Copper Alloy C48500 · supply condition · default condition
Copper Alloy C48500-H02
Properties of the H02 condition, compared with the other C48500 tempers.
Standard stocked condition for free-machining marine rod, valve stems and screw-machine parts.
What is C48500-H02?
C48500-H02 is C48500 supplied in the H02 condition — standard stocked condition for free-machining marine rod, valve stems and screw-machine parts. C48500-H02 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 60% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). C48500-H02 has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 73% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 875°C (1,607 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 100 GPa (14.5 Msi), worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
C48500-H02 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C48500-H02 — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C48500 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C48500-H02 has a density of 8.41 g/cm³ (0.304 lb/in³), lighter than 73% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 875°C (1,607 °F).
Mechanical11
C48500-H02 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 60% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C48500-H02 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 116 W/m·K (67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 63% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 21.2 µm/m·K (11.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C48500-H02 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 62% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 86% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C48500-H02 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
C48500-H02's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (35/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C48500 tempers and conditions
C48500 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C48500 overview.
- H02DefaultStandard stocked condition for free-machining marine rod, valve stems and screw-machine parts.280 MPa yield · 125 HB
- H04Pick for small-diameter rod and wire needing maximum strength and stiffness; very limited bending.390 MPa yield · 150 HB
- H50Cold-drawn rod/bar given a low-temperature stress relief, retaining most drawn strength while cutting residual stress and season-cracking risk.310 MPa yield · 125 HB
- O50Lightly annealed to a fine partially recrystallised grain size, balancing moderate strength with useful cold formability.200 MPa yield · 92 HB
- M30Pick for large-diameter rod, shapes and free-machining stock where softness and full ductility are acceptable.175 MPa yield · 95 HB
- M10Hot-forged leaded naval brass cooled in air, giving a soft, low-residual-stress alpha+beta structure with good machinability and moderate strength.175 MPa yield · 95 HB
- O60Fully soft-annealed condition with maximum ductility and lowest strength, used where heavy cold forming or upsetting follows.165 MPa yield · 80 HB
- O61Pick when maximum ductility for bending/upsetting or minimum residual stress is required.160 MPa yield · 85 HB
Working with C48500-H02
Is C48500 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (~80 % of C36000); use high speeds, positive-rake carbide or HSS, light lubrication, expect short chips.
Can C48500 be welded?
Not suited to fusion welding because of lead and zinc fuming; solder or braze instead, or mechanically fasten.
Can C48500 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot working/forging above ~650 °C is excellent; cold bending and heading are only fair — anneal or specify O61 for severe forming.
What surface finishes work on C48500?
Takes bright polishing, tin, nickel or chrome plating well; use BTA/chromate or clear lacquer to prevent tarnish; avoid ammonia-based cleaners (SCC risk).
C48500 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 |
| Pbfree-cutting addition | 1.3 – 2.2 | 1.8 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Znremainder, nominally ~37 % | balance | — |
C48500-H02 — frequently asked
What is C48500-H02 used for?
C48500-H02 is typically used for naval brass fasteners, valve stems and seats, bushings and bearings, marine shafting, pump components and turned marine hardware. In short: high-strength marine brass.
What is the yield strength of C48500-H02?
C48500-H02 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 60% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is C48500-H02 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 86% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour (~80 % of C36000); use high speeds, positive-rake carbide or HSS, light lubrication, expect short chips.
Can C48500-H02 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not suited to fusion welding because of lead and zinc fuming; solder or braze instead, or mechanically fasten.
What surface finishes work on C48500-H02?
Takes bright polishing, tin, nickel or chrome plating well; use BTA/chromate or clear lacquer to prevent tarnish; avoid ammonia-based cleaners (SCC risk).
Can C48500-H02 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot working/forging above ~650 °C is excellent; cold bending and heading are only fair — anneal or specify O61 for severe forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of C48500-H02?
C48500-H02 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C48500-H02 and C48500-O61?
H02 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for free-machining marine rod, valve stems and screw-machine parts. O61: pick when maximum ductility for bending/upsetting or minimum residual stress is required. Yield strength is 280 MPa in H02 versus 160 MPa in O61.
Can FabDigit make parts in C48500-H02?
Yes — C48500-H02 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 (2021)
- ASTM B124/B124M — Copper and Copper-Alloy Forging Rod, Bar, and Shapes — ASTM (2020)
- CDA Alloy Datasheet C48500 (copper.org) — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — 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.