{
  "spore": "profile",
  "id": "yellow-brass-cw508l",
  "spore_version": "0.2",
  "family": "copper-alloys",
  "name": "Brass CW508L (CuZn37)",
  "abbreviation": "CW508L",
  "role": "cold-working alpha brass",
  "category": "metals",
  "type": "copper-alloys",
  "summary": "Brass CW508L (CuZn37 under EN 573-3, also called CZ108 by Righton and Blackburns) is an alpha brass with copper at 62.00 to 64.00 % and zinc as the balance, per Righton's EN 1652 composition table. Its density is 8.44 g/cm3 and its thermal conductivity is 120 W/m*K at 20°C, per the BIKAR physical properties table. Righton gives a sheet tensile strength of 300-550 MPa and a tube minimum of 440 MPa, with no temper stated. Both suppliers describe good resistance to water and salt solutions, but Wikipedia reports that NSF International requires plumbing brasses with more than 15% zinc to be dezincification-resistant, and that brass can season crack in ammonia after cold work.",
  "best_for": "Formed sheet, tube and drawn parts that need good cold working and bending, plus brazed or soldered assemblies (Righton and BIKAR)",
  "weakest_at": "Dezincification in chloride or soft water and season cracking in ammonia when cold work leaves stress; the sources give no test result for CW508L in either case",
  "identity": {
    "formula": "CuZn37 (EN 573-3, ISO CuZn37): copper 62.00 to 64.00 %, lead 0.00 to 0.10 %, iron 0.00 to 0.10 %, nickel 0.00 to 0.30 %, tin 0.00 to 0.10 %, aluminium 0.00 to 0.05 %, others 0.00 to 0.20 % total, zinc balance (Righton EN 1652 table); BIKAR prints Cu 62 to 64, Fe 0.1, Ni 0.3, Pb 0.1, Sn 0.1, Al 0.05, Other 0.1 and Zn as the rest",
    "designations": [
      {
        "system": "EN name",
        "code": "CW508L",
        "source": "righton-cw508l",
        "where": "Specifications table, EN row: CW508L"
      },
      {
        "system": "EN",
        "code": "2.0321",
        "source": "bikar-cw508l",
        "where": "Material no row: CW508L (2.0321)"
      },
      {
        "system": "EN name",
        "code": "CuZn37",
        "source": "bikar-cw508l",
        "where": "Material chemically EN 573-3 row: CuZn37"
      },
      {
        "system": "ISO",
        "code": "CuZn37",
        "source": "righton-cw508l",
        "where": "Alloy designations box: ISO CuZn37"
      },
      {
        "system": "BS",
        "code": "CZ108",
        "source": "righton-cw508l",
        "where": "Title block CW508L (CZ108) and Specifications table, Commercial row: CZ108"
      }
    ],
    "source": "righton-cw508l",
    "where": "Chemical Composition table (EN 1652 CW508L Brass), Righton page 1; Chemical specifications table on the BIKAR page"
  },
  "tags": {
    "environments": [],
    "stresses": [],
    "applications": [
      "thermal-control",
      "mechanisms",
      "electronics-and-chips"
    ]
  },
  "properties": [
    {
      "benchmark": "density",
      "label": "Density, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 8.44,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "g/cm3",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "not stated",
        "unit_in_source": "8.44 g/cm³"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Density row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "elastic_modulus",
      "label": "Modulus of elasticity at 20 °C, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 110,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "GPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "20 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "110 GPa"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Modulus of elasticity at 20°C row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "electrical_resistivity",
      "label": "Specific electrical resistance at 20 °C, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 0.066,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "Ω·mm²/m",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "20 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "0.066 Ω*mm²/m"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page; the unit is kept as printed and converted on import",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Specific electrical resistance at 20°C row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "electrical_resistivity",
      "label": "Specific electrical resistance at 200 °C, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 0.083,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "Ω·mm²/m",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "200 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "0.083 Ω*mm²/m"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page; the unit is kept as printed and converted on import",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Specific electrical resistance at 200°C row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "electrical_conductivity",
      "label": "Specific electrical conductivity at 20 °C, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 15,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "m/(Ω·mm²)",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "20 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "15 m/Ω*mm²"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page; not a canonical benchmark name, see gaps",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Specific electrical conductivity at 20°C row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "electrical_conductivity",
