Copper Alloy C42600-H04
Supply condition
UNS C42600
H04 = full hard
Standard connector-contact temper where higher contact force is needed and bends are gentle or with-grain.
Values for the H04 condition
Other C42600 tempers and conditions
C42600 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at C42600.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed to 0.015 mm grain size | Softest stocked strip temper — pick for deep-drawn or severely bent parts that will be stress-relieved or work-hardened in the press. | 130 | 350 | 45 | 80 HB | 32 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold work for parts needing moderate strength with still-generous 90° bend capability across grain. | 300 | 400 | 25 | 110 HB | 31 % IACS |
H02Default Half hard | The general-purpose stamping temper — best balance of spring force and formability for terminals and clips. | 395 | 450 | 12 | 130 HB | 31 % IACS |
H04This page Full hard | Standard connector-contact temper where higher contact force is needed and bends are gentle or with-grain. | 465 | 510 | 6 | 150 HB | 30 % IACS |
Extra hard | Choose when higher yield and stiffness are required and forming is limited to shallow with-grain bends. | 510 | 550 | 4 | 165 HB | 30 % IACS |
Spring hard | Spring temper for stamped contact springs and washers needing high elastic limit and good relaxation resistance. | 545 | 585 | 3 | 175 HB | 30 % IACS |
Extra spring hard | Maximum-strength strip for flat springs and high-force contacts; forming must be with-grain with generous radii. | 580 | 620 | 2 | 185 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is C42600-H04?
C42600-H04 is C42600 supplied in the H04 condition — standard connector-contact temper where higher contact force is needed and bends are gentle or with-grain. C42600-H04 has a yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi). C42600-H04 has a density of 8.78 g/cm³ (0.317 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 940°C (1,724 °F). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H04 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 465 MPa (67.4 ksi), better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 140°C (284 °F), worse than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades
C42600-H04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C42600-H04; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C42600 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C42600-H04 has a density of 8.78 g/cm³ (0.317 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 940°C (1,724 °F).
Mechanical12
C42600-H04 has a yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
C42600-H04 is rated for continuous service to 140°C (284 °F). It conducts heat at 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.2 µm/m·K (11.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C42600-H04 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, better than 71% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C42600-H04 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C42600-H04's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C42600-H04
Is C42600 easy to machine?
Machinability ≈30% of free-cutting brass — gummy chips, use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and good lubrication; blanking/stamping is the preferred route.
Can C42600 be welded?
Excellent soldering and brazing; resistance welding fair; fusion arc welding is rarely used because zinc fumes and porosity degrade the joint.
Can C42600 be formed, bent or molded?
Alpha single-phase alloy with excellent cold formability in OS015/H01; for H04 and harder, bend with-grain with radius ≥1–2 t and expect springback typical of tin brass.
What surface finishes work on C42600?
Takes bright polish and readily accepts tin, nickel, silver or gold electroplating for contacts; not anodizable — use lacquer or plating for tarnish resistance, and stress-relieve (≈200–260 °C) formed parts to avoid ammonia SCC.
C42600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cucopper plus silver | 87 – 90 | 88.5 |
| Snlow-tin registered range; confirm against current CDA/ASTM B591 registration for the specific mill | 0.3 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Pdeoxidizer, improves stress relaxation | 0.02 – 0.35 | 0.05 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Znremainder, ≈10–12% | balance | — |
C42600-H04 — frequently asked
What is C42600-H04 used for?
C42600-H04 is typically used for stamped springs, connectors and terminals. In short: formable tin-brass spring strip; 31% IACS conductivity; stamping grade, not machining.
What is the yield strength of C42600-H04?
C42600-H04 has a typical yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) — stronger than 86% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C42600-H04 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades). Machinability ≈30% of free-cutting brass — gummy chips, use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and good lubrication; blanking/stamping is the preferred route.
Can C42600-H04 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Excellent soldering and brazing; resistance welding fair; fusion arc welding is rarely used because zinc fumes and porosity degrade the joint.
What surface finishes work on C42600-H04?
Takes bright polish and readily accepts tin, nickel, silver or gold electroplating for contacts; not anodizable — use lacquer or plating for tarnish resistance, and stress-relieve (≈200–260 °C) formed parts to avoid ammonia SCC.
Can C42600-H04 be formed, bent or molded?
Alpha single-phase alloy with excellent cold formability in OS015/H01; for H04 and harder, bend with-grain with radius ≥1–2 t and expect springback typical of tin brass.
What is the maximum service temperature of C42600-H04?
C42600-H04 is rated for continuous use to about 140°C (284 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C42600-H02 and C42600-OS015?
H02 is the default condition — the general-purpose stamping temper — best balance of spring force and formability for terminals and clips. OS015: softest stocked strip temper — pick for deep-drawn or severely bent parts that will be stress-relieved or work-hardened in the press. Yield strength is 395 MPa in H02 versus 130 MPa in OS015.
Sources
- ASTM B591 — Copper-Zinc-Tin Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2022)
- CDA Alloy Database, tin brass group (C42200/C42500/C42600) — Copper Development Association (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B601 — Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
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.