What is H96 brass?
C21000/H96 copper pipe comes with high electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as good corrosion resistance in many environments, especially dry environments. This alloy is very easy to cold and hot work and can be drawn into filaments or rolled into sheets. C21000 copper pipe is very processable and can be processed by a variety of methods including machining, welding, casting and heat treatment. It is suitable for manufacturing parts with complex shapes and requires less tool wear during processing. Lastly, C21000 copper pipe works for various surface treatments, such as plating, coloring, etc., to improve its appearance or corrosion resistance.
Chemical Composition
|
Cu |
Pb |
Zn |
Fe |
Total Impurity |
|
95.0~97.0 |
≤0.03 |
REM |
≤0.1 |
≤0.2 |
Physical Properties
|
Grade |
Tensile Strength (N/mm) |
Elongation (%) |
Hardness (HV) |
||||||||
|
Soft |
1/2H |
H |
Soft |
1/2H |
H |
Soft |
1/4H |
1/2H |
3/4H |
H |
|
|
C2100 |
≥205 |
270-345 |
≥280 |
≥33 |
≥18 |
- |
≤65 |
65~80 |
80-100 |
- |
≥100 |




C2100 Brass Coil & Strip Applications
Auto Parts
Drilling
Engineering Machinery
Machining
Shipbuilding
Transmission
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. |
| 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. |
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 |





