Copper Alloy C22000
UNS C22000 · ASTM B36 · EN CW501L, CuZn10 · JIS C2200 · GB H90
C22000, commercial bronze or H90, is a single-phase alpha brass of about 90% Cu with the balance zinc (CW501L, CuZn10, C2200), supplied as strip, sheet, rod and tube.
Values for the O condition
C22000 tempers and conditions
C22000 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Pick for deep drawing, spinning, stamping of complex decorative parts and for maximum ductility. | 83 | 275 | 45 | 48 HB | 44 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Mill temper of hot-rolled plate and bar; essentially recrystallized soft condition with low strength and high ductility. | 85 | 260 | 45 | 52 HB | 44 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Use when moderate forming is still required but annealed material is too soft/limp. | 215 | 305 | 35 | 90 HB | 44 % IACS |
Half hard | General-purpose stock temper: balances bendability with useful strength for hardware and nameplates. | 280 | 340 | 25 | 105 HB | 43 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Cold-rolled to roughly 29% reduction, giving strength between half-hard and full-hard with limited remaining bend ductility. | 310 | 370 | 8 | 115 HB | 43 % IACS |
Full hard | Choose for flat springs, clips and parts needing stiffness with only simple bends. | 350 | 400 | 6 | 130 HB | 42 % IACS |
Extra hard | For flat parts needing higher strength than full hard with essentially no forming. | 390 | 435 | 5 | 145 HB | 42 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring strip/wire temper for contacts and light springs where color and solderability matter. | 420 | 470 | 4 | 155 HB | 42 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength available in thin strip; only flat or very gentle radii. | 450 | 495 | 3 | 163 HB | 42 % IACS |
What is C22000?
C22000, commercial bronze or H90, is a single-phase alpha brass of about 90% Cu with the balance zinc (CW501L, CuZn10, C2200), supplied as strip, sheet, rod and tube. It is selected for near-copper conductivity (44% IACS, 189 W/m·K), outstanding cold formability (rating 95, 45% elongation at 83 MPa yield and 275 MPa tensile) and a red-gold decorative colour, so it is used for deep-drawn, spun and stamped parts as well as electrical terminals. Strength is well below higher-zinc brasses and bronzes, machinability is only about 20% of free-cutting brass, and ammonia environments can still cause stress-corrosion cracking; service is limited to about 200 °C. C22000 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,020°C (1,868 °F). C22000 has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C22000 used for?
- Jewelry components
- Decorative metalwork and trim
- Badges and nameplates
- Builders' hardware
- Electrical terminals and contacts
- Flexible metal hose
- Primer and cartridge caps
- Dezincification-resistant fittings
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 189 W/m·K (109.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 44 % IACS, better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 83 MPa (12 ksi), worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
C22000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C22000-O; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C22000 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,020°C (1,868 °F).
Mechanical11
C22000 has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C22000 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 189 W/m·K (109.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C22000 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 75% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C22000 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C22000's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the copper alloy family
Yield strength against density for every copper alloy grade FabDigit runs. C22000 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C22000
Is C22000 easy to machine?
Gummy single-phase alpha brass (≈20% of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; expect long stringy chips.
Can C22000 be welded?
Best joined by brazing or soldering; resistance and GTAW/GMAW welding are fair with matched or silicon-bronze filler, oxyacetylene welding is not recommended due to zinc fume loss.
Can C22000 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — deep draws, spinning and severe bends in O temper; interanneal ~425–650 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts (~275 °C) to avoid ammonia SCC.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C22000. Every C22000 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better30 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.5 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 220 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 6× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better95 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair45 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C22000 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.8 | 89 – 91 | 90 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | balance |
What surface finishes work on C22000?
Takes a bright gilding-gold polish; commonly lacquered, clear-coated, chemically patinated, or electroplated with Ni/Cr/Au — anodizing does not apply.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on copper alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Plating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C22000 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B36
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW501LCuZn10
- GB (China)
- H90
- JIS
- C2200
- Also called
- Commercial Bronze
How much does C22000 cost?
C22000 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 58% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C22000 — frequently asked
What is C22000 used for?
C22000 is typically used for jewelry components, decorative metalwork and trim, badges and nameplates, builders' hardware, electrical terminals and contacts and flexible metal hose. In short: ductile commercial bronze.
What is the yield strength of C22000?
C22000 has a typical yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C22000 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Gummy single-phase alpha brass (≈20% of free-cutting brass): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; expect long stringy chips.
Can C22000 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Best joined by brazing or soldering; resistance and GTAW/GMAW welding are fair with matched or silicon-bronze filler, oxyacetylene welding is not recommended due to zinc fume loss.
What surface finishes work on C22000?
Takes a bright gilding-gold polish; commonly lacquered, clear-coated, chemically patinated, or electroplated with Ni/Cr/Au — anodizing does not apply.
Can C22000 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — deep draws, spinning and severe bends in O temper; interanneal ~425–650 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts (~275 °C) to avoid ammonia SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C22000?
C22000 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C22000-O and C22000-H10?
O is the default condition — pick for deep drawing, spinning, stamping of complex decorative parts and for maximum ductility. H10: maximum cold-worked strength available in thin strip; only flat or very gentle radii. Yield strength is 83 MPa in O versus 450 MPa in H10.
How much does C22000 cost?
C22000 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 58% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in C22000?
Yes — C22000 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B36/B36M Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B134/B134M Brass Wire — ASTM International (2015)
- CDA Alloy Database — C22000 Commercial Bronze 90% — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.