Published: February 1, 2026
By: Kai Peng Huang, Technical Specialist at Cymber Metal
H62 brass (also called CuZn38, CZ108, CW608N, 2.0321, C27000, Л62, or C2600) is the workhorse mid-zinc alloy we use when customers need a good balance of strength, formability, and cost. With around 38% zinc, it extrudes beautifully into tubes, draws into rods, and machines cleanly for fittings—stronger than low-zinc H85 but still easy to work. The color is a warm golden yellow, not as red as H85 but still attractive for visible parts.
At Cymber Metal, H62 is one of our most requested brasses for plumbing tubes, hardware, and general fittings. This guide shares what we’ve learned in the shop: properties, processes, common issues, and practical tips to get strong, clean parts.
H62 Brass Equivalent Grades and Properties Overview
| Designation | Standard | Zinc Content | Key Strengths | Best Forms | Machinability/Formability | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H62 | Chinese (GB) | 38% | Good strength, extrudability, corrosion resistance | Tubes, rods, fittings | Excellent | Medium |
| CuZn38 | European | 38% | Balanced properties, weldable | Tubes, hardware | Excellent | Medium |
| CZ108 | British | 38% | Consistent for extrusion | Drawn tubes | Good | Medium |
| CW608N | EN | 38% | High ductility | Fittings, rods | Excellent | Medium |
| C27000 | ASTM | 35–39% | Yellow brass, good forming | Tubes, connectors | Good | Medium |
Quick Tip: H62 for extruded tubes and fittings—higher zinc gives better strength than H85 while keeping great hot workability.
Suitable Processes for H62 Brass
H62 handles both hot and cold working well:
- Hot Extrusion → Core process for seamless tubes.
- Cold Drawing → For rods and precise tubes.
- CNC Turning/Milling → Ideal for fittings and connectors.
- Stamping & Bending → For hardware components.
- Welding → Good for assembly.
Advantages of H62 Brass
- Good strength & formability → Stronger than H85, extrudes easily.
- Warm golden color → Attractive for visible hardware.
- Corrosion resistance → Reliable in water and mild environments.
- Cost-effective → Balanced properties at reasonable price.
- Machinable → Clean chips, good for secondary operations.
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Challenges & Practical Solutions
H62 has higher zinc, so watch these:
- Season cracking risk → Stress relief anneal after heavy forming.
- Hot shortness → Control extrusion temperature carefully.
- Dezincification → In aggressive water, but rare in normal use.
Engineering Experience: In our H62 projects at Cymber Metal, extruding plumbing tubes for European customers sometimes showed surface cracks from residual stress. We fixed it with low-temperature stress-relief annealing after extrusion, consistently delivering crack-free tubes with smooth surfaces and the strength clients need.
Pro Tip: Keep extrusion temperatures steady—too hot and you risk orange peel; too cold and flow suffers.
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Design Considerations & Tips
- Wall Thickness: 0.5–5 mm for extruded tubes.
- Tolerances: ±0.05 mm in extrusion; tighter with drawing.
- Surface Protection: Light oil or lacquer for storage.
- Finishing: Polish or plate for enhanced appearance.
Tooling & Parameter Recommendations
- Extrusion Dies: Polished for smooth flow.
- Example Parameters (Turning H62 rods):
- Spindle: 2,500–4,500 RPM
- Feed: 0.1–0.3 mm/rev
- Light finishing passes
- Lubricant: Essential in drawing for surface quality.
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Common Deliverable Parts We Produce in H62 Brass
- Extruded and drawn tubes
- Plumbing fittings and connectors
- Hardware rods and bars
- Valve components
- Architectural profiles
- General machined fittings
Real-World Applications
- Plumbing and water supply tubes
- Hardware and fasteners
- Automotive fittings
- Electrical connectors
- General industrial components
Cost & Sustainability Factors in 2026
Moderate pricing (~$7–9/kg) with high recyclability and efficient extrusion processes.
Final Thoughts
H62 brass machining and extrusion deliver the strength and formability needed for reliable tubes, fittings, and hardware—striking the right balance for everyday applications.
If you’re sourcing reliable extrusion and machining for H62 brass—whether plumbing tubes, fittings, or custom hardware—Cymber Metal offers stocked material, precise processing, and flexible volumes from prototypes to full production.
Ready to discuss your project? Download our latest brass catalog for specs and examples, or contact our technical team for quotes and support.
Post time: Feb-01-2026