Gilding metal 95/5 C21000

CuZn5, UNS C21000: copper 94.0 to 96.0 wt%, lead 0.05 wt% maximum, iron 0.05 wt% maximum, zinc remainder

Also known as UNS C21000, EN name CW500L, EN name CuZn5, JIS C2100, ASTM B36, ASTM B134 · 1 more

Gilding metal 95/5 (UNS C21000, CuZn5, EN CW500L) is a copper-zinc alloy with 95 % copper and 5 % zinc.

12 sources · Updated 2026-10-26 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Form cold

Excellent cold-working rating

Carry heat

234 W/(m·K)

Carry current

56 %IACS

Strength by temper

235 to 470 MPa

Weight

8.86 g/cm3

Recipe, share of the weight

  • Cu not statedCopper
  • Zn not statedZinc
  • Pb not statedLead
  • Fe not statedIron

Best for

Deep-drawn and coined parts such as bullet jackets, coins, connectors and fasteners, where copper is too soft or too costly and moderate conductivity with extra strength is enough (Wieland)

Weakest at

Season cracking in ammonia or amine atmospheres when cold-forming stress is left in the part, and poor machinability (Fisk index 1, poor)

Risk at a glance

  • People Moderate. Low-lead alloy
  • If it fails Moderate. Season cracking in ammonia
  • Corrosion Low. Aurubis says the 90/10 alloy has excellent resistance to stress-corrosion cracking and to dezincification.

Quick facts: C21000

Key properties of C21000
PropertyValueBasis
Density8.8 to 8.86 g/cm³2 sourced values across conditions
Tensile strength235 to 531 MPa10 sourced values across conditions
Young's modulus117 GPa2 sourced values across conditions
Thermal conductivity189 to 234 W/(m·K)2 sourced values across conditions
Thermal expansion (CTE)18.4 ppm/K1 sourced value
Melting point954 to 1,049 °C3 sourced values across conditions
Specific heat380 J/(kg·K)1 sourced value
Electrical resistivity3.1e-8 Ω·m1 sourced value

What is the density of Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000)?

Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000) has a density of 8.8 to 8.86 g/cm³. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the thermal conductivity of Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000)?

Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000) has a thermal conductivity of 189 to 234 W/(m·K). The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000)?

Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000) has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 18.4 ppm/K. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the melting point of Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000)?

Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000) has a melting point of 954 to 1,049 °C. The range covers 3 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the tensile strength of Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000)?

Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000) has a tensile strength of 235 to 531 MPa. The range covers 10 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What are the other names and codes for Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000)?

Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000) is also written as UNS C21000, EN name CW500L, EN name CuZn5, JIS C2100, ASTM B36, ASTM B134. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.

What is Gilding metal 95/5 (C21000) used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Electrical connectors and AC motor rotor bars; Fasteners and connector components.

Why it exists

Gilding metal is chosen for deep drawing and coining. Wieland calls it the historic penny alloy and says it is the usual choice for deep-drawn bullet jackets and coined products. It has 95 % copper, a density of 8.86 g/cm3, a thermal conductivity of 234 W/(m·K) at room temperature and a conductivity of 56 %IACS. Its main weakness is season cracking in ammonia when cold-forming stress is left in the part.

Where it's used

Electrical connectors and rotor bars

Aviva lists connectors and rotor bars for AC motors as typical uses. Wieland names electrical applications where performance requirements preclude standard copper.

Fasteners and connector components

Fisk lists connector components and fasteners. Aviva lists fasteners among its typical uses.

Bullet jackets, primers, coins and medals

Aviva lists bullet jackets, primers, fuse caps and small arm ammunition, and coins, medals and tokens among its typical uses. Wikipedia says gilding metal was used for bullet jackets and for shell casings melted into US pennies. These are not space applications, and none of them fits the space application list, so they are not in the uses block.

Recipe

CuZn5, UNS C21000: copper 94.0 to 96.0 wt%, lead 0.05 wt% maximum, iron 0.05 wt% maximum, zinc remainder

Gilding metal is a copper-zinc alloy with 94.0 to 96.0 wt% copper, zinc as the remainder (nominal 5 wt%), and at most 0.05 wt% lead and 0.05 wt% iron (Aviva and Fisk). Wieland prints the reference composition as Cu 95 % and Zn remainder. It is supplied as wrought strip, sheet, wire and rod (ASTM B36 and B134) and is made soft by annealing between 427 and 788 °C (Fisk).

