C87500 Polished Brass Foil

Introduction

C87500 is a lead-free silicon-brass alloy copper strip that offers a unique combination of mechanical strength and wear resistance. Its high silicon content, along with a balanced copper-zinc ratio, gives the material excellent anti-galling properties and a low friction coefficient, making it particularly suitable for components that operate under sliding or rotating contact conditions. Additionally, its lead-free composition complies with modern environmental regulations while still maintaining good castability and formability during strip processing.

This copper strip exhibits moderate tensile strength with sufficient ductility for forming and stamping operations, alongside good corrosion resistance in both atmospheric and mildly aggressive environments. Its superior machinability allows for efficient precision cutting and drilling, reducing tool wear and production costs. Common applications include electrical connectors, mechanical bushings, valve stems, and wear-resistant hardware where reliability and longevity are critical. Overall, C87500 copper strip delivers a cost-effective balance of performance, processability, and environmental compliance for diverse industrial uses.

parameter

C87500 Polished Brass Foil

Category	Parameter	Typical Value / Range
General Information	Alloy Type	Lead-free silicon brass (Copper-Zinc-Silicon)
	UNS Number	C87500
	Standard Reference	ASTM B584 / B176 (modified for strip form)
	Temper / Condition	As-rolled (R), Annealed (O), or Hard (H) – customizable
Dimensions	Thickness	0.2 mm – 3.0 mm (customizable)
	Width	10 mm – 300 mm (slit coils or cut-to-length)
	Coil Weight	50 kg – 500 kg per coil (as specified)
	Edge Condition	Slit edge, sheared edge, or deburred
Chemical Composition (wt%)	Copper (Cu)	79.0 – 82.0%
	Silicon (Si)	3.6 – 4.2%
	Zinc (Zn)	Remainder (approx. 14–17%)
	Lead (Pb)	≤ 0.09%
	Iron (Fe)	≤ 0.20%
	Other impurities	≤ 0.50% total
Mechanical Properties	Tensile Strength (Rm)	400 – 550 MPa (depends on temper)
	Yield Strength (0.2% offset)	200 – 350 MPa
	Elongation (in 50 mm)	15% – 25% (annealed condition)
	Hardness	HRB 75 – 90 / HV 140 – 190
Physical Properties	Density	7.9 g/cm³
	Electrical Conductivity	~ 12% IACS
	Thermal Conductivity	~ 35 W/(m·K)
	Melting Range	830°C – 890°C
	Thermal Expansion (20–300°C)	~ 20 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Performance Features	Wear Resistance	Excellent (low friction, anti-galling)
	Machinability	Good (lead-free, silicon-enhanced chip breakage)
	Corrosion Resistance	Good (atmospheric and mild chemical environments)
	Environmental Compliance	Lead-free (RoHS compliant)
Typical Applications	–	Electrical connectors, mechanical bushings, valve stems, wear plates, precision-machined hardware, sliding-contact components

Advantages

Advantages of C87500 Copper Strip

Excellent Wear Resistance & Anti-Galling Properties

The high silicon content (3.6–4.2%) in C87500 forms a hard, finely dispersed intermetallic phase within the copper-zinc matrix, which significantly reduces the coefficient of friction during sliding contact. This unique microstructure resists adhesive wear and prevents galling (cold welding) between mating surfaces, even under high loads or insufficient lubrication conditions. As a result, components such as bushings, wear plates, and valve guides exhibit substantially longer service life and reduced maintenance frequency compared to conventional brass alloys, ultimately lowering total operating costs in demanding mechanical systems.

Lead-Free Composition with Full Environmental Compliance

With a maximum lead content of only 0.09%, C87500 fully complies with RoHS, REACH, and other global environmental directives that restrict hazardous substances. Unlike many traditional free-machining brasses that rely on lead for chip breakage, this alloy achieves its machinability through silicon instead—eliminating health and safety risks associated with lead exposure during manufacturing, handling, and recycling. This makes it a future-proof material choice for industries such as automotive, electronics, and plumbing, where regulatory compliance and corporate sustainability goals are increasingly critical.

