Copper Alloy C23400-H08
Supply condition
UNS C23400
H08 = spring hard
Spring temper for contacts, retainers and shims requiring high elastic limit; forming must be minimal.
Values for the H08 condition
Other C23400 tempers and conditions
C23400 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at C23400.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for deep drawing, spinning and severe forming where maximum ductility is needed. | 95 | 290 | 48 | 58 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Light temper for parts that still need moderate bending/forming after a modest strength gain. | 235 | 310 | 28 | 85 HB | — |
H02Default Half hard | The general-purpose stocked temper: good strength with enough ductility for 90° bends and light forming. | 285 | 355 | 14 | 105 HB | — |
Three-quarter hard | Use when H02 strength is marginal but some bending across the grain is still required. | 325 | 390 | 10 | 118 HB | — |
Full hard | Standard hard temper for flat stampings, washers and blanked hardware needing stiffness and edge quality. | 370 | 430 | 6 | 132 HB | — |
Extra hard | Choose for flat springs and clips where forming is limited to gentle radii along the grain. | 425 | 485 | 4 | 145 HB | — |
H08This page Spring hard | Spring temper for contacts, retainers and shims requiring high elastic limit; forming must be minimal. | 465 | 525 | 3 | 155 HB | — |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength; only for flat blanked spring parts with essentially no forming. | 500 | 565 | 3 | 165 HB | — |
What is C23400-H08?
C23400-H08 is C23400 supplied in the H08 condition — spring temper for contacts, retainers and shims requiring high elastic limit; forming must be minimal. C23400-H08 has a yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 112 GPa (16.2 Msi). C23400-H08 has a density of 8.72 g/cm³ (0.315 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 990°C (1,814 °F). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H08 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 465 MPa (67.4 ksi), better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 130°C (266 °F), worse than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
C23400-H08 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C23400-H08; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C23400 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C23400-H08 has a density of 8.72 g/cm³ (0.315 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 990°C (1,814 °F).
Mechanical13
C23400-H08 has a yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 112 GPa (16.2 Msi).
Thermal6
C23400-H08 is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 72% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 19.1 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C23400-H08 conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, better than 72% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 95% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C23400-H08 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C23400-H08's machinability is fair (37/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C23400-H08
Is C23400 easy to machine?
Gummy, long-chipping alloy (~30% of AISI 1212) — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and flood coolant; not a substitute for C36000 in screw-machine work.
Can C23400 be welded?
Solders and brazes superbly; resistance and oxyacetylene welding are usable, but gas-shielded arc welding is only fair due to zinc fume and porosity.
Can C23400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and spinning in O61/H01; interstage anneal at 425–650 °C, and stress-relieve cold-worked parts at 250–300 °C to prevent ammonia season cracking.
What surface finishes work on C23400?
Buffs to a bright red-gold; commonly clear-lacquered, benzotriazole-passivated, chemically antiqued, or nickel/chrome/gold plated. Anodizing does not apply.
C23400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuAg may be counted as Cu | 81 – 84 | 82.5 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Znremainder, nominally ~17.5% | balance | — |
C23400-H08 — frequently asked
What is C23400-H08 used for?
C23400-H08 is typically used for hardware, plumbing fittings, decorative trim and stamped components. In short: red-gold hardware brass; formable, not free-cutting; direct C23000 substitute.
What is the yield strength of C23400-H08?
C23400-H08 has a typical yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C23400-H08 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (37/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades). Gummy, long-chipping alloy (~30% of AISI 1212) — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and flood coolant; not a substitute for C36000 in screw-machine work.
Can C23400-H08 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Solders and brazes superbly; resistance and oxyacetylene welding are usable, but gas-shielded arc welding is only fair due to zinc fume and porosity.
What surface finishes work on C23400-H08?
Buffs to a bright red-gold; commonly clear-lacquered, benzotriazole-passivated, chemically antiqued, or nickel/chrome/gold plated. Anodizing does not apply.
Can C23400-H08 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and spinning in O61/H01; interstage anneal at 425–650 °C, and stress-relieve cold-worked parts at 250–300 °C to prevent ammonia season cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of C23400-H08?
C23400-H08 is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C23400-H02 and C23400-H10?
H02 is the default condition — the general-purpose stocked temper: good strength with enough ductility for 90° bends and light forming. H10: maximum cold-worked strength; only for flat blanked spring parts with essentially no forming. Yield strength is 285 MPa in H02 versus 500 MPa in H10.
Sources
- ASTM B36/B36M — Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B587 — Welded Brass Tube — ASTM International (2020)
- Copper Alloy Data (UNS C23400 / red brass family) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.