What C21000 is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Copper Cu not stated Main metal and matrix of the alloy (limits from Aviva and Fisk; nominal from Wieland).
Zinc Zn not stated The alloying element that makes the brass and raises strength above pure copper, with moderate conductivity still kept (Wieland).
Lead Pb not stated Impurity limit printed on the Aviva and Fisk pages.
Iron Fe not stated Impurity limit printed on the Aviva and Fisk pages.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Form cold

Excellent cold-working rating

Aviva and Fisk both rate the capacity for cold working as excellent, and Aviva gives 12 % elongation in half-hard H02 and 45 % in annealed OS050.

Carry heat

234 W/(m·K)

measured

Thermal conductivity is 234 W/(m·K) at room temperature (Wieland, metric column).

Carry current

56 %IACS

Electrical conductivity is 56 %IACS (Wieland and Aviva).

Strength by temper

235 to 470 MPa

Wieland gives annealed sheet 235 to 275 MPa, half-hard H02 290 to 360 MPa, hard H04 345 to 405 MPa and spring H08 415 to 470 MPa.

Weight

8.86 g/cm3

measured

Density is 8.86 g/cm3 (Wieland, metric column).

Melting

954 to 1049 °C

The solidus is 954 °C and the liquidus is 1049 °C (Fisk, metric column).

Expansion

18.0 ppm/K

measured

The coefficient of thermal expansion is 18.0 ppm/K from 0 to 300 °C (Wieland).

How it compares

The [copper profile](/profiles/copper/) covers the pure metal. The [cartridge brass profile](/profiles/cartridge-brass/) covers the 70/30 brass, which is stronger and has a higher zinc content, and it has the same season-cracking weakness. C21000 is the copper-rich end of the same family; the 90/10 CuZn10 grade (C22000) sits between the two.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.

