Copper Alloy C37000-H55
Temper
UNS C37000 · EN CW607N
H55 = light drawn
Light draw for straightness and tight tolerance while keeping useful ductility for flaring.
Values for the H55 condition
Other C37000 tempers and conditions
C37000 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at C37000.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size | Softest condition; choose when tube must be bent, expanded or flared after supply. | 124 | 350 | 45 | 80 HB | 27 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Pick for forging stock and large-section rod where maximum hot workability and ductility matter. | 138 | 372 | 45 | 85 HB | — |
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size | Fine-grain anneal for a better surface finish after moderate forming or light machining. | 150 | 380 | 40 | 90 HB | 27 % IACS |
H55This page Light drawn | Light draw for straightness and tight tolerance while keeping useful ductility for flaring. | 240 | 415 | 25 | 100 HB | 26 % IACS |
Drawn, general purpose | Standard drawn stock: balanced strength, straightness and screw-machine performance. | 310 | 450 | 18 | 115 HB | — |
H80Default Hard drawn | Most commonly stocked condition for automatic screw-machine parts needing rigidity, straightness and clean chip break. | 380 | 500 | 10 | 130 HB | — |
What is C37000-H55?
C37000-H55 is C37000 in the H55 temper — light draw for straightness and tight tolerance while keeping useful ductility for flaring. C37000-H55 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — stronger than 52% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi). C37000-H55 has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F). H80 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H55 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 48/100, worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
C37000-H55 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C37000-H55; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C37000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C37000-H55 has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 885°C (1,625 °F).
Mechanical12
C37000-H55 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — stronger than 52% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 103 GPa (14.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C37000-H55 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 122 W/m·K (70.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 68% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.8 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C37000-H55 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (48/100), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C37000-H55 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
C37000-H55's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (28/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C37000-H55
Is C37000 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈70% of C36000): use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speeds, light feeds; lead gives short chips and long tool life.
Can C37000 be welded?
Fusion welding not recommended (Zn and Pb volatilisation, hot cracking); join by soft soldering (excellent) or silver brazing with low-temperature fillers and adequate fume extraction.
Can C37000 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forging/extrusion at 650–760 °C; cold forming is poor — avoid tight bends or heavy staking in the H80 temper, anneal or specify OS050 for forming.
What surface finishes work on C37000?
Takes bright polishing, nickel/chrome plating and clear lacquer well; no anodizing — degrease and mildly acid-pickle before plating to remove lead smear.
C37000 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 ≥ 99.6% per ASTM B135/B455 practice | 59 – 62 | 60.5 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1.1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Znremainder, ≈38–40% | balance | — |
C37000-H55 — frequently asked
What is C37000-H55 used for?
C37000-H55 is typically used for hot forgings, machined hardware and marine fittings. In short: free-cutting forging brass; hot-work plus machining grade; poor cold formability.
What is the yield strength of C37000-H55?
C37000-H55 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) — stronger than 52% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C37000-H55 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈70% of C36000): use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speeds, light feeds; lead gives short chips and long tool life.
Can C37000-H55 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding not recommended (Zn and Pb volatilisation, hot cracking); join by soft soldering (excellent) or silver brazing with low-temperature fillers and adequate fume extraction.
What surface finishes work on C37000-H55?
Takes bright polishing, nickel/chrome plating and clear lacquer well; no anodizing — degrease and mildly acid-pickle before plating to remove lead smear.
Can C37000-H55 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forging/extrusion at 650–760 °C; cold forming is poor — avoid tight bends or heavy staking in the H80 temper, anneal or specify OS050 for forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of C37000-H55?
C37000-H55 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C37000-H80 and C37000-OS050?
H80 is the default condition — most commonly stocked condition for automatic screw-machine parts needing rigidity, straightness and clean chip break. OS050: softest condition; choose when tube must be bent, expanded or flared after supply. Yield strength is 380 MPa in H80 versus 124 MPa in OS050.
Sources
- C37000 Alloy Data Sheet (Free-Cutting Muntz Metal) — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASTM B135 / B587 — Seamless Brass Tube — ASTM International (2019)
- EN 12164/12165 — CuZn39Pb1 (CW607N) — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous 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.