      "label": "Specific electrical conductivity at 200 °C, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 12,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "m/(Ω·mm²)",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "200 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "12 m/Ω*mm²"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page; not a canonical benchmark name, see gaps",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Specific electrical conductivity at 200°C row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "specific_heat",
      "label": "Specific heat at 20 °C, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 0.377,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "J/(kg·K)",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "20 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "0.377 J/(kg·K)"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Specific heat at 20°C row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
      "label": "Thermal conductivity at 20 °C, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 120,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "W/m*K",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "20 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "120 W/m*K"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Thermal conductivity at 20°C row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
      "label": "Thermal conductivity at 200 °C, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 142,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "W/m*K",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "200 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "142 W/m*K"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Thermal conductivity at 200°C row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
      "label": "Thermal conductivity at -200 °C, brass CW508L (BIKAR)",
      "value": 50,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "W/m*K",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 573-3 CuZn37)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "temperature": "-200 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "50 W/m*K"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the physical properties table of a stockist product page",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Physical properties table, Thermal conductivity at -200°C row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
        "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "ultimate_tensile_strength",
      "label": "Tensile strength, sheet 0.2 mm to 5.00 mm (range)",
      "value": 300,
      "value_high": 550,
      "bound": "range",
      "unit": "MPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 1652)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "product_form": "sheet 0.2 mm to 5.00 mm",
        "unit_in_source": "300-550 MPa"
      },
      "method": "Range printed in the Mechanical Properties table of a stockist datasheet, sheet column",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Mechanical Properties table (EN 1652), Tensile Strength row, sheet 0.2 mm to 5.00 mm",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Righton and Blackburns, CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet: chemical composition (EN 1652 and EN 12449), mechanical properties, designations, applications",
        "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "yield_strength",
      "label": "Proof stress as printed, sheet 0.2 mm to 5.00 mm (range)",
      "value": 110,
      "value_high": 500,
      "bound": "range",
      "unit": "MPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 1652)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "product_form": "sheet 0.2 mm to 5.00 mm",
        "printed_name": "Proof Stress",
        "offset": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Range printed as Proof Stress in the sheet table of a stockist datasheet; the datasheet does not state the proof offset",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Mechanical Properties table (EN 1652), Proof Stress row, sheet 0.2 mm to 5.00 mm",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Righton and Blackburns, CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet: chemical composition (EN 1652 and EN 12449), mechanical properties, designations, applications",
        "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "ultimate_tensile_strength",
      "label": "Tensile strength, tube up to 5.00 mm wall (minimum)",
      "value": 440,
      "bound": "lower",
      "unit": "MPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 12449)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "product_form": "tube up to 5.00 mm wall thickness",
        "measure": "minimum",
        "unit_in_source": "440 Min Mpa"
      },
      "method": "Minimum value printed in the tube table of a stockist datasheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Tube up to 5.00mm Wall Thickness table (EN 12449), Tensile Strength row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Righton and Blackburns, CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet: chemical composition (EN 1652 and EN 12449), mechanical properties, designations, applications",
        "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "yield_strength",
      "label": "Proof stress as printed, tube up to 5.00 mm wall (minimum)",
      "value": 320,
      "bound": "lower",
      "unit": "MPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 12449)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "product_form": "tube up to 5.00 mm wall thickness",
        "measure": "minimum",
        "printed_name": "Proof Stress",