Superior Machinability for High-Efficiency Production

The silicon addition not only replaces lead but actually enhances chip formation by promoting short, brittle chips that break easily and clear quickly from the cutting zone. This results in smoother machining operations, reduced built-up edge on tools, and significantly lower cutting forces. Manufacturers benefit from higher feed rates and cutting speeds, extended tool life (often 20–30% longer than with leaded brasses), and superior surface finishes on finished parts. These factors translate directly into reduced cycle times, lower scrap rates, and overall cost savings in high-volume precision machining of connectors, fittings, and mechanical components.

Optimized Balance of Strength, Ductility, and Corrosion Resistance

C87500 delivers a well-rounded mechanical profile, with tensile strength ranging from 400 to 550 MPa and elongation of 15–25% in annealed condition—providing sufficient strength for load-bearing applications while retaining enough ductility for stamping, bending, and forming operations without cracking. Additionally, its corrosion resistance is notably superior to that of standard brass alloys, particularly in atmospheric exposure, mildly acidic environments, and potable water systems, thanks to the protective silicon-enriched surface film that forms naturally. This combination of properties ensures reliable, long-lasting performance across a wide spectrum of industrial uses, from electrical connectors exposed to humidity to mechanical hardware subjected to cyclic stress and environmental attack.

Our case presentation

Applications for C87500 Polished Brass Foil

Electrical & Electronic Components

C87500 copper strip is widely used in the production of electrical connectors, terminal blocks, relay components, and switchgear parts. Its moderate electrical conductivity (~12% IACS) is sufficient for low-to-medium current applications, while its excellent corrosion resistance ensures stable contact performance in humid or mildly aggressive environments. The material's good formability allows for precise stamping and bending into complex geometries without stress cracking, making it a reliable choice for high-reliability electronic systems in automotive, industrial control, and consumer electronics sectors.

Mechanical Power Transmission & Wear-Resistant Parts

Thanks to its outstanding anti-galling properties and low friction coefficient, C87500 is ideal for sliding-contact components such as bushings, thrust washers, wear plates, guide rails, and valve stems. These parts operate under continuous or intermittent motion, often with limited lubrication, where conventional materials would suffer from adhesive wear or seizure. The silicon-hardened microstructure provides exceptional resistance to surface damage, significantly extending maintenance intervals and improving overall equipment uptime in machinery, pumps, compressors, and hydraulic systems.

Plumbing, Valve & Fluid Handling Systems

The alloy's lead-free composition and good resistance to dezincification and general corrosion make it suitable for potable water contact and various fluid-handling environments. C87500 is commonly employed in valve bodies, ball valve seats, faucet inserts, and pump impellers where dimensional stability, pressure tightness, and long-term reliability are essential. Its machinability enables the production of intricate internal flow passages and threaded connections with high precision, while its environmental compliance meets stringent drinking water regulations in North America and Europe.

Precision-Machined Hardware & Industrial Fittings

C87500 copper strip serves as a cost-effective material for a broad range of general-purpose hardware, including lock components, gear blanks, cam followers, instrument parts, and specialized fasteners. The alloy's combination of good machinability, moderate strength, and excellent surface finish allows manufacturers to achieve tight tolerances and smooth as-machined surfaces, often eliminating the need for secondary finishing operations. Its versatility, recyclability, and regulatory safety make it a preferred choice for OEMs and job shops serving diverse industries such as construction equipment, aerospace tooling, marine hardware, and agricultural machinery.

Strength

Company Strength

Our Team

Gnee steel group is a professional one-stop supply chain company for steel products in China. The copper technology has reached the world average technology level and has been approved by dozens of project companies to be the star company in Asia.

Established in 2008 with a registered capital of 5 million RMB, Gnai has made remarkable progress and development in the steel market. At present, the company has a total investment of 30 million yuan, a plant area of more than 35,000 square meters and more than 200 employees. With a clear strategic framework, a complete governance structure, a solid management foundation, and strong financial and human resources, the company is becoming the most professional internationalized steel supply chain company in the Central Plains.

factoury

Factory Showcase