Overview
H59 Brass is one of the most widely used lead-free brass alloys in China, containing approximately 57–60% copper and 40–43% zinc. It offers an excellent balance of strength, machinability, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, thermal conductivity, and cost-effectiveness.
Compared with H62, H65, and H68 brass, H59 contains a higher zinc content, resulting in increased strength and hardness while maintaining good processing performance. Due to its favorable mechanical properties and economic value, H59 is extensively used in valves, fittings, electrical components, plumbing hardware, and industrial machinery.
H59 brass is widely used in:
- Plumbing Fittings
- Valves
- Electrical Components
- Hardware Parts
- Fasteners
- Lock Components
- Decorative Hardware
- Industrial Machinery Parts
Because of its combination of performance and affordability, H59 remains one of the most popular brass grades in industrial manufacturing.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | H59 Brass |
| Chinese Standard | GB/T 5231 |
| Material Family | Copper-Zinc Brass Alloy |
| Density | 8.43 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Non-Magnetic |
| Typical Supply Condition | Annealed, Half-Hard, Hard |
| Standard Forms | Rod, Bar, Plate, Sheet, Tube, Forgings |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 57.0–60.0 |
| Zinc (Zn) | Balance |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤0.50 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤0.30 |
| Impurities | ≤1.00 |
The relatively high zinc content contributes to improved strength, hardness, and manufacturing economy.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 320–420 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 120–220 MPa |
| Elongation | 20–35% |
| Hardness | 80–120 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 100 GPa |
Cold Worked Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 450–650 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 300–500 MPa |
| Hardness | 130–180 HB |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.43 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 885–900°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 110 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 24–26% IACS |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.068 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 20.5 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 380 J/kg·K |
Electrical Conductivity
| Material | Conductivity (% IACS) |
|---|---|
| C110 Copper | 100 |
| H68 Brass | 27 |
| H65 Brass | 26 |
| H62 Brass | 25 |
| H59 Brass | 24–26 |
H59 offers sufficient conductivity for many electrical and connector applications.
Thermal Conductivity
| Material | Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) |
|---|---|
| C110 Copper | 390 |
| H68 Brass | 116 |
| H62 Brass | 112 |
| H59 Brass | 110 |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 16 |
The good thermal conductivity makes H59 suitable for heat transfer and plumbing applications.
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Excellent |
| Dry Atmosphere | Excellent |
| Fresh Water | Good |
| Marine Atmosphere | Moderate |
| Salt Water | Moderate |
| Industrial Environment | Good |
H59 provides good resistance to atmospheric corrosion and industrial environments.
Recommended surface treatments:
- Nickel Plating
- Chrome Plating
- Zinc Plating
- Electroless Nickel
- Polishing
- Powder Coating
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| TIG Welding | Fair |
| MIG Welding | Fair |
| Resistance Welding | Good |
| Brazing | Excellent |
| Soldering | Excellent |
Brazing and soldering are generally preferred over fusion welding.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Grinding | Good |
| Stamping | Good |
| Forging | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| C360 Brass | Excellent |
| H59 Brass | Excellent |
| H62 Brass | Good |
| H68 Brass | Good |
| C110 Copper | Fair |
H59 is widely used for CNC-machined fittings and hardware due to its excellent machinability.
Heat Treatment
Stress Relief Annealing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 250–350°C |
| Cooling Method | Air Cool |
Full Annealing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 500–650°C |
| Cooling Method | Air Cool |
Heat Treatability
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Hardening by Heat Treatment | No |
| Cold Work Strengthening | Yes |
| Annealing Response | Excellent |
H59 gains strength primarily through cold working and deformation processing.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| GB/T (China) | H59 |
| ASTM (USA) | C28000 (Similar) |
| UNS | C28000 |
| EN (Europe) | CuZn40 |
| DIN (Germany) | CW509L |
| JIS (Japan) | C2800 |
| ISO | CuZn40 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Hex Bar | Yes |
| Flat Bar | Yes |
| Plate | Yes |
| Sheet | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Forgings | Yes |
Typical Applications
Plumbing Industry
- Pipe Fittings
- Valves
- Water Meter Components
- Couplings
Electrical Industry
- Connectors
- Electrical Terminals
- Switch Components
- Conductive Hardware
Hardware Industry
- Locks
- Hinges
- Door Hardware
- Decorative Hardware
Automotive Industry
- Fittings
- Fasteners
- Connector Components
- Instrument Parts
Industrial Machinery
- Bushings
- Sleeves
- Gear Components
- Mechanical Hardware
Construction Industry
- Architectural Hardware
- Decorative Components
- Plumbing Fixtures
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Outstanding |
| Forging | Excellent |
| Stamping | Good |
| Welding | Fair |
| Brazing | Excellent |
| Soldering | Excellent |
| Electroplating | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Machinability
Ideal for high-volume CNC production.
Good Strength
Higher strength than H62, H65, and H68 brass.
Good Corrosion Resistance
Suitable for plumbing and industrial environments.
Excellent Forging Performance
Frequently used for forged valve and fitting components.
Attractive Appearance
Suitable for decorative and architectural applications.
Cost Effective
One of the most economical industrial brass alloys.
Limitations
Lower Formability Than H68
Not as suitable for deep drawing applications.
Lower Conductivity Than Copper
Unsuitable for high-current electrical systems.
Moderate Marine Resistance
May require coatings in aggressive environments.
Limited Weldability
Brazing is generally preferred.
Comparison with Other Brass Grades
| Property | H59 | H62 | H65 | H68 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Content | 57–60% | 60.5–63.5% | 63–68% | 67–70% |
| Strength | Highest | High | Moderate | Lower |
| Machinability | Excellent | Good | Good | Good |
| Formability | Good | Good | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Conductivity | Lower | Higher | Higher | Highest |
Comparison with Common Materials
| Material | Conductivity | Strength | Machinability |
|---|---|---|---|
| H59 Brass | 24–26% IACS | High | Excellent |
| H62 Brass | 25% IACS | Good | Good |
| H68 Brass | 27% IACS | Moderate | Good |
| C110 Copper | 100% IACS | Lower | Fair |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 2% IACS | High | Moderate |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Mill Finish
- Forged Finish
- Annealed Finish
Functional Finishes
- Precision Machined Finish
- Brushed Finish
- Polished Finish
Decorative Finishes
- Nickel Plated
- Chrome Plated
- Gold Plated
- Powder Coated
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is H59 brass?
H59 is a copper-zinc brass alloy containing approximately 57–60% copper and known for excellent machinability and strength.
What is H59 brass used for?
Typical applications include:
- Valves
- Plumbing Fittings
- Electrical Components
- Hardware Parts
- Industrial Machinery Components
What is the equivalent material to H59?
Common equivalents include:
- CuZn40
- CW509L
- C28000
- C2800
What is the difference between H59 and H62?
| Property | H59 | H62 |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Higher | Lower |
| Machinability | Better | Good |
| Formability | Lower | Better |
| Copper Content | Lower | Higher |
Is H59 suitable for machining?
Yes. H59 is one of the most commonly used brass grades for CNC machining.
Can H59 be forged?
Yes. H59 offers excellent hot-forging performance.
Is H59 corrosion resistant?
Yes. It performs well in plumbing, industrial, and atmospheric environments.
Why choose H59 brass?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Machinability
- Good Strength
- Good Corrosion Resistance
- Excellent Forging Characteristics
- Competitive Cost
Is H59 suitable for valves and fittings?
Yes. H59 is widely used for plumbing valves, fittings, and fluid control components.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for H59 brass?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Brass Forging
- Precision Turning
- Valve Component Manufacturing
- Surface Plating
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production