If you’re searching “H62 brass,” you’re usually trying to answer one of these fast:
- What is H62 brass made of? (composition / lead content)
- Is H62 the same as C2801 / CuZn37 / C27400? (equivalents)
- Should I choose H62 or 360 brass? (machining vs forming vs corrosion / lead rules)
- Can H62 be cast / machined into my part? (manufacturing route)
This guide gives you a quick selection table first, then the detailed numbers, then a manufacturer / OEM-oriented section if you’re sourcing parts.
Quick selection table: Which brass should you choose?
| If you need… | Best pick | Why it’s usually chosen | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep drawing / bending / stamping parts | H62 | Strong balance of strength + ductility; good cold workability | shells, covers, brackets, decorative hardware |
| High-speed CNC machining with clean chips | 360 brass (C36000) | Industry “free-machining” brass (lead improves machinability) | fittings, threaded parts, valve components |
| Lower cost / stronger “general brass” for hardware | H59 | Lower copper → often cheaper; widely used for general hardware | nuts, bolts, basic turned parts |
| Better ductility / more “copper-like” forming | H65 | Higher copper than H62 → better formability, slightly different balance | deep-drawn parts, decorative formed parts |
| Lead-sensitive markets / compliance | H62 / lead-controlled brass | H62 is typically very low lead, better for compliance than 360 | export parts for regulated markets |
Practical shortcut:
Forming-first → H62/H65. Machining-first → 360. Budget hardware → H59.
What is H62 brass?
H62 brass is a copper–zinc (Cu–Zn) alloy commonly used for general engineering, hardware, decorative parts, and many formed components.
- The “H” is commonly used in Chinese naming for brass.
- “62” refers to the approximate copper content (around 62%).
H62 brass chemical composition
H62 is commonly specified around:
- Cu (Copper): 61.5% – 63.5%
- Zn (Zinc): remainder
- Pb (Lead): typically very low (often controlled to <0.08%)
Exact limits can vary by standard/spec and by supplier melt control. If you need a compliance grade, specify your Pb limit in the RFQ.
H62 brass properties
Below are typical property ranges you’ll see referenced for H62-type brass (final values depend on temper/process).
Physical properties
- Density: ~8.5–8.7 g/cm³
- Thermal conductivity: ~120 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity: ~27% IACS (typical reference value)
Mechanical properties
- Tensile strength: ~372–540 MPa
- Yield strength: ~225–360 MPa
- Elongation: ~24–45% (depends strongly on temper)
- Hardness: ~90–120 (Vickers, typical reference)
Processing characteristics
- Cold working: very good (bending, drawing, stamping)
- Hot working: workable in typical hot-working temperature windows (process-controlled)
- Machinability: moderate (fine for standard turning/milling; not “free-machining” like 360)
- Corrosion: generally good in many environments, but brass families can face dezincification risks in some hot/chloride waters unless specified/controlled
H62 brass equivalents
If you’re buying globally, you’ll often see these listed as common cross-references for H62-type brass:
| Standard system | Often-listed equivalent |
|---|---|
| China (GB) | H62 |
| Japan (JIS) | C2801 |
| Germany (DIN) | CuZn37 |
| USA (ASTM) | C27400 |
| Europe (EN) | CW508L |
Important: “Equivalent” doesn’t always mean identical.
For critical parts (pressure, sealing, electrical, compliance), match composition limits + mechanical temper + testing requirements, not just the grade name.
Common uses of H62 brass
H62 shows up across industries because it’s a balanced alloy:
Electrical & electronics: connectors, terminals, switch parts, conductive housings
Plumbing & general hardware: hardware fittings, brackets, decorative fasteners, covers
Automotive / industrial components: general brass components where forming + durability matters
Decorative parts: architectural hardware, trim parts, nameplates, ornaments
H62 vs 360 brass: what’s the difference?
If you only read one section, read this one.
Composition & lead content
- H62: Cu ~61.5–63.5%, Zn remainder, Pb typically very low
- 360 brass (C36000): similar Cu/Zn base but Pb is intentionally higher (commonly around 2.5–3.7%) to improve machinability
Why it matters:
If your market cares about lead limits (export compliance, potable water rules, low-lead requirements), H62-style low-lead brass is often easier to control than 360.
Machinability (CNC speed & tool life)
- 360 brass: “free-machining” benchmark; chips break nicely; faster cycle times
- H62: machinable but typically not as fast/easy as 360 for high-volume CNC
Rule of thumb:
If your part is mostly threaded/turned, 360 often wins on cost-per-part (when lead is allowed).
Forming vs cutting (bending/stamping vs turning)
- H62: better balance for cold forming (bending, stamping, drawing)
- 360: optimized for cutting, not for deep drawing
Strength & ductility (application fit)
Both can meet many strength needs, but:
- H62 is commonly chosen when you want ductility + forming
- 360 is commonly chosen when you want machining efficiency
Typical applications
- H62: formed shells, stamped hardware, decorative + structural brass parts
- 360: valves, fittings, threaded parts, precision CNC components
H59 vs H62 vs H65: how to choose fast
These three are often compared in sourcing because they’re “close enough” for many parts—but not the same in manufacturing behavior.
What changes as copper content increases?
