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Copper Alloy C40500-H10

Supply condition

UNS C40500

H10 = extra spring hard

Maximum cold-rolled strength; for flat springs with essentially no forming after rolling.

High cost $$$$

Values for the H10 condition

Other C40500 tempers and conditions

C40500 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C40500.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed to 0.035 mm grain size
Softest commercial strip temper — pick for deep drawing, severe coining and heavy forming.1052754560 HB41 % IACS
Annealed to 0.015 mm grain size
Fine-grain anneal for formed parts needing a smooth, orange-peel-free surface after drawing.1253054272 HB41 % IACS
Quarter hard
Light temper for parts still needing bending/forming but stiffer than annealed stock.27533028100 HB40 % IACS
H02Default
Half hard
The general-purpose stocked strip temper — balanced strength and bendability for stampings and contacts.33038512120 HB40 % IACS
Three-quarter hard
Use where higher stiffness is needed and only gentle, large-radius bends are required.3704208133 HB40 % IACS
Full hard
Standard hard strip for flat stampings, washers and blanked coin-type parts with little forming.4004555145 HB39 % IACS
Extra hard
High-strength flat stock for flat springs and clips formed only across the rolling direction.4505053158 HB39 % IACS
Spring hard
Spring-tempered strip for contacts and leaf springs needing high elastic limit; watch SCC in ammonia.4805403168 HB38 % IACS
H10This page
Extra spring hard
Maximum cold-rolled strength; for flat springs with essentially no forming after rolling.5055602175 HB38 % IACS

What is C40500-H10?

C40500-H10 is C40500 supplied in the H10 condition — maximum cold-rolled strength; for flat springs with essentially no forming after rolling. C40500-H10 has a yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 90% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi). C40500-H10 has a density of 8.86 g/cm³ (0.32 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,035°C (1,895 °F). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H10 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 505 MPa (73.2 ksi), better than 90% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
  • Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
  • Limited formability — 18/100, worse than 75% of copper alloy grades

C40500-H10 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C40500-H10; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C40500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

C40500-H10 has a density of 8.86 g/cm³ (0.32 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,035°C (1,895 °F).

Density8.86 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,035°C1,895 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,055°C1,931 °F

Mechanical12

C40500-H10 has a yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 90% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 117 GPa (17 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus117 GPa17 Msi
Shear Modulus44 GPa6.4 Msi
Bulk Modulus118 GPa17.1 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)560 MPa81.2 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)505 MPa73.2 ksi
Elongation at Break2%
Shear Strength325 MPa47.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)182 MPa26.4 ksi
Hardness, Brinell175 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B87 HRB
Hardness, Vickers185 HV

Thermal6

C40500-H10 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 170 W/m·K (98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 74% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity170 W/m·K98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

C40500-H10 conducts electricity at 38 % IACS, better than 73% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity38 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity4.3×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.69 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 64% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.25 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood66/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh water, rural/urban atmospheres, and neutral organic media; tarnishes to brown-green patina. Attacked by ammonia/amines (stress-corrosion cracking risk in cold-worked tempers), oxidising acids, sulphides and rapid-flow chlorinated seawater.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C40500-H10 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability8

C40500-H10's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (18/100).

MachinabilityPoor30/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityFair40/100
Formability (cold)Poor18/100
CastabilityFair35/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent92/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper alloy; use lacquer, electroplating (Ni/Sn/Ag) or chemical patination instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with C40500-H10

Is C40500 easy to machine?

Unleaded tin brass machines gummy with long chips — rating ~20 % of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and flood coolant, or switch to C36000 if turning-intensive.

Can C40500 be welded?

Solders and brazes readily and resistance-welds well; arc/gas fusion welding is only fair because of zinc fuming and porosity.

Can C40500 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in OS tempers (deep draw, coin, roll-form); interanneal near 450–600 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts around 200 °C to avoid ammonia stress-corrosion cracking.

What surface finishes work on C40500?

Not anodizable — buff or barrel-polish to a bright bronze finish, then lacquer, patinate, or electroplate with Ni/Sn/Ag over a suitable strike.

C40500 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cuincludes Ag94 – 9695
Sn0.7 – 1.31
Pb≤ 0.05—
Fe≤ 0.05—
Znbalance—

C40500-H10 — frequently asked

What is C40500-H10 used for?

C40500-H10 is typically used for coinage blanks, electrical contacts and small stampings. In short: coinage-grade tin brass; excellent coining and drawing; machining rating only 22.

What is the yield strength of C40500-H10?

C40500-H10 has a typical yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 90% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is C40500-H10 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Unleaded tin brass machines gummy with long chips — rating ~20 % of free-cutting brass; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and flood coolant, or switch to C36000 if turning-intensive.

Can C40500-H10 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Solders and brazes readily and resistance-welds well; arc/gas fusion welding is only fair because of zinc fuming and porosity.

What surface finishes work on C40500-H10?

Not anodizable — buff or barrel-polish to a bright bronze finish, then lacquer, patinate, or electroplate with Ni/Sn/Ag over a suitable strike.

Can C40500-H10 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in OS tempers (deep draw, coin, roll-form); interanneal near 450–600 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts around 200 °C to avoid ammonia stress-corrosion cracking.

What is the maximum service temperature of C40500-H10?

C40500-H10 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 C40500-H02 and C40500-OS035?

H02 is the default condition — the general-purpose stocked strip temper — balanced strength and bendability for stampings and contacts. OS035: softest commercial strip temper — pick for deep drawing, severe coining and heavy forming. Yield strength is 330 MPa in H02 versus 105 MPa in OS035.

Sources

  1. ASTM B36/B36M — Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
  2. CDA/copper.org Alloy Database — C40500 — Copper Development Association (2024)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)

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.