        "offset": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Minimum value printed in the tube table of a stockist datasheet; the datasheet does not state the proof offset",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Tube up to 5.00mm Wall Thickness table (EN 12449), Proof Stress row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Righton and Blackburns, CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet: chemical composition (EN 1652 and EN 12449), mechanical properties, designations, applications",
        "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "hardness_vickers",
      "label": "Hardness Vickers, sheet (range)",
      "value": 55,
      "value_high": 180,
      "bound": "range",
      "unit": "HV",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 1652)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "product_form": "sheet 0.2 mm to 5.00 mm"
      },
      "method": "Range printed in the Mechanical Properties table of a stockist datasheet; not a canonical benchmark name, see gaps",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Mechanical Properties table (EN 1652), Hardness Vickers row, sheet",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Righton and Blackburns, CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet: chemical composition (EN 1652 and EN 12449), mechanical properties, designations, applications",
        "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "hardness_vickers",
      "label": "Hardness Vickers, tube up to 5.00 mm wall (minimum)",
      "value": 115,
      "bound": "lower",
      "unit": "HV",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 12449)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "product_form": "tube up to 5.00 mm wall thickness",
        "measure": "minimum"
      },
      "method": "Minimum value printed in the tube table of a stockist datasheet; not a canonical benchmark name, see gaps",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Tube up to 5.00mm Wall Thickness table (EN 12449), Hardness Vickers row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Righton and Blackburns, CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet: chemical composition (EN 1652 and EN 12449), mechanical properties, designations, applications",
        "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "hardness_brinell",
      "label": "Hardness Brinell, tube up to 5.00 mm wall (minimum)",
      "value": 110,
      "bound": "lower",
      "unit": "HB",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 12449)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "product_form": "tube up to 5.00 mm wall thickness",
        "measure": "minimum"
      },
      "method": "Minimum value printed in the tube table of a stockist datasheet; not a canonical benchmark name, see gaps",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Tube up to 5.00mm Wall Thickness table (EN 12449), Hardness Brinell row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Righton and Blackburns, CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet: chemical composition (EN 1652 and EN 12449), mechanical properties, designations, applications",
        "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "elongation",
      "label": "Elongation A, tube up to 5.00 mm wall (minimum)",
      "value": 10,
      "bound": "lower",
      "unit": "%",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "CW508L (EN 12449)",
        "temper": "not stated",
        "product_form": "tube up to 5.00 mm wall thickness",
        "measure": "minimum",
        "gauge": "A, gauge length not stated"
      },
      "method": "Minimum value printed in the tube table of a stockist datasheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Tube up to 5.00mm Wall Thickness table (EN 12449), Elongation A row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Righton and Blackburns, CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet: chemical composition (EN 1652 and EN 12449), mechanical properties, designations, applications",
        "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    }
  ],
  "corrosion": [
    {
      "environment": "Water, water vapour, various salt solutions and many organic liquids",
      "headline": "BIKAR says the alloy has good resistance to water, water vapour, various salt solutions and many organic liquids.",
      "effect": "BIKAR's features list reads: good resistance to water, water vapour, various salt solutions, many organic liquids. Righton also gives good corrosion resistance as a characteristic. Neither source gives a corrosion rate, test time or threshold.",
      "rating": "low",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "qualitative supplier statement; no rate, test or time printed"
      },
      "source": "bikar-cw508l",
      "where": "Features of this material box"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Water with chlorides, high temperature or soft water (dezincification)",
      "headline": "Wikipedia says dezincification-resistant brasses are used where the corrosion risk is large, including high water temperatures, chlorides and soft water.",
      "effect": "Wikipedia says DZR brasses are used where the risk of corrosion is large, and that applications with high water temperatures, chlorides present or deviating water qualities (soft water) play a role. It adds that NSF International requires brasses with more than 15% zinc, used in piping and plumbing fittings, to be dezincification-resistant. CW508L has zinc as its balance, and no dezincification test for this grade was read.",
      "rating": "moderate",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "qualitative statement from Wikipedia on brass in general; the rating is an assistant judgement from the zinc statement, not a test on CW508L",
