Copper Alloy C33500
UNS C33500 · EN CW604N
C33500 (CW604N) is a low-leaded yellow brass that keeps most of the cold formability of unleaded brass while adding enough lead for light machining.
Reference datasheet — C33500 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
C33500 tempers and conditions
C33500 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 deep drawing, severe bending and spinning where maximum ductility is needed. | 105 | 315 | 65 | 58 HB | 27 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Pick when moderate stiffness is wanted but the part still needs 90° bends across the grain. | 275 | 365 | 43 | 100 HB | — |
H02Default Half hard | The standard stock temper: best all-round compromise of strength, bendability and light machining. | 345 | 420 | 23 | 120 HB | — |
Full hard | Pick for flat stamped parts needing stiffness and clean blanking with only gentle forming. | 395 | 485 | 10 | 145 HB | — |
Extra hard | Pick for flat springs, clips and contacts where high yield strength beats formability. | 425 | 525 | 6 | 155 HB | — |
Spring hard | Pick for light spring elements and washers requiring high elastic limit; bending only with large radii along grain. | 450 | 550 | 4 | 165 HB | — |
Extra spring hard | Highest strength temper for thin strip springs and contacts; essentially no cold forming capability. | 460 | 565 | 3 | 172 HB | — |
What is C33500?
C33500 (CW604N) is a low-leaded yellow brass that keeps most of the cold formability of unleaded brass while adding enough lead for light machining. It suits parts that are stamped or drawn and then drilled, tapped or turned: 345 MPa yield, 420 MPa tensile, 23% elongation and 120 HB (70 HRB) in the default condition, with a machinability score of 58 and formability score of 70, usable to 180 °C. Lead prevents fusion welding, and heavily cold-worked parts need stress relief against season cracking. Move to C34000 or C36000 when machining dominates, or C27400 for maximum drawability. C33500 has a density of 8.47 g/cm³ (0.306 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F). C33500 has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — stronger than 73% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
What is C33500 used for?
- hardware
- stamped and machined fittings
- electrical components
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 80% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 97 GPa (14.1 Msi), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 22/100, worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
C33500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C33500-H02; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C33500 has a density of 8.47 g/cm³ (0.306 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F).
Mechanical12
C33500 has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — stronger than 73% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 97 GPa (14.1 Msi).
Thermal6
C33500 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 61% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.3 µm/m·K (11.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C33500 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 98% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C33500 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
C33500's machinability is good (58/100, better than 73% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. C33500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C33500
Is C33500 easy to machine?
Machines well with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools and light emulsion; chips are semi-continuous — expect ~50–60 % of the feed rates used on C36000.
Can C33500 be welded?
Not suited to fusion welding (lead-induced hot cracking and zinc fume); join by soft soldering, silver brazing, riveting or crimping with good ventilation.
Can C33500 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent in O60/H01 for deep drawing and 90° bends; interstage anneal at 425–600 °C, and stress-relieve cold-formed parts at 250–300 °C to avoid season cracking.
C33500 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 Ag | 62 – 65 | 63.5 |
| Pb | 0.25 – 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Znremainder, nominally ~36 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C33500?
Polishes and buffs to a bright yellow finish; readily nickel/chrome/gold plated or lacquered — no anodizing; avoid ammonia-based cleaners.
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).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C33500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW604N
How much does C33500 cost?
C33500 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.
C33500 — frequently asked
What is C33500 used for?
C33500 is typically used for hardware, stamped and machined fittings and electrical components. In short: formable low-lead brass; stamping plus light machining; between C27400 and C36000.
What is the yield strength of C33500?
C33500 has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — stronger than 73% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C33500 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 73% of copper alloy grades). Machines well with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools and light emulsion; chips are semi-continuous — expect ~50–60 % of the feed rates used on C36000.
Can C33500 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). Not suited to fusion welding (lead-induced hot cracking and zinc fume); join by soft soldering, silver brazing, riveting or crimping with good ventilation.
What surface finishes work on C33500?
Polishes and buffs to a bright yellow finish; readily nickel/chrome/gold plated or lacquered — no anodizing; avoid ammonia-based cleaners.
Can C33500 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent in O60/H01 for deep drawing and 90° bends; interstage anneal at 425–600 °C, and stress-relieve cold-formed parts at 250–300 °C to avoid season cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of C33500?
C33500 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 C33500-H02 and C33500-O60?
H02 is the default condition — the standard stock temper: best all-round compromise of strength, bendability and light machining. O60: pick for deep drawing, severe bending and spinning where maximum ductility is needed. Yield strength is 345 MPa in H02 versus 105 MPa in O60.
How much does C33500 cost?
C33500 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 B121/B121M — Leaded Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B36/B36M — Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA Alloy Database — C33500 Low-Leaded Brass — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1652 / EN 12164 wrought leaded brass designations (CW6xxN) — CEN (2016)
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.