Comprehensive Technical Comparison: C26000 vs H62 Brass Alloys

Executive Summary

The selection between C26000 (Cartridge Brass) and H62 (Chinese Standard Brass) represents a critical decision point in brass alloy specification for industrial applications. This comprehensive analysis examines the fundamental differences, performance characteristics, and application suitability of these two widely-used brass alloys across global markets.

C26000, governed by ASTM standards, represents the Western approach to brass metallurgy with emphasis on corrosion resistance and formability. H62, following Chinese GB standards, prioritizes mechanical strength and machinability at optimized cost points. Understanding these distinctions is essential for engineers, procurement specialists, and manufacturing professionals operating in today’s globalized supply chains.

1. Introduction and Background

1.1 Historical Context

Brass alloys have served as fundamental engineering materials for millennia, with their development closely tied to industrial advancement. C26000 emerged from Western metallurgical traditions, originally developed for cartridge case manufacturing during the industrial revolution. Its 70/30 copper-zinc composition became the gold standard for applications requiring superior formability and corrosion resistance.

H62, developed within the Chinese industrial framework, represents a pragmatic approach to brass metallurgy. With approximately 62% copper content, it achieves optimal balance between performance and cost-effectiveness, making it particularly suitable for high-volume manufacturing applications.

1.2 Global Market Position

Region	Primary Standard	Most Common Brass Grade	Market Characteristics
North America	ASTM	C26000, C36000	High-performance applications
Europe	EN, DIN	CW508L, CW617N	Quality-focused manufacturing
East Asia	JIS, GB	H62, H68, C2600	Volume production emphasis
Southeast Asia	Mixed (ASTM/GB)	C26000, H62	Cost-sensitive markets
Middle East	ASTM/EN	C26000, CW508L	Infrastructure projects
Latin America	ASTM	C26000	Resource extraction industries

2. Chemical Composition Analysis

2.1 Detailed Composition Comparison

Element	C26000 (ASTM B36)	H62 (GB/T 5231)	Impact on Properties
Copper (Cu)	68.5 – 71.5%	60.5 – 63.5%	Corrosion resistance, conductivity, ductility
Zinc (Zn)	Balance (28.5 – 31.5%)	Balance (36.0 – 39.0%)	Strength, hardness, cost reduction
Lead (Pb)	≤ 0.07%	≤ 0.08%	Machinability enhancement
Iron (Fe)	≤ 0.05%	≤ 0.15%	Strength increase, workability reduction
Aluminum (Al)	–	≤ 0.01%	Deoxidation, strength enhancement
Tin (Sn)	–	≤ 0.20%	Corrosion resistance improvement
Arsenic (As)	≤ 0.02%	–	Dezincification resistance
Phosphorus (P)	≤ 0.02%	≤ 0.01%	Deoxidation agent

2.2 Compositional Impact Analysis

The 8-10% difference in copper content between these alloys creates cascading effects throughout their property profiles:

Higher Copper Content (C26000):

Enhanced corrosion resistance in marine and atmospheric environments
Superior electrical and thermal conductivity
Improved ductility for complex forming operations
Better brazing and welding characteristics
Higher material cost due to copper premium

Higher Zinc Content (H62):

Increased yield and tensile strength
Enhanced machinability due to improved chip formation
Better hot working characteristics
Reduced material cost
Slightly compromised corrosion resistance

3. Mechanical Properties Comparison

3.1 Tensile Properties at Room Temperature

Property	C26000 (Annealed)	C26000 (H04)	H62 (Annealed)	H62 (Hard)	Units
Tensile Strength	300-380	410-540	315-390	440-540	MPa
Yield Strength (0.2%)	75-140	275-380	105-165	285-395	MPa
Elongation	60-68	15-25	50-65	8-20	%
Hardness (HV)	60-85	115-145	70-95	125-155	HV
Modulus of Elasticity	110	110	105	105	GPa
Fatigue Strength (10^7 cycles)	140	180	145	190	MPa

3.2 Temperature-Dependent Properties

Temperature	Property	C26000	H62	Units
-40°C	Tensile Strength	420	435	MPa
20°C	Tensile Strength	340	355	MPa
100°C	Tensile Strength	315	325	MPa
200°C	Tensile Strength	280	285	MPa
300°C	Tensile Strength	245	240	MPa

