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Copper Alloy C77400-H10

Supply condition

UNS C77400

H10 = extra spring hard

Maximum cold-rolled strength for flat springs and fastener parts; essentially no bending capability across the grain.

High cost $$$$

Values for the H10 condition

Other C77400 tempers and conditions

C77400 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at C77400.

Compare all 8 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed to 0.035 mm grain size
Softest commercial strip temper — pick for deep drawing and severe forming of hollowware/flatware blanks.17041540100 HB—
Annealed to 0.025 mm grain size
Fine-grain anneal for a smoother formed surface and less orange peel on plated parts.19543036108 HB11.5 % IACS
Quarter hard
Light cold work for stamped and moderately drawn plating blanks needing more stiffness than annealed strip.34046020125 HB11 % IACS
H02Default
Half hard
Most widely stocked strip temper — balances stamping/bending formability with useful strength for flatware and hardware.44051510145 HB—
Full hard
Choose for flat blanking, wear surfaces and parts requiring high strength with only slight bending.5506203175 HB—
Extra hard
For flat springy parts, slide-fastener elements and stampings that need high yield with minimal forming.620690211 HRC11 % IACS
Spring hard
Spring temper strip for contacts, clips and flexures where high elastic limit matters more than formability.660725213 HRC10.5 % IACS
H10This page
Extra spring hard
Maximum cold-rolled strength for flat springs and fastener parts; essentially no bending capability across the grain.7007601.516 HRC10.5 % IACS

What is C77400-H10?

C77400-H10 is C77400 supplied in the H10 condition — maximum cold-rolled strength for flat springs and fastener parts; essentially no bending capability across the grain. C77400-H10 has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 97% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi). C77400-H10 has a density of 8.7 g/cm³ (0.314 lb/in³), lighter than 56% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 960°C (1,760 °F). H02 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H10 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 700 MPa (102 ksi), better than 97% of copper alloy grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
  • Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 95% of copper alloy grades
  • High embodied carbon — 4.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades

C77400-H10 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C77400-H10; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C77400 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

C77400-H10 has a density of 8.7 g/cm³ (0.314 lb/in³), lighter than 56% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 960°C (1,760 °F).

Density8.7 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)960°C1,760 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,010°C1,850 °F

Mechanical12

C77400-H10 has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 97% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus128 GPa18.6 Msi
Shear Modulus47 GPa6.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus122 GPa17.7 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)760 MPa110 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)700 MPa102 ksi
Elongation at Break1.5%
Shear Strength445 MPa64.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)255 MPa37 ksi
Hardness, Brinell223 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B95 HRB
Hardness, Vickers235 HV

Thermal5

C77400-H10 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

C77400-H10 conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, worse than 72% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity10.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.64×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.46 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 95% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.28 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair50/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh water, atmosphere and mild organics; tarnishes slowly in sulphide-bearing air; attacked by oxidizing and mineral acids and by ammonia/amines, which can also cause stress-corrosion cracking in cold-worked strip.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C77400-H10 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability6

C77400-H10's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (25/100).

MachinabilityPoor30/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)25%
WeldabilityFair40/100
Formability (cold)Poor25/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent85/100
PolishabilityExcellent85/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with C77400-H10

Is C77400 easy to machine?

Machinability only about 20 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp, high-rake tools, positive feed and good lubrication to avoid gummy, stringy chips.

Can C77400 be welded?

Resistance and brazing/soldering are the preferred joining routes; gas and arc fusion welding risk zinc fume loss and porosity, so keep heat input low and ventilate.

Can C77400 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in annealed and quarter-hard tempers (deep drawing, coining, spinning); interanneal at 600–750 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts to avoid ammonia SCC.

What surface finishes work on C77400?

Takes a bright white polish and is the classic base metal for silver, nickel and chrome electroplating; degrease and lightly acid-activate before plating.

C77400 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cu43 – 4745
NiNi + Co9 – 1110
Fe≤ 0.5—
Mn≤ 0.5—
Pb≤ 0.05—
Znremainder, nominally ~45 %balance—

C77400-H10 — frequently asked

What is C77400-H10 used for?

C77400-H10 is typically used for silver-plated flatware blanks, zippers, hardware and decorative items. In short: classic silver-plating base metal; strip-form nickel silver; strong yet still drawable.

What is the yield strength of C77400-H10?

C77400-H10 has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 97% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is C77400-H10 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Machinability only about 20 % of free-cutting brass — use sharp, high-rake tools, positive feed and good lubrication to avoid gummy, stringy chips.

Can C77400-H10 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Resistance and brazing/soldering are the preferred joining routes; gas and arc fusion welding risk zinc fume loss and porosity, so keep heat input low and ventilate.

What surface finishes work on C77400-H10?

Takes a bright white polish and is the classic base metal for silver, nickel and chrome electroplating; degrease and lightly acid-activate before plating.

Can C77400-H10 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in annealed and quarter-hard tempers (deep drawing, coining, spinning); interanneal at 600–750 °C and stress-relieve cold-worked parts to avoid ammonia SCC.

What is the maximum service temperature of C77400-H10?

C77400-H10 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 C77400-H02 and C77400-OS035?

H02 is the default condition — most widely stocked strip temper — balances stamping/bending formability with useful strength for flatware and hardware. OS035: softest commercial strip temper — pick for deep drawing and severe forming of hollowware/flatware blanks. Yield strength is 440 MPa in H02 versus 170 MPa in OS035.

Sources

  1. ASTM B122/B122M — Copper-Nickel-Zinc (Nickel Silver) Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM (2022)
  2. ASTM B151/B151M — Copper-Nickel-Zinc and Copper-Nickel Rod and Bar — ASTM (2019)
  3. CDA Alloy Database — C77400 nickel silver 45-10 — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (Nickel Silvers) — ASM International (1990)

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.