Copper Alloy C48500 · supply condition
Copper Alloy C48500-H04
Properties of the H04 condition, compared with the other C48500 tempers.
Pick for small-diameter rod and wire needing maximum strength and stiffness; very limited bending.
What is C48500-H04?
C48500-H04 is C48500 supplied in the H04 condition — pick for small-diameter rod and wire needing maximum strength and stiffness; very limited bending. C48500-H04 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — stronger than 78% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). C48500-H04 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). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H04 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 390 MPa (56.6 ksi), better than 78% 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-H04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C48500-H04 — 8 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-H04 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-H04 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — stronger than 78% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C48500-H04 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-H04 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-H04 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-H04's machinability is very good (82/100, better than 90% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (20/100).
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-H04
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-H04 — frequently asked
What is C48500-H04 used for?
C48500-H04 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-H04?
C48500-H04 has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — stronger than 78% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is C48500-H04 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (82/100, better than 90% 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-H04 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-H04?
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-H04 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-H04?
C48500-H04 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-H04?
Yes — C48500-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 (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.