What is C26000 metal?
C26000 is a widely used copper-zinc alloy in industry, internationally known as "bullet case brass" or "70/30 brass." Its composition is approximately 70% copper and 30% zinc, exhibiting a typical single-phase α-lattice structure. This material combines excellent cold workability, good mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance, while also possessing good electrical and thermal conductivity and a bright golden appearance. Because it can be deeply drawn, bent, and stretched in a cold state, and its cost is relatively low, it is often used to manufacture electrical connectors, heat sinks, decorative components, musical instruments, and military bullet casings. In global standards, this grade corresponds to European standard CW508L, Japanese standard C2600, and Chinese standard H68, and is one of the most basic and versatile engineering materials in the brass family.
What is the hardness of C260 brass?
| Temper (Condition) | Rockwell Hardness Scale | Typical Hardness Range | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed (Soft) | Rockwell F (HRF) | 60 – 75 HRF | Fully soft, maximum ductility for deep drawing. |
| ¼ Hard (H01) | Rockwell F (HRF) | 75 – 85 HRF | Slightly work-hardened, good formability. |
| ½ Hard (H02) | Rockwell F (HRF) | 80 – 90 HRF | Moderate strength and formability balance. |
| Hard (H04) | Rockwell B (HRB) | 55 – 75 HRB | High strength, limited formability (only mild bending). |
| Spring (H08) | Rockwell B (HRB) | 80 – 90 HRB | Very high strength, elastic properties, minimal ductility. |
| Extra Hard (H10) | Rockwell B (HRB) | 85 – 95 HRB | Maximum strength via cold work, for stiff structural parts. |
Similar or equivalent specification
| CDA | ASTM | SAE | AMS | Federal | Military | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C26000 | B927 B927M |
J461 J463 |
70/30 |
Chemical composition
| Cu% | Pb% | Zn% | Fe% | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chemical composition according to ASTM B927/B927M-23 Note: Cu + sum of named elements, 99.7% min. Single values represent maximums. |
|||||||||||
| 68.50- 71.50 |
0.07 |
Rem. |
0.05 |
||||||||
Machinability
| Copper alloy UNS No. | Machinability rating | Density (lb/in3 at 68 °F) |
|---|---|---|
| C26000 | 30 | 0.308 |
Physical properties
| US Customary | Metric | |
|---|---|---|
| Melting point - liquidus | 1750 °F | 954 °C |
| Melting point - solidus | 1680 °F | 916 °C |
| Density | 0.308 lb/in3 at 68 °F | 8.53 gm/cm3 at 20 °C |
| Specific gravity | 8.53 | 8.53 |
| Electrical conductivity | 28% IACS at 68 °F | 0.162 MegaSiemens/cm at 20 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 70 Btu/sq ft/ft hr/°F at 68 °F | 121.2 W/m at 20 °C |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion 68-572 | 11.1 · 10-6 per °F (68-572 °F) | 19.2 · 10-6 per °C (20-300 °C) |
| Specific heat capacity | 0.09 Btu/lb/°F at 68 °F | 377.1 J/kg at 20 °C |
| Modulus of elasticity in tension | 16000 ksi | 110317 MPa |
| Modulus of rigidity | 6000 ksi | 41369 MPa |
Fabrication properties
| Technique | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Soldering | Excellent |
| Brazing | Excellent |
| Oxyacetylene welding | Good |
| Gas shielded arc welding | Good |
| Coated metal arc welding | Not recommended |
| Spot weld | Fair |
| Seam weld | Not recommended |
| Butt weld | Good |
| Capacity for being cold worked | Excellent |
| Capacity for being hot formed | Fair |
| Machinability rating | 30 |
FAQ
| What is C26000 brass? C26000 brass, commonly known as Cartridge Brass, is a copper-zinc alloy containing approximately 70% copper and 30% zinc. It is a single-phase (alpha) brass renowned for its excellent cold workability, good strength, decent corrosion resistance, and attractive gold-like color. Its primary historical use is in ammunition cartridge cases, but it is now widely used in electrical connectors, heat exchangers, decorative hardware, and various stamped components. |
| What is the difference between C260 and C26000? There is no practical difference in the material itself. C26000 is the full Unified Numbering System (UNS) designation. C260 is a common shorthand or truncated form used in industry (e.g., in older SAE standards like SAE CA260). When sourcing material, specifying C26000 is the most precise and universally recognized way to ensure you get the correct 70/30 brass alloy. |
| What is the difference between C260 and C360 brass? This is a comparison between two fundamentally different brass alloys: C26000 (Cartridge Brass): A binary alloy of Cu (~70%) and Zn (~30%). It has excellent cold-forming properties (deep drawing, bending) but only fair machinability (rated ~20% of a free-machining brass). C36000 (Free-Cutting Brass): A leaded brass containing Cu (~61%), Zn (~35%), and Pb (~3%). The added lead improves machinability dramatically (rated at 100%, the industry standard). However, this comes at the cost of significantly poorer cold workability (it cracks if severely bent or stamped) and lower ductility. Choice: Use C26000 for formed parts. Use C36000 for parts that require extensive drilling, turning, or milling. |
| What is the difference between C2600 and C2680? Both are Japanese JIS designations for brass, but with different compositions and properties: C2600 (JIS): The direct equivalent to C26000. It is CuZn30 (70/30 brass) with excellent cold workability. C2680 (JIS): This is CuZn35 or 65/35 brass. It contains roughly 65% Cu and 35% Zn. This higher zinc content makes it slightly stronger and cheaper than C2600, but with reduced ductility and cold-forming capability. It is often used for simpler stamped parts, hinges, and plumbing fixtures where the highest formability is not required. |
| What is the melting point of C26000 brass? The melting temperature range is approximately 915-955°C (1680-1750°F). |
| Can C26000 brass be welded? Yes, it can be welded using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW/TIG) and resistance welding, but it is more commonly joined by brazing or soldering for best results. |
| What is the hardness of C26000 in the hard temper? In the hard (H04) temper, C26000 typically has a Rockwell B hardness in the range of 55-75 HRB. |
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