Copper Alloy C44500-H55
Temper
UNS C44500 · EN CW707R
H55 = light drawn tube
Light draw for straightness and slightly higher strength while retaining good expandability in tubesheets.
Values for the H55 condition
Other C44500 tempers and conditions
C44500 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C44500.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed to 0.050 mm grain size | Coarser anneal for severe forming/deep drawing where slight orange-peel is acceptable. | 120 | 331 | 66 | 58 HB | 26 % IACS |
O61Default Annealed | Standard supply condition for condenser and heat-exchanger tube; maximum ductility for bending and expanding into tubesheets. | 124 | 331 | 65 | 60 HB | 25 % IACS |
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size | Fine-grain anneal for sheet/strip needing good surface finish after deep drawing. | 140 | 365 | 60 | 68 HB | 26 % IACS |
Drawn and stress-relieved tube | Preferred for U-bend and ammonia-exposed service: cold-drawn strength with residual stress removed to resist stress-corrosion cracking. | 190 | 400 | 48 | 85 HB | 25 % IACS |
H55This page Light drawn tube | Light draw for straightness and slightly higher strength while retaining good expandability in tubesheets. | 195 | 395 | 50 | 85 HB | 25 % IACS |
Drawn, general purpose tube | Cold-drawn tube where higher strength and stiffness are wanted over maximum ductility. | 250 | 425 | 40 | 100 HB | 25 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Lightly rolled sheet/strip for parts needing moderate stiffness plus some remaining formability. | 275 | 395 | 30 | 95 HB | 25 % IACS |
Half hard | Half-hard strip/plate for tubesheet-adjacent parts and formed components requiring higher yield strength. | 345 | 448 | 18 | 120 HB | 25 % IACS |
Full hard | Fully cold-rolled sheet/strip for maximum strength and spring-back; forming limited to gentle bends. | 420 | 517 | 8 | 145 HB | 24 % IACS |
What is C44500-H55?
C44500-H55 is C44500 in the H55 temper — light draw for straightness and slightly higher strength while retaining good expandability in tubesheets. C44500-H55 has a yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 56% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi). C44500-H55 has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F). O61 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H55 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 82% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
C44500-H55 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C44500-H55; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C44500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C44500-H55 has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 900°C (1,652 °F).
Mechanical13
C44500-H55 has a yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 56% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).
Thermal6
C44500-H55 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 111 W/m·K (64.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 59% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20.2 µm/m·K (11.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C44500-H55 conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, better than 59% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C44500-H55 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
C44500-H55's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C44500-H55
Is C44500 easy to machine?
Free-machining rating only ~30% of C36000 — gummy chips; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip-breaking geometry.
Can C44500 be welded?
Solders and brazes excellently; GTAW/oxyfuel possible with silicon-bronze filler but zinc fuming and porosity make fusion welding a last resort; welded tube is made by high-frequency seam welding plus anneal.
Can C44500 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O61 — bending, expanding, U-bending and deep drawing are routine; always stress-relieve (about 275–300 °C) after severe cold work to avoid ammonia SCC.
What surface finishes work on C44500?
Not anodizable; finish by pickling/bright dip, mechanical polishing, tin or nickel plating; in service a protective FeOOH/Cu-Sn film is often promoted by ferrous-sulfate dosing.
C44500 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 per ASTM | 70 – 73 | 71 |
| Snerosion/dezincification resistance | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Pdezincification inhibitor (Admiralty D) | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.07 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.06 | — |
| Znremainder ~28% | balance | — |
C44500-H55 — frequently asked
What is C44500-H55 used for?
C44500-H55 is typically used for condenser tubes, heat exchanger tubes and marine piping. In short: dezincification-inhibited Admiralty brass; marine condenser tube grade; very high cold formability.
What is the yield strength of C44500-H55?
C44500-H55 has a typical yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 56% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C44500-H55 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining rating only ~30% of C36000 — gummy chips; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip-breaking geometry.
Can C44500-H55 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Solders and brazes excellently; GTAW/oxyfuel possible with silicon-bronze filler but zinc fuming and porosity make fusion welding a last resort; welded tube is made by high-frequency seam welding plus anneal.
What surface finishes work on C44500-H55?
Not anodizable; finish by pickling/bright dip, mechanical polishing, tin or nickel plating; in service a protective FeOOH/Cu-Sn film is often promoted by ferrous-sulfate dosing.
Can C44500-H55 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O61 — bending, expanding, U-bending and deep drawing are routine; always stress-relieve (about 275–300 °C) after severe cold work to avoid ammonia SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C44500-H55?
C44500-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 C44500-O61 and C44500-H04?
O61 is the default condition — standard supply condition for condenser and heat-exchanger tube; maximum ductility for bending and expanding into tubesheets. H04: fully cold-rolled sheet/strip for maximum strength and spring-back; forming limited to gentle bends. Yield strength is 124 MPa in O61 versus 420 MPa in H04.
Sources
- ASTM B111/B111M — Copper and Copper-Alloy Seamless Condenser Tubes and Ferrule Stock — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B171/B171M — Copper-Alloy Plate and Sheet for Pressure Vessels, Condensers and Heat Exchangers — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B395/B395M — U-Bend Seamless Copper and Copper Alloy Heat Exchanger Tubes — ASTM International (2022)
- CDA Alloy Database — C44500 (Phosphorized Admiralty) — Copper Development Association / copper.org (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (Copper Alloys in Seawater) — 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.