Copper Alloy C26000
UNS C26000 · ASTM B36 · EN CuZn30, CW505L · JIS C2600 · GB H68, H70
C26000 (cartridge brass) is a single-phase α brass of about 70 % copper, balance zinc, and the standard deep-drawing brass under ASTM B36 / CW508L (CuZn30, C2600, H70, H68).
Values for the O condition
C26000 tempers and conditions
C26000 is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility: deep drawing, spinning, severe bending of cups, shells and lamp parts. | 105 | 325 | 62 | 55 HB | 28 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size | Fine-grain anneal for thin strip where a smooth, orange-peel-free drawn surface is required. | 115 | 340 | 55 | 62 HB | 28 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Mill-finished hot-rolled plate/bar condition — soft, near-annealed strength with high ductility and coarse hot-worked grain structure. | 115 | 320 | 52 | 58 HB | 28 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Choose when moderate bending/forming is still needed but annealed strip is too soft to handle flat. | 250 | 365 | 43 | 100 HB | 28 % IACS |
Half hard | The general-purpose stocking temper: good strength with 90° bendability across the grain. | 359 | 427 | 23 | 125 HB | 28 % IACS |
Hard drawn | As-drawn seamless tube and rod temper for structural/decorative tubing needing straightness and strength. | 380 | 480 | 12 | 140 HB | 27 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Cartridge brass cold-rolled/drawn to about 3/4 hard — strength between half hard and full hard with limited remaining ductility for mild forming. | 395 | 483 | 14 | 145 HB | 28 % IACS |
Full hard | Use for flat blanked parts, washers and stampings needing stiffness with only mild forming. | 441 | 524 | 8 | 150 HB | 27 % IACS |
Extra hard | Higher-strength strip for flat springs and contacts where bends are shallow and along the grain. | 490 | 590 | 5 | 165 HB | 27 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring temper strip/wire for clips, contacts and springs where elastic limit matters more than ductility. | 517 | 634 | 3 | 175 HB | 27 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for thin flat springs; essentially no formability left. | 540 | 655 | 3 | 185 HB | 27 % IACS |
What is C26000?
C26000 (cartridge brass) is a single-phase α brass of about 70 % copper, balance zinc, and the standard deep-drawing brass under ASTM B36 / CW508L (CuZn30, C2600, H70, H68). Annealed sheet, strip, tube and wire give 325 MPa tensile, 105 MPa yield, 62 % elongation and 55 HB with outstanding cold formability; cold work roughly doubles the strength, conductivity is 28 % IACS, and it brazes, solders and plates well up to about 200 °C service. Machinability is only fair because it is unleaded, ammonia causes stress-corrosion cracking, stagnant chloride water dezincifies it, and zinc volatilises during fusion welding. Choose C36000 for screw-machine parts. C26000 has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 915°C (1,679 °F). C26000 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 62% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
What is C26000 used for?
- Ammunition cartridge cases
- Deep-drawn cups and shells
- Brass enclosures and housings
- Lamp and lighting hardware
- Electrical terminals and eyelets
- Rivets and hollow fasteners
- Decorative trim panels
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 62%, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 98/100, better than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 85% of copper alloy grades
C26000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C26000-O; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C26000 has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 915°C (1,679 °F).
Mechanical11
C26000 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 62% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
C26000 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 68% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 19.9 µm/m·K (11.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C26000 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 95% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C26000 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
C26000's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability excellent (98/100).
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. C26000 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C26000
Is C26000 easy to machine?
Machinability ~30 % of free-cutting brass — gummy and stringy chips; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feed, or switch to C36000 for screw-machine work.
Can C26000 be welded?
Fusion welding is limited by zinc volatilization (fume, porosity); resistance and brazing/soldering are preferred, and TIG with a silicon-bronze filler works with local exhaust.
Can C26000 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding deep drawability in the O temper (multi-stage cupping without intermediate anneal for moderate reductions); interstage anneal 425–600 °C, then always stress-relieve at 260–300 °C to avoid season cracking.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to C26000. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good30 / 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 | Excellent98 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair40 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 1× thickness |
| Sheet thickness range | 0.5 – 3 mm |
| Spring-back | Moderate |
C26000 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 / EN CW505L (Cu 69.0–71.0) | 68.5 – 71.5 | 70 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.07 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Znbalance, plus impurities max 0.15 total | balance |
What surface finishes work on C26000?
Takes bright dip, mechanical polish, lacquer, chemical blackening and Ni/Cr or gold plating readily; no anodizing — protect polished parts with clear lacquer to prevent tarnish.
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 C26000 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B36
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CuZn30CW505LCW508L
- GB (China)
- H68H70
- JIS
- C2600
- Also called
- Cartridge Brass
How much does C26000 cost?
C26000 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), cheaper 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.
C26000 — frequently asked
What is C26000 used for?
C26000 is typically used for ammunition cartridge cases, deep-drawn cups and shells, brass enclosures and housings, lamp and lighting hardware, electrical terminals and eyelets and rivets and hollow fasteners. In short: easy machining brass.
What is the yield strength of C26000?
C26000 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 85% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is C26000 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Machinability ~30 % of free-cutting brass — gummy and stringy chips; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feed, or switch to C36000 for screw-machine work.
Can C26000 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Fusion welding is limited by zinc volatilization (fume, porosity); resistance and brazing/soldering are preferred, and TIG with a silicon-bronze filler works with local exhaust.
What surface finishes work on C26000?
Takes bright dip, mechanical polish, lacquer, chemical blackening and Ni/Cr or gold plating readily; no anodizing — protect polished parts with clear lacquer to prevent tarnish.
Can C26000 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding deep drawability in the O temper (multi-stage cupping without intermediate anneal for moderate reductions); interstage anneal 425–600 °C, then always stress-relieve at 260–300 °C to avoid season cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of C26000?
C26000 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 C26000-O and C26000-H10?
O is the default condition — pick for maximum ductility: deep drawing, spinning, severe bending of cups, shells and lamp parts. H10: maximum cold-worked strength for thin flat springs; essentially no formability left. Yield strength is 105 MPa in O versus 540 MPa in H10.
How much does C26000 cost?
C26000 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), cheaper 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 C26000?
Yes — C26000 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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)
- ASTM B135/B135M Seamless Brass Tube — ASTM International (2017)
- CDA Alloy Database — C26000 Cartridge Brass 70 % — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1652 / CW505L CuZn30 — CEN (1997)
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.