Brass CNC Machining Service
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CNC Machining Brass
Brass refers to a wide range of zinc-copper alloys. These alloys vary depending on their zinc content as well as the content of other alloying elements such as lead. Because of the copper element, brass has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. It also has excellent wear resistance and weather resistance. The addition of lead improves workability, making brass the easiest to work of all copper alloys. Select brass CNC machining in the Findtop real-time quote engine.
Brass refers to a wide range of zinc-copper alloys. These alloys vary due to their zinc content and the content of other alloying elements such as lead, aluminum and iron. It also has good wear resistance and weather resistance.
Brass At a Glance
| Application | Brass is used in a range of applications to include radiator cores, bearings, ammunition casings, and gears. |
| Advantages | Highly machinable, corrosion-resistant, low friction |
| Disadvantages | Tends to oxidize or tarnish if not maintained |
| Lead Time | Lead time is generally a minimum of 3 days. However, this can increase depending on the brass grade used or if the parts are to be internationally manufactured. |
| Price | $-$$ |
| Tolerances | Machining tolerances depend on the brass used. However, a tolerance of 0.005” (0.13mm) is generally achievable. |
| Wall Thickness | A minimum wall thickness of 0.03” (0.8mm) is achievable. This can vary depending on the ratio of wall thickness to planar dimension. The specific brass grade used will also affect the achievable minimum wall thickness. |
| Max Part Size | The maximum size of the part is determined by the machines available and the complexity of the part. |
Cartridge Brass (Copper C260)
C260 Copper is an alloy formulation containing approximately 30% zinc and less than 1% lead and iron. This grade is sometimes referred to as barrel brass, due to its history of use in gun barrels. Other common applications include bolts, hinges and radiator chips.
Cartridge Brass Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 90 | 68 | 53 | 8.53 |
Free-Cutting Brass (Copper C360)
C360 copper, also known as free-cutting brass, is highly machinable due to the relatively high content of lead in the alloy. Typical applications include gears, screw parts, and valve components.
Free-Cutting Brass Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 124 to 310 | 138 | 53 | 63 to 130 | 8.49 |
Finishes and Post-Processing Options
Brass is not usually coated due to its inherent electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance and low coefficient of friction. If the application needs to be exposed to the environment and visual effects are desired, translucent coatings can be considered.
Hand polishing, mechanical polishing or grinding: Brass is often used for decorative purposes. Part of the reason is that different brass alloys show different colors. The polished brass can produce a very smooth and glossy surface, making it ideal for visual components.
Cost-saving Design Tips
Brass is an expensive material, so measures are recommended to optimize its use.
Design for Production (DFM): Although brass is easy to process, parts need to be designed according to applicable DFM principles. In addition, designing parts to minimize machine setup times will further reduce machining costs.
Design simple structure: Design simple shapes and features to reduce material consumption.