C270 Brass (65/35 Yellow Brass) Material Guide

Overview

C270 Brass, commonly known as 65/35 Yellow Brass, is a copper-zinc alloy containing approximately 65% copper and 35% zinc. It offers an excellent balance of strength, ductility, corrosion resistance, formability, and cost-effectiveness, making it one of the most versatile brass alloys for industrial and decorative applications.

Compared with C260 (70/30 Brass) and C268 (66/34 Brass), C270 provides slightly higher strength while maintaining excellent cold-working and forming characteristics.

C270 brass is widely used in:

  • Electrical Connectors
  • Decorative Hardware
  • Architectural Components
  • Stamped Parts
  • Radiator Components
  • Heat Exchanger Parts
  • Lighting Fixtures
  • Consumer Products

Its attractive golden appearance and excellent fabrication properties make C270 a popular choice across multiple industries.


Material Specification

PropertyValue
Material DesignationC270 Brass
UNS NumberC27000
Common Name65/35 Yellow Brass
StandardASTM B36 / ASTM B134
Material FamilyCopper-Zinc Brass Alloy
Density8.47 g/cm³
Magnetic PropertyNon-Magnetic
Typical Supply ConditionAnnealed, Half-Hard, Hard
Standard FormsSheet, Plate, Strip, Rod, Bar, Tube

Chemical Composition

ElementContent (%)
Copper (Cu)63.0–68.5
Zinc (Zn)Balance
Lead (Pb)≤0.07
Iron (Fe)≤0.05
Other Elements≤0.30

The 65/35 composition provides a good balance between strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance.


Mechanical Properties

Annealed Condition

PropertyValue
Tensile Strength320–400 MPa
Yield Strength100–180 MPa
Elongation40–65%
Hardness65–90 HB
Elastic Modulus105 GPa

Cold Worked Condition

PropertyValue
Tensile Strength500–700 MPa
Yield Strength350–600 MPa
Hardness130–190 HB

Physical Properties

PropertyValue
Density8.47 g/cm³
Melting Point900–940°C
Thermal Conductivity115 W/m·K
Electrical Conductivity26–27% IACS
Electrical Resistivity0.065 μΩ·m
Thermal Expansion Coefficient20.8 × 10⁻⁶/K
Specific Heat Capacity380 J/kg·K

Electrical Conductivity

MaterialConductivity (% IACS)
C110 Copper100
C260 Brass28
C268 Brass27
C270 Brass26–27
Stainless Steel 3042

C270 provides adequate conductivity for electrical connectors and hardware applications.


Thermal Conductivity

MaterialThermal Conductivity (W/m·K)
C110 Copper390
C260 Brass120
C268 Brass116
C270 Brass115
Stainless Steel 30416

Its thermal conductivity supports use in HVAC and heat-transfer applications.


Corrosion Resistance

EnvironmentPerformance
Indoor EnvironmentExcellent
Dry AtmosphereExcellent
Fresh WaterExcellent
Marine AtmosphereGood
Salt WaterModerate
Industrial EnvironmentGood

C270 offers good resistance to atmospheric corrosion and tarnishing.

Recommended surface treatments:

  • Nickel Plating
  • Chrome Plating
  • Gold Plating
  • Lacquer Coating
  • Powder Coating
  • Polishing

Weldability

Welding ProcessRating
TIG WeldingGood
MIG WeldingGood
Resistance WeldingExcellent
BrazingOutstanding
SolderingOutstanding

C270 is frequently fabricated using brazing and soldering processes.


Machinability

ProcessRating
CNC TurningGood
CNC MillingGood
DrillingGood
GrindingGood
StampingExcellent
Deep DrawingExcellent

Machinability Comparison

MaterialMachinability
C360 BrassExcellent
C270 BrassGood
C268 BrassGood
C260 BrassGood
C110 CopperFair

C270 is widely used in stamped and formed components.


Heat Treatment

Stress Relief Annealing

ParameterValue
Temperature250–350°C
Cooling MethodAir Cool

Full Annealing

ParameterValue
Temperature450–650°C
Cooling MethodAir Cool

Heat Treatability

PropertyPerformance
Hardening by Heat TreatmentNo
Cold Work StrengtheningYes
Annealing ResponseExcellent

Like most brass alloys, C270 is strengthened through cold working rather than heat treatment.


