Hot rolled brass sheet
Hot-rolled brass sheet is produced through a hot-rolling process. It exhibits excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and processability, making it widely used in electronics, electrical appliances, bathroom fixtures, and decorative applications. The main brass sheet materials include H62, H65, and H59, with a copper content of 57%-65%, the remainder being zinc. Some grades incorporate elements such as lead and tin for improved performance, such as HPb59-1, which contains 1% lead for enhanced cutting performance. Hot-rolled brass sheet typically ranges from 3 to 50 mm in thickness, with widths up to 1500 mm and lengths up to 3000 mm. Compared to cold-rolled brass sheet, it has coarser grains and greater ductility (elongation ≥30%), making it suitable for complex processes such as hot forging and deep drawing.
The production process of hot-rolled brass plate requires strict control of smelting composition and rolling temperature. First, electrolytic copper and zinc ingots are proportionally smelted in a medium-frequency induction furnace at a controlled melting temperature of 1050-1150°C. Deoxidizers are added to remove impurities and ensure uniform composition (copper content deviation ≤ 0.5%). The molten copper is cast into ingots 100-200mm thick, which undergo homogenization annealing (600-700°C) to eliminate internal stresses. During the hot rolling stage, the ingots are heated to 700-800°C and gradually thinned to the target thickness through multiple hot rolling passes, with each pass reducing the thickness by 20%-30% at a rolling speed of 1-3 m/min to prevent cracking caused by work hardening. After hot rolling, the copper plates are water-quenched, straightened, trimmed, and pickled to remove scale. Finally, mechanical and corrosion resistance tests are performed to ensure product quality.
In the electronics and electrical appliance sector, hot-rolled brass sheet is a key material for conductive components. Transformer terminals utilize H62 brass sheet, whose excellent conductivity reduces contact resistance. A transformer manufacturer using this material reduced equipment operating temperatures by 5°C. Motor commutator segments utilize H65 brass sheet, which is stamped to ensure good contact with the brushes. Test data from a motor brand shows that commutator segments using this high-quality brass sheet have a service life exceeding 20,000 hours. In connector housing processing, HPb59-1 brass sheet, with its excellent cutting properties, allows for rapid production of precision threads, resulting in a 20% increase in production efficiency for an electronics company.
Hot-rolled brass sheet is in high demand in the bathroom and decorative sectors. Faucet valve cores and bodies are hot-forged from H59 brass sheet, whose water resistance ensures long-term corrosion resistance. A bathroom brand using this material has reduced water leakage to below 0.1%. Copper pendants in decorative projects utilize H62 brass sheet. Through engraving and polishing, they create exquisite patterns, combining metallic texture with artistic value. A high-end hotel’s copper art decorations using this material saw a 35% increase in customer satisfaction. In musical instrument manufacturing, brass instruments like trumpets and trombones are made from H65 brass sheet. Its excellent ductility ensures precise forming and rich sound quality, resulting in a 10-point improvement in the sound quality rating of one instrument manufacturer’s products.
With the development of high-end manufacturing and the decoration industry, the performance of hot-rolled brass sheet continues to improve. Manufacturers have developed lead-free, environmentally friendly brass sheet (lead content ≤ 0.01%) that complies with EU RoHS standards, expanding its application in drinking water equipment. To meet high-strength requirements, arsenic-added brass sheet has been developed, increasing its tensile strength to over 400 MPa, making it suitable for high-pressure valve manufacturing. In terms of process innovation, continuous casting and rolling technology is being used to improve the dimensional accuracy of copper sheet (thickness tolerance ±0.05mm), increasing material utilization to 90%. In the future, with the advancement of green manufacturing and consumer upgrades, hot-rolled brass sheet will develop towards high purity, environmental friendliness, and functionalization, providing a higher-quality material option for various industries.