3.3 Forming Characteristics

Forming Operation	C26000 Rating	H62 Rating	Comments
Deep Drawing	Excellent (5/5)	Good (4/5)	C26000 superior for complex shapes
Bending	Excellent (5/5)	Very Good (4/5)	Both suitable for tight radii
Spinning	Excellent (5/5)	Good (4/5)	C26000 preferred for thin-wall parts
Cold Heading	Very Good (4/5)	Excellent (5/5)	H62 superior for fasteners
Thread Rolling	Good (3/5)	Excellent (5/5)	H62 much better surface finish
Stamping	Excellent (5/5)	Very Good (4/5)	Both excellent for fine details

4. Physical and Thermal Properties

4.1 Physical Properties Comparison

Property	C26000	H62	Units	Significance
Density	8.53	8.40	g/cm³	Weight considerations
Melting Point	915-940	905-925	°C	Processing temperature
Liquidus Temperature	940	925	°C	Casting parameters
Solidus Temperature	915	905	°C	Heat treatment
Electrical Conductivity	28% IACS	26% IACS	%	Electrical applications
Thermal Conductivity	120	109	W/m·K	Heat dissipation
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion	20.5	20.8	10⁻⁶/K	Dimensional stability
Magnetic Permeability	1.0	1.0	μ/μ₀	Non-magnetic applications

4.2 Thermal Processing Parameters

Process	Parameter	C26000	H62	Units
Annealing	Temperature	425-650	450-650	°C
Annealing	Time	0.5-3	0.5-2	hours
Hot Working	Temperature Range	600-800	650-850	°C
Cold Work Reduction	Before Annealing	85%	80%	%
Grain Size (Annealed)	ASTM	5-7	4-6	Number

5. Corrosion Resistance Analysis

5.1 Environmental Performance Comparison

Environment	C26000 Performance	H62 Performance	Corrosion Rate (μm/year)
Atmospheric (Urban)	Excellent	Good	C26000: 2-5, H62: 5-8
Atmospheric (Marine)	Excellent	Fair-Good	C26000: 5-10, H62: 10-15
Fresh Water	Excellent	Good	C26000: 1-3, H62: 3-6
Seawater	Good	Fair	C26000: 15-25, H62: 25-40
Soil (Average)	Good	Fair	C26000: 5-15, H62: 10-25
Ammonia Solutions	Poor	Poor	Both susceptible to stress cracking
Sulfur Compounds	Fair	Fair	Both require protective measures

5.2 Dezincification Resistance

Test Condition	C26000 Result	H62 Result	Standard
ASTM B858 Method A	Layer <200μm	Layer >200μm	ASTM B858
ISO 6509-1 (24h)	Type 1 (Excellent)	Type 2 (Good)	ISO 6509
Accelerated Test (80°C)	Minimal attack	Moderate attack	Internal
Field Exposure (5 years)	Surface only	Subsurface penetration	Comparative

6. Manufacturing and Processing Characteristics

6.1 Machinability Assessment

Machining Operation	C26000 Rating	H62 Rating	Cutting Speed (m/min)	Tool Life Comparison
Turning	Good (3.5/5)	Excellent (5/5)	C26000: 150-250, H62: 200-350	H62: 2x longer
Drilling	Good (3.5/5)	Excellent (5/5)	C26000: 80-120, H62: 120-180	H62: 1.8x longer
Milling	Good (3/5)	Very Good (4.5/5)	C26000: 100-180, H62: 150-250	H62: 1.5x longer
Threading	Fair (2.5/5)	Excellent (5/5)	C26000: 60-100, H62: 100-150	H62: 3x longer
Surface Finish	Ra 1.6-3.2	Ra 0.8-1.6	μm	H62 superior

6.2 Welding and Joining Characteristics

Joining Method	C26000 Suitability	H62 Suitability	Recommended Parameters
TIG Welding	Excellent	Good	Low current, pure argon
MIG Welding	Good	Fair	Deoxidized bronze filler
Brazing	Excellent	Very Good	750-850°C, flux required
Soldering	Excellent	Very Good	185-250°C, rosin flux
Resistance Welding	Very Good	Good	High pressure, short time
Friction Welding	Good	Very Good	Moderate pressure