International Equivalent Grades

StandardEquivalent Grade
UNS (USA)C27000
ASTMC270
EN (Europe)CuZn35
DIN (Germany)CW507L
JIS (Japan)C2700
ISOCuZn35
GB/T (China)H65 Brass

Available Forms

Product TypeAvailability
SheetYes
PlateYes
StripYes
Round BarYes
Flat BarYes
TubeYes
WireYes

Typical Applications

Electrical Industry

  • Electrical Connectors
  • Terminal Components
  • Switch Hardware
  • Conductive Parts

Architectural Industry

  • Decorative Trim
  • Door Hardware
  • Nameplates
  • Architectural Panels

Automotive Industry

  • Radiator Components
  • Decorative Trim
  • Electrical Hardware
  • HVAC Components

HVAC Industry

  • Heat Exchanger Parts
  • Condenser Components
  • Cooling System Hardware

Consumer Products

  • Lighting Fixtures
  • Decorative Accessories
  • Appliance Components

Industrial Manufacturing

  • Precision Stampings
  • Deep Drawn Components
  • Fabricated Brass Parts

Manufacturing Characteristics

Manufacturing ProcessRating
CNC MachiningGood
StampingOutstanding
Deep DrawingOutstanding
WeldingGood
BrazingOutstanding
SolderingOutstanding
ElectroplatingExcellent

Advantages

Excellent Formability

Suitable for deep drawing, bending, and stamping.

Good Strength

Higher strength than C260 brass.

Attractive Appearance

Bright yellow-gold finish ideal for decorative uses.

Good Corrosion Resistance

Suitable for indoor and outdoor environments.

Excellent Fabrication Properties

Supports multiple manufacturing processes.

Cost Effective

Provides a balance between performance and affordability.


Limitations

Lower Conductivity Than Copper

Not recommended for high-current electrical systems.

Lower Corrosion Resistance Than Pure Copper

May require coatings in aggressive environments.

Moderate Wear Resistance

Not suitable for severe friction applications.

Potential Dezincification

Can occur in certain water and chemical environments.


Comparison with Other Brass Grades

PropertyC270C268C260C360
Copper Content65%66%70%61.5%
StrengthHigherHighModerateModerate
FormabilityExcellentExcellentOutstandingModerate
MachinabilityGoodGoodGoodExcellent
Conductivity26–27% IACS27% IACS28% IACS26% IACS

Comparison with Common Metals

MaterialConductivityFormabilityCorrosion Resistance
C270 Brass26–27% IACSExcellentExcellent
C268 Brass27% IACSExcellentExcellent
C110 Copper100% IACSExcellentExcellent
Stainless Steel 3042% IACSGoodOutstanding

Available Surface Finishes

Raw Finishes

  • Mill Finish
  • Annealed Finish
  • Bright Finish

Functional Finishes

  • Precision Machined Finish
  • Brushed Finish
  • Polished Finish

Decorative Finishes

  • Nickel Plated
  • Chrome Plated
  • Gold Plated
  • Lacquer Coated

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is C270 brass?

C270 is a copper-zinc alloy containing approximately 65% copper and 35% zinc, commonly known as 65/35 Yellow Brass.

What is C270 brass used for?

Typical applications include:

  • Electrical Connectors
  • Decorative Hardware
  • Architectural Components
  • Heat Exchanger Parts
  • Stamped Components

What is the equivalent material to C270?

Common equivalents include:

  • CuZn35
  • CW507L
  • C2700
  • H65 Brass

What is the difference between C270 and C268?

PropertyC270C268
Copper ContentSlightly LowerSlightly Higher
StrengthSlightly HigherHigh
ConductivitySlightly LowerSlightly Higher

Is C270 suitable for electrical applications?

Yes. It is commonly used for electrical connectors, terminals, and hardware components.

Can C270 be welded?

Yes. C270 offers good weldability and excellent brazing and soldering performance.

Is C270 corrosion resistant?

Yes. It performs well in atmospheric and industrial environments.

Why choose C270 brass?

Because it combines:

  • Excellent Formability
  • Good Strength
  • Attractive Appearance
  • Corrosion Resistance
  • Competitive Cost

Is C270 suitable for decorative applications?

Yes. Its bright golden appearance makes it a popular decorative brass alloy.

Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for C270 brass?

Yes. GCNOV provides:

  • CNC Machining
  • Precision Stamping
  • Deep Drawing
  • Brass Fabrication
  • Surface Plating
  • Prototype Development
  • Low-Volume Production
  • Mass Production