Copper Alloy C27400-O60
Temper
UNS C27400 · EN CW508L, CuZn37
O60 = soft annealed
Pick for deep drawing, severe bending and spinning where maximum ductility is needed.
Values for the O60 condition
Other C27400 tempers and conditions
C27400 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at C27400.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
O60This page Soft annealed | Pick for deep drawing, severe bending and spinning where maximum ductility is needed. | 125 | 340 | 55 | 60 HB | 28 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Pick when moderate strength must be combined with substantial forming or bending. | 270 | 385 | 43 | 95 HB | — |
H02Default Half hard | The general-purpose stock temper: good strength with enough ductility for stamping and 90° bends. | 340 | 425 | 23 | 125 HB | — |
Three-quarter hard | Pick for flat parts and light forming where higher yield strength is required than H02. | 395 | 470 | 12 | 145 HB | — |
Full hard | Pick for flat blanked/pierced parts, shims and contacts needing high strength and stiffness in service. | 425 | 510 | 8 | 155 HB | — |
Extra hard | Pick for thin flat springs, clips and wear surfaces where forming is limited to gentle radii. | 455 | 570 | 5 | 175 HB | — |
Spring hard | Pick for spring contacts, washers and detents requiring high elastic limit; form only across the rolling direction. | 490 | 620 | 3 | 185 HB | — |
Extra spring hard | Pick for the highest strength/elastic limit available in this alloy; essentially flat-form only. | 510 | 650 | 3 | 195 HB | — |
What is C27400-O60?
C27400-O60 is C27400 in the O60 temper — pick for deep drawing, severe bending and spinning where maximum ductility is needed. C27400-O60 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi). C27400-O60 has a density of 8.44 g/cm³ (0.305 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O60 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 125 MPa (18.1 ksi), worse than 77% of copper alloy grades
C27400-O60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C27400-O60; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C27400 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C27400-O60 has a density of 8.44 g/cm³ (0.305 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F).
Mechanical12
C27400-O60 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
Thermal6
C27400-O60 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 116 W/m·K (67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.5 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C27400-O60 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C27400-O60 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
C27400-O60's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C27400-O60
Is C27400 easy to machine?
Machinable but chip-forming (rating ~30% of free-cutting brass) — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feed; choose C36000 if turning volume matters.
Can C27400 be welded?
Resistance and brazing/soldering are excellent; fusion welding is only fair because zinc volatilises — use low-heat processes with ventilation and Si-bronze filler.
Can C27400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60/H01 for deep drawing and bending; harder tempers need generous bend radii and stress-relief (250–300 °C) to avoid season cracking.
What surface finishes work on C27400?
Polishes to a bright yellow finish, takes Ni/Cr/Ag electroplating and chemical patinas readily; lacquer or clear-coat to prevent tarnish (not anodizable).
C27400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuincludes silver | 61 – 64 | 63 |
| Pbsmall intentional lead addition | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Znremainder, ~36–39% | balance | — |
C27400-O60 — frequently asked
What is C27400-O60 used for?
C27400-O60 is typically used for hardware, stampings, screws and fittings. In short: balanced strength and formability; general-purpose yellow brass; cold-workable to H10.
What is the yield strength of C27400-O60?
C27400-O60 has a typical yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 77% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C27400-O60 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades). Machinable but chip-forming (rating ~30% of free-cutting brass) — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feed; choose C36000 if turning volume matters.
Can C27400-O60 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Resistance and brazing/soldering are excellent; fusion welding is only fair because zinc volatilises — use low-heat processes with ventilation and Si-bronze filler.
What surface finishes work on C27400-O60?
Polishes to a bright yellow finish, takes Ni/Cr/Ag electroplating and chemical patinas readily; lacquer or clear-coat to prevent tarnish (not anodizable).
Can C27400-O60 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O60/H01 for deep drawing and bending; harder tempers need generous bend radii and stress-relief (250–300 °C) to avoid season cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of C27400-O60?
C27400-O60 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 C27400-H02 and C27400-O60?
H02 is the default condition — the general-purpose stock temper: good strength with enough ductility for stamping and 90° bends. O60: pick for deep drawing, severe bending and spinning where maximum ductility is needed. Yield strength is 340 MPa in H02 versus 125 MPa in O60.
Sources
- ASTM B36/B36M — Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C27400 (Yellow Brass) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1652 / CW508L CuZn37 wrought copper products — 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.