1. Core Definition & Standard Compliance

1.1 Fundamental Overview

H62 brass sheet is a binary copper-zinc alloy classified as "cartridge brass"—a designation reflecting its historical use in ammunition casings and its broad utility in precision components. Its naming and classification follow global conventions:

• Grade Nomenclature:

• H62: Chinese grade designation (H = Huangtong, brass; 62 = nominal copper content ~62%);

• Key Aliases: Cartridge brass, C27000 brass (ASTM equivalent), CuZn37 (European designation);

• Equivalent Grades:

• ASTM: C27000 (cartridge brass, 63% Cu, 37% Zn);

• JIS: H3100 C2680 (Japanese equivalent, slight zinc content variation);

• EN: CuZn37 (EN 12164, European standard);

• GB/T: H62 (China, GB/T 5231), H63 (near-equivalent with higher copper content);

• Grade Distinction (H62 vs. H59):

• H62: 60.5–63.5% Cu, higher ductility, better formability, and superior corrosion resistance; ideal for complex forming and welding.

• H59: 57–60% Cu, lower cost, higher strength but reduced ductility; suited for simple stamping and non-critical parts.

1.2 Core Standards

• Primary Standards: GB/T 5231 (Chinese brass sheet/plate standard), ASTM B36 (ASTM International), JIS H3100 (Japanese Industrial Standard), EN 12164 (European);

• Quality Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, CE, and third-party certifications (SGS, BV, TÜV) for export markets;

• Composition Requirements: Cu 60.5–63.5%, Zn 36.5–39.5%, with strict limits on impurities (Pb ≤0.03%, Fe ≤0.15%, Ni ≤0.30%).

H62 brass sheet’s copper-zinc formulation is optimized for balanced performance, with controlled impurities to ensure processing stability and durability (mass fraction, %; per GB/T 5231):

Key Alloy Advantage

The 62:38 copper-zinc ratio achieves an optimal balance of strength and ductility—H62 is strong enough for structural components yet ductile enough for complex cold forming (bending, deep drawing, stamping). It also offers better machinability than pure copper and lower cost than high-copper alloys.

3. Mechanical & Physical Properties

H62 brass sheet’s performance is defined by its balanced mechanical properties and moderate conductive/thermal capabilities—typical values for 0.5–6.0mm thick sheet (annealed temper, GB/T 5231 compliant):

Performance Note

• Temper Impact: Annealed H62 (HB 80–100) offers maximum ductility for forming; cold-worked H62 (HB 120–140) provides higher strength for structural parts.

• Environmental Limitation: Susceptible to dezincification in high-temperature, high-humidity, or chloride-rich environments (e.g., seawater); requires surface treatment for such applications.

4. Product Forms & Dimensional Range

H62 brass sheet is supplied in flexible configurations to meet diverse industrial needs, with precise dimensional controls:

4.1 Core Product Forms

• Brass Sheet/Plate: Flat sheets for cutting, stamping, and fabrication;

• Brass Coil/Strip: Continuous coils for high-volume production (e.g., electrical connectors, gaskets);

• Precision Blanks: Custom-cut shapes for immediate use in manufacturing;

• Foil: Ultra-thin sheets (0.01–0.1mm) for electronic shielding and decorative applications.

4.2 Dimensional Range

• Thickness: Standard 0.01mm (foil)–20mm (plate); common industrial gauges: 0.5mm, 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 6mm;

• Width: Standard 1000mm, 1220mm, 1500mm; customized up to 3000mm;

• Length: Sheets 1000mm–6000mm; coils up to 500m (depending on thickness);

• Dimensional Tolerance: Thickness ±0.01mm (foil) to ±0.1mm (plate); width ±1mm (standard); length ±2mm (standard).

4.3 Surface Quality & Treatments

H62 brass sheet’s surface quality is tailored to application requirements, with common finishes and treatments:

Surface Treatment Options

• Annealing: 600–650°C for 2–4 hours to restore ductility after cold working;

• Passivation: Forms a protective film to prevent tarnishing and dezincification;

• Nickel Plating: Improves corrosion resistance for harsh environments (e.g., marine use);

• Chrome Plating: Enhances wear resistance and aesthetic appeal for decorative parts;

• Black Oxide Coating: For heat resistance and decorative applications.

5. Production Process & Quality Control

H62 brass sheet undergoes a precision manufacturing process to ensure consistent composition and performance:

1. Raw Material Preparation: High-purity copper (≥99.90%) and zinc ingots are selected to meet composition requirements;

2. Smelting: Copper and zinc are melted in induction furnaces at 950–1050°C; deoxidation and degassing remove impurities (oxygen, hydrogen);

3. Casting: Molten brass is cast into ingots or billets via continuous casting; homogenization annealing (700–750°C) eliminates segregation;

4. Hot Rolling: Ingots heated to 700–800°C are hot-rolled to intermediate thickness (10–20mm);

5. Cold Rolling: 3–5 passes of precision cold rolling to achieve target thickness (0.01–20mm); thickness tolerance controlled to ±0.01mm for thin sheets;

6. Annealing: Continuous annealing at 600–650°C for 2–4 hours to eliminate work hardening and achieve desired temper;

7. Surface Treatment: Pickling (to remove oxide scale), polishing, or plating based on customer requirements;

8. Quality Inspection:

• Chemical Testing: Spectrometric analysis to verify copper-zinc ratio and impurity content;

• Mechanical Testing: Tensile, bend, and hardness tests for each production batch;

• Surface Inspection: 100% visual inspection + automated optical scanning for defects (scratches, pits, tarnish);

• Dimensional Testing: Laser measurement for thickness, width, and flatness.