        "zinc_threshold_cited": "more than 15% zinc"
      },
      "source": "wiki-brass",
      "where": "Corrosion-resistant brass for harsh environments section, DZR paragraph"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Ammonia or amine atmospheres with tensile stress (season cracking)",
      "headline": "Cold-worked brass can crack in ammonia or amines when tensile stress is left in the part, and stress relief removes that stress.",
      "effect": "Hendrix says that for brasses the environment involved is usually one containing ammonia or closely related substances such as amines. Cold working such as pressing, spinning, drawing and bending leaves internal stresses that can lead to stress corrosion cracking unless they are removed by stress relief heat treatment. Cracking is usually localised and may be accompanied by black staining where ammonia was involved. Hendrix says a markedly intergranular crack pattern is usual in simple alpha brasses, which Righton describes CW508L as.",
      "rating": "moderate",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "qualitative description for brasses in general; no threshold stress or time to crack for CW508L is printed in the sources"
      },
      "source": "hgh-scc",
      "where": "Brasses section, Environment, Cold working and Metallographic examination paragraphs"
    }
  ],
  "risks": {
    "hazards": [
      {
        "text": "Lead: Righton and BIKAR both list a lead maximum of 0.10 %. ATSDR says lead can cause health problems in almost every organ and system in the body. No GHS classification or exposure limit for this alloy was read.",
        "ghs": [],
        "source": "atsdr-lead",
        "where": "ToxFAQs: How can I be exposed to lead; How can lead affect my health"
      },
      {
        "text": "Zinc fume: ATSDR says inhaling large amounts of zinc as dusts or fumes can cause metal fume fever, a short-term illness. Its ToxFAQ also lists welding and the manufacture of brass or other zinc-containing alloys among jobs with zinc exposure. No GHS code or exposure limit for CW508L was read.",
        "ghs": [],
        "source": "atsdr-zinc",
        "where": "ToxFAQs: How can zinc affect my health? (metal fume fever paragraph); list of jobs with zinc exposure"
      }
    ],
    "failure_risks": [
      {
        "mode": "Dezincification in water",
        "trigger": "Water with chlorides, high water temperatures or soft water",
        "consequence": "Wikipedia says the risk is handled with dezincification-resistant brass made with care to avoid long-term failures. No dezincification depth or rate for CW508L was read.",
        "severity": "moderate",
        "source": "wiki-brass",
        "where": "Corrosion-resistant brass for harsh environments section, DZR paragraph"
      },
      {
        "mode": "Season cracking in ammonia or amines",
        "trigger": "Tensile stress left by cold work (pressing, spinning, drawing, bending) or overtightened assembly, together with an ammonia or amine atmosphere",
        "consequence": "Localised cracking, usually intergranular in simple alpha brasses, which may show black staining where ammonia was involved (Hendrix Group).",
        "severity": "moderate",
        "source": "hgh-scc",
        "where": "Brasses section, Environment and Cold working paragraphs"
      }
    ],
    "side_effects": [],
    "handling": [
      {
        "text": "Stress-relieve parts after cold work such as pressing, spinning, drawing and bending. Hendrix says residual stresses can lead to stress corrosion cracking unless they are removed or substantially reduced by stress relief heat treatment.",
        "source": "hgh-scc",
        "where": "Cold working operations paragraph"
      },
      {
        "text": "Keep parts out of ammonia and amine atmospheres in service. Hendrix names these as the usual cracking environments for brass, and says to ventilate well after using latex cement.",
        "source": "hgh-scc",
        "where": "Environment and Sources of contamination paragraphs"
      },
      {
        "text": "Specify the product form and temper on the order. Righton gives different strength figures for sheet and for tube, and states no temper for either.",
        "source": "righton-cw508l",
        "where": "Mechanical Properties table and Tube table"
      }
    ],
    "mitigations": [
      {
        "text": "Choose a less susceptible brass where the service allows. Hendrix says low zinc rather than high zinc alloys, nickel silver rather than simple brass, and aluminium brass rather than admiralty improve stress corrosion resistance.",
        "source": "hgh-scc",
        "where": "Brasses section, final mitigation paragraph"
      },
      {
        "text": "Control manufacturing, assembly and operating conditions so that high stress and an unfavourable environment do not combine, since Hendrix says all brasses are susceptible to some degree.",
        "source": "hgh-scc",
        "where": "Brasses section, final mitigation paragraph"
      }
    ]
  },
  "uses": [
    {
      "application": "thermal-control",
      "device": "Heat exchangers and radiator tanks",
      "example": "Righton lists heat exchangers and radiator tanks among CW508L applications; BIKAR lists water boxes for car radiators. No source names a spacecraft thermal system; this application tag is our mapping.",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Applications list, page 2 of the Righton datasheet; Areas of application on the BIKAR page"
    },
    {
      "application": "mechanisms",
