Copper Alloy C28000
UNS C28000 · ASTM B36, B171 · EN CW509L, CuZn40 · JIS C2800 · GB H62
C28000 is a 60/40 duplex (alpha+beta) wrought brass — CuZn40 / CW509L / H62, covered by ASTM B36 and B171 — in which the beta phase raises strength and hot workability over single-phase alpha brasses.
Values for the O condition
C28000 tempers and conditions
C28000 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Most-stocked soft condition for sheet/plate that must be bent, spun or deep-formed before service. | 145 | 372 | 45 | 75 HB | 28 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Standard supply condition for hot-extruded Muntz rod, hex and architectural sections. | 145 | 372 | 45 | 75 HB | 28 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Economical mill condition for thick Muntz plate, tube sheets and marine sheathing. | 152 | 372 | 45 | 80 HB | 28 % IACS |
1/8 Hard | Lightly cold-worked (~10% reduction) Muntz metal sheet/plate — small strength gain over hot-rolled temper while retaining good bending and forming ability. | 205 | 395 | 38 | 95 HB | 28 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Choose when moderate stiffness/strength is needed but some bending is still required. | 275 | 400 | 25 | 105 HB | 27 % IACS |
Half hard | Standard strength condition for flat sheet, architectural panels and lightly formed parts. | 359 | 428 | 10 | 130 HB | 28 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Heavily cold-rolled (~30–35% reduction) Muntz metal with high strength and spring-like stiffness, limited to gentle forming operations. | 380 | 505 | 12 | 135 HB | 28 % IACS |
Full hard | For flat springs, wear plates and stiff strip where no further forming is needed. | 415 | 500 | 6 | 150 HB | 27 % IACS |
Extra hard | Maximum practical cold-work temper for 60/40 brass — highest strength and hardness with very low ductility, used for flat springs, stiff strip and wear plates. | 450 | 570 | 6 | 155 HB | 28 % IACS |
What is C28000?
C28000 is a 60/40 duplex (alpha+beta) wrought brass — CuZn40 / CW509L / H62, covered by ASTM B36 and B171 — in which the beta phase raises strength and hot workability over single-phase alpha brasses. It is supplied as hot-rolled plate, extruded rod, forgings, condenser tube sheet and architectural sheet, with 372 MPa tensile, 145 MPa yield, 45 % elongation and 123 W/m·K in the soft temper. Cold formability is limited, fusion welding is only fair because of zinc fuming, and the 40 % zinc content brings dezincification and stress-corrosion cracking risk; use C26000 for deep drawing or C36000 for volume turning. C28000 has a density of 8.39 g/cm³ (0.303 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F). C28000 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 372 MPa (54 ksi) — weaker than 72% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
What is C28000 used for?
- Architectural cladding and trim panels
- Heat exchanger and condenser tube sheets
- Hot-extruded rod and forged fittings
- Marine hardware and hull sheathing
- Valve stems and pump components
- Brazing and filler rod stock
- Large-diameter tube and pipe
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
C28000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C28000-O; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C28000 has a density of 8.39 g/cm³ (0.303 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F).
Mechanical11
C28000 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 372 MPa (54 ksi) — weaker than 72% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).
Thermal6
C28000 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 123 W/m·K (71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.8 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C28000 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C28000 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
C28000's machinability is good (55/100, better than 71% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability good (55/100).
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. C28000 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C28000
Is C28000 easy to machine?
Machines to a rating of about 40 % of free-cutting C36000 — expect gummier chips than leaded brass; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feeds with emulsion coolant.
Can C28000 be welded?
Resistance and braze/solder joining are good; fusion (GTAW/GMAW) is only fair because of zinc fuming and porosity — use low heat input, ventilation and a Cu-Si or Cu-Sn filler.
Can C28000 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability at 650–780 °C (hot rolling, extrusion, forging); cold bending is limited in H02/H04 — anneal at 425–600 °C between severe draws.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C28000. Every C28000 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 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 | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair50 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C28000 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 / UNS C28000 | 59 – 63 | 60 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.07 | 0.03 |
| Znremainder ≈ 37–41 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C28000?
Polishes and buffs to a bright yellow finish; stress-relieve (about 250–300 °C) before service and protect with benzotriazole/lacquer or nickel-chrome plating to prevent dezincification and SCC.
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 C28000 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B36B171
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW509LCuZn40
- GB (China)
- H62
- JIS
- C2800
- Trade names
- Muntz Metal
How much does C28000 cost?
C28000 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), pricier than about 57% 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.
C28000 — frequently asked
What is C28000 used for?
C28000 is typically used for architectural cladding and trim panels, heat exchanger and condenser tube sheets, hot-extruded rod and forged fittings, marine hardware and hull sheathing, valve stems and pump components and brazing and filler rod stock. In short: muntz brass forming sheet.
What is the yield strength of C28000?
C28000 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 372 MPa (54 ksi) — weaker than 72% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C28000 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 71% of copper alloy grades). Machines to a rating of about 40 % of free-cutting C36000 — expect gummier chips than leaded brass; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feeds with emulsion coolant.
Can C28000 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Resistance and braze/solder joining are good; fusion (GTAW/GMAW) is only fair because of zinc fuming and porosity — use low heat input, ventilation and a Cu-Si or Cu-Sn filler.
What surface finishes work on C28000?
Polishes and buffs to a bright yellow finish; stress-relieve (about 250–300 °C) before service and protect with benzotriazole/lacquer or nickel-chrome plating to prevent dezincification and SCC.
Can C28000 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability at 650–780 °C (hot rolling, extrusion, forging); cold bending is limited in H02/H04 — anneal at 425–600 °C between severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of C28000?
C28000 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 C28000-O and C28000-H06?
O is the default condition — most-stocked soft condition for sheet/plate that must be bent, spun or deep-formed before service. H06: maximum practical cold-work temper for 60/40 brass — highest strength and hardness with very low ductility, used for flat springs, stiff strip and wear plates. Yield strength is 145 MPa in O versus 450 MPa in H06.
How much does C28000 cost?
C28000 is a premium-cost copper alloy ($$$), pricier than about 57% 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 C28000?
Yes — C28000 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B36/B36M — Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM (2018)
- ASTM B171/B171M — Copper-Alloy Plate for Condensers and Heat Exchangers — ASTM (2018)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C28000 (Muntz Metal) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- GB/T 2040 / GB/T 4423 — (H62) — SAC (2017)
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.