Benchmarks
MeasurementC21000CuC360C954C630BeCuC510C260Cu-AgCuCrZrCuNi 70/30CW614NC75200C521C655Cu-TeSn/Cu
Thermal behavior and safety
Thermal conductivity, C21000 (Wieland)234 W/(m·K)2391 W/(m·K)116 W/(m·K)58.7 W/(m·K)63 W/(m·K)105 W/(m·K)84 W/(m·K)121.2 W/(m·K)no data323 W/(m·K)29 W/(m·K)123 W/(m·K)32 W/(m·K)67 W/(m·K)36.3 W/(m.K)355 W/(m·K)66.6 W/(m·K)
Solidus, C21000 (Fisk)954 °C51083 °C954 °C1027 °C1060 °C870 °C954 to 1049 °C916 °Cno data1081 °C1170 to 1240 °C875 to 890 °C1060 to 1110 °C882 to 1027 °C971 to 1027 °C1080 °C231.9 °C
Liquidus, C21000 (Fisk)1049 °C61083 °C954 °C1027 °C1060 °C870 °C954 to 1049 °C916 °Cno data1081 °C1170 to 1240 °C875 to 890 °C1060 to 1110 °C882 to 1027 °C971 to 1027 °C1080 °C231.9 °C
Specific heat, C21000 (Wieland)0.38 J/(g·K)90.394 kJ/(kg·K)no data419 J/(kg·K)452 J/(kg·K)no data0.38 J/(g·°C)377.1 J/(kg·K)no data0.383 kJ/(kg·K)377 J/(kg·K)380 J/(kg·K)380 J/(kg·K)0.377 kJ/(kg·K)376.8 J/(kg.K)385.5 J/(kg·K)no data
Melting point, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)1043 °C241083 °C954 °C1027 °C1060 °C870 °C954 to 1049 °C916 °Cno data1081 °C1170 to 1240 °C875 to 890 °C1060 to 1110 °C882 to 1027 °C971 to 1027 °C1080 °C231.9 °C
Thermal conductivity at 20 °C, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)189 W/(m·K)25391 W/(m·K)116 W/(m·K)58.7 W/(m·K)63 W/(m·K)105 W/(m·K)84 W/(m·K)121.2 W/(m·K)no data323 W/(m·K)29 W/(m·K)123 W/(m·K)32 W/(m·K)67 W/(m·K)36.3 W/(m.K)355 W/(m·K)66.6 W/(m·K)
Physical and electrical
Density, C21000 (Wieland)8.86 g/cm³18.9 g/cm³8.5 g/cm³7.45 g/cm³7.58 g/cm³8.36 g/cm³8.86 g/cm³8.53 g/cm³no data8.94 g/cm³8.94 g/cm³8.46 g/cm³8.7 g/cm³8.79 g/cm³8.53 g/cm³8.94 g/cm³7.28 g/cm³
Electrical conductivity, annealed C21000 (Wieland)56 %IACS358 MS/m26 %IACS13 %IACS7 %IACS25 to 30 %IACS15 %IACS28 %IACS> 58 MS/m> 46.4 MS/mno data25 %IACS6 %IACS13 %IACS7 %IACS93 %IACS58 MS/m
Electrical resistivity, annealed C21000 (Fisk)3.08 µΩ·cm4no data6.63 µΩ·cm13.33 µΩ·cm0.172 µΩ·m5.8 to 6.9 μΩ-cm8.7×10^-6 ohm·cm6.15 µΩ·cmno datano data37.4 µΩ·cmno datano datano data24.6 microohm-cmno data11.5 µΩ·cm
Density, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)8.8 g/cm³238.9 g/cm³8.5 g/cm³7.45 g/cm³7.58 g/cm³8.36 g/cm³8.86 g/cm³8.53 g/cm³no data8.94 g/cm³8.94 g/cm³8.46 g/cm³8.7 g/cm³8.79 g/cm³8.53 g/cm³8.94 g/cm³7.28 g/cm³
Electrical conductivity, soft C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)44 %IACS2658 MS/m26 %IACS13 %IACS7 %IACS25 to 30 %IACS15 %IACS28 %IACS> 58 MS/m> 46.4 MS/mno data25 %IACS6 %IACS13 %IACS7 %IACS93 %IACS58 MS/m
Other measurements
Coefficient of thermal expansion, C21000 (Wieland)18 ppm/K717.6 ppm/K20.5 ppm/K16.2 ppm/K15 ppm/K17.5 ppm/K17.8 µm/(m·°C)20 ppm/Kno data17.1 ppm/K13.2 to 16.2 ppm/K21.4 ppm/K17.7 ppm/K17.4 µm/(m·°C)18 um/(m.°C)16.5 ppm/K22 ppm/K
Modulus of elasticity, C21000 (Wieland)117 GPa8117 GPano data1.07×10^5 MPa117 GPa131 GPa110 GPa1.1×10^5 MPano data117 GPano data97 GPa135 GPa115 GPa1.03×10^5 MPa1.17×10^5 MPa50 GPa
Poisson's ratio, C21000 (Wieland)0.34 -10no datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data0.34 -no datano datano datano data
Tensile strength, annealed C21000, sheet and strip (Wieland)235 MPa11179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Tensile strength, half-hard H02, sheet and strip (Wieland)290 MPa12179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Tensile strength, hard H04, sheet and strip (Wieland)345 MPa13179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Tensile strength, spring H08, sheet and strip (Wieland)415 MPa14179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Tensile strength, half-hard H02 round wire (minimum)> 330 MPa15179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Tensile strength, hard H04 round wire (minimum)> 420 MPa16179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Tensile strength, spring H08 round wire (minimum)> 490 MPa17179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Elongation, annealed OS050 (Aviva)45 %1835 %> 15 %> 12 %> 10 %20 to 75 %> 13 %62 %> 37 %> 10 %30 to 45 %> 20 %40 %> 25 %17 %> 8 %no data
Elongation, half-hard H02 (Aviva)12 %1935 %> 15 %> 12 %> 10 %20 to 75 %> 13 %62 %> 37 %> 10 %30 to 45 %> 20 %40 %> 25 %17 %> 8 %no data
Elongation, hard H04 (Aviva)5 %2035 %> 15 %> 12 %> 10 %20 to 75 %> 13 %62 %> 37 %> 10 %30 to 45 %> 20 %40 %> 25 %17 %> 8 %no data
Elongation, spring H08 (Aviva)4 %2135 %> 15 %> 12 %> 10 %20 to 75 %> 13 %62 %> 37 %> 10 %30 to 45 %> 20 %40 %> 25 %17 %> 8 %no data
Machinability rating, C21000 (Aviva)20 %22no data100 %60 -no datano datano data30 %no datano datano data100 %no datano datano data85 -no data
Coefficient of thermal expansion, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)18.4 ppm/K2717.6 ppm/K20.5 ppm/K16.2 ppm/K15 ppm/K17.5 ppm/K17.8 µm/(m·°C)20 ppm/Kno data17.1 ppm/K13.2 to 16.2 ppm/K21.4 ppm/K17.7 ppm/K17.4 µm/(m·°C)18 um/(m.°C)16.5 ppm/K22 ppm/K
Modulus of elasticity, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)117 GPa28117 GPano data1.07×10^5 MPa117 GPa131 GPa110 GPa1.1×10^5 MPano data117 GPano data97 GPa135 GPa115 GPa1.03×10^5 MPa1.17×10^5 MPa50 GPa
Tensile strength, soft C22000 CuZn10 sheet (Aurubis)248 MPa29179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Tensile strength, H04 C22000 CuZn10 sheet (Aurubis)393 MPa30179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Tensile strength, H08 C22000 CuZn10 sheet (Aurubis)476 MPa31179 to 262 MPa> 330 MPa> 586 MPa> 585 MPa410 to 590 MPa> 485 MPa324 MPa180 N/mm2480 to 560 MPa358 to 414 MPa> 360 MPa370 to 430 MPa475 to 580 MPa538 MPa> 260 MPano data
Elongation, soft C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)47 %3235 %> 15 %> 12 %> 10 %20 to 75 %> 13 %62 %> 37 %> 10 %30 to 45 %> 20 %40 %> 25 %17 %> 8 %no data