      "device": "Hinges, locks, pins, rivets, screws, springs, chains and fasteners",
      "example": "Righton lists hinges, locks, pins, rivets, screws and springs, chains and fasteners as applications. BIKAR lists pneumatic cylinders.",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Applications list, page 2 of the Righton datasheet; Areas of application on the BIKAR page"
    },
    {
      "application": "electronics-and-chips",
      "device": "Switch components and contact parts",
      "example": "Righton lists switch components and BIKAR lists contact parts as applications. This tag is our mapping; no source names a space or electronics system.",
      "source": "righton-cw508l",
      "where": "Applications list, page 2 of the Righton datasheet; Areas of application on the BIKAR page"
    }
  ],
  "supply": [
    {
      "subject": "Copper (mine production 2025e), the main metal of CW508L (copper 62.00 to 64.00 % per Righton)",
      "abundance": "USGS world mine production 2025e: 23,000 thousand t (world total, rounded)",
      "producers": [
        {
          "country": "Chile",
          "share_percent": 23,
          "year": 2025
        },
        {
          "country": "Congo (Kinshasa)",
          "share_percent": 13.9,
          "year": 2025
        },
        {
          "country": "Peru",
          "share_percent": 11.7,
          "year": 2025
        },
        {
          "country": "China",
          "share_percent": 7.8,
          "year": 2025
        },
        {
          "country": "Russia",
          "share_percent": 5.7,
          "year": 2025
        }
      ],
      "critical_lists": [
        {
          "list": "U.S. Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals (copper added, per the USGS copper summary)",
          "listed": true
        }
      ],
      "recycling": "USGS: brass and wire-rod mills accounted for approximately 80% of the total copper recovered from scrap.",
      "substitutes": [],
      "source": "usgs-mcs2026-copper",
      "where": "World Mine and Refinery Production and Reserves table, Mine production 2025e column (world total 23,000 thousand t; shares calculated by Space Mushroom from the printed values 5,300, 3,200, 2,700, 1,800 and 1,300 thousand t); Critical minerals paragraph; Recycling paragraph"
    },
    {
      "subject": "Zinc (mine production 2025e), the balance of CW508L",
      "abundance": "USGS world mine production 2025e: 13,000 thousand t (world total, rounded)",
      "producers": [
        {
          "country": "China",
          "share_percent": 31.5,
          "year": 2025
        },
        {
          "country": "Peru",
          "share_percent": 11.5,
          "year": 2025
        },
        {
          "country": "Australia",
          "share_percent": 8.5,
          "year": 2025
        },
        {
          "country": "Mexico",
          "share_percent": 6,
          "year": 2025
        }
      ],
      "critical_lists": [],
      "recycling": "USGS: refined zinc produced in the United States was recovered from secondary materials, including galvanizing residues and crude zinc oxide recovered from electric arc furnace dust.",
      "substitutes": [
        "USGS: many elements are substitutes for zinc in chemical, electronic and pigment uses. The summary does not name a substitute for zinc in brass."
      ],
      "source": "usgs-mcs2026-zinc",
      "where": "World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025e column (world total 13,000 thousand t, rounded; shares calculated by Space Mushroom from the printed values 4,100, 1,500, 1,100 and 780 thousand t); Recycling paragraph; Substitutes paragraph"
    }
  ],
  "media": [],
  "documents": [
    {
      "title": "Righton and Blackburns: CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet, updated 05 December 2024",
      "type": "datasheet",
      "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf"
    },
    {
      "title": "BIKAR: brass CW508L roundbar (drawn), chemical specifications and physical properties",
      "type": "datasheet",
      "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2"
    },
    {
      "title": "USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Copper",
      "type": "report",
      "url": "https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-copper.pdf",
      "year": 2026
    },
    {
      "title": "USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Zinc",
      "type": "report",
      "url": "https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-zinc.pdf",
      "year": 2026
    },
    {
      "title": "Wikipedia: Brass (dezincification, season cracking, alpha brasses)",
      "type": "database",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass"
    },
    {
      "title": "The Hendrix Group archive: stress corrosion cracking (season cracking) of brasses",
      "type": "report",
      "url": "https://hghouston.com/archive/material-property-data/copper-and-copper-alloys/brasses/sc-cracking"
    },
    {
      "title": "ATSDR ToxFAQs: Lead",
      "type": "report",
      "url": "https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=93&toxid=22"
    },
    {
      "title": "ATSDR ToxFAQs: Zinc (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. CDC)",
      "type": "report",
      "url": "https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts60.pdf"
    }
  ],
  "gaps": [
    "The coefficient of thermal expansion is not recorded: BIKAR prints it with an exponent in the unit, which the verification step cannot match.",
    "The sheet elongation row (Elongation A50 mm) is garbled in the Righton datasheet text, so no sheet elongation is recorded.",
