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INCH-POUND
QQ-B-639C
19 February 2016
SUPERSEDING
QQ-B-639B
18 October 1973

FEDERAL SPECIFICATION

BRASS, NAVAL: FLAT PRODUCTS

This specification was approved by the Commissioner, Federal Supply Services, General
Services Administration for the use of all Federal agencies.

1. SCOPE AND CLASSIFICATION

1.1 Scope. This specification covers four alloys of leaded and nonleaded naval brass flat
products (bar, plate, sheet, and strip) with slit, slit and edge-rolled, sheared, sawed, or machined
edges, but does not include flat products with finished edges (see 6.6).

1.2 Classification.

1.2.1 Alloys. The naval brass covered by this specification will be furnished in the following
alloys: 462, 464, 482, and 485. When the alloy is not specified, copper alloy number 464 will be
furnished.

1.2.2 Forms and tempers. The naval brass covered by this specification will be furnished in
the following forms and tempers, as specified (see 6.2):

Form Temper

Plate, sheet, and bar Soft

Half-hard
Strip Soft
Half-hard
Hard

When temper is not specified, plate, bar, sheet, and strip will be furnished in the half-hard
temper.

Comments, suggestions, or questions on this document should be addressed to DLA Troop

Support – Industrial Hardware Division (ATTN: Code FHTE), 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia,
PA 19111-5096 or email [email protected]. Since contact information can change, you may
want to verify the currency of this address information using the ASSIST Online database at
https://assist.dla.mil .

AMSC/NA FSC 9530

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2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 Other publications. The following document(s) form a part of this specification to the
extent specified herein. Unless a specific issue is identified, the issue in effect on date of invitation
for bids or request for proposal will apply:

American Society for Quality (ASQ):

ASQ Z1.4 - Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attribute.

(Copies of these documents are available from http://asq.org or the American Society for
Quality, 644 North Plankinton Ave., Milwaukee, WI44 North Plankinton Ave., Milwaukee, WI
53203.)

ASTM International Standards:

ASTM B154 - Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper
Alloys
ASTM E8/E8M - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic
Materials
ASTM E1282 - Standard Guide for Specifying the Chemical Compositions
and Selecting Sampling Practices and Quantitative Analysis
Methods for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials

(Copies of these documents are available from http://www.astm.org or the American Society for
Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.)

SAE International

SAE-AMS-STD-185 - Identification Marking of Copper and Copper Base Alloy Mill

Products (Stabilized Type)
SAE-AMS2221 - Tolerances Copper and Copper Alloy Bars and Rods

SAE-AMS2222 - Tolerances Copper and Copper Alloy Sheet, Strip, and Plate

(Copies of these documents are available from http://sae.org or from SAE International, 4700
Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale PA 15096-0001)

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Manufacture. The material shall be manufactured by such hot or cold working followed by
such annealing, and straightening as may be required to produce naval brass conforming to the
requirements of this specification.

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3.2 The material shall be furnished in flat, straight lengths unless material in rolls or on reels or
bucks is speci1ied (see 6.2).

3.3 Chemical composition.

3.3.1 The material shall conform to the chemical requirements specified in table I.

TABLE I. Chemical composition, percent

Copper Other
Alloy Copper Tin Lead Iron 1/ elements Zinc
Number total 1/
462 62.0 - 65.0 .50 - 1.0 .20 1/ .10 .10 Rem.
464 59.0 - 62.0 .50 - 1.0 .20 1/ .10 .10 Rem.
482 59.0 - 62.0 .50 - 1.0 0.4 - 1.0 .10 .10 Rem.
485 59.0 - 62.0 .50 - 1.0 1.3- 2.2 .10 .10 Rem.

1/ Maximum.

3.3.2 Analysis shall be made regularly only for the elements specifically stated in table I. If the
presence of other elements is suspected, or indicated in the course of routine analysis, further
analysis shall be made to determine that the total of other elements is not in excess of the limits
specified.

3.4 Tensile properties. The material shall conform to the tensile properties specified in tables
II, III, IV, and V for the respective tempers.

TABLE II. Tensile properties of copper alloy number 462

Tensile Yield Elongation

Form and temper Thickness, strength, strength, in 4 x thickness,
Inches min., k.s.i. min. 1/,. k.s.i min. 2/, percent

Bar, soft All sizes 45 16 30

Bar, half-hard All sizes 54 25 20

1/ Determined at .5 percent extension under load.

2/ In any case, a minimum gage length of 1 inch shall be used.