6. Core Applications

H62 brass sheet’s unique combination of strength, ductility, machinability, and cost-effectiveness makes it indispensable across industries:

6.1 Machinery & Manufacturing

• Precision stamped parts (gears, washers, brackets, valves);

• Deep-drawn components (containers, fittings, pump housings);

• Fasteners (screws, nuts, bolts) and hardware accessories;

• Rationale: Excellent formability and machinability enable high-volume production of complex parts.

6.2 Electronics & Electrical

• Electrical connectors, terminals, and switch components;

• Electronic shielding and heat sinks for small devices;

• Transformer and motor parts (moderate conductivity and thermal transfer);

• Rationale: Balanced electrical performance and ease of processing for precision electronic components.

6.3 Architecture & Decoration

• Decorative panels, door handles, and furniture fittings;

• Musical instruments (brass instruments, guitar strings);

• Plumbing fixtures (faucets, pipes, valves) and bathroom accessories;

• Rationale: Aesthetic appeal (golden hue), corrosion resistance, and ability to be polished to a mirror finish.

6.4 Automotive & Transportation

• Automotive fittings (fuel lines, radiator components, door locks);

• Marine hardware (non-critical parts, with corrosion protection);

• Railway and aerospace auxiliary components;

• Rationale: Strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to vibration for transportation applications.

6.5 Other Critical Applications

• Medical equipment (non-implantable components, due to lead-free formulation);

• Packaging (caps, closures for food and beverage containers);

• Craft and hobby materials (model making, jewelry);

• Rationale: Versatility, safety (low lead), and workability for diverse use cases.

7. Comparison with Similar Grades & Materials

7.1 H62 vs. H59 Brass

7.2 H62 Brass vs. Pure Copper (T1/C11000)

• H62 Brass: Higher strength (370–450 vs. 221–290 MPa), better machinability, lower cost; lower conductivity (28–32% vs. ≥100% IACS);

• Pure Copper (T1): Superior conductivity and thermal transfer; higher cost and lower strength; ideal for electrical/thermal applications.

7.3 H62 Brass vs. Stainless Steel (304)

• H62 Brass: Better formability and machinability; lower cost and weight; poorer corrosion resistance in harsh environments;

• Stainless Steel (304): Superior corrosion resistance and higher strength; higher cost and harder to process; ideal for outdoor and corrosive environments.

8. Cost & Pricing Considerations (2025 Q4 Data)

H62 brass sheet pricing is influenced by copper/zinc commodity prices, thickness, order volume, and surface treatment:

8.1 Global Price Ranges

8.2 Key Pricing Drivers

• Commodity Prices: Copper and zinc prices (LME) account for 65–75% of total cost (2025 Q4: Cu ~$8,500/ton, Zn ~$2,800/ton);

• Thickness: Ultra-thin foil (≤0.1mm) costs 40–60% more than standard sheets (1–6mm) due to precision rolling;

• Order Volume: Bulk orders (≥5 tons) unlock 10–15% discounts vs. small orders (<1 ton);

• Surface Treatment: Polished or plated sheets cost 15–30% more than mill finish;

• Temper: Cold-worked H62 costs 5–8% more than annealed H62 due to additional processing.

8.3 Cost Optimization Strategies

• Bulk Purchasing: Orders ≥5 tons reduce costs by 10–15% via manufacturer direct pricing;

• Standard Sizes: Opt for common dimensions (1220×2440mm, 1500×3000mm) to avoid custom cutting premiums (15–20%);

• Grade Substitution: Use H59 instead of H62 for non-critical applications (saves 10–15% without significant performance loss);

• Domestic Sourcing: Chinese-manufactured H62 brass offers 20–30% cost savings vs. Western suppliers with comparable quality.

9. Supply Chain & Value-Added Services

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 100kg (standard sheets); 500kg (custom sizes/finishes);

• Delivery Lead Time: 7–14 days (stock products); 20–35 days (custom orders, including annealing/plating);

• Packaging: Seaworthy export packaging (moisture-proof plastic film + kraft paper + wooden pallets) to prevent tarnishing; foil products vacuum-sealed;

• Value-Added Services: Precision cutting (laser/plasma), bending, welding, plating, and third-party testing (SGS/BV); additional 5–20% cost;

• Global Supply Hubs: Core production bases in China (Zhejiang, Jiangsu), USA (Ohio, Michigan), and Europe (Germany, Italy); loading ports cover major global logistics hubs.

10. Conclusion

H62 brass sheet stands as the benchmark for versatile, cost-effective brass applications, offering an unbeatable balance of strength, ductility, machinability, and aesthetic appeal. Its compliance with global standards (GB/T 5231, ASTM B36) and strict quality controls make it the preferred choice for machinery, electronics, architecture, and transportation industries where performance and cost efficiency are critical.

While H62 is less conductive than pure copper and less corrosion-resistant than stainless steel, its unique combination of properties justifies its status as the most widely used brass grade worldwide. For cost-sensitive projects, H59 brass provides a viable alternative, while pure copper or stainless steel is recommended for applications requiring extreme conductivity or corrosion resistance.

Backed by a global supply chain, flexible product configurations, and value-added services, H62 brass sheet remains the top choice for engineers and buyers seeking a reliable, multi-purpose material that balances performance, cost, and workability. Whether for precision components or decorative elements, H62 delivers consistent quality and value for high-volume production and custom applications alike.