Copper Alloy C32000
UNS C32000
C32000 is a leaded red brass — a low-zinc copper–zinc alloy with a lead addition for chip breaking — in the wrought brass family.
Reference datasheet — C32000 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the H02 condition
C32000 tempers and conditions
C32000 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. H02 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Pick for maximum ductility when parts must be bent, flared, swaged or spun after supply. | 95 | 275 | 55 | 55 HB | 37 % IACS |
Light annealed | Use when annealed formability is needed but slightly higher strength and better surface than full soft temper is wanted. | 120 | 295 | 48 | 65 HB | 37 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Compromise temper for parts that need moderate bending plus better rigidity than annealed stock. | 205 | 315 | 35 | 85 HB | 36 % IACS |
Light drawn tube | Tube-specific temper for fittings and instrument lines that still need bending and flaring. | 230 | 325 | 30 | 90 HB | 36 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | Default stock condition for screw-machine fittings: best balance of chip control, strength and residual ductility. | 270 | 350 | 25 | 100 HB | 36 % IACS |
Full hard | Choose for maximum strength, straightness and thread-rolling stiffness where no further forming is required. | 340 | 415 | 12 | 125 HB | 35 % IACS |
Hard drawn | Highest-strength tube temper for pressure-carrying, non-formed fitting bodies. | 345 | 415 | 10 | 130 HB | 35 % IACS |
What is C32000?
C32000 is a leaded red brass — a low-zinc copper–zinc alloy with a lead addition for chip breaking — in the wrought brass family. It is chosen when red-brass corrosion behaviour must be combined with screw-machine productivity: machinability rates about 80% of C36000, with 270 MPa yield, 350 MPa tensile, 25% elongation, 100 HB (55 HRB), 36% IACS conductivity and service to 180 °C. Lead makes it unsuitable for fusion welding and poor in hot working, and formability is moderate (score 55). C36000 is the alternative when corrosion resistance is less critical than cutting speed. C32000 has a density of 8.75 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), lighter than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 980°C (1,796 °F). C32000 has a yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 56% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
What is C32000 used for?
- machined fittings
- valve components
- plumbing hardware
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C32000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C32000-H02; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C32000 has a density of 8.75 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), lighter than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 980°C (1,796 °F).
Mechanical11
C32000 has a yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 56% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C32000 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 151 W/m·K (87.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 73% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.7 µm/m·K (10.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C32000 conducts electricity at 36 % IACS, better than 73% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C32000 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
C32000's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); 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. C32000 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C32000
Is C32000 easy to machine?
Excellent screw-machine alloy (≈80 % of C36000): use positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speeds, light feeds and neutral cutting oil; lead gives short chips but requires lead-safe swarf handling.
Can C32000 be welded?
Not suited to fusion welding because of lead hot-shortness — join by soft soldering (excellent) or low-temperature brazing with careful joint prep and flux.
Can C32000 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only in O50/O60 or H01 tempers; hot working is poor due to lead, so upsetting and heading are done cold with intermediate anneals near 425–600 °C.
C32000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.5 % | 83.5 – 86.5 | 85 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 1.5 – 2.2 | 1.9 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Znremainder, nominally ~13 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C32000?
Takes bright polishing, tin/nickel/chrome plating and chemical antique patinas; no anodizing — lacquer or clear-coat to stop tarnish, and avoid ammonia-based cleaners to prevent 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).
How much does C32000 cost?
C32000 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
C32000 — frequently asked
What is C32000 used for?
C32000 is typically used for machined fittings, valve components and plumbing hardware. In short: machinable red brass; 80% of C36000 machinability; corrosion-resistant turning stock.
What is the yield strength of C32000?
C32000 has a typical yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 56% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C32000 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Excellent screw-machine alloy (≈80 % of C36000): use positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speeds, light feeds and neutral cutting oil; lead gives short chips but requires lead-safe swarf handling.
Can C32000 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not suited to fusion welding because of lead hot-shortness — join by soft soldering (excellent) or low-temperature brazing with careful joint prep and flux.
What surface finishes work on C32000?
Takes bright polishing, tin/nickel/chrome plating and chemical antique patinas; no anodizing — lacquer or clear-coat to stop tarnish, and avoid ammonia-based cleaners to prevent SCC.
Can C32000 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only in O50/O60 or H01 tempers; hot working is poor due to lead, so upsetting and heading are done cold with intermediate anneals near 425–600 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of C32000?
C32000 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C32000-H02 and C32000-O60?
H02 is the default condition — default stock condition for screw-machine fittings: best balance of chip control, strength and residual ductility. O60: pick for maximum ductility when parts must be bent, flared, swaged or spun after supply. Yield strength is 270 MPa in H02 versus 95 MPa in O60.
How much does C32000 cost?
C32000 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sources
- ASTM B140/B140M — Copper-Zinc-Lead (Leaded Red Brass) Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy Database — C32000 leaded red brass — Copper Development Association (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Copper and Copper Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.