Copper Alloy C32000-O50
Temper
UNS C32000
O50 = light annealed
Use when annealed formability is needed but slightly higher strength and better surface than full soft temper is wanted.
Values for the O50 condition
Other C32000 tempers and conditions
C32000 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at C32000.
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 |
O50This page 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-O50?
C32000-O50 is C32000 in the O50 temper — use when annealed formability is needed but slightly higher strength and better surface than full soft temper is wanted. C32000-O50 has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 79% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C32000-O50 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). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O50 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 83% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), worse than 79% of copper alloy grades
C32000-O50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C32000-O50; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C32000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C32000-O50 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-O50 has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 79% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).
Thermal6
C32000-O50 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-O50 conducts electricity at 37 % IACS, better than 73% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (63/100), better than 52% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C32000-O50 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-O50's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 79% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C32000-O50
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.
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.
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 | — |
C32000-O50 — frequently asked
What is C32000-O50 used for?
C32000-O50 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-O50?
C32000-O50 has a typical yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 79% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C32000-O50 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 79% 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-O50 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-O50?
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-O50 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-O50?
C32000-O50 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.