Overview
H68 Brass is a high-copper alpha brass alloy containing approximately 67–70% copper and the balance zinc. It is one of the most widely used brass grades for applications requiring excellent formability, corrosion resistance, ductility, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and decorative appearance.
Compared with H65, H62, and H59 brass, H68 contains the highest copper content, resulting in superior cold-working performance, corrosion resistance, and conductivity. It is particularly suitable for deep drawing, stamping, spinning, and precision forming operations.
H68 brass is widely used in:
- Electrical Connectors
- Heat Exchanger Components
- Radiator Parts
- Decorative Hardware
- Deep Drawn Components
- Architectural Applications
- Musical Instruments
- Precision Stampings
Because of its outstanding forming capability and attractive golden color, H68 is one of the most versatile brass alloys in industrial and decorative manufacturing.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | H68 Brass |
| Chinese Standard | GB/T 5231 |
| Material Family | Copper-Zinc Brass Alloy |
| Density | 8.47 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Non-Magnetic |
| Typical Supply Condition | Annealed, Half-Hard, Hard |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Strip, Plate, Rod, Bar, Tube |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 67.0–70.0 |
| Zinc (Zn) | Balance |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤0.03 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤0.10 |
| Impurities | ≤0.30 |
The high copper content provides excellent ductility, conductivity, and corrosion resistance.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 270–370 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 70–150 MPa |
| Elongation | 45–65% |
| Hardness | 55–85 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 105 GPa |
Cold Worked Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 420–600 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 220–450 MPa |
| Hardness | 110–170 HB |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.47 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 900–940°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 116 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 27–28% IACS |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.062 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 20.4 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 380 J/kg·K |
Electrical Conductivity
| Material | Conductivity (% IACS) |
|---|---|
| C110 Copper | 100 |
| H68 Brass | 27–28 |
| H65 Brass | 26–27 |
| H62 Brass | 25–28 |
| H59 Brass | 24–26 |
H68 offers the highest conductivity among common H-series brass grades.
Thermal Conductivity
| Material | Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) |
|---|---|
| C110 Copper | 390 |
| H68 Brass | 116 |
| H65 Brass | 114 |
| H62 Brass | 112 |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 16 |
Its excellent thermal conductivity supports use in heat transfer and cooling systems.
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Excellent |
| Dry Atmosphere | Excellent |
| Fresh Water | Excellent |
| Marine Atmosphere | Good |
| Salt Water | Moderate |
| Industrial Environment | Good |
Among common brass grades, H68 provides some of the best corrosion resistance due to its higher copper content.
Recommended surface treatments:
- Nickel Plating
- Chrome Plating
- Tin Plating
- Gold Plating
- Electropolishing
- Powder Coating
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| TIG Welding | Good |
| MIG Welding | Good |
| Resistance Welding | Excellent |
| Brazing | Outstanding |
| Soldering | Outstanding |
H68 is commonly joined by brazing and soldering in electrical and HVAC applications.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Good |
| Drilling | Good |
| Grinding | Good |
| Stamping | Outstanding |
| Deep Drawing | Outstanding |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| C360 Brass | Excellent |
| H59 Brass | Excellent |
| H68 Brass | Good |
| H65 Brass | Good |
| C110 Copper | Fair |
H68 is often selected for complex stamped and formed components rather than high-speed machining.
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 |
Like other alpha brass alloys, H68 obtains strength through cold working.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| GB/T (China) | H68 |
| ASTM (USA) | C26800 |
| UNS | C26800 |
| EN (Europe) | CuZn33 |
| DIN (Germany) | CW506L |
| JIS (Japan) | C2680 |
| ISO | CuZn33 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Hex Bar | Yes |
| Flat Bar | Yes |
| Plate | Yes |
| Sheet | Yes |
| Strip | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
Typical Applications
Electrical Industry
- Electrical Connectors
- Terminals
- Contact Components
- Conductive Hardware
HVAC Industry
- Heat Exchanger Components
- Condenser Parts
- Radiator Components
- Cooling System Hardware
Architectural Industry
- Decorative Panels
- Door Hardware
- Trim Components
- Nameplates
Consumer Products
- Lighting Fixtures
- Decorative Accessories
- Appliance Components
Musical Instrument Industry
- Trumpets
- Trombones
- Horn Components
Industrial Manufacturing
- Precision Stampings
- Deep Drawn Parts
- Formed Components
- Brass Fabrications
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Good |
| Stamping | Outstanding |
| Deep Drawing | Outstanding |
| Welding | Good |
| Brazing | Outstanding |
| Soldering | Outstanding |
| Electroplating | Excellent |
Advantages
Outstanding Formability
Excellent for deep drawing, spinning, bending, and stamping.
Superior Corrosion Resistance
Higher copper content improves environmental durability.
Good Conductivity
Highest conductivity among common H-series brass grades.
Attractive Appearance
Bright golden finish ideal for decorative applications.
Excellent Fabrication Performance
Supports forming, brazing, plating, and machining.
Wide Industrial Use
Suitable for electrical, HVAC, decorative, and industrial products.
Limitations
Lower Strength Than H59
Not ideal for heavily loaded structural components.
Lower Conductivity Than Pure Copper
Cannot replace copper in high-current applications.
Moderate Wear Resistance
Not recommended for severe friction environments.
Limited Marine Service
Protective coatings may be required in aggressive marine conditions.
Comparison with Other Brass Grades
| Property | H68 | H65 | H62 | H59 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Content | 67–70% | 63–68% | 60.5–63.5% | 57–60% |
| Corrosion Resistance | Best | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Formability | Outstanding | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Conductivity | Highest | Higher | Good | Lower |
| Strength | Moderate | Moderate | High | Highest |
Comparison with Common Materials
| Material | Conductivity | Strength | Formability |
|---|---|---|---|
| H68 Brass | 27–28% IACS | Moderate | Outstanding |
| H65 Brass | 26–27% IACS | Good | Excellent |
| H62 Brass | 25–28% IACS | High | Excellent |
| C110 Copper | 100% IACS | Lower | Excellent |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 2% IACS | High | Good |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Mill Finish
- Bright 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 H68 brass?
H68 is a high-copper brass alloy containing approximately 67–70% copper, known for excellent formability and corrosion resistance.
What is H68 brass used for?
Typical applications include:
- Electrical Connectors
- Heat Exchangers
- Decorative Hardware
- Deep Drawn Parts
- Musical Instruments
What is the equivalent material to H68?
Common equivalents include:
- C26800
- CuZn33
- CW506L
- C2680
What is the difference between H68 and H65?
| Property | H68 | H65 |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Content | Higher | Lower |
| Formability | Better | Excellent |
| Conductivity | Higher | Slightly Lower |
| Strength | Lower | Higher |
Is H68 suitable for deep drawing?
Yes. H68 is one of the best brass grades for deep drawing and complex forming operations.
Can H68 be machined?
Yes. H68 offers good machinability, although it is primarily selected for forming applications.
Is H68 corrosion resistant?
Yes. H68 provides excellent resistance to atmospheric and industrial corrosion.
Why choose H68 brass?
Because it combines:
- Outstanding Formability
- Excellent Corrosion Resistance
- Good Conductivity
- Attractive Appearance
- Excellent Fabrication Performance
Is H68 suitable for decorative applications?
Yes. H68’s bright golden appearance makes it ideal for architectural and decorative products.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for H68 brass?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Precision Stamping
- Deep Drawing
- Brass Fabrication
- Surface Plating
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production