grillwork
AUTOMOTIVE: Odometer Contacts, Heater Cores, Thermostats, Electrical Connectors, Radiator Cores, Radiator Tube, Radiator Tanks, Tanks
BUILDERS HARDWARE: Odometer Contacts, Heater Cores, Thermostats, Electrical Connectors, Radiator Cores, Radiator Tube, Radiator Tanks, Tanks
CONSUMER: Snaps, Planters, Fireplace Screens, Etched Articles, Bird Cages, Coinage, Chain Links, Pen/Pencil Inserts and Clips, Syringe Parts, Watch Parts, Costume Jewelry, Buttons, Shells - Electrical Sockets, Lamps
ELECTRICAL: Terminal Connectors, Flashlight Shells, Lamp Fixtures, Reflectors, Screw Shells
FASTENERS: Pins, Rivets, Fasteners, Grommets, Eyelets, Screws
INDUSTRIAL: Air Pressure Conveyer Systems, Sound Proofing Equipment, Springs, Chain, Bead Chain, Tubing for Instruments and Machines, Heat Exchangers, Pump Cylinders, Wire Screens, Pumps, Liners, Power Cylinders
ORDINANCE: Ammunition Cartridge Cases, Mechanical Housings for Lighters, Shells - Mechanical Housings for Ammunition, Ammunition
PLUMBING: Fittings, Bathroom Fixtures, Plumbing Accessories, Faucet Escutcheons, Traps, Plumbing Brass Goods
OTHER: Stencils, Washers
Specifications
| End Product | Specification |
| Bar | ASTM B36, B19, SAE J463, J461 |
| Brazing Filler Metal | FEDERAL QQ-B-650 |
| Cups, Cartridge Case | ASTM B129, MILITARY MIL-C-10375, |
| Disk | ASTM B19 |
| Plate | AMS 4507, 4505, ASTM B19, B36 |
| Rod | SAE J463, J461 |
| Sheet | AMS 4507, 5408, 4505, ASTM B19, B36, SAE J463, J461 |
| Shim Stock, Laminated | MILITARY MIL-S-22499 |
| Strip | AMS 4507, 4505, ASTM B36, B569, B19, B888, SAE J463, J461 |
| Tube, Seamless | ASTM B135, FEDERAL WW-T-791, MILITARY MIL-T-20219, SAE J463, J461 |
| Tube, Welded | ASTM B587, B587 |
| Wire | ASTM B134, SAE J463, J461 |
Relationship between mechanical properties, heat treatment, and thickness of UNS C26000 flat products
| Temper | Thickness | Tensile Str. | Yield Str. | Elong. | Rockwell | Shear Str. | Fatigue Str. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | C | F | 30T | |||||||
| H01 | 1mm (0.04in) | 372MPa (54ksi) | 276MPa (40ksi) | 43% | 55 | - | - | 54 | 248MPa (36ksi) | - |
| H02 | 1mm (0.04in) | 427MPa (62ksi) | 359MPa (52ksi) | 25% | 70 | - | - | 65 | 276MPa (40ksi) | 124MPa (18ksi) |
| H04 | 1mm (0.04in) | 524MPa (76ksi) | 434MPa (63ksi) | 8% | 82 | - | - | 73 | 303MPa (44ksi) | 145MPa (21ksi) |
| H06 | 1mm (0.04in) | 593MPa (86ksi) | 448MPa (65ksi) | 5% | 88 | - | - | 76 | 317MPa (46ksi) | - |
| H08 | 1mm (0.04in) | 648MPa (94ksi) | 448MPa (65ksi) | 3% | 91 | - | - | 77 | 331MPa (48ksi) | 159MPa (23ksi) |
| H10 | 1mm (0.04in) | 683MPa (99ksi) | 448MPa (65ksi) | 3% | 93 | - | - | 78 | - | - |
| OS015 | 1mm (0.04in) | 365MPa (53ksi) | 152MPa (22ksi) | 54% | 93 | 78 | 43 | 241MPa (35ksi) | 97MPa (14ksi) | |
| OS025 | 1mm (0.04in) | 352MPa (51ksi) | 131MPa (19ksi) | 55% | - | - | 72 | 36 | - | - |
| OS035 | 1mm (0.04in) | 338MPa (49ksi) | 117MPa (17ksi) | 57% | - | - | 68 | 31 | 234MPa (34ksi) | 97MPa (14ksi) |
| OS050 | 1mm (0.04in) | 324MPa (47ksi) | 103MPa (15ksi) | 62% | - | - | 64 | 26 | - | - |
| OS070 | 1mm (0.04in) | 317MPa (46ksi) | 97MPa (14ksi) | 65% | - | - | 58 | 15 | 221MPa (32ksi) | 90MPa (13ksi) |
| OS100 | 1mm (0.04in) | 303MPa (44ksi) | 76MPa (11ksi) | 66% | - | - | 54 | 11 | - | 90MPa (13ksi) |
Equivalent materials to UNS C26000 copper alloy are the following:
ASTM B129
ASTM B1
ASTM B135
ASTM B19
ASTM B36
ASTM B569
ASTM B587
MIL C-10375
MIL S-22499
MIL T-20219
SAE J461
SAE J463
chemical composition of UNS C26000 copper alloy
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Copper, Cu | 68.5-71.5 |
| Lead, Pb | 0.07 |
| Iron, Fe | 0.05 |
| Zinc, Zn | Remainder |
FAQ
| What is C26000 brass? C26000 brass, commonly known as Cartridge Brass, is a copper-zinc alloy containing approximately 70% copper and 30% zinc. It is a single-phase (alpha) brass renowned for its excellent cold workability, good strength, decent corrosion resistance, and attractive gold-like color. Its primary historical use is in ammunition cartridge cases, but it is now widely used in electrical connectors, heat exchangers, decorative hardware, and various stamped components. |
| What is the difference between C260 and C26000? There is no practical difference in the material itself. C26000 is the full Unified Numbering System (UNS) designation. C260 is a common shorthand or truncated form used in industry (e.g., in older SAE standards like SAE CA260). When sourcing material, specifying C26000 is the most precise and universally recognized way to ensure you get the correct 70/30 brass alloy. |