    "Righton lists UNS C27200 with the note that it may not be a direct equivalent, so it is not recorded as a designation. No ASTM, JIS or UNS code for CW508L is printed by either source read.",
    "The planner's yellow-brass and 63/37 names are not printed by either source and are not used. The sources give copper as 62.00 to 64.00 %.",
    "Hardness Vickers, hardness Brinell and electrical conductivity are recorded under snake_case names that are not in the property canon. Sheet and tube proof stress is recorded as yield_strength with its printed name and no offset, because the datasheet does not state the offset.",
    "Strength values carry no temper. The EN 1652 sheet and EN 12449 tube figures are as printed; no EN standard text was opened.",
    "The BIKAR physical properties are not tied to a product form or temper on the page. The page's product is a drawn roundbar, but the properties are not labelled for that form.",
    "The BIKAR food-industry field gives a suitability line and a No flag that conflict, so no food-contact claim is made.",
    "No melting range, no outgassing, atomic-oxygen, radiation or cold-welding data, and no space-environment result for CW508L were read. The habitats-and-suits tag is not used.",
    "No SDS, GHS classification or exposure limit for the alloy was read. The ATSDR zinc ToxFAQ gives metal fume fever for inhaled zinc fumes, but no source on brazing or welding fume from CW508L itself was read, so that exposure is not quantified.",
    "No dezincification depth, rate or test result and no season-cracking threshold for CW508L were found. The corrosion statements are qualitative.",
    "No atmospheric corrosion rate for CW508L was found in the sources read.",
    "No CuZn37-specific recycling figure was found. The copper summary's statement about brass and wire-rod mills is for copper overall and is quoted in the copper supply entry.",
    "Lead is not profiled as a supply subject because the sources give it at most 0.10 %.",
    "No media (images) were added to this profile; no image was fetched or checked in this run."
  ],
  "story": {
    "why": "Brass CW508L is a cold-working alpha brass sold as sheet, tube and drawn bar. Righton describes good corrosion resistance, very good bending and cold heading properties, and excellent weldability. BIKAR gives a density of 8.44 g/cm3 and a thermal conductivity of 120 W/m*K at 20°C. Copper is 62.00 to 64.00 % of the alloy and zinc is the balance, and lead is listed at a maximum of 0.10 %.",
    "uses": [
      {
        "where": "Heat exchangers and radiator tanks",
        "line": "Righton lists heat exchangers and radiator tanks as applications, and BIKAR lists water boxes for car radiators. These are terrestrial uses; no source names a spacecraft thermal system."
      },
      {
        "where": "Hinges, locks, pins and springs",
        "line": "Righton lists hinges, locks, pins, rivets, screws and springs, and chains and fasteners. BIKAR lists pneumatic cylinders."
      },
      {
        "where": "Switch and contact parts",
        "line": "Righton lists switch components and BIKAR lists contact parts. No source names a space electronics system."
      }
    ],
    "can_do": [
      {
        "label": "Work it cold and hot",
        "line": "Righton describes it as an alpha brass with good hot and cold working capabilities, with very good cold heading and bending.",
        "scope": "material"
      },
      {
        "label": "Weld and braze",
        "line": "BIKAR rates brazing and soft soldering as very good, gas and spot welding as good, and MIG and TIG as moderate, on its printed scale.",
        "scope": "material"
      },
      {
        "label": "Carry heat",
        "line": "Thermal conductivity is 120 W/m*K at 20°C per BIKAR, and 142 W/m*K at 200°C.",
        "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "120 W/m*K"
      },
      {
        "label": "Weight",
        "line": "Density is 8.44 g/cm3 per the BIKAR physical properties table.",
        "benchmark": "density",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "8.44 g/cm3"
      },
      {
        "label": "Strength by form",
        "line": "Righton gives 300-550 MPa tensile strength for sheet from 0.2 mm to 5.00 mm and a 440 MPa minimum for tube up to 5.00 mm wall. No temper is stated.",
        "benchmark": "ultimate_tensile_strength",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "300-550 MPa tensile (sheet)"
      }
    ],
    "compare": "The [copper profile](/profiles/copper/) covers the pure metal, and the free-cutting brass profile covers a leaded machining alloy. CW508L is a cold-working alpha brass with a lead maximum of 0.10 %. No source read for this profile compares it directly with either profile, so this page gives no side-by-side numbers.",
    "compare_rows": [
      {
        "label": "Density",
        "benchmark": "density",
        "scope": "material"
      },
      {
        "label": "Thermal conductivity",
        "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
        "scope": "material"
      },
      {
        "label": "Elastic modulus",
        "benchmark": "elastic_modulus",
        "scope": "material"
      }
    ],
    "handling": [
      "Specify the form and temper: Righton gives different strength figures for sheet and tube, and no temper for either.",
      "Stress-relieve after cold work (pressing, spinning, drawing, bending), and keep parts out of ammonia and amine atmospheres.",
      "Choose the joining process with BIKAR's ratings: brazing and soft soldering are very good, while MIG and TIG are moderate."
