Copper Alloy C23000-OS050
Temper · default condition
UNS C23000 · ASTM B43 · EN CuZn15, CW502L · JIS C2300 · GB H85
OS050 = annealed to 0.050 mm grain size
Softest commercial condition — pick for deep drawing, spinning, severe bending and tube bending.
Values for the OS050 condition
Other C23000 tempers and conditions
C23000 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C23000.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As hot rolled | Hot-rolled plate/bar stock for further machining or forming where surface finish and tight temper are not critical. | 70 | 275 | 47 | 45 HB | 37 % IACS |
OS050DefaultThis page Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size | Softest commercial condition — pick for deep drawing, spinning, severe bending and tube bending. | 85 | 280 | 45 | 46 HB | 37 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold work for slightly stiffer parts that still need moderate bending and forming. | 205 | 305 | 35 | 68 HB | 37 % IACS |
Half hard | Most common stiff-but-formable strip/tube temper for hardware, fittings and shallow-formed parts. | 275 | 340 | 25 | 88 HB | — |
Three-quarter hard | Higher strength with limited bending — for flat springs, clips and stiff panels. | 325 | 380 | 12 | 105 HB | 37 % IACS |
Full hard | Standard hard temper for blanked, sheared and lightly formed strength parts. | 360 | 420 | 5 | 120 HB | 36 % IACS |
Extra hard | Choose when high strength and stiffness matter more than any forming ability. | 415 | 490 | 4 | 140 HB | 36 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring strip for contacts, washers and flat springs where corrosion resistance beats conductivity needs. | 430 | 525 | 3 | 150 HB | 36 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength; only for flat, blanked or very lightly formed spring components. | 440 | 545 | 3 | 158 HB | 36 % IACS |
What is C23000-OS050?
C23000-OS050 is C23000 in the OS050 temper — softest commercial condition — pick for deep drawing, spinning, severe bending and tube bending. C23000-OS050 has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C23000-OS050 has a density of 8.75 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), lighter than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 990°C (1,814 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 85 MPa (12.3 ksi), worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
C23000-OS050 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C23000-OS050; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C23000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C23000-OS050 has a density of 8.75 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), lighter than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 990°C (1,814 °F).
Mechanical12
C23000-OS050 has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C23000-OS050 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 159 W/m·K (91.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 73% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.7 µm/m·K (10.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C23000-OS050 conducts electricity at 37 % IACS, better than 73% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (63/100), better than 52% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C23000-OS050 takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
C23000-OS050's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (55/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C23000-OS050
Is C23000 easy to machine?
Gummy alpha brass at ~30 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and good lubrication; not a screw-machine alloy.
Can C23000 be welded?
Excellent soldering and brazing; GTAW/oxyfuel are workable with silicon-bronze or brass filler but zinc fuming and porosity limit fusion welding; resistance welding fair.
Can C23000 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in OS tempers — deep drawing, spinning, heading and tube bending; interanneal ~450–600 °C and stress-relieve ~275 °C to avoid season cracking.
What surface finishes work on C23000?
Buffs to a bright red-gold; readily nickel-, chrome- or gold-plated, chemically colored/antiqued, and clear-lacquered to prevent tarnish; anodizing not applicable.
C23000 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 % | 84 – 86 | 85 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | balance | — |
C23000-OS050 — frequently asked
What is C23000-OS050 used for?
C23000-OS050 is typically used for plumbing pipe and fittings, radiator cores, electrical sockets, weatherstripping and hardware. In short: corrosion-resistant plumbing brass; 159 W/m·K tube alloy; high cold-drawing capability.
What is the yield strength of C23000-OS050?
C23000-OS050 has a typical yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — weaker than 89% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C23000-OS050 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 78% of copper alloy grades). Gummy alpha brass at ~30 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and good lubrication; not a screw-machine alloy.
Can C23000-OS050 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Excellent soldering and brazing; GTAW/oxyfuel are workable with silicon-bronze or brass filler but zinc fuming and porosity limit fusion welding; resistance welding fair.
What surface finishes work on C23000-OS050?
Buffs to a bright red-gold; readily nickel-, chrome- or gold-plated, chemically colored/antiqued, and clear-lacquered to prevent tarnish; anodizing not applicable.
Can C23000-OS050 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in OS tempers — deep drawing, spinning, heading and tube bending; interanneal ~450–600 °C and stress-relieve ~275 °C to avoid season cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of C23000-OS050?
C23000-OS050 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 C23000-OS050 and C23000-H10?
OS050 is the default condition — softest commercial condition — pick for deep drawing, spinning, severe bending and tube bending. H10: maximum cold-worked strength; only for flat, blanked or very lightly formed spring components. Yield strength is 85 MPa in OS050 versus 440 MPa in H10.
Sources
- ASTM B43 — Seamless Red Brass Pipe, Standard Sizes — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B36/B36M — Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C23000 (Red Brass 85 %) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 12164/12165 CuZn15 (CW502L) — CEN (2016)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.