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Brass Alloy Reference for Machined Parts
Eight alloys, one table. Machinability against C360 at 100, nominal lead content against the 0.25 percent line, and how each one behaves in water.
Published typical values for the alloy. They describe the material, never a promise from a shop and never a lot certificate. Free to use and to cite.
| Alloy | Lead % | Mach. | DZR | Tensile | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C360 free-cutting brassC36000 · CuZn36Pb3 / CW603N | 2.5 to 3.7 | 100 | Poor | 340 to 470 MPa | The benchmark every other metal is rated against for machinability, and the default for turned brass parts. |
| C385 architectural bronzeC38500 · CuZn39Pb3 / CW614N | 2.5 to 3.5 | 90 | Poor | 380 to 480 MPa | A brass despite the name, supplied mainly as extruded shapes and the default where the part is seen. |
| C377 forging brassC37700 · CuZn39Pb2 / CW612N | 1.5 to 2.5 | 80 | Poor | 350 to 450 MPa | Hot forged to a near net shape then machined only where a sealing face or thread requires it. |
| C69300 silicon brassC69300 · CuZn21Si3P / CW724R | under 0.09lead-free | 80 | High | 600 to 700 MPa | The usual lead-free answer for potable water, roughly twice as strong as C360 and highly dezincification resistant. |
| Bismuth brassC49300 / C49350 · No single EN equivalent, see supplier spec | under 0.25lead-free | 80 | Moderate | 380 to 480 MPa | Bismuth replaces lead as the chip breaker, so it behaves closest to C360 on an existing C360 program. |
| CW602N DZR brassNo direct UNS equivalent · CuZn36Pb2As / CW602N | 1.7 to 2.8 | 80 | High | 360 to 470 MPa | A leaded brass with an arsenic addition and a controlled heat treatment, developed for European water fittings. |
| C464 naval brassC46400 · CuZn38Sn1 / CW712R | under 0.20lead-free | 30 | High | 380 to 600 MPa | About 1 percent tin added for seawater and dezincification resistance, at a heavy cost in machinability. |
| C260 cartridge brassC26000 · CuZn30 / CW505L | tracelead-free | 30 | Poor | 300 to 550 MPa depending on temper | Made for deep drawing and cold forming, not for cutting, and rated 30 against C360 at 100. |
Work out the weighted average lead content for an assembly
Machinability is rated against free-cutting brass C360 at 100. Lead is nominal alloy composition. DZR is resistance to dezincification, the failure mode where zinc leaches out of brass in water and leaves porous copper behind.
Pick one in five questions
Work down the list and stop at the first yes. Most parts land on the last line, which is why C360 dominates machined brass work.
Is the part wetted by drinking water, food or a medical fluid?
Go lead-free and stop here. C69300 silicon brass or a bismuth brass. See NSF/ANSI 61 and 372.
Does it see seawater, hot water or ammonia?
C464 naval brass or a DZR grade such as CW602N. See dezincification.
Does it start as an extruded profile, or does the finish have to look good?
Is it bulky and made in real annual volume?
Ask about C377 forging brass and a near net shape. See forging or machining.
Otherwise
C360 free-cutting brass, and write the reason for the alloy on the drawing so a shop can offer a cheaper compliant option.
All eight datasheets
C360 free-cutting brass
The benchmark every other metal is rated against for machinability, and the default for turned brass parts.
C385 architectural bronze
A brass despite the name, supplied mainly as extruded shapes and the default where the part is seen.
C377 forging brass
Hot forged to a near net shape then machined only where a sealing face or thread requires it.
C69300 silicon brass
The usual lead-free answer for potable water, roughly twice as strong as C360 and highly dezincification resistant.
Bismuth brass
Bismuth replaces lead as the chip breaker, so it behaves closest to C360 on an existing C360 program.
C464 naval brass
About 1 percent tin added for seawater and dezincification resistance, at a heavy cost in machinability.
CW602N DZR brass
A leaded brass with an arsenic addition and a controlled heat treatment, developed for European water fittings.
C260 cartridge brass
Made for deep drawing and cold forming, not for cutting, and rated 30 against C360 at 100.
Know the alloy, still need a shop?
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