Copper Alloy C42200
UNS C42200
C42200 is a tin brass chosen for spring temper strip in electrical parts, where the tin addition adds strength and corrosion resistance to the copper-zinc base.
Reference datasheet — C42200 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
C42200 tempers and conditions
C42200 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. H02 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed to 0.035 mm grain size | Softest commercial strip temper — pick for deep drawing or severe forming where strength is developed later. | 110 | 300 | 48 | 60 HB | 28 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.015 mm grain size | Fine-grain anneal for good formability with a smoother surface after forming (less orange peel) and slightly higher strength. | 140 | 325 | 42 | 72 HB | 28 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Choose when parts need moderate stiffness but still see bending over small radii across the grain. | 275 | 360 | 28 | 108 HB | 28 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | Default stocked strip temper: best all-round balance of spring strength and bend formability for stamped terminals. | 359 | 414 | 12 | 130 HB | 28 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Intermediate spring temper when H02 lacks contact force but H04 cracks on the required bend radius. | 400 | 450 | 8 | 140 HB | 28 % IACS |
Full hard | Standard spring-contact temper: high yield strength with bends limited to generous radii, usually with grain direction. | 450 | 490 | 5 | 150 HB | 28 % IACS |
Extra hard | For flat spring elements with minimal forming — high strength, very limited transverse bending. | 495 | 538 | 3 | 162 HB | 28 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring temper for contact fingers and clips needing high, stable contact force; stress relieve after forming. | 530 | 572 | 3 | 172 HB | 28 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum-strength strip for flat springs and thin contacts where essentially no forming is required. | 555 | 595 | 2 | 180 HB | 28 % IACS |
What is C42200?
C42200 is a tin brass chosen for spring temper strip in electrical parts, where the tin addition adds strength and corrosion resistance to the copper-zinc base. It is stamped and formed into contacts and springs: the default condition gives 359 MPa yield, 414 MPa tensile, 12% elongation, 130 HB (70 HRB), 28% IACS conductivity and a 150 °C maximum service temperature, with the highest formability score in this group at 65. Machinability is only 30, and arc or gas fusion welding should be avoided because of zinc fume and temper loss. C41300 offers similar strength with less formability. C42200 has a density of 8.78 g/cm³ (0.317 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,004°C (1,839 °F). C42200 has a yield strength of 359 MPa (52.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 414 MPa (60 ksi) — stronger than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
What is C42200 used for?
- springs
- connectors
- terminals
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
C42200 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C42200-H02; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C42200 has a density of 8.78 g/cm³ (0.317 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,004°C (1,839 °F).
Mechanical12
C42200 has a yield strength of 359 MPa (52.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 414 MPa (60 ksi) — stronger than 74% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
C42200 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 113 W/m·K (65.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.4 µm/m·K (10.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C42200 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, better than 69% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C42200 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
C42200's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (65/100).
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. C42200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C42200
Is C42200 easy to machine?
Gummy, non-free-cutting brass (~30 % of C36000): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and good lubrication; expect long chips.
Can C42200 be welded?
Excellent soft-soldering and good brazing/resistance welding; avoid arc/gas fusion welding because of zinc fume and loss of temper.
Can C42200 be formed, bent or molded?
Anneal or H01–H02 tempers stamp and deep-draw well; in H04 and harder bend with the grain, allow generous radii, and stress relieve (≈200–260 °C) formed springs to avoid SCC and relaxation.
C42200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CuAg may be counted as Cu | 86 – 89 | 87.5 |
| Sn | 0.8 – 1.4 | 1.1 |
| Pdeoxidizer residual | ≤ 0.35 | 0.03 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | balance |
What surface finishes work on C42200?
Takes bright polishing and standard tin, nickel, silver or gold electroplating for contacts; not anodizable — protect bare surfaces with lacquer or tarnish inhibitor.
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 C42200 cost?
C42200 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.
C42200 — frequently asked
What is C42200 used for?
C42200 is typically used for springs, connectors and terminals. In short: most formable tin brass; spring-temper contact strip; non free-cutting alloy.
What is the yield strength of C42200?
C42200 has a typical yield strength of 359 MPa (52.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 414 MPa (60 ksi) — stronger than 74% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C42200 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Gummy, non-free-cutting brass (~30 % of C36000): use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and good lubrication; expect long chips.
Can C42200 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Excellent soft-soldering and good brazing/resistance welding; avoid arc/gas fusion welding because of zinc fume and loss of temper.
What surface finishes work on C42200?
Takes bright polishing and standard tin, nickel, silver or gold electroplating for contacts; not anodizable — protect bare surfaces with lacquer or tarnish inhibitor.
Can C42200 be formed, bent or molded?
Anneal or H01–H02 tempers stamp and deep-draw well; in H04 and harder bend with the grain, allow generous radii, and stress relieve (≈200–260 °C) formed springs to avoid SCC and relaxation.
What is the maximum service temperature of C42200?
C42200 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 C42200-H02 and C42200-OS035?
H02 is the default condition — default stocked strip temper: best all-round balance of spring strength and bend formability for stamped terminals. OS035: softest commercial strip temper — pick for deep drawing or severe forming where strength is developed later. Yield strength is 359 MPa in H02 versus 110 MPa in OS035.
How much does C42200 cost?
C42200 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 B591 — Copper-Zinc-Tin Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM B36/B36M — Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA/copper.org Alloy Database — C42200 — 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.