ASTM B121/B121M-23

Standard Specification for Leaded Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the requirements leaded brass plates, sheets, strips, and rolled bars made from UNS C33500, C34000, C34200, C34000, C35000, C35300, or C35600 copper-zinc-lead alloys. Each product should be manufactured by hot or cold working, and annealed if required, to produce a uniform wrought structure that meets the specified temper properties. This specification also contains information on the standard tempers of rolled and annealed materials as well as the required tensile strength, Rockwell hardness, and grain sizes. The Rockwell hardness test can be used to test for general conformity to the specification requirements for temper, tensile strength and grain size.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes the requirements for leaded brass plate, sheet, strip, and rolled bar for general application produced from Copper Alloy UNS Nos. C33500, C34000, C34200, C35000, C35300, and C35600.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2023
• ICS: 77.150.30 - Copper products
• Technical Committee: B05 - Copper and Copper Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B05.01 - Plate, Sheet, and Strip

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: B121/B121M − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Leaded Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B121/B121M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* B601 Classification for Temper Designations for Copper and
Copper Alloys—Wrought and Cast
1.1 This specification establishes the requirements for
B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
leaded brass plate, sheet, strip, and rolled bar for general
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
application produced from Copper Alloy UNS Nos. C33500,
terials
C34000, C34200, C35000, C35300, and C35600.
E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
1.2 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or
E255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for
SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the
the Determination of Chemical Composition (Withdrawn
text, SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each 3
2023)
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system
E478 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
shall be used independently of the other. Combining values
from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the
3. General Requirements
standard.
3.1 The following sections of Specifications B248 or
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
B248M constitute a part of this specification:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.1 Terminology
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.2 Materials and Manufacture
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.3 Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.4 Sampling—except for chemical analysis
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.5 Number of Tests and Retests
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.6 Specimen Preparation
3.1.7 Test Methods—except for chemical analysis
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.8 Significance of Numerical Limits
B248 Specification for General Requirements for Wrought
3.1.9 Inspection
Copper and Copper-Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled
3.1.10 Rejection and Rehearing
Bar
3.1.11 Certification
B248M Specification for General Requirements for Wrought
3.1.12 Test Reports
Copper and Copper-Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled
3.1.13 Packaging and Package Marking
Bar (Metric)
3.1.14 Supplementary Requirements
1
3.2 In addition, when a section with a title identical to that
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper
and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.01 on Plate,
referenced in 3.1 appears in this specification, it contains
Sheet, and Strip.
additional requirements which supplement those appearing in
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally
Specifications B248 or B248M.
approved in 1939. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as B121/B121M – 16.
DOI: 10.1520/B0121_B0121M-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B121/B121M − 23
4. Terminology 7. Chemical Composition
7.1 The material shall conform to the composition require-
4.1 For definitions of terms related to copper and copper
ments in Table 1 for the Copper Alloy UNS No. designation
alloys, refer to Terminology B846.
specified in the ordering information.
5. Ordering Information
7.2 These composition limits do not preclude the presence
of other elements. By agreement between the manufacturer and
5.1 Include the following specified choices when placing
purchaser, limits may be established and analysis required for
orders for product under this specification, as applicable:
unnamed elements.
5.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue,
7.3 For alloys in which zinc is listed as “remainder,” either
5.1.2 Copper [Alloy] UNS N
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B121/B121M − 16 B121/B121M − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Leaded Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B121/B121M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification establishes the requirements for leaded brass plate, sheet, strip, and rolled bar. The following alloys are
covered:bar for general application produced from
Nominal Composition, %
Copper Alloy Previously Used
2
UNS No. Designation Copper Zinc Lead Iron
C33500 2 63.5 36.0 0.5 .
C34000 3 63.5 35.5 1.0 .
C34200 5 63.5 34.5 2.0 .
C35000 . 61.5 37.4 1.1 .
C35300 4 61.5 36.7 1.8 .
C35600 6 61.5 36.0 2.5 .
Copper Alloy UNS Nos. C33500, C34000, C34200, C35000, C35300, and C35600.
1.2 Units—Values The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the
text, SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B248 Specification for General Requirements for Wrought Copper and Copper-Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar
B248M Specification for General Requirements for Wrought Copper and Copper-Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar
(Metric)
B601 Classification for Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys—Wrought and Cast
B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.01 on Plate,
Sheet, and Strip.
Current edition approved April 1, 2016April 1, 2023. Published April 2016May 2023. Originally approved in 1939. Last previous edition approved in 20112016 as
B121/B121M – 11.B121/B121M – 16. DOI: 10.1520/B0121_B0121M-16.10.1520/B0121_B0121M-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B121/B121M − 23
3
E255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for the Determination of Chemical Composition (Withdrawn 2023)
E478 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)
3. General Requirements
3.1 The following sections of Specifications B248 or B248M constitute a part of this specification:
3.1.1 Terminology
3.1.2 Materials and Manufacture
3.1.3 Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
3.1.4 Sampling—except for chemical analysis
3.1.5 Number of Tests and Retests
3.1.6 Specimen Preparation
3.1.7 Test Methods—except for chemical analysis
3.1.8 Significance of Numerical Limits
3.1.9 Inspection
3.1.10 Rejection and Rehearing
3.1.11 Certification
3.1.12 Test Reports
3.1.13 Packaging and Package Marking
3.1.14 Supplementary Requirements
3.2 In addition, when a section with a title identical to that referenced in 3.1, above, appears in this specification, it contains
additional requirements which supplement those appearing in Specifications B248 or B248M.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
2

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B121/B121M − 23
4. Terminology
4.1 For definitions of terms related to copper and copper alloys, refer
...