Copper Alloy C46500-H02
Supply condition
UNS C46500 · ASTM B21
H02 = half hard
Most common cold-worked temper for valve stems, shafting and marine fasteners needing higher yield strength.
Values for the H02 condition
Other C46500 tempers and conditions
C46500 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at C46500.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft annealed | Pick when maximum ductility for deep bending, spinning or heavy cold forming is needed. | 150 | 370 | 48 | 80 HB | — |
M20Default As hot rolled | Default stock condition for naval-brass plate, tube sheet and heavy bar where full ductility and easy hot forming matter. | 170 | 385 | 40 | 95 HB | 26 % IACS |
As hot extruded | Standard as-extruded rod and profile condition for marine hardware machined after supply. | 170 | 380 | 40 | 92 HB | 26 % IACS |
Light annealed | Partially annealed sheet/tube: good ductility with slightly higher strength and better surface stiffness than O60. | 200 | 400 | 42 | 90 HB | 26 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold work for straight, dimensionally stable bar and sheet that still bends moderately. | 250 | 440 | 30 | 115 HB | — |
H02This page Half hard | Most common cold-worked temper for valve stems, shafting and marine fasteners needing higher yield strength. | 340 | 480 | 20 | 130 HB | — |
Hard drawn | Cold-drawn seawater tube/condenser tube temper with good pressure rating and straightness. | 380 | 540 | 15 | 145 HB | 26 % IACS |
Full hard | Choose for maximum strength, wear and thread-holding in springs, clips and highly loaded marine parts; limited bending. | 415 | 585 | 13 | 160 HB | — |
Extra hard | Heavily drawn wire/small rod where peak hardness and spring temper are required. | 470 | 620 | 10 | 175 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is C46500-H02?
C46500-H02 is C46500 supplied in the H02 condition — most common cold-worked temper for valve stems, shafting and marine fasteners needing higher yield strength. C46500-H02 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 71% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). C46500-H02 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). M20 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H02 is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 160°C (320 °F), worse than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C46500-H02 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C46500-H02; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C46500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C46500-H02 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).
Mechanical13
C46500-H02 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 71% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C46500-H02 is rated for continuous service to 160°C (320 °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
C46500-H02 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 63% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (64/100), better than 52% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C46500-H02 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
C46500-H02's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (38/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C46500-H02
Is C46500 easy to machine?
Free-machining only in a relative sense (≈30 % of AISI 1212) — the α+β structure cuts cleanly with sharp positive-rake carbide/HSS tools, high speed, light feed and soluble-oil coolant; chips are short but stringier than in leaded C36000.
Can C46500 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with silicon-bronze or aluminium-bronze filler is possible but zinc fuming and porosity require good extraction, low heat input and no preheat above ~150 °C; brazing and soldering are the preferred joining routes.
Can C46500 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability at 650–800 °C (forge, extrude, hot roll); cold formability is only fair — anneal at 425–600 °C between heavy draws and avoid retained cold work in ammonia-bearing service to prevent SCC.
What surface finishes work on C46500?
Polishes to a bright yellow finish; not anodizable — protect with benzotriazole/chromate passivation, clear lacquer, or Ni/Cr electroplate, and passivate/de-stress after machining for marine exposure.
C46500 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 |
| Asdezincification inhibitor | 0.02 – 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Znremainder, ≈37–40 % | balance | — |
C46500-H02 — frequently asked
What is C46500-H02 used for?
C46500-H02 is typically used for marine hardware, condenser plates and shafting sleeves. In short: dezincification-resistant naval brass; severe seawater service grade; excellent hot workability.
What is the yield strength of C46500-H02?
C46500-H02 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 71% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C46500-H02 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades). Free-machining only in a relative sense (≈30 % of AISI 1212) — the α+β structure cuts cleanly with sharp positive-rake carbide/HSS tools, high speed, light feed and soluble-oil coolant; chips are short but stringier than in leaded C36000.
Can C46500-H02 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). GTAW/GMAW with silicon-bronze or aluminium-bronze filler is possible but zinc fuming and porosity require good extraction, low heat input and no preheat above ~150 °C; brazing and soldering are the preferred joining routes.
What surface finishes work on C46500-H02?
Polishes to a bright yellow finish; not anodizable — protect with benzotriazole/chromate passivation, clear lacquer, or Ni/Cr electroplate, and passivate/de-stress after machining for marine exposure.
Can C46500-H02 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot workability at 650–800 °C (forge, extrude, hot roll); cold formability is only fair — anneal at 425–600 °C between heavy draws and avoid retained cold work in ammonia-bearing service to prevent SCC.
What is the maximum service temperature of C46500-H02?
C46500-H02 is rated for continuous use to about 160°C (320 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C46500-M20 and C46500-H06?
M20 is the default condition — default stock condition for naval-brass plate, tube sheet and heavy bar where full ductility and easy hot forming matter. H06: heavily drawn wire/small rod where peak hardness and spring temper are required. Yield strength is 170 MPa in M20 versus 470 MPa in H06.
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 C46500 (Arsenical Naval Brass) — 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.