What is H96 brass?
H96 brass is an alloy composed of copper and zinc, with a copper content as high as 96%, hence the name H96 brass. This metallic material offers good electrical and thermal conductivity, maintaining stable performance in both high and low-temperature environments. Additionally, H96 brass possesses excellent workability and can be processed into various shapes and specifications-such as rods, tubes, and sleeves-through casting, forging, extrusion, drawing, and other techniques. Furthermore, H96 brass exhibits outstanding corrosion resistance, enabling it to withstand corrosive effects in environments such as air, water, and seawater. As a result, it is widely used in mechanical equipment and components exposed to harsh conditions.
Performance Characteristics
Good electrical and thermal conductivity: H96 brass has high electrical and thermal conductivity, making it widely applicable in the electrical industry. It is used as a conductor material for wires and cables, as well as in the manufacturing of heat exchangers such as radiators and heat transfer equipment.
Excellent workability: H96 brass exhibits good plasticity and toughness, making it easy to perform machining operations such as turning, milling, and bending. It meets the processing requirements for various complex parts.
High corrosion resistance: H96 brass demonstrates good corrosion resistance in general environments and can withstand erosion from various chemicals. Therefore, it is widely used in fields such as construction and decoration.
Good ductility and fatigue resistance: H96 brass has high ductility and fatigue resistance, maintaining stable performance under long-term load-bearing conditions. It is suitable for manufacturing various load-bearing components.
Physical properties:
Density (g/cm³): 8.86
Conductivity (% IACS): ≥54
Electrical conductivity (MS/m): 31.32
Thermal conductivity (W/(m·K)): 234
Coefficient of thermal expansion (10⁻⁶/K): 18.0
Modulus of elasticity (GPa): 115
Specific heat capacity (J/(g·K)): 0.380
Poisson's ratio: 0.34
Mechanical properties:
Copper rods in the (Y) state, with diameters of 3–80 mm, have a tensile strength Rm/MPa (≥205–275) and an elongation after fracture (%) (≥10–16). When delivered in the (M) state, the tensile strength Rm/MPa (≥200) and elongation after fracture (%) (≥40) are specified.
Copper tubes in the (M, M2, Y2, Y) states have a tensile strength Rm/MPa (≥205–320), elongation (%) (≥18–42), hardness HV (≥45–105), and hardness HB (≥40–100).
Composition
The primary components of H96 brass are copper and zinc, with a relatively high copper content, typically between 60% and 70%, and zinc content between 30% and 40%. Additionally, small amounts of other elements-such as lead, nickel, and iron-may be added to enhance material properties. These additions can improve the mechanical properties, workability, corrosion resistance, and other aspects of the brass.
Specifically, copper is the primary base metal of H96 brass, offering good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and ductility. The addition of zinc increases the strength and hardness of the brass while improving its corrosion resistance. The inclusion of lead lowers the melting point of the brass and enhances its fluidity, making it easier to cast and process. The addition of nickel improves the corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, and mechanical properties of the brass.
Chemical Composition Analysis:
Copper (Cu): 95.0–97.0
Nickel (Ni): 0.5
Iron (Fe): 0.10
Lead (Pb): 0.03
Zinc (Zn): Remainder
Impurities: 0.2




Production Process of H96 Brass
The production process of H96 brass primarily includes smelting, casting, extrusion, drawing, and other stages. First, copper and zinc are mixed in a specific proportion and smelted at high temperatures to obtain the H96 brass alloy liquid. The alloy liquid is then poured into molds and cooled to solidify, forming H96 brass castings. Subsequently, through processes such as extrusion or drawing, the castings are processed into rods, tubes, sleeves, and other products of the required shapes and specifications. Throughout the production process, strict control over raw material quality, smelting temperature, extrusion or drawing parameters, and other factors is essential to ensure product quality and performance.
Application Fields of H96 Brass
Due to its excellent properties, H96 brass is widely used in various fields. In the construction industry, H96 brass rods, tubes, and sleeves are used to manufacture doors, windows, railings, decorative materials, etc. Their aesthetically pleasing appearance and corrosion resistance enhance the durability and visual appeal of buildings. In the mechanical industry, H96 brass is used to produce various mechanical parts such as bearings, gears, and transmission devices. Its good mechanical properties and wear resistance ensure the stability and reliability of mechanical equipment. In the electronics industry, H96 brass is used to manufacture various connectors, terminals, sockets, and other electronic components. Its excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance ensure the proper functioning of electronic devices. Additionally, H96 brass is widely used in fields such as shipbuilding, chemical engineering, and metallurgy.
