Copper Alloy C26000 · finish state
Copper Alloy C26000-M20
Properties of the M20 condition, compared with the other C26000 tempers.
Mill-finished hot-rolled plate/bar condition — soft, near-annealed strength with high ductility and coarse hot-worked grain structure.
What is C26000-M20?
C26000-M20 is C26000 supplied in the M20 condition — mill-finished hot-rolled plate/bar condition — soft, near-annealed strength with high ductility and coarse hot-worked grain structure. C26000-M20 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 52% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi). C26000-M20 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). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; M20 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 52%, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 83% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades
C26000-M20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C26000-M20 — 35 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C26000 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C26000-M20 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-M20 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 52% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
C26000-M20 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 65% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 19.9 µm/m·K (11.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C26000-M20 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, better than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C26000-M20 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
C26000-M20's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 66% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C26000 tempers and conditions
C26000 is also supplied in 10 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C26000 overview.
- ODefaultPick for maximum ductility: deep drawing, spinning, severe bending of cups, shells and lamp parts.105 MPa yield · 55 HB
- H08Spring temper strip/wire for clips, contacts and springs where elastic limit matters more than ductility.517 MPa yield · 175 HB
- H06Higher-strength strip for flat springs and contacts where bends are shallow and along the grain.490 MPa yield · 165 HB
- H04Use for flat blanked parts, washers and stampings needing stiffness with only mild forming.441 MPa yield · 150 HB
- H03Cartridge brass cold-rolled/drawn to about 3/4 hard — strength between half hard and full hard with limited remaining ductility for mild forming.395 MPa yield · 145 HB
- H02The general-purpose stocking temper: good strength with 90° bendability across the grain.359 MPa yield · 125 HB
- H01Choose when moderate bending/forming is still needed but annealed strip is too soft to handle flat.250 MPa yield · 100 HB
- M20Mill-finished hot-rolled plate/bar condition — soft, near-annealed strength with high ductility and coarse hot-worked grain structure.115 MPa yield · 58 HB
Working with C26000-M20
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.
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.
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 | — |
C26000-M20 — frequently asked
What is C26000-M20 used for?
C26000-M20 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-M20?
C26000-M20 has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — weaker than 80% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is C26000-M20 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 66% 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-M20 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). 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-M20?
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-M20 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-M20?
C26000-M20 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C26000-M20?
Yes — C26000-M20 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.