6.3 Heat Treatment Response

Treatment	C26000 Response	H62 Response	Typical Parameters
Stress Relief	Good response	Good response	250-300°C, 1-2 hours
Full Anneal	Excellent	Excellent	450-650°C, controlled cooling
Partial Anneal	Very Good	Very Good	350-450°C, air cooling
Age Hardening	Not applicable	Not applicable	Single-phase alloys
Grain Refinement	Possible	Possible	Controlled deformation + anneal

7. Application-Specific Performance

7.1 Industry Applications Matrix

Industry Sector	Application	C26000 Preference	H62 Preference	Selection Criteria
Architecture	Door hardware	★★★★★	★★★	Appearance, corrosion resistance
Architecture	Window fittings	★★★★★	★★★	Weather resistance, formability
Automotive	Radiator cores	★★★★	★★★★★	Cost, thermal conductivity
Automotive	Fuel system	★★★★★	★★★	Corrosion resistance
Electronics	Connectors	★★★★★	★★★	Conductivity, reliability
Electronics	Heat sinks	★★★★	★★★★★	Cost-performance ratio
Marine	Propeller hardware	★★★★★	★★	Seawater resistance
Marine	Deck fittings	★★★★★	★★★	Corrosion resistance
Plumbing	Valve bodies	★★★★	★★★★★	Machinability, cost
Plumbing	Pipe fittings	★★★★★	★★★	Dezincification resistance

7.2 Performance in Specific Applications

Application	Critical Properties	C26000 Advantages	H62 Advantages
Cartridge Cases	Formability, strength	Proven military heritage, deep drawing capability	Cost-effective for sporting ammunition
Lamp Components	Conductivity, corrosion resistance	Superior atmospheric resistance	Lower cost for indoor applications
Clock Movements	Precision, stability	Dimensional stability, fine machining	Cost-effective for movement gears
Musical Instruments	Acoustic properties, workability	Traditional choice, excellent forming	Cost advantage for student instruments
Decorative Hardware	Appearance, durability	Superior outdoor performance	Indoor applications, high-volume production

8. Economic and Supply Chain Considerations

8.1 Cost Analysis Factors

Cost Component	C26000 Impact	H62 Impact	Typical Difference
Raw Material	Higher copper content	Lower copper content	H62: 15-25% lower
Processing	Standard rates	Improved machinability	H62: 10-20% lower
Secondary Operations	Standard	Reduced finishing	H62: 5-15% lower
Quality Control	Standard	Standard	Comparable
Transportation	Standard	Standard	Comparable
Total Manufactured Cost	Baseline	Reduced	H62: 12-20% lower

8.2 Global Supply Chain Characteristics

Region	C26000 Availability	H62 Availability	Lead Times	Quality Consistency
North America	Excellent	Limited	2-4 weeks	Very High
Europe	Excellent	Moderate	3-6 weeks	Very High
China	Good	Excellent	1-2 weeks	High
Southeast Asia	Good	Excellent	2-3 weeks	Good-High
India	Moderate	Good	4-6 weeks	Moderate-Good
Brazil	Good	Limited	6-8 weeks	Good

8.3 Market Pricing Trends (5-Year Historical)

Year	Copper Price Index	C26000 Relative Price	H62 Relative Price	Price Differential
2019	100	100	82	18%
2020	95	96	79	17%
2021	125	126	104	17%
2022	135	137	113	18%
2023	115	116	96	17%

9. Standards and Specifications

9.1 International Standards Comparison

Standard Body	C26000 Designation	H62 Equivalent	Scope	Regional Usage
ASTM (USA)	C26000	–	Material specification	North/South America
EN (Europe)	CW508L	–	European standard	European Union
JIS (Japan)	C2600	C2680	Japanese industrial	Japan, Southeast Asia
GB (China)	–	H62	Chinese national	China, developing markets
IS (India)	–	Similar to H62	Indian standard	India, surrounding regions
ABNT (Brazil)	NBR equivalent	–	Brazilian standard	Brazil

9.2 Quality Specifications Comparison

Test Parameter	C26000 Requirement	H62 Requirement	Test Method
Chemical Composition	ASTM B36	GB/T 5231	ICP-OES, XRF
Tensile Properties	ASTM B36	GB/T 228	Universal testing
Grain Size	ASTM E112	GB/T 6394	Metallographic
Surface Quality	ASTM B36	GB/T 8888	Visual, dimensional
Dimensional Tolerance	ASTM B36	GB/T 4423	Precision measurement
Corrosion Resistance	ASTM B858	GB/T 10119	Accelerated testing

