Copper Alloy C24000-OS050
Temper · default condition
UNS C24000 · ASTM B36 · EN CuZn20, CW503L · JIS C2400 · GB H80
OS050 = annealed to 0.050 mm grain size
Standard stocked soft temper for deep drawing, spinning, tube bending and instrument work.
Values for the OS050 condition
Other C24000 tempers and conditions
C24000 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C24000.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OS050DefaultThis page Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size | Standard stocked soft temper for deep drawing, spinning, tube bending and instrument work. | 105 | 290 | 55 | 55 HB | 32 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Pick for hot-rolled plate/bar where a soft, as-worked surface is acceptable and no temper control is needed. | 105 | 290 | 50 | 58 HB | 32 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold-work temper when moderate stiffness is needed but severe bending/forming still follows. | 230 | 340 | 43 | 95 HB | — |
Half hard | The workhorse cold-rolled temper: good balance of strength and remaining bend ductility. | 310 | 395 | 30 | 120 HB | — |
Three-quarter hard | Use where higher yield strength is required and only mild forming (gentle bends) remains. | 380 | 450 | 15 | 135 HB | — |
Full hard | Standard hard strip/wire temper for flat springs, contacts and stiff decorative trim. | 415 | 510 | 8 | 150 HB | — |
Extra hard | Choose for high-strength flat stock and wire where forming is limited to shallow forming or straight cut parts. | 480 | 570 | 5 | 165 HB | — |
Spring hard | Spring temper strip/wire for flexible metal hose, reeds and formed springs with high elastic limit. | 510 | 620 | 4 | 175 HB | — |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-rolled strength for thin spring strip; almost no bend ductility, order only when the elastic limit governs. | 525 | 640 | 3 | 180 HB | — |
What is C24000-OS050?
C24000-OS050 is C24000 in the OS050 temper — standard stocked soft temper for deep drawing, spinning, tube bending and instrument work. C24000-OS050 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi). C24000-OS050 has a density of 8.67 g/cm³ (0.313 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,000°C (1,832 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- 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
Limitations
- Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 85% of copper alloy grades
C24000-OS050 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C24000-OS050; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C24000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C24000-OS050 has a density of 8.67 g/cm³ (0.313 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,000°C (1,832 °F).
Mechanical11
C24000-OS050 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
Thermal6
C24000-OS050 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C24000-OS050 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, better than 72% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C24000-OS050 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
C24000-OS050's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); 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 C24000-OS050
Is C24000 easy to machine?
Machinability only ~30 % of free-cutting C36000 — gummy, long chips; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and generous emulsion, or switch to C36000 where turning dominates.
Can C24000 be welded?
Fusion welding is marginal (zinc fume, porosity); resistance spot/seam welding is fair and soldering/silver brazing is excellent — braze or solder wherever possible and ventilate for Zn.
Can C24000 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in OS050: deep drawing, spinning, tube bending and flexible-hose corrugating; interstage anneal at 425–600 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts at 260–300 °C to avoid season cracking.
What surface finishes work on C24000?
Polishes to a bright gold luster; accepts nickel/chrome/gold plating, clear lacquer and chemical patination — not anodizable, and lacquer or oil is needed to prevent tarnish.
C24000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuASTM B36/B135 range for C24000 | 78.5 – 81.5 | 80 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Znbalance, incl. minor unnamed impurities | balance | — |
C24000-OS050 — frequently asked
What is C24000-OS050 used for?
C24000-OS050 is typically used for musical instruments, flexible metal hose, jewelry and battery caps. In short: high-elongation drawing brass; warm gold color; flexible-hose corrugating grade.
What is the yield strength of C24000-OS050?
C24000-OS050 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C24000-OS050 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades). Machinability only ~30 % of free-cutting C36000 — gummy, long chips; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and generous emulsion, or switch to C36000 where turning dominates.
Can C24000-OS050 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Fusion welding is marginal (zinc fume, porosity); resistance spot/seam welding is fair and soldering/silver brazing is excellent — braze or solder wherever possible and ventilate for Zn.
What surface finishes work on C24000-OS050?
Polishes to a bright gold luster; accepts nickel/chrome/gold plating, clear lacquer and chemical patination — not anodizable, and lacquer or oil is needed to prevent tarnish.
Can C24000-OS050 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in OS050: deep drawing, spinning, tube bending and flexible-hose corrugating; interstage anneal at 425–600 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts at 260–300 °C to avoid season cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of C24000-OS050?
C24000-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 C24000-OS050 and C24000-H10?
OS050 is the default condition — standard stocked soft temper for deep drawing, spinning, tube bending and instrument work. H10: maximum cold-rolled strength for thin spring strip; almost no bend ductility, order only when the elastic limit governs. Yield strength is 105 MPa in OS050 versus 525 MPa in H10.
Sources
- ASTM B36/B36M — Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B135/B135M — Seamless Brass Tube — ASTM International (2017)
- Copper Alloy C24000 alloy datasheet (properties, tempers, machinability) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1652 / EN 12163 — Cu-Zn20 (CW503L) wrought copper products — CEN (2016)
- GB/T 2040 / GB/T 2059 — H80 (2017)
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.