Brass plated hose wire is a very high carbon, very high tensile steel wire coated with a thin layer of brass (copper-zinc alloy). It is used as the primary reinforcement material in high-pressure rubber and thermoplastic hydraulic hoses, where it provides the tensile strength to contain fluid pressure while the brass coating promotes adhesion between the wire and the rubber compound.
Our secondary brass plated hose wire is material that fell outside a specific prime order — typically due to brass plating thickness variation, diameter tolerance, or tensile range. The wire properties (high carbon, high tensile) are intact. This is second choice quality — not first choice prime — but fully functional for a wide range of applications.
Brass Plated Hose Wire — Properties & Specifications
Single filament brass plated wire is very high carbon (C1070–C1090), typically 2,400–3,100 MPa tensile strength. The brass plating (approximately 70% Cu / 30% Zn) is applied via electroplating to a thickness of 0.15–0.35 μm. Diameters commonly range from 0.15mm to 0.90mm. It is supplied on spools or in coils. The single filament format distinguishes it from multi-strand steel cord used in tires.
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Carbon Grade | C1070–C1090 (very high carbon) |
| Tensile Strength | 2,400–3,100 MPa (varies by diameter) |
| Diameter Range | 0.15mm – 0.90mm |
| Coating | Brass (70% Cu / 30% Zn), electroplated |
| Coating Thickness | 0.15–0.35 μm |
| Supply Form | Spools or coils |
| Quality | Secondary / Second choice (non-prime) |
Who Buys Surplus Brass Plated Hose Wire?
Hydraulic hose manufacturers are the primary market for single filament brass plated wire. High-pressure hydraulic hose — used in construction equipment, agricultural machinery, industrial hydraulic systems, and automotive applications — is reinforced with layers of brass-plated wire wound in alternating spiral directions. The brass plating bonds the wire to the rubber compound during vulcanization, creating a composite structure that can withstand pressures of 3,000 psi and above. Second choice brass plated wire that meets the tensile, diameter, and adhesion requirements of a specific hose construction is routinely used by hose manufacturers.
Thermoplastic hose manufacturers — producing hose for medium-pressure hydraulic and pneumatic applications — are a second important market. Thermoplastic hose is braided rather than spiral-wound, and the wire requirements are similar. Many thermoplastic hose manufacturers have incoming specification ranges that accommodate second choice wire, particularly for standard medium-pressure constructions.
Wire brush manufacturers and specialty abrasive product producers purchase brass plated wire for bristle stock. The high tensile strength and fine diameter of hose wire make it ideal for industrial wire brushes used in surface preparation, weld cleaning, and deburring. Contact us with your diameter range, tensile specification, and quantity to receive current offers on available lots.
Sourcing & Availability
Single filament brass plated hose wire is produced at specialized wire facilities — the same operations that produce multi-filament brass plated tire cord. The drawing process achieves very fine diameters (0.15mm to 0.90mm) at very high tensile strength (2,400–3,100 MPa), and the brass plating is applied through a carefully controlled electroplating process to achieve the target thickness of 0.15–0.35 μm. Second choice material arises when plating thickness falls slightly outside the prime tolerance, when tensile values are at the edge of the range, or when a production run exceeds the ordered quantity.
Continental Trading Corp. has sourced brass plated hose wire from North American producers for many years. Availability is periodic — hose wire is produced in lower volumes than commodity wire products. When available, we offer a range of diameters and tensile grades. All plating chemistry and tensile data available from the producer is communicated with the offer.
Hose wire ships on precision spools and must be handled carefully to maintain spool integrity during transit. We have experience exporting this product to hose manufacturers in Asia and the Middle East. Register your diameter, tensile, and quantity and we will notify you when matching lots are available.
Applications
Primary applications include hydraulic hose reinforcement (spiral wound and braided layers), air hose reinforcement, and flexible conduit reinforcement. In the secondary market, our customers have repurposed brass plated wire for wire brush manufacturing, specialty abrasive products, and fine-wire weaving. The combination of fine diameter and high strength makes it useful in any application requiring a strong, flexible, corrosion-resistant filament.
Contact us with your diameter, tensile grade, and quantity.