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TABLE III. Tensile properties of copper alloy number 464

Tensile Yield Elongation

Form and temper Thickness, strength, strength, in 4 x thickness,
Inches min., k.s.i. min. 1/, k.s.i min. 2/, percent

Bar and plate, .375 and less up to

Soft 30 inches wide 52 20 30
.375 and less over 30
inches wide 50 20 35
Over .375, all widths 50 20 35

Bar and plate,

half-hard .375 and less up to 60 35 20
30 inches wide
.375 and less over 30 57 28 30
inches wide 54 25 30
Over .375, all widths

Sheet and strip,

soft All sizes 52 20 30

Sheet and strip,

half-hard All sizes 60 35 20

Strip, hard All sizes 65 50 10

1/ Determined at .5 percent extension under load.

2/ In any case, a minimum gage length of 1 inch shall be used.

TABLE IV. Tensile properties of copper alloy number 482

Tensile Yield Elongation

Form and temper Thickness, strength, strength, in 4 x thickness,
Inches min., k.s.i. min. 1/, k.s.i min. 2/, percent

Bar and plate, .375 and less up to

Soft 30 inches wide 52 20 30
.375 and less over
30 inches wide 50 20 35
Over .375, all widths 50 20 35
Bar and plate,
half-hard .375 and less up to
30 inches wide 60 35 20
.375 and less over
30 inches wide 57 28 30
Over .375, all widths 54 25 30

1/ Determined at .5 percent extension under load.

2/ In any case, a minimum gage length of 1 inch shall be used.

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TABLE V. Tensile properties of copper alloy number 485

Tensile Yield Elongation

Form and temper Thickness, strength, strength, in 4 x thickness,
Inches min., k.s.i. min. 1/, k.s.i min. 2/, percent

Bar and plate, .375 and less up to

Soft 30 inches wide 52 20 30
.375 and less over 30
inches wide 50 20 35
Over .375, all widths 50 20 35

Bar and plate,

half-hard .375 and less up to
30 inches wide 60 35 20
.375 and less over 30
inches wide 57 28 30
Over .375, all widths 54 25 30

Sheet and strip,

soft All sizes 52 20 30

Sheet and strip,

half-hard All sizes 60 35 20

Strip, hard All sizes 65 50 10

1/ Determined at .5 percent extension under load.

2/ In any case, a minimum gage length of 1 inch shall be used.

3.4.1 Where material is required in special forms and tempers other than those specified in
tables II, III, IV, and V, the material shall be defined and specified (see 6.2).

3.5 Internal stresses. Unless otherwise specified (see 6.2), naval brass, except material of
soft (finished annealed) temper, shall withstand without cracking the mercurous nitrate test
specified in 4.5.3

3.6 Heat treatment. Heat treatment, if any, shall be such as to obtain mechanical properties,
structure and temper required by this specification. When specified (see 6.2), soft material shall be
finish annealed whether previously hot or cold rolled.

3.7 Dimensional tolerances. Dimensional tolerances shall be in accordance with the

applicable AMS2221 or AMS2222.

3.8 Identification marking. When specified (see 6.2), product identification marking shall be ln
accordance with AMS-STD-185.

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3.9 Workmanship. Material shall be uniform in quality and temper, clean, sound, smooth, and
free from foreign material, pipes, slivers, laps, cracks, seams, scale, burrs, buckles, damaged ends
or edges, and other defects which, due to their nature, degree, or extent, detrimentally affect the
serviceability for the intended parts. When some characteristic of workmanship is especially
important to the serviceability of the intended parts, this information shall be included along with the
character of the application of material in the ordering data (see 6.2).

4. VERIFICATION

4.1 Lot. Unless otherwise specified (see 6.2), a lot shall consist of material of the same alloy,
form, temper, and size submitted for inspection at one time consisting of:

a. 10,000 pounds or fraction thereof or

b. The mixture of two or more furnace charges or crucible melts weighing not more than
70,000 pounds into a single ladle or holding furnace used to pour one or more ingots at
the same time.

4.2 Sampling. Samples for the purpose of tests prescribed in this specification shall be
selected in a manner as to correctly represent the material furnished and avoid needless
destruction of finished material when samples representative of the material are available from
other sources.

4.2.1 For chemical analysis. The number of samples specified in table VI shall be selected
from different pieces in each lot. The selected pieces shall be used to prepare samples for analysis
in accordance with ASTM E1282.

TABLE VI. Sampling for chemical analysis.

Pounds of material in lot Number of samples

1/
Up to 2)00, incl. 1
2501 to 5000, incl. 2
5001 to 7500, incl. 3
7501 to 10,000, incl. 4
10,001 to 70,000, incl. 1 2/

1/ If the number of original bars, billets, or cakes from which the material is processed is less
than the number of samples, not more than one sample need be taken from each piece.
2/ See 4.1b.