    ],
    "good_for": [
      "Formed sheet parts, tube and drawn bar that need good cold working and bending.",
      "Brazed or soldered assemblies, where BIKAR rates brazing and soft soldering as very good.",
      "Fittings and hardware in water service where the suppliers report good resistance, provided the dezincification and season-cracking risks below are handled."
    ],
    "watch_out": [
      "Dezincification: Wikipedia says plumbing brasses with more than 15% zinc need dezincification resistance, and CW508L has zinc as its balance.",
      "Season cracking: after cold work, an ammonia or amine atmosphere can crack the part, usually along the line of tensile stress.",
      "Temper and form: no temper is stated for any strength value, and the sheet and tube figures differ.",
      "The physical properties come from a stockist's tables, not from a standard test report."
    ],
    "verdict": "CW508L (CuZn37) is a cold-working alpha brass with 62.00 to 64.00 % copper and zinc as the balance. Its density is 8.44 g/cm3 and its sheet tensile strength is 300-550 MPa, with no temper stated. Both suppliers report good corrosion resistance to water and salts, but the sources give no dezincification or season-cracking test result for this grade, so those risks rest on the Wikipedia and Hendrix statements.",
    "recipe": {
      "line": "CW508L is an alpha brass, a copper-zinc alloy that Wikipedia says contains only one phase. Righton gives its composition as copper 62.00 to 64.00 %, with lead, iron, nickel, tin and aluminium at low maxima and zinc as the balance. The sources read do not describe how the sheet or tube is made.",
      "parts": [
        {
          "name": "Copper",
          "symbol": "Cu",
          "role": "Main metal and matrix of the alloy",
          "share_percent": 62,
          "share_high": 64,
          "source": "righton-cw508l",
          "where": "Chemical Composition table, EN 1652 CW508L Brass, Copper row"
        },
        {
          "name": "Zinc",
          "symbol": "Zn",
          "role": "Alloying element that makes the brass; the datasheet gives zinc as the rest",
          "share_note": "balance",
          "source": "righton-cw508l",
          "where": "Chemical Composition table, Zinc row: Balance"
        },
        {
          "name": "Lead",
          "symbol": "Pb",
          "role": "Trace element, a maximum of 0.10 % in both suppliers' tables",
          "share_percent": 0,
          "share_high": 0.1,
          "source": "righton-cw508l",
          "where": "Chemical Composition table, Lead row"
        },
        {
          "name": "Iron",
          "symbol": "Fe",
          "role": "Impurity limit",
          "share_percent": 0,
          "share_high": 0.1,
          "source": "righton-cw508l",
          "where": "Chemical Composition table, Iron row"
        },
        {
          "name": "Nickel",
          "symbol": "Ni",
          "role": "Impurity limit",
          "share_percent": 0,
          "share_high": 0.3,
          "source": "righton-cw508l",
          "where": "Chemical Composition table, Nickel row"
        },
        {
          "name": "Tin",
          "symbol": "Sn",
          "role": "Impurity limit",
          "share_percent": 0,
          "share_high": 0.1,
          "source": "righton-cw508l",
          "where": "Chemical Composition table, Tin row"
        }
      ]
    },
    "risk_groups": [
      {
        "title": "For people",
        "lead": "The sources hold lead as a trace element in this grade. Righton and BIKAR both list a lead maximum of 0.10 %.",
        "points": [
          {
            "label": "Lead in the alloy",
            "line": "Lead is listed at a maximum of 0.10 % (Righton and BIKAR). ATSDR says lead can cause health problems in almost every organ and system in the body. No GHS code or exposure limit for this alloy was read."
