I. The Indispensability of Brass in Manufacturing

II. Selection Logic and Practical Points of Copper Materials for Hardware Processing

(I) Clarify the Core Usage Requirements and Scenario Parameters of Hardware

• Usage Environment: Distinguish between indoor and outdoor, dry/wet or corrosive environment, temperature zone. For example, salt spray corrosion-resistant copper alloy should be selected for coastal areas, and heat-resistant and oxidation-resistant copper material should be selected for high-temperature environments.
• Load-bearing and Functional Requirements: Clarify the load type and requirements such as wear resistance and electrical conductivity. For example, high-strength and wear-resistant brass should be selected for transmission gears, and high-conductivity copper material should be selected for electronic terminals.
• Service Life and Reliability Requirements: Cost-effective brass should be selected for ordinary daily necessities hardware, and high-quality and stable copper material should be selected for industrial/engineering hardware. Material testing is necessary when required.

(II) Match the Material Characteristics of Copper with Processing Technology Adaptability

1. Classification by Copper Material Type and Adaptable Scenarios

• Pure Copper (Red Copper): Grades are mainly T1-T3, with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and good plasticity, but low strength and high cost. It is suitable for electronic terminals, thin-walled stamping parts, etc.
• Brass: The first choice for hardware processing. Ordinary brass (H62, H65) is suitable for general parts; special brass (lead, tin, aluminum brass, etc.) optimizes specific properties and is suitable for turning, marine environment and other scenarios.
• Bronze: High strength, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, but poor processability and high cost. It is suitable for high-end high-strength and wear-resistant hardware.

2. Key Points of Adaptability Between Processing Technology and Copper Materials

• Stamping/Stretching: Select pure copper T2 and brass H62/H65 with good plasticity; H68 can be selected for thin parts.
• Casting: Select cast brass/bronze with good fluidity, and control impurity content to ensure compactness.
• Turning/Milling: Select lead brass Hpb59-1/Hpb62-3 with good machinability to improve processing accuracy and surface finish.
• Welding: Select pure copper T2 and brass H62/H65, avoid lead brass to ensure welding strength.

(III) Balance Cost Budget and Product Quality

• General low-load parts: Select H62 brass with the highest cost-performance ratio;
• Wear-resistant and machined parts: Select Hpb59-1 lead brass to balance performance and cost;
• High-conductivity and plastic parts: Select pure copper T2 or brass H65; oxygen-free copper can be selected for high-end needs;
• High-end corrosion-resistant and heavy-load parts: Select tin brass, aluminum bronze, etc. to ensure reliability and service life.

(IV) Auxiliary Verification Points for Selection

• Check Material Certificate: Verify the supplier's quality assurance certificate to confirm the grade, composition and mechanical properties;
• Inspect Appearance Quality: No oxidation, cracks, pores and other defects; a smooth surface is more stable;
• Sampling Inspection: Conduct component and mechanical property tests on samples of bulk/important parts to prevent shoddy products;
• Confirm Supplier Qualifications: Choose regular and reputable manufacturers to ensure consistent quality.

III. National Copper Part Grade Comparison Table (Core Common Grades)

IV. Notes on Grade Usage

• The mechanical properties in the table are reference values in the soft state. After cold processing, the strength increases and the plasticity decreases, so the selection should be based on the processing state;
• There may be slight differences in the same grade of copper materials from different manufacturers. The purchase shall be based on the supplier's quality assurance certificate;
• For special performance requirements, customized copper materials can be selected or consulted with manufacturers;
• The writing of grades shall comply with the GB/T 5231-2022 standard to avoid confusion.