Copper Alloy C26000-O (Annealed)
Temper · default condition
UNS C26000 · ASTM B36 · EN CuZn30, CW505L · JIS C2600 · GB H68, H70
Pick for maximum ductility: deep drawing, spinning, severe bending of cups, shells and lamp parts.
Values for the O condition
Other C26000 tempers and conditions
C26000 is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at C26000.
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefaultThis page 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-O?
C26000-O is C26000 in the O temper — pick for maximum ductility: deep drawing, spinning, severe bending of cups, shells and lamp parts. C26000-O 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). C26000-O 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).
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-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for C26000-O; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C26000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C26000-O 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-O 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-O 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-O 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-O 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-O'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C26000-O
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-O — frequently asked
What is C26000-O used for?
C26000-O 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-O?
C26000-O 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-O 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-O 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-O?
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-O 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-O?
C26000-O 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-O?
Yes — C26000-O 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.