| What is the difference between C260 and C360 brass? This is a comparison between two fundamentally different brass alloys: C26000 (Cartridge Brass): A binary alloy of Cu (~70%) and Zn (~30%). It has excellent cold-forming properties (deep drawing, bending) but only fair machinability (rated ~20% of a free-machining brass). C36000 (Free-Cutting Brass): A leaded brass containing Cu (~61%), Zn (~35%), and Pb (~3%). The added lead improves machinability dramatically (rated at 100%, the industry standard). However, this comes at the cost of significantly poorer cold workability (it cracks if severely bent or stamped) and lower ductility. Choice: Use C26000 for formed parts. Use C36000 for parts that require extensive drilling, turning, or milling. |
| What is the difference between C2600 and C2680? Both are Japanese JIS designations for brass, but with different compositions and properties: C2600 (JIS): The direct equivalent to C26000. It is CuZn30 (70/30 brass) with excellent cold workability. C2680 (JIS): This is CuZn35 or 65/35 brass. It contains roughly 65% Cu and 35% Zn. This higher zinc content makes it slightly stronger and cheaper than C2600, but with reduced ductility and cold-forming capability. It is often used for simpler stamped parts, hinges, and plumbing fixtures where the highest formability is not required. |
| What is the melting point of C26000 brass? The melting temperature range is approximately 915-955°C (1680-1750°F). |
| Can C26000 brass be welded? Yes, it can be welded using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW/TIG) and resistance welding, but it is more commonly joined by brazing or soldering for best results. |
| What is the hardness of C26000 in the hard temper? In the hard (H04) temper, C26000 typically has a Rockwell B hardness in the range of 55-75 HRB. |
| Is C26000 brass non-magnetic? Yes, like most copper alloys, C26000 is essentially non-magnetic. |
| What is the electrical conductivity of C26000? It has an electrical conductivity of approximately 28% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). |
| Does C26000 rust or corrode? It does not "rust" (iron oxide), but it can corrode. It has good general corrosion resistance but can undergo dezincification in specific stagnant water conditions. Inhibited grades are available for such environments. |
Our factory
Our factory specializes in the production and manufacturing of high-quality copper products. We operate a comprehensive, end-to-end production line equipped with advanced continuous casting and rolling mills, precision drawing machines, high-speed rolling mills, and automated heat treatment systems. We professionally produce a wide range of copper tubes, plates, bars, wires, and foils. A strict quality inspection system is implemented throughout the entire process, from raw material intake to finished product delivery. Supported by precision instruments such as spectrometers, metallographic microscopes, tensile testing machines, eddy current flaw detectors, and laser dimension gauges, we ensure that our products fully comply with international and domestic standards-including ASTM, EN, JIS, and GB-in terms of chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensional accuracy, and surface quality. We are committed to providing global customers with stable, reliable, and fully-specified copper material solutions.
copper product packaging
Our products are packaged using professional, customized industrial packaging solutions to ensure they remain intact during long-distance transportation and multiple handlings. For long products such as copper tubes and bars, we use sturdy waterproof wooden crates or metal-frame boxes for secure fixing and protection. Copper plates and foils are individually wrapped with anti-rust paper, then packed into steel-edged boxes or on pallets with reinforced hard corners. Copper wires are wound with moisture-proof film and neatly coiled onto custom-designed reels or placed in wooden cases. All packaging is clearly marked according to customer requirements with shipping marks, specifications, batch numbers, and handling symbols. Desiccants can also be placed inside the packages when needed, providing complete protection against rust, moisture, and impact throughout the entire journey from production to the destination port.
