What Is H96 Brass
H96 is the Chinese designation for a high-copper brass containing 95.0 to 97.0 percent copper with the balance zinc, plus tightly controlled trace impurities. It corresponds to CuZn4 in the EN system and is close to UNS C21000 gilding brass. Because the zinc content is low, H96 behaves much like copper: it has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, good corrosion resistance, and no tendency to stress corrosion cracking, while offering slightly higher strength than pure copper.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Copper | 95.0-97.0 percent |
| Nickel | 0.5 percent max |
| Iron | 0.10 percent max |
| Lead | 0.03 percent max |
| Total impurities | 0.2 percent max |
| Zinc | Balance |
Mechanical Properties
The strength of H96 is higher than pure copper but the lowest among the ordinary brasses. Tensile strength varies with temper from about 205 MPa in the soft condition to 320 MPa and above when work hardened, with elongation from 3 to 45 percent and hardness from 45 to 105 HV. The material retains good plasticity and toughness across the practical range.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Annealing temperature | 540-600 C |
| Hot working temperature | 640-850 C |
| Electrical conductivity | Very high for a brass, near-copper level |
| Corrosion resistance | Good in atmospheric and fresh water |
Processing Performance
H96 is easy to process by both cold and hot pressure methods. It forms, bends, and deep draws readily, and it can be welded, forged, and tin-plated without difficulty. The low zinc content means little risk of dezincification and no tendency to stress corrosion cracking, so it is stable in humid environments.
Applications
Conduits, condenser tubes, radiator tubes, and heat dissipation fins.
Automotive radiator strips operating at elevated temperature and pressure.
Electrical conducting components such as wires and cables.
Heat exchange parts requiring good conductivity and corrosion resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does H96 mean in brass designations?
A: The H prefix denotes a brass in Chinese practice, and 96 indicates a nominal copper content of 96 percent.
Q: What is the copper content of H96?
A: H96 contains 95.0 to 97.0 percent copper, with zinc as the balance.
Q: What is the tensile strength of H96?
A: It ranges from about 205 MPa in the soft condition to 320 MPa or more when work hardened.
Q: Does H96 suffer stress corrosion cracking?
A: No, H96 has no tendency to stress corrosion cracking in normal service.
Q: What is H96 used for?
A: Condenser tubes, radiator tubes, heat dissipation fins, conduits, and electrical conducting components.
Q: What is the EN equivalent of H96?
A: It corresponds to CuZn4, a high-copper brass in the EN 1652 series.
