Sequoia Brass & Copper (SBC) has supplied clients in various industries with high-quality brass, copper, and bronze since 1983. With our expert attention to quality and detail, custom-cutting capabilities, and competitive pricing, we can help you find the ideal nonferrous metal option for your project.
A versatile copper-zinc alloy, brass is known for its strength, machinability, conductivity, resistance to wear and corrosion, and several other desirable characteristics. Brass classifications are based on the amount of copper, zinc, and other alloying agents that make up the material’s chemical composition.
Our extensive product catalog includes a wide selection of brass materials. One such product offering is alloy 272 brass, also known as yellow brass, which we supply in tubes of varying diameters and thicknesses.
Yellow Brass Composition
Also known as 272 brass, C27200, and CuZn37, yellow brass consists of 62% to 65% copper and approximately 37% zinc, as well as small percentages of lead, iron, nickel, and tin. CuZn37 has extensive applications in industrial and architectural projects.
C27200 Brass Properties
The chemical composition of C27200 brass has a significant effect on its properties.
Strength
Higher zinc levels in C27200 brass improve its strength and ductility, giving it a yield tensile strength of 59,500 psi and a shear strength of 43,500 psi. Manufacturers can increase the alloy’s strength through cold-working, making it a good material for cold headed parts, fasteners, etc.
Corrosion Resistance
The addition of tin to C27200 brass creates an alloy that’s resistant to water, vapors, and most organic liquids, making it well-suited to applications involving the transfer of or exposure to these substances.
Formability
An alloy’s formability refers to its capacity to withstand shape distortion without incurring damage. Brasses like C27200 offer greater malleability than other metals, allowing manufacturers to cast them into various sizes and shapes for use as tubing, liners, and more.
Electrical Conductivity
As a copper-based alloy, C27200brass offers excellent electrical conductivity of approximately 27.6% IACS at 68° F. Conductivity decreases in correlation with cold deformation and grain size.
Thermal Conductivity
The material has an outstanding thermal conductivity as well, at 67 Btu/sqft./ft. hr./° F at 68° F. Manufacturers often use yellow brass to produce components for heat exchangers and other applications that require accelerated heat transfer across metal sections.
Advantages of C27200 Brass
Brass exhibits qualities similar to those of copper, but the addition of zinc and other alloying agents enhances the metal’s benefits. C272 brass is advantageous for its:
- Superior strength and hardness compared to pure copper metals and other alloys
- Good strength retention
- Resistance to corrosion and industrial environments exposing parts to water, salt, and solutions
- Ductility
- Easy formability
- Cost-effectiveness for reduced material costs
- Antibacterial nature
C27200 is the primary alloy manufacturers use for cold forming processes, but it doesn’t hold up against hot working. The increased zinc content that makes C27200 brass less expensive than other varieties can also make the alloy more susceptible to stress or cracking related to dezincification, a process in which zinc from an alloy dissolves and leaves behind a material that’s less structurally sound. Including tin as an alloying agent mitigates risk, and manufacturers can apply stress-relieving measures should this type of corrosion occur.
Applications of C27200 Brass
C272 brass is highly versatile, with applications ranging from electrical equipment and plumbing components to architectural design pieces. Some of the most common industrial uses of C27200 are:
- Fasteners
- Hinges
- Bearings
- Gears
- Valves
- Cold headed parts
- Heat exchanger shells
- Pump cylinder liners
- Plumbing components
- Hose couplings
Many brass alloy classifications are available, but the qualities of C27200 brass — like corrosion resistance, superior strength, excellent electrical conductivity, good formability, and outstanding thermal conductivity — make it a safe choice for applications across diverse industries.
C27200 Brass From SBC
SBC has the knowledge, experience, and high-quality material solutions to help you find the right brass for your unique project. In addition to C27200 brass, we also offer the following options to fulfill your various needs:
Contact us for additional details on how C27200 brass or our other alloy variations could benefit your next application, or request a quote today. You can also find more information in our C27200 brass tube catalog.