In general, as copper % increases (H59 → H62 → H65):
- color becomes more copper-like (more reddish)
- forming/ductility often improves
- machinability may decrease compared to free-machining grades
- cost can shift depending on Cu pricing and market supply
Practical selection
- H59: budget-friendly general brass hardware
- H62: balanced “workhorse” brass (great for mixed forming + machining)
- H65: choose when forming/deep drawing is the priority
Can H62 brass be cast?
Yes—H62-type brass can be manufactured via different routes, but the “best” route depends on geometry, tolerance, and volume.
Manufacturing routes that buyers commonly use
- CNC machining from brass bar/rod (best for turned/threaded parts)
- Forging + machining (excellent for strength-critical fittings)
- Investment casting / sand casting / gravity casting (good for complex shapes; then machining critical surfaces)
- Stamping / deep drawing (when the part is shell-like)
Casting considerations
If you plan to cast a brass/copper alloy part, pay attention to:
- Wall thickness uniformity (avoid big thickness jumps)
- Fillets & radii (reduce hot tearing and improve fill)
- Machining allowance (cast surfaces usually need cleanup on seals/threads)
- Porosity control (gating, risers, and process stability matter)
- Surface finish expectation (define whether it’s “as-cast,” polished, plated, etc.)
- Corrosion environment (dezincification risk in certain hot/chloride waters—specify requirements)
How to specify H62 brass for an RFQ step by step
This is the section most buyers skip—then pay for later. Use it to avoid “same grade name, wrong part result.”
Step 1 — Confirm the real function (not just the alloy)
Answer these:
- Is the part formed (bent/drawn) or machined (turned/threaded)?
- Does it touch water, salt, chlorides, or heat?
- Does it need electrical conductivity or cosmetic finish?
Step 2 — Choose the comparison point: H62 vs 360 vs H59/H65
- Mostly formed? H62/H65
- Mostly CNC with threads? 360 (if lead is allowed)
- Cost-driven basic hardware? H59/H62
Step 3 — Lock the compliance requirement early
If your customer/market has restrictions, specify:
- Max Pb (lead)
- Any RoHS/REACH requirement
- Any potable-water or low-lead requirement (if applicable to your market)
Step 4 — Define the manufacturing route & critical dimensions
Tell the supplier:
- process target (machining / casting / forging / stamping)
- critical tolerances
- sealing surfaces / threads / press fits
- inspection method (CMM, gauges, PPAP-like docs if needed)
Step 5 — Specify surface finish + packaging
- as-cast / polished / brushed
- plating (nickel/chrome) if needed
- corrosion protection + packaging requirement
We can take brass & copper-alloy projects (OEM / custom parts)
Yongzhu Casting (casting-yz.com) is known for aluminum die casting, but we also accept brass and copper-alloy part projects when customers need:
- Custom cast parts (investment casting / gravity casting / sand casting options depending on geometry)
- CNC machining for brass/copper alloys (threads, sealing surfaces, precision features)
- Surface finishing (polish, plating coordination, deburr, assembly-ready packaging)
What we need from you (fast quote checklist)
Send any of the following and we’ll respond with a manufacturability review + quote direction:
- 2D drawing / 3D file (STEP/IGES preferred)
- target alloy (H62 / 360 / H59 / H65 or equivalent)
- annual volume + order batch
- key tolerances + inspection requirement
- surface finish / plating requirement
- destination market + any Pb limit / compliance notes
If you’re unsure whether to use H62 or 360, send the drawing + application—our team will recommend a grade and process that hits cost and performance.
FAQ
Is H62 brass better than 360 brass?
Neither is universally “better.” 360 is usually better for high-speed CNC machining and threaded parts (when lead is allowed). H62 is usually better for forming/bending/stamping and for projects that require very low lead targets. Choose based on manufacturing route + compliance.
What is H62 brass equivalent to?
H62 is often cross-referenced to JIS C2801, DIN CuZn37, ASTM C27400, and EN CW508L. But equivalence depends on exact composition limits + temper + property requirements, so confirm the spec sheet if the part is critical.
Is 360 brass the same as C36000?
In most sourcing contexts, “360 brass” commonly refers to ASTM C36000 (free-machining brass). Always confirm the material standard in the RFQ because “360” can be used loosely in catalogs.
What is H62 brass used for?
H62 is widely used for hardware, decorative components, electrical parts, general engineering components, and many parts made by forming + secondary machining.
What is the composition of H62 brass?
H62 is typically around 61.5–63.5% copper, zinc as the balance, and very low lead (often controlled to low levels such as <0.08% depending on the supply specification).
What’s the difference between H59 and H62?
H59 generally has lower copper than H62. In practice, H59 is often used as a cost-effective general brass, while H62 is a more balanced choice for forming + general applications. Your best choice depends on strength needs, forming depth, and cost target.
H62 vs H65 brass: which one is better for forming?
If deep drawing/forming is the priority, H65 is often chosen because its higher copper content can improve ductility/formability. H62 remains a very common “workhorse” for formed parts when you need a balance of properties and cost.
Can H62 brass be cast into complex shapes?
Yes, but outcomes depend heavily on casting method, gating/riser design, section thickness, and machining allowance. If you need tight tolerances or sealing surfaces, plan for secondary machining after casting.