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4.2.2 For tension test. Unless otherwise specified (see 6.2), two tension test specimens shall
be taken from each lot, and each shall be selected from a different piece unless the lot consists of
one piece in which case one test specimen shall be sufficient. If the lot is 2500 lbs. or less, only
one tension test is required.

4.2.3 For mercurous-nitrate test. Unless otherwise specified (see 6.2), one sample for the
mercurous-nitrate test shall be selected from each lot of naval brass, except material in the soft
(finished annealed) temper.

4.2.4 For visual and dimensional examination.

4.2.4.1 Pieces weighing over 150 pounds. Each piece shall be examined.

4.2.4.2 Pieces weighing 150 pounds or less. From each lot of material with pieces weighing
150 pounds or less, a representative sample shall be selected in accordance with ASQC Z1.4. Lot
acceptance criteria shall be based on a single sampling plan with a zero acceptance number. The
samples selected for dimensional examination may be the same as those selected for visual
examination, but shall be evaluated separately.

4.2.4.3 When material is furnished in rolls or on reels, or bucks, the sample for examination
shall be taken from within 10 feet of the outer end. If the sample selected is rejected due to
handling marks, an additional 20 feet shall be used for re-examination.

4.2.4.4 When material is, as straightened, from coils, rolls, reels, or bucks the sample for
examination shall be taken from within 10 feet of the starting end of each coil, roll, reel or buck. If
the sample selected is rejected due to handling marks an additional 20 feet of each coil, roll, reel or
buck shall be used for re-examination.

4.3 Examination.

4.3.1 Visual and dimensional. Pieces selected in accordance with 4.2.4 shall be visually
examined to determine compliance with the requirements tor identification marking, (sec 3.8) and
workmanship (see 3.9) and shall be measured for compliance with the dimensional requirements
(see 3.7).

4.3.2 Straightness. Straightness shall be determined by placing the piece or sample unit on a
level surface so that the arc or departure from straightness is horizontal. The maximum depth of
arc shall be measured to the nearest .031 (1/32) inch by means of a straightedge and a steel scale.

4.3.3 Preparation for shipment. Examination or the packing and marking for shipment shall be
made for conformance to the requirements of section 5.

4.4 Test Specimens.

4.4.1 Tension tests. Tension test specimens for sheet and strip, and for bar and plate up to
.375 (3/8) inch, inclusive, in thickness shall be machined to the form and dimensions of the
standard rectangular tension test specimen of ASTM E8/E8M. Tension test specimens for plate
and bar over .375 (3/8) inch thick shall be machined to the form and dimensions of the standard
rectangular or the standard round tension test specimen of ASTM E8/E8M, or tested in full section.
The longitudinal axis of the specimen shall be parallel to the direction of rolling. For material up to
and including 1.500 (1-1/2) inches in thickness, the central axis of the test specimen shall coincide

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with the central axis of the material. For material over 1.500 (1-1/2) inches in thickness, the central
axis of the specimen shall be located midway between the center and surface of the piece.

4.4.2 Mercurous-nitrate test specimens. Where practical, the test specimen shall be the full
cross-section of the material and at least 6 inches in length. For large plate, sheet, and strip, a
specimen the full thickness of the material and at least 1 inch wide may be used. Sawed edges
may be machined or flied, but no annealing, bending, springing, or polishing or other preparation of
the test specimen shall be permitted.

4.5 Test procedures.

4.5.1 Chemical analysis. The samples selected in accordance with 4.2.1 shall be analyzed in
accordance with ASTM E1282 to determine conformance with 3.3. A single analysis of the
composite sample may be made.

4.5.2 Tension tests. Specimens from samples selected in accordance with 4.2.2 shall be
tested in accordance with ASTM E8/E8M. The yield strength shall be determined by the extension
under load method in accordance with ASTM E8/E8M. The limiting extension shall be .005 inch per
Inch for all specified yield strength values.

4.5.3 Mercurous-nitrate tests. When required (see 3.5), specimens selected in accordance
with 4.2.3 shall be tested in accordance with ASTM B 154.

5. PACKAGING

5.1 Packaging. For acquisition purposes, the packaging requirements shall be as specified in
the contract or order (see 6.2). When packaging of materiel is to be performed by DoD or in-house
contractor personnel, these personnel need to contact the responsible packaging activity to
ascertain packaging requirements. Packaging requirements are maintained by the Inventory Control
Point's packaging activities within the Military Service or Defense Agency, or within the military
service's system commands. Packaging data retrieval is available from the managing Military
Department's or Defense Agency's automated packaging files, CD-ROM products, or by contacting
the responsible packaging activity.

