What is H96 brass?
H96 brass is a common brass material widely used in industrial fields. Its copper content is 95.0%-97.0%, with zinc as the balance. It possesses excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and ductility. While its strength is higher than pure copper, it is the lowest among common brasses. It is easily processed by cold and hot pressure, and suitable for forming, welding, forging, and tin plating. H96 brass is free from stress corrosion cracking, its chemical composition meets standard requirements, its tensile strength is not less than 320 MPa, and its elongation is not less than 3%. Its heat treatment range is hot working temperature 775–850℃ and annealing temperature 540–600℃.
Properties and Applications of H96 Brass
H96 brass has higher strength than pure copper but lower than other common brasses. It possesses good electrical and thermal conductivity. This material exhibits high corrosion resistance in atmospheric and freshwater environments, excellent ductility, and is suitable for cold and hot pressure processing. It is widely used in industrial parts requiring forming, welding, forging, and tin plating.
Chemical Composition and Mechanical Properties of H96 Brass
Chemical Composition: Copper (Cu) 95.0-97.0%, Nickel (Ni) ≤0.5%, Iron (Fe) ≤0.10%, Lead (Pb) ≤0.03%, Zinc (Zn) balance, total impurities ≤0.2%
Mechanical Properties: Tensile strength ≥320MPa, Elongation ≥3%
Heat Treatment Process of H96 Brass
The heat treatment temperature range for H96 brass is:
Hot Working Temperature: 775～850℃
Annealing Temperature: 540～600℃
Production and Applications of H96 Brass
H96 brass can be supplied in the form of plates, bars, and wires. It is suitable for conductive components, heat sinks, decorative parts, and other fields requiring conductivity, machinability, and corrosion resistance.
FAQ
| Q: What exactly is H96 material? A: H96 is a copper-zinc alloy (brass) with a nominal composition of 96% copper and 4% zinc. It is known as Gilding Metal 96% or by its UNS number C21000. It is the brass grade with the highest copper content and lowest zinc content. |
| Q: What are the key properties of H96 (C21000) brass? A: Its key properties are: Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity (the highest among common brasses). Very good corrosion resistance (close to pure copper). Good ductility and formability for both cold and hot working. Characteristic reddish-gold color, making it aesthetically pleasing. |
| Q: How does H96 differ from pure copper (like T2/C11000)? A: While very close to pure copper, the small addition of zinc (4%) in H96 provides slightly higher strength, hardness, and wear resistance than pure copper, while retaining most of its conductivity and corrosion resistance. It is often a more cost-effective and durable alternative for many applications. |
| Q: What are the most common applications for H96 brass? A: Common applications include: Waveguides, heat exchanger/condenser tubes, heat sinks, electrical conductivity springs, jewelry, medals, commemorative coins, decorative architectural trim, and nameplates. |
| Q: Can H96 brass be welded or soldered? A: Yes, it has excellent solderability and brazability. However, welding can be challenging due to its high thermal conductivity and zinc content, which can lead to porosity and zinc fume. Specialized techniques (like TIG welding with proper filler metal) are required. |
| Q: What are the main standards that cover H96/C21000? A: It is covered by various international standards: China: GB/T 5231 (H96) USA: ASTM B36 (C21000 for sheet/plate/strip), ASTM B134 (C21000 for wire) Europe: EN CW500L (similar composition) Japan: JIS C2100 |
| 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. |
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 |