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Deep-drawn and coined parts, where good cold working and a ductile temper are the main criteria.
  • Electrical connectors and fasteners that need more strength than copper with moderate conductivity (56 %IACS).
  • Parts where a bronze colour and a copper-rich alloy are needed, as with the CuZn10 grade.

Watch out for

  • Season cracking in ammonia or amine atmospheres when cold-forming stress is left in the part.
  • Machinability is poor (Fisk index 1), so do not choose this alloy for machined parts without a trial.
  • Lead at 0.05 % at most is still a health hazard in the sources.
  • No dezincification or space-environment data were read for C21000; the dezincification claim is for the 90/10 CuZn10 grade only.

Gilding metal 95/5 is the copper-rich brass for deep drawing and coining. It conducts heat at 234 W/(m·K) and electricity at 56 %IACS, with annealed tensile strength of 235 to 275 MPa (Wieland) and spring temper up to 470 MPa. Its main weakness is season cracking in ammonia under residual stress, and the fix is a stress-relief anneal. The CuZn10 grade (C22000, the tombac range) is in the file as a second grade. No space-environment result, no C21000 corrosion rating and no copper GHS classification were found in the pages read.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Other names and standards

The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.

Other names and standards
SystemCodes
UNSC21000
EN nameCW500L, CuZn5
JISC2100
ASTMB36 (plate, sheet, strip and rolled bar), B134 (wire)
Trade nameGilding Metal

