What is H96 Brass Alloy?

H96 brass is a common brass alloy known for its excellent properties. Its chemical composition includes copper (Cu) content ranging from 95.0% to 97.0%, with zinc (Zn) as the remainder. It also contains small amounts of nickel (Ni) at 0.5%, iron (Fe) at 0.10%, lead (Pb) at 0.03%, and impurities at 0.2%.

H96 brass possesses good overall performance. Its strength is higher than that of pure copper, although it is relatively low among ordinary brass alloys, it still meets the requirements of many applications. It exhibits excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, high corrosion resistance in atmospheric and freshwater environments, good plasticity, and ease of processing through cold and hot pressure methods. It is also easy to form, weld, forge, and tin-plate, with no tendency for stress corrosion cracking.

The physical properties of H96 brass are also notable. For example, its thermal conductivity is approximately 243.9 W/(m·K), and its density is 8.85 g/cm³. In terms of mechanical properties, its tensile strength ranges from 240 to 450 MPa, with a yield strength of 390 MPa. Its elongation is generally ≥3%, and its tensile strength is ≥320 MPa.

H96 brass has a wide range of applications. It is commonly used in currency, commemorative items, badges, fuse caps, enamel bases, waveguides, heat dissipation tubes, and conductive devices, among others. In industrial manufacturing, it is frequently used to produce components and industrial equipment. In terms of price, it varies depending on specifications and market conditions.

H96 brass is primarily composed of copper and zinc, with copper content ranging from 95.0% to 97.0% and zinc as the remainder. Additionally, it contains small amounts of impurity elements, such as iron (Fe) typically below 0.1%, lead (Pb) generally not exceeding 0.03%, and trace amounts of nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), phosphorus (P), and others. The presence and proportions of these elements influence the properties of H96 brass. For example, trace amounts of iron can enhance its strength and hardness to some extent, lead improves its machinability, and the addition of nickel may increase its corrosion resistance.

H96 brass exhibits a series of excellent performance characteristics. Its strength is higher than that of pure copper but relatively low among ordinary brass alloys. It possesses good electrical and thermal conductivity and demonstrates high corrosion resistance in atmospheric and freshwater environments. H96 brass has good plasticity, making it easy to process through cold and hot pressure methods, such as extrusion, rolling, stamping, drawing, and forging. It is also easy to form, weld, forge, and tin-plate, with no tendency for stress corrosion cracking. These characteristics enable H96 brass to be widely used in many fields.

H96 brass has notable physical properties. Its density is approximately 8.85 g/cm³, electrical conductivity is about 28% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard), thermal conductivity is around 120 W/(m·K), and its melting point ranges from 950°C to 1050°C. Its good electrical and thermal conductivity make it suitable for applications in the electrical and electronics fields. For example, it can be used to manufacture components such as waveguides and heat dissipation fins, effectively transmitting electricity and heat.

H96 brass also exhibits excellent mechanical properties. Its tensile strength is typically above 320 MPa, and its elongation is generally above 3%. Its yield strength ranges from 80 to 100 MPa, and its hardness is around 50–70 HB (Brinell Hardness). These mechanical property parameters indicate that H96 brass performs well under tensile and compressive loads, meeting the requirements of applications that demand certain strength and plasticity.

H96 brass has a wide range of applications. Due to its good cold and hot workability, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity, it is often used in currency, commemorative items, badges, detonators, cartridge cases, enamel bases, waveguides, heat dissipation tubes/fins, and conductive devices. In the electronics and electrical fields, H96 brass can be used to manufacture components such as connectors and sockets. In the construction and decoration industries, it is used to produce door and window fittings and hardware. In mechanical manufacturing, it is used to produce gears, bushings, and other parts.

The price of H96 brass fluctuates due to various factors. The global economic situation plays a significant role: when economic growth slows, the demand for brass may decrease, leading to price drops. Conversely, during economic prosperity, increased demand may drive prices up. Production costs, including raw material prices, energy costs, and labor costs, also directly affect the price of H96 brass. Additionally, market supply-demand balance, international trade policies, and exchange rate fluctuations similarly impact its price. For example, rising prices of raw materials such as copper and zinc can increase the production cost of H96 brass, potentially leading to higher market prices.