Copper Alloy C46400-H04
Supply condition
UNS C46400 · ASTM B21 · EN CuZn39Sn, CW712R · JIS C4641, C4640 · GB HSn62, HSn62-1
H04 = full hard
Choose for maximum strength and wear resistance where forming is no longer required.
Values for the H04 condition
Other C46400 tempers and conditions
C46400 is listed in 12 conditions; see the grade overview at C46400.
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Fully soft-annealed naval brass — lowest strength and hardness with maximum ductility for deep forming, bending and subsequent cold work. | 150 | 370 | 50 | 78 HB | 26 % IACS |
As hot forged and air cooled | Hot-forged naval brass cooled in still air — duplex α+β structure with moderate strength and high ductility, typical of marine forgings and valve bodies. | 170 | 390 | 40 | 95 HB | 26 % IACS |
ODefault Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility: cold bending, forming, spinning and welded fabrications. | 172 | 380 | 48 | 95 HB | 26 % IACS |
As hot rolled | Standard mill condition for naval brass plate used in tube sheets and marine flanges. | 180 | 400 | 40 | 110 HB | 26 % IACS |
Light annealed | Lightly annealed condition — grain structure partly recrystallised for a compromise between the forming ductility of a full anneal and slightly higher strength. | 180 | 400 | 42 | 90 HB | 26 % IACS |
As forged and quenched | Hot-forged naval brass water-quenched from forging heat — retained beta phase gives slightly higher strength and hardness than air cooling with modest loss of ductility. | 190 | 415 | 35 | 110 HB | 26 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Most economical rod/section condition; good strength with easy subsequent hot forging. | 190 | 415 | 40 | 115 HB | 26 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Use when moderate strength must be combined with residual bending ductility. | 205 | 420 | 40 | 115 HB | 26 % IACS |
Half hard | Workhorse condition for marine shafting, valve stems and machined fittings — best strength/machining balance. | 235 | 450 | 33 | 120 HB | 26 % IACS |
Extruded and Drawn | Hot-extruded rod finished by a cold draw pass — the standard naval-brass bar temper with raised yield strength and good straightness/tolerance. | 300 | 470 | 25 | 135 HB | 26 % IACS |
H04This page Full hard | Choose for maximum strength and wear resistance where forming is no longer required. | 380 | 550 | 17 | 150 HB | 25 % IACS |
Extra hard | Wire/strip temper for springy marine fasteners and mesh; very limited ductility. | 450 | 620 | 8 | 165 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is C46400-H04?
C46400-H04 is C46400 supplied in the H04 condition — choose for maximum strength and wear resistance where forming is no longer required. C46400-H04 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). C46400-H04 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). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H04 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 380 MPa (55.1 ksi), better than 77% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C46400-H04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C46400-H04; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C46400 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C46400-H04 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).
Mechanical14
C46400-H04 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 77% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C46400-H04 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 116 W/m·K (67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 21.2 µm/m·K (11.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C46400-H04 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 C46400-H04 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability8
C46400-H04's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C46400-H04
Is C46400 easy to machine?
α+β structure with almost no lead: gummy, long chips — run ~30% of free-cutting brass speed, use positive-rake sharp tools and generous coolant.
Can C46400 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with silicon-bronze or naval-brass filler is workable but zinc fumes and porosity are issues; brazing and soft soldering are the preferred joining routes.
Can C46400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability (forge/extrude 650–800 °C); cold formability only fair — anneal at 425–600 °C between heavy draws and stress-relieve to avoid SCC.
What surface finishes work on C46400?
Bright-dips, polishes and patinates well; not anodizable — specify lacquer, Ni/Cr or tin plating for appearance or extra corrosion protection.
C46400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 59 – 62 | 60.5 |
| Sn | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Znremainder, nominally ~39% | balance | — |
C46400-H04 — frequently asked
What is C46400-H04 used for?
C46400-H04 is typically used for marine hardware, propeller shafts and turnbuckles. In short: salt-water corrosion resistant.
What is the yield strength of C46400-H04?
C46400-H04 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 77% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is C46400-H04 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades). α+β structure with almost no lead: gummy, long chips — run ~30% of free-cutting brass speed, use positive-rake sharp tools and generous coolant.
Can C46400-H04 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). GTAW/GMAW with silicon-bronze or naval-brass filler is workable but zinc fumes and porosity are issues; brazing and soft soldering are the preferred joining routes.
What surface finishes work on C46400-H04?
Bright-dips, polishes and patinates well; not anodizable — specify lacquer, Ni/Cr or tin plating for appearance or extra corrosion protection.
Can C46400-H04 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability (forge/extrude 650–800 °C); cold formability only fair — anneal at 425–600 °C between heavy draws and stress-relieve to avoid SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C46400-H04?
C46400-H04 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 C46400-O and C46400-H06?
O is the default condition — pick for maximum ductility: cold bending, forming, spinning and welded fabrications. H06: wire/strip temper for springy marine fasteners and mesh; very limited ductility. Yield strength is 172 MPa in O versus 450 MPa in H06.
Can FabDigit make parts in C46400-H04?
Yes — C46400-H04 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B21/B21M — Naval Brass Rod, Bar and Shapes — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B171/B171M — Copper-Alloy Plate for Condensers and Heat Exchangers — ASTM International (2018)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C46400 — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion of Copper Alloys — ASM International (2005)
- GB/T 4423 (HSn62-1) (2020)
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.