In the copper-zinc alloy (brass) series, H96 and H90 are two typical high-copper brass materials widely used in industrial applications due to their excellent overall properties. Despite their similar names, they exhibit significant differences in composition, performance, and applications. The following provides a comparative analysis of these two materials across multiple dimensions.
Chemical Composition and Material Definition
| Item | H96 Brass | H90 Brass |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Content (Cu) | 95.0%–97.0% | 88.0%–91.0% |
| Zinc Content (Zn) | Balance (approx. 3%–5%) | Balance (approx. 9%–12%) |
| Material Category | Low-zinc brass (properties close to pure copper) | Ordinary brass |
| International Equivalent | UNS C21000 (U.S. Standard) | UNS C22000 (U.S. Standard) |
Key Difference:
H96 has a higher copper content (≥95%) and lower zinc content, making its performance closer to that of pure copper, while H90 has a significantly higher zinc content, classifying it as a typical ordinary brass.
Mechanical Properties Comparison
| Property | H96 Brass | H90 Brass |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 205–320 MPa (soft to hard state) | 245–380 MPa (soft to hard state) |
| Elongation | ≥35% (soft state) | ≥30% (soft state) |
| Hardness (HB) | 50–70 (soft state) | 60–85 (soft state) |
| Fatigue Limit | Approx. 50%–60% of tensile strength | Approx. 45%–55% of tensile strength |
Key Conclusion:
Due to its higher zinc content, H90 has higher strength and hardness than H96, but slightly lower plasticity.
H96 excels in high plasticity and ductility, making it more suitable for cold working processes such as deep drawing and bending.
Physical and Chemical Properties Comparison
| Property | H96 Brass | H90 Brass |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Conductivity | Approx. 28%–35% IACS | Approx. 20%–25% IACS |
| Thermal Conductivity | Approx. 120–160 W/(m·K) | Approx. 100–130 W/(m·K) |
| Density | 8.85 g/cm³ | 8.80 g/cm³ |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent (atmospheric and freshwater environments) | Good (atmospheric and freshwater environments) |
| Color Characteristics | Reddish-purple (close to pure copper) | Golden-yellow (typical brass color) |
Core Advantages:
H96 excels in electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for electrical, thermal dissipation, and corrosion-resistant applications.
H90's golden-yellow color is more vibrant, making it ideal for decorative and aesthetic components.
Machinability Comparison
| Machining Process | H96 Brass | H90 Brass |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Working | Excellent (suitable for deep drawing, precision forming) | Good (suitable for general stamping, bending) |
| Hot Working Temperature | 775–850°C | 750–820°C |
| Weldability | Excellent (compatible with brazing, TIG welding) | Good (requires control of zinc evaporation) |
| Machinability | Poor (prone to tool adhesion) | Good (higher zinc content facilitates chip breaking) |
Application Notes:
H96 is more suitable for precision cold working and welded structural components but less friendly to machining processes.
H90 offers advantages in general machining and decorative component manufacturing.
Typical Application Fields
| Field | H96 Brass | H90 Brass |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical & Electronics | Waveguides, conductive springs, relay contacts | Decorative sockets, electrical enclosures |
| Heat Dissipation Equipment | Heat sinks, condenser tubes, heat exchangers | Medium-to-low load heat dissipation components |
| Architectural Decoration | Antique metal crafts, high-end hardware | Door/window fittings, decorative panels, medals |
| Mechanical Manufacturing | Precision bearings, elastic components | General valves, gears, rivets |
| Special Environments | Freshwater pipes, chemical instrument parts | General outdoor structural components |
Selection Recommendations
Scenarios Preferring H96:
Electrical and thermal dissipation components requiring high electrical/thermal conductivity.
Applications in freshwater or atmospheric environments with high corrosion resistance requirements.
Precision components requiring complex cold working such as deep drawing or bending.
Scenarios Preferring H90:
Decorative and architectural hardware where appearance and color are important.
Structural components requiring higher strength but moderate electrical conductivity.
Applications requiring machining processes or those sensitive to cost.
Market and Cost Considerations
Raw Material Cost: H96 is typically 5%–15% more expensive than H90 due to its higher copper content.
Machining Cost: H96 offers higher efficiency in cold working but poses greater challenges in machining, while H90 has broader adaptability for general machining.
Supply Chain: Both are common grades, but H90 generally has a wider range of stock specifications and is more readily available.
H96 and H90 brass represent two different directions in brass materials: "high performance" and "cost-effectiveness":
H96, with its high copper content, excels in electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and cold working performance, making it ideal for high-end electrical, thermal dissipation, and corrosion-resistant engineering applications.
H90 offers balanced strength, machinability, and a golden-yellow color, making it more versatile in decorative, architectural, and general mechanical fields.
Our product range
Our factory is a professional manufacturer of copper and copper alloy products, specializing in the export of high-quality copper materials. We possess modern production facilities and a strict quality control system, employing advanced production processes and technologies from raw material smelting to final product forming. The factory is equipped with precision extrusion, drawing, rolling, and heat treatment equipment, enabling the production of various specifications of copper pipes, copper plates, copper strips, copper rods, copper wires, and special profiles. We particularly excel in producing standard-grade brass products such as H96, H90, and H62, while also customizing chemical compositions, dimensional specifications, and surface treatments based on customer requirements. Certified with the ISO 9001 quality management system, our products comply with international standards such as ASTM, EN, JIS, and GB. They are widely used in construction, electronics, machinery, automotive, and other industries and are exported to over 50 countries and regions worldwide. We are committed to providing high-quality products and professional services, making us your reliable copper material partner.
Copper product packaging
We adopt professional, safe, and environmentally compliant international standard packaging solutions. All products are custom-packaged according to their form and transportation requirements: pipes are reinforced with moisture-proof woven bags or wooden crates, with protective sleeves added to the ends; plates and strips are wrapped in anti-rust paper and placed in dry wooden crates or on pallets, with special protection for the edges; wires and rods are wrapped in waterproof film and secured on pallets or bundled wooden crates. All packaging includes clear labels detailing product specifications, grades, batch numbers, and shipping marks. Additionally, moisture-proof and anti-rust treatments are applied to withstand long-distance sea transport or special climate conditions, ensuring that the goods remain intact during transportation and storage. Our packaging meets the import standards of various countries.