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Density, C21000 (Wieland)Value printed in the metric column of a manufacturer's reference table; the Aviva page prints specific gravity 8.86 for the same alloygrade C21000 (CuZn5)temperature room temperature (reference value)unit in source 0.320 lb/in3 (Wieland US column)—
2Thermal conductivity, C21000 (Wieland)Value printed in the metric column of the Wieland physical properties table; Fisk prints the same 234 W/m K at 20 °C on its product pagegrade C21000 (CuZn5)temperature room temperature (reference value)unit in source 135 Btu.ft/(ft2.h.°F) (Wieland US column)—
3Electrical conductivity, annealed C21000 (Wieland)Value printed in the %IACS column of the Wieland table; Fisk prints the same 56 % IACS at 68 °Fgrade C21000 (CuZn5)temperature room temperature (reference value)unit in source 33 MS/m (Wieland metric column)—
4Electrical resistivity, annealed C21000 (Fisk)Value printed in the metric column of the Fisk physical properties table on the product pagegrade C21000 (Fisk Gilding 95 %)temper annealedtemperature 20 °Cunit in source 18.5 Ω·cir-mil/ft at 68 °F (Fisk English column)—
5Solidus, C21000 (Fisk)Value printed in the metric column of the Fisk physical properties table; the Aviva page prints a solidus of 1920 °F, which conflicts and is not used (see gaps)grade C21000 (Fisk Gilding 95 %)unit in source 1,750 °F (English column)pressure not stated—
6Liquidus, C21000 (Fisk)Value printed in the metric column of the Fisk physical properties table on the product pagegrade C21000 (Fisk Gilding 95 %)unit in source 1,920 °F (English column)pressure not stated—
7Coefficient of thermal expansion, C21000 (Wieland)Printed as 18.0 10-6/K in the Wieland reference table, between 0 and 300 °C; the number is copied without conversion because 10-6/K equals ppm/Kgrade C21000 (CuZn5)temperature 0 to 300 °Cunit in source 10.0 10-6/°F (Wieland US column)—
8Modulus of elasticity, C21000 (Wieland)Value printed in the metric column of the Wieland reference tablegrade C21000 (CuZn5)temperature room temperature (reference value)unit in source 17,000 ksi (Wieland US column)—
9Specific heat, C21000 (Wieland)Value printed in the metric column of the Wieland reference table, in J/(g.K); not convertedgrade C21000 (CuZn5)temperature room temperature (reference value)unit in source 0.091 Btu/(lb.°F) (Wieland US column)—
10Poisson's ratio, C21000 (Wieland)Printed without a unit in the Wieland reference tablegrade C21000 (CuZn5)temperature room temperature (reference value)—
11Tensile strength, annealed C21000, sheet and strip (Wieland)Range printed in the mechanical properties table by temper, metric column; the table note says the values are to ASTM B36, and the bracketed yield and elongation figures are for information only and are not usedgrade C21000 (CuZn5)temper annealed (Wieland), ASTM B36 temperproduct form sheet, strip and rolled barunit in source 34-40 ksi (Wieland US column)—
12Tensile strength, half-hard H02, sheet and strip (Wieland)Range printed in the mechanical properties table by temper, metric column, marked as to ASTM B36grade C21000 (CuZn5)temper H02, half hardproduct form sheet, strip and rolled barunit in source 42-52 ksi (Wieland US column)—
13Tensile strength, hard H04, sheet and strip (Wieland)Range printed in the mechanical properties table by temper, metric column, marked as to ASTM B36grade C21000 (CuZn5)temper H04, hardproduct form sheet, strip and rolled barunit in source 50-59 ksi (Wieland US column)—
14Tensile strength, spring H08, sheet and strip (Wieland)Range printed in the mechanical properties table by temper, metric column, marked as to ASTM B36grade C21000 (CuZn5)temper H08, springproduct form sheet, strip and rolled barunit in source 60-68 ksi (Wieland US column)—
15Tensile strength, half-hard H02 round wire (minimum)Minimum value printed in the Fisk round wire temper table, metric column; wire, so not comparable with the flat-product rowsgrade C21000 (Fisk Gilding 95 %)temper H02, 1/2 hardproduct form round wire, mill limits 0.0254 to 3.264 mmmeasure minimumunit in source 49.0 ksi (English column)—
16Tensile strength, hard H04 round wire (minimum)Minimum value printed in the Fisk round wire temper table, metric column; wire, not sheetgrade C21000 (Fisk Gilding 95 %)temper H04, hardproduct form round wire, mill limits 0.0254 to 3.264 mmmeasure minimumunit in source 61.0 ksi (English column)—
17Tensile strength, spring H08 round wire (minimum)Minimum value printed in the Fisk round wire temper table, metric column; the table gives no maximum for this tempergrade C21000 (Fisk Gilding 95 %)temper H08, springproduct form round wire, mill limits 0.0254 to 3.264 mmmeasure minimumunit in source 72.0 ksi (English column)—
18Elongation, annealed OS050 (Aviva)Typical value (Typ) printed in the Aviva mechanical properties by temper table; the page is US units only and no metric column existsgrade C21000 (Aviva)temper OS050, nominal grain size 0.050 mm, annealedgauge length 0.04 in sectionbasis typical value, 68 °F—
19Elongation, half-hard H02 (Aviva)Typical value (Typ) printed in the Aviva mechanical properties by temper tablegrade C21000 (Aviva)temper H02, half hardgauge length 0.04 in sectionbasis typical value, 68 °F—
20Elongation, hard H04 (Aviva)Typical value (Typ) printed in the Aviva mechanical properties by temper tablegrade C21000 (Aviva)temper H04, hardgauge length 0.04 in sectionbasis typical value, 68 °F—
21Elongation, spring H08 (Aviva)Typical value (Typ) printed in the Aviva mechanical properties by temper tablegrade C21000 (Aviva)temper H08, springgauge length 0.04 in sectionbasis typical value, 68 °F—