          }
        ],
        "level": 1,
        "verdict": "Trace lead only"
      },
      {
        "title": "If it fails",
        "lead": "The failure routes in these sources are chemical: dezincification in some waters and season cracking in ammonia after cold work.",
        "points": [
          {
            "label": "Dezincification",
            "line": "Wikipedia says dezincification-resistant brasses are used where high water temperatures, chlorides or soft water raise the corrosion risk. It also says NSF International requires plumbing brasses with more than 15% zinc to be dezincification-resistant. No dezincification test for CW508L was read."
          },
          {
            "label": "Season cracking",
            "line": "Hendrix says cold working leaves internal stress that can lead to cracking in an ammonia or amine atmosphere. The cracking is usually localised and, in simple alpha brasses, intergranular."
          }
        ],
        "level": 2,
        "verdict": "Chemical failure routes"
      },
      {
        "title": "Handling and storage",
        "points": [
          {
            "label": "Stress relief",
            "line": "Stress-relieve parts after cold work, and keep them away from ammonia and amine sources."
          },
          {
            "label": "Form and temper",
            "line": "Specify the form and temper, because the Righton strength figures differ between sheet and tube and no temper is stated."
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "updated": "2026-11-01",
  "review": {
    "status": "draft",
    "method": "assistant",
    "checked_values": 18,
    "unreachable": 0,
    "caveats": 4,
    "note": "Values were read by an AI assistant on 2026-11-01 from the pages and PDFs named in each entry. Caveats: no temper is stated for any strength or hardness value; the proof stress is recorded under yield_strength with its printed name and no offset; hardness and electrical conductivity use names outside the property canon; the BIKAR physical properties are not tied to a product form. Supply shares are calculated from the printed USGS 2025e values, as stated in each where field."
  },
  "sources": {
    "righton-cw508l": {
      "title": "Righton and Blackburns, CW508L (CZ108) sheet and tube datasheet: chemical composition (EN 1652 and EN 12449), mechanical properties, designations, applications",
      "url": "https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Copper-and-Copper-Alloys-CW508L-CZ108-Sheet_114.pdf",
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "bikar-cw508l": {
      "title": "BIKAR, brass CW508L roundbar (drawn): chemical specifications, physical properties, processing ratings, areas of application",
      "url": "https://my.bikar.com/en_US/products/208_303-208-303-2",
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "Stockist product page (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "usgs-mcs2026-copper": {
      "title": "Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Copper",
      "id": "USGS MCS 2026, February 2026",
      "url": "https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-copper.pdf",
      "year": 2026,
      "kind": "report",
      "license": "public domain (USGS)"
    },
    "usgs-mcs2026-zinc": {
      "title": "Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Zinc",
      "id": "USGS MCS 2026, February 2026",
      "url": "https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-zinc.pdf",
      "year": 2026,
      "kind": "report",
      "license": "public domain (USGS)"
    },
    "wiki-brass": {
      "title": "Brass (Wikipedia): dezincification-resistant brasses, season cracking, alpha brasses",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass",
      "kind": "web",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "hgh-scc": {
      "title": "The Hendrix Group, Material Property Data: copper and copper alloys, brasses, stress corrosion cracking",
      "url": "https://hghouston.com/archive/material-property-data/copper-and-copper-alloys/brasses/sc-cracking",
      "kind": "web",
      "license": "Technical archive page (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "atsdr-lead": {
      "title": "ATSDR ToxFAQs: Lead (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. CDC)",
      "url": "https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=93&toxid=22",
      "kind": "report",
      "license": "U.S. government public domain (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "atsdr-zinc": {
      "title": "ATSDR ToxFAQs: Zinc (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. CDC)",
      "url": "https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts60.pdf",
      "kind": "report",
      "license": "U.S. government public domain (cited, not reproduced)"
    }
  },
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "url": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/yellow-brass-cw508l/"
}