6. NOTES

6.1 Intended use.

6.1.1 Copper alloy number 462 is cold workable and has the best resistance to corrosion by
salt water of any of the compositions covered by this specification. It consists principally of alpha
grains; has limited hot workability. It is intended for use when cold working, bending, forming, or
shaping is required.

6.1.2 Copper alloy number 464 possesses excellent hot working properties with fair
machinability. It consists of both alpha and beta grains; is hot workable but hardens rapidly on cold
working.

6.1.3 Copper alloy number 482 possesses good hot working properties and good
machinability. It consists of both alpha and beta grains; is moderately hot workable but hardens
rapidly on cold working. The material is intended for use when free machining is required. Copper
alloy number 482 is more machinable than copper alloy number 464.

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6.1.4 Copper alloy number 485 possesses good hot working properties, and the
mach1nab11ity is better than copper alloy numbers 464 and 482. It consists of both alpha and beta
grains; is moderately hot workable but hardens rapidly on cold working. The material is intended for
use when free machining is required and may be used for the following:

Marine hardware
Applications where a corrosion-resisting material is needed.

6.2 Ordering data. Purchasers should select the preferred options permitted herein, and
include the following information in procurement documents:

a. Title, number, and date of this specification.

b. Alloy, form, and temper required (see 1.2).
c. Size of material.
d. When material is to be furnished in rolls, or on reels or bucks (see 3.2 and 3.9).
e. Special forms and tempers required (see 3.4.1).
i. When the mercurous-nitrate test is not required (see 3.1).
g. Whether finish annealing of soft material is required (see 3.6).
h. Lengths, whether specified or stock lengths with or without ends (see 3.7).
i. When product identification marking is required (see 3.8).
j. When some characteristic of workmanship is important, the characteristic and the
application of the material (see 3.9).
K When a lot other than as specified in 4.1 is required.
l. When other than two tension-test specimens for lots over 2500 pounds are required (see
4.2.2).
m. Maximum gross weight of containers.

6.3 Definitions.

6.3.1 Bar. As covered by this specification, a solid rectangular section or one with two plane
parallel surfaces and slit, sheared, sawed, or machined edges, up to and including 12 inches in
width and over .188 inches in thickness.

6.3.2 Plate A flat rolled product over .188 inch (3/16 inch) in thickness and over 12 Inches in
width.

6.3.3 Sheet. A flat rolled product up to and Including.188 inch in th1c·kness and over 20
inches in width.

6.3.4 Strip. As covered by this specification, a flat product, other than flat wire, up to and
including.188 inch in thickness, and furnished with slit, sheared, or alit and edge rolled edges in
widths up to 20 inches, inclusive.

6.4 General information.

6.4.1 The thickness of all flat products should be stated in decimals of an inch.

6.4.2 Plate, sheet, and strip should be ordered in as narrow widths as can be used.

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6.4.3 For purposes of weight calculations, the weight per cubic inch may be taken as .304
pound.

6.4.4 Where no description of the edge of plate, sheet, or strip is specified, the edges
furnished will be the finish (slitting, shearing, sawing) most available to the producer.

6.4.5 When material is ordered in the form of plate, bar, sheet, and strip, it should be
understood that these terms refer merely to the general form and dimensions of the material, and
do not have any technical significance as to the method of manufacture.

6.4.6 Flat products in rolls are generally more economical than material of the same cross-
section in straight or flat lengths.

6.4.7 Sheet and strip may also be furnished in longer commercial lengths in rolls or on reels or
bucks. Plate or bar may be furnished in flat lengths or in rolls.

6.5 Related specification. This specification covers naval brass flat products with slit, slit and
rolled, sheared, sawed, or machined edges. For specifications covering naval brass rod, bar,
shapes and forgings, see ASTM B21, ASTM B124 and ASTM B285..

6.6 The term “k.s.i.” defined as “Thousand pounds per inch”. The term “p.s.i” is obsolete.

6.7 Metric equivalents. 'To obtain tensile and yield strength values in mega-Pascals (MPa),
multiply the value in tables II, III, IV, and V by 6.89.

6.8 Subject term (key word) listing.

Alloy
Copper alloy
Forms

6.9 Changes from previous issues. Marginal notations are not used in this revision to identify
changes with respect to the previous issue due to the extensiveness of the changes.

Custodian: Preparing Activity:

Army – MR DLA - IS
Navy – SH
Air Force - 99 (Project 9530-2015-002)

Review Activity:
Army – AT, MI
Navy – AS, MC, OS, YD
Air Force – 84

NOTE: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of document.
Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the currency of the
information above using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.dla.mil.

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