22Machinability rating, C21000 (Aviva)Index printed in the Aviva fabrication table; a relative rating, not a measured property. Fisk rates the same alloy 1 (poor) on its own scale, and the two scales are not comparedgrade C21000temper not statedbasis relative index; the base (100 = reference alloy) is not printed on this page—
23Density, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)Value printed in the metric column of the Aurubis technical datasheet; Wieland's M10 datasheet prints 8.80 g/cm3, which is consistentgrade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)temperature 20 °Cunit in source 0.318 lb/in3 (Aurubis US column)—
24Melting point, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)Single melting point value printed in the Aurubis physical properties table; no solidus and liquidus pair is printedgrade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)unit in source 1910 °F (Aurubis US column)pressure not stated—
25Thermal conductivity at 20 °C, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)Value printed in the metric column of the Aurubis physical properties table; Wieland M10 prints 189 W/(m.K) for the same gradegrade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)temperature 20 °Cunit in source 109 Btu/(ft h °F) (Aurubis US column)—
26Electrical conductivity, soft C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)Value printed in the %IACS column of the Aurubis physical properties table; the same row gives 26 MS/m, which Wieland prints as 25 MS/m, so the %IACS value is usedgrade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)temper soft (the conductivity applies to the soft condition only)temperature 20 °C—
27Coefficient of thermal expansion, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)Printed as 18.4 10-6/K in the metric column of the Aurubis table; the same column header also gives the 20 °C conditiongrade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)temperature 20 °Cunit in source 10.2 10-6/°F (Aurubis US column)—
28Modulus of elasticity, C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)Value printed in the GPa column of the Aurubis physical properties tablegrade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)temperature 20 °Cunit in source 17 x 1000 ksi (Aurubis US column)—
29Tensile strength, soft C22000 CuZn10 sheet (Aurubis)Range printed in the Aurubis mechanical properties table, metric column; the table note says other tempers are available on request, and no minimum is printedgrade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)temper softproduct form sheet and strip (Aurubis leaflet, no form stated for the row)unit in source 36-42 ksi (Aurubis US column)—
30Tensile strength, H04 C22000 CuZn10 sheet (Aurubis)Range printed in the Aurubis mechanical properties table, metric columngrade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)temper H04product form sheet and strip (Aurubis leaflet, no form stated for the row)unit in source 57-66 ksi (Aurubis US column)—
31Tensile strength, H08 C22000 CuZn10 sheet (Aurubis)Range printed in the Aurubis mechanical properties table, metric columngrade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)temper H08product form sheet and strip (Aurubis leaflet, no form stated for the row)unit in source 69-77 ksi (Aurubis US column)—
32Elongation, soft C22000 CuZn10 (Aurubis)Value printed in the nominal elongation column of the Aurubis mechanical properties table (2 in gauge)grade C22000 (CuZn10, tombac range)temper softgauge length 2 in—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Ammonia or amine atmospheres with tensile stress (season cracking) not rated Brass season cracking is the classic failure of cold-formed copper-zinc alloys in ammonia. No rating for gilding metal was printed in the sources read.1
Outdoor exposure and dezincification (CuZn10, tombac range) low Aurubis says the 90/10 alloy has excellent resistance to stress-corrosion cracking and to dezincification.2
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Ammonia or amine atmospheres with tensile stress (season cracking) The Hendrix Group says stress corrosion cracking needs both a high tensile stress and a specific corrosive environment, which for brasses is usually ammonia or amines, and that drawing and bending leave internal stresses that cause cracking unless they are removed by stress relief. The same article recommends low-zinc alloys over high-zinc alloys where service allows, and says the higher the copper content, the better the resistance. C21000 has 5 % zinc, so it sits at the low-zinc, high-copper end. No threshold stress or time to crack for C21000 is printed in the sources. basis qualitative description for brasses in general; no rating or threshold for C21000 is printed in the sourcestest example Accelerated test cited by the Hendrix Group: air containing 10 % ammonia and 3.7 % water vapour at 35 °C (a test condition, not a service limit)
2 Outdoor exposure and dezincification (CuZn10, tombac range) The Aurubis datasheet for C22000 says its excellent resistance to stress-corrosion cracking and dezincification makes it suitable as an engineering alloy, widely used for ammunition components and for applications requiring outdoor exposure. No dezincification depth or test result is printed, and the claim is a supplier statement, not a measured rate. basis supplier statement for C22000, not measured data; no dezincification test condition is printed