10. Selection Guidelines and Decision Matrix

10.1 Application-Based Selection Criteria

Priority Factor	Weight	C26000 Score	H62 Score	Weighted Impact
High Corrosion Environment
Atmospheric resistance	25%	9	7	C26000: +0.5
Marine exposure	20%	8	6	C26000: +0.4
Chemical compatibility	15%	8	7	C26000: +0.15
Cost-Sensitive Applications
Material cost	30%	6	9	H62: +0.9
Processing cost	20%	7	9	H62: +0.4
Precision Manufacturing
Machinability	25%	7	9	H62: +0.5
Surface finish	20%	7	9	H62: +0.4
Dimensional accuracy	15%	8	8	Tie

10.2 Regional Selection Preferences

Region	Primary Choice	Secondary Choice	Driving Factors
North America	C26000	C36000	Performance standards, marine applications
Europe	CW508L (C26000 equiv.)	CW617N	Environmental regulations, quality focus
China	H62	H68	Cost optimization, manufacturing volume
Southeast Asia	Mixed preference	Context-dependent	Market maturity, application mix
Middle East	C26000	H62	Harsh environment, infrastructure projects
Latin America	C26000	Local alternatives	Resource industries, marine exposure

11. Future Trends and Developments

11.1 Market Evolution Drivers

The brass alloy market continues evolving under several key influences:

Environmental Regulations: Increasing focus on lead content reduction drives specification changes. Both C26000 and H62 maintain low lead levels, positioning them favorably compared to free-machining alternatives.

Supply Chain Localization: Regional manufacturing preferences increasingly favor local standards. This trend benefits H62 in Asian markets while strengthening C26000 dominance in Western markets.

Digitalization Impact: Advanced manufacturing techniques, including additive manufacturing and precision machining, may alter traditional alloy selection criteria, potentially favoring the machinability advantages of H62.

11.2 Emerging Applications

Application Sector	Growth Potential	C26000 Advantages	H62 Advantages
Electric Vehicles	High	Conductivity, reliability	Cost, machinability
Renewable Energy	High	Corrosion resistance	Manufacturing efficiency
Smart Buildings	Moderate	Aesthetic appeal	Cost-effectiveness
Medical Devices	Moderate	Biocompatibility	Precision manufacturing
5G Infrastructure	High	Electrical properties	Production volume

12. Conclusion and Recommendations

12.1 Strategic Selection Framework

The choice between C26000 and H62 should be based on a systematic evaluation of application requirements, operating environment, and economic constraints:

Choose C26000 when:

Corrosion resistance is paramount
Aesthetic appearance is critical
Deep drawing or complex forming is required
Electrical conductivity is important
Marine or harsh atmospheric exposure is expected
Long-term reliability justifies premium cost

Choose H62 when:

Cost optimization is primary concern
High-volume machining operations are involved
Mechanical strength requirements are moderate
Indoor or controlled environment application
Supply chain flexibility is needed
Processing efficiency impacts total cost

12.2 Implementation Guidelines

Design Considerations:

Conduct environment-specific corrosion testing for critical applications
Evaluate total cost of ownership, not just material cost
Consider supply chain reliability and regional availability
Plan for potential material substitution in global supply chains
Establish quality specifications appropriate to regional standards

Quality Assurance:

Implement incoming material verification procedures
Establish processing parameter controls for optimal performance
Develop application-specific testing protocols
Monitor long-term performance in service conditions
Maintain traceability throughout the supply chain

12.3 Final Assessment

Both C26000 and H62 represent mature, well-understood brass alloys with distinct advantages. C26000 excels in demanding applications where performance justifies premium cost, while H62 provides optimal value for cost-sensitive, high-volume applications. The global trend toward application-specific material optimization suggests both alloys will maintain significant market positions, with regional preferences continuing to influence selection patterns.

Success in alloy selection requires understanding not just the technical properties, but also the complete application context, including manufacturing processes, service environment, economic constraints, and supply chain considerations. This comprehensive analysis provides the foundation for informed decision-making in brass alloy specification.

This technical comparison is based on industry standards, published research, and practical application experience. Specific applications should always be validated through appropriate testing and qualification procedures.