FAQ
| Q: Is H96 brass resistant to dezincification? A: Yes, it has very high resistance to dezincification due to its high copper content (above 85%). This makes it suitable for use in certain aqueous environments where lower-copper brasses (like H70, H62) would be susceptible. |
| Q: What is the typical form and size range for H96 products? A: It is commonly supplied as strip/coil, sheet/plate, wire, and tube. Typical dimensions include: Strip/Coil: Thickness 0.1mm - 3.0mm, Width up to 600mm. Wire: Diameter 0.5mm - 12.0mm. Tube: Outer Diameter (OD) 3mm - 50mm. |
| Q: What is the temper (hardness state) available for H96 strip? A: It is commonly available in soft (O), quarter-hard (H01), half-hard (H02), and hard (H04) tempers to suit different forming requirements. |
| Q: How does the price of H96 compare to other brasses and copper? A: Due to its high copper content, its price is higher than common brasses like H62 and H68, but generally lower than pure copper and premium alloys like phosphor bronze. It offers a good balance of performance and cost. |
| Q: What are the main surface finishes available for H96/C21000 brass? A: Standard finishes for H96/C21000 brass include mill finish (matte), polished, and various coated finishes (such as clear lacquer or passivation) to prevent tarnishing, especially for decorative uses. |
| Q: Is H96 suitable for making springs? A: Yes, its good combination of conductivity, corrosion resistance, and spring properties (in hardened tempers) makes H96/C21000 a preferred material for certain electrical conductivity springs and contacts. |
| Q: How does H96 perform in terms of machinability? A: Its machinability rating is relatively low (around 20% on the free-cutting brass C36000=100% scale). It is gummy and tends to adhere to cutting tools. It is not typically chosen for high-volume machining operations. |
| Q: Are H96 from China and C21000 from the USA exactly the same? A: They are equivalent grades with nearly identical nominal compositions. Minor differences may exist in permissible impurity levels between the GB (Chinese) and ASTM (U.S.) standards. For most applications, they are considered interchangeable, but critical applications should verify the exact specification requirements. |
| Q: Can H96/C21000 brass be used for marine applications? A: With its high corrosion and dezincification resistance, H96/C21000 brass can be used in certain low-corrosion marine environments (e.g., interior components, decorative fittings). However, for critical seawater applications, more specialized alloys like aluminum brass or copper-nickel are recommended over H96 brass. |
Our product range
| Category | Other Key Grades (Extensive Range) | Product Forms | Typical Size Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Copper | T2 (C11000/C10100), TU1/TU2 (Oxygen-Free), T3 (C11000), C10100, C10200 (OF), C10300, C10400, C10500, C10700, C10800, C11000, C11300, C11400, C11500, C11600, C12000, C12200 | Pipe/Tube, Plate/Sheet, Coil/Strip, Wire/Rod, Busbar | Pipe/Tube: OD 3mm - 400mm, WT 0.5mm - 15mm Sheet/Plate/Coil: Thk 0.1mm - 50mm, Width ≤ 1250mm Wire/Rod: Dia. 0.5mm - 80mm |
| Phosphorus Deoxidized Copper | TP2 (C12200), C1201, C1220, C12200, C14200 | Pipe/Tube, Plate/Sheet, Coil/Strip | Pipe/Tube: OD 4mm - 300mm, WT 0.5mm - 10mm Sheet/Plate/Coil: Thk 0.2mm - 30mm, Width ≤ 1000mm |
| Brass | H96, H68, H65, H70, HPb59-1 (C3771), CW505L (C12200), C2600 (Cartridge Brass), C2680, C2720, C28000, C36000 (Free-Cutting), C38500 | Coil/Strip, Plate/Sheet, Rod/Bar, Wire | Strip/Sheet/Coil: Thk 0.05mm - 10.0mm, Width ≤ 650mm Rod/Bar: Dia. 3mm - 200mm Wire: Dia. 0.5mm - 12mm |
| Bronze & Other Alloys | Phosphor Bronze: C51000, C52100, C54400 Copper-Nickel: C71500, C71640 Aluminum Bronze: C60600, C63000 Beryllium Copper: C17200, C17500 Other: C19210, C19400 |
Strip/Coil, Plate, Rod/Bar, Wire, Pipe | Customizable per alloy and form. Strip/Coil: Thk 0.05mm - 5.0mm Rod/Bar: Dia. up to 150mm |