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The lead in C21000 is the main health concern in these sources. The sources give the health effects of lead but no exposure limit for brass dust.

Lead in the alloy
C21000 has 0.05 % lead at most (Aviva and Fisk). The ATSDR says lead can affect almost every organ and system, and HHS considers lead and lead compounds reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens.

If it fails

The failure route in these sources is chemical (ammonia) and it is driven by residual stress from cold forming.

Season cracking
Cold forming leaves stress, and in an ammonia or amine atmosphere the alloy can crack. The Hendrix Group describes the cracking, and recommends stress relief and low zinc.

Handling and storage

Pick the temper
Annealed sheet is 235 to 275 MPa tensile (Wieland) and the spring temper H08 is 415 to 470 MPa. Elongation falls from 45 % in annealed OS050 (Aviva) to 4 % in H08.
Stress relief
Stress-relieve parts after cold forming, as the Hendrix Group advises, and keep them out of ammonia and amine atmospheres.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Season cracking in ammoniamoderate severityTensile stress from cold forming (drawing, pressing, spinning, bending) together with an ammonia or amine atmosphereCracking, which the Hendrix Group says is liable to occur in drawn tube that has not been stress-relieved
Poor machinabilitylow severityMachining or tool cutting of the alloy in a fabrication processFisk rates machinability 1 (poor) on its fabrication index, and Aviva gives a machinability rating of 20 on its relative scale, so the alloy is a poor choice where machining is the main process

Handling and storage

  • Specify the temper: Wieland gives annealed sheet 235 to 275 MPa tensile, H02 290 to 360 MPa, H04 345 to 405 MPa and H08 415 to 470 MPa.
  • Anneal between 427 and 788 °C to soften the alloy; Fisk gives the annealing range as 800 to 1450 °F, which is 427 to 788 °C in the metric column.
  • Stress-relieve after cold forming. The Hendrix Group gives a general range of one half to one hour at 250 to 300 °C for brasses, and says the optimum depends on the alloy.
  • Keep parts out of ammonia and amine atmospheres in service.
  • Machining chips and dust from the alloy contain lead at up to 0.05 %; the ATSDR advice to avoid lead exposure applies (this is our inference from the advice, not a statement in the source).

Mitigations

  • The Hendrix Group says the higher the copper content, the better the resistance to stress corrosion cracking, and recommends low-zinc alloys over high-zinc alloys where service and manufacture allow. C21000 is 95 % copper.
  • Choose a stress-relieved or annealed temper for parts that are formed and then exposed to ammonia or amines.