Brass Machining Service

Take advantage of brass's excellent machinability with CNC machining for precise, custom components.

What is Brass in CNC Machining

 

Brass is a copper-zinc alloy widely used in CNC machining for its ease of cutting and stable performance across a range of parts. This machinability comes largely from small amounts of lead (Pb) or other elements added to the copper-zinc base, which help chips break cleanly during cutting, reduce tool wear, and produce a smoother surface finish. This makes brass one of the easier metals to maintain tight tolerances at high spindle speeds, without frequent tool changes slowing down the run.

Machined Brass Grades We Work With

Brass is a series of copper-zinc alloys. Different brass grades behave very differently under CNC machining. Below are the four grades most frequently used in CNC machining, along with the specs that matter when selecting one for your parts.
Grade Composition (approx.) Tensile Strength Fatigue Strength Key Properties Common Applications
C26000 Cu 68.5–71.5%, Zn balance 300–540 MPa (44–78 ksi) ~130 MPa (19 ksi) Excellent ductility, good cold-forming, moderate corrosion resistance Cartridge cases, hardware fittings, locks, decorative parts
C36000 Cu 60–63%, Zn balance, Pb 2.5–3.7% 340–470 MPa (50–68 ksi) ~110–140 MPa (16–20 ksi) Best machinability, high processing efficiency Precision CNC turned parts, screws/nuts, valve fittings
C46400 Cu 60%, Zn ~39.2%, Sn ~0.8% 380–585 MPa (55–85 ksi) ~140–160 MPa (20–23 ksi) Superior seawater/corrosion resistance, high strength Marine hardware, offshore fasteners, heat exchangers
C69300 Cu/Zn base with Bi/Si replacing Pb 340–420 MPa (49–61 ksi) ~120–140 MPa (17–20 ksi) Lead-free, RoHS-compliant, near-leaded machinability Drinking water parts, food-contact parts, medical fittings

When to Use Brass CNC Machining

You can choose brass CNC
machining when your parts need
  • Tight tolerances and high-volume production
  • Reliable electrical or thermal performance
  • Long-term exposure to moisture or freshwater without added coatings
  • A polished, gold-like appearance for visible or decorative parts
  • Contact with food, water, or medical environments
  • Heavy structural loads: Brass has lower strength than steel.
  • Weight-sensitive designs: Brass is heavier than aluminum.
  • Large-volume production: Brass costs more per unit than aluminum.
  • Long-term bright finishes: Untreated brass darkens over time unless coated or plated.

When Not to Use Brass CNC Machining

Brass may not be the right choice
if your project involves

Brass CNC Machining Part Finishes We Offer

Beyond basic CNC machining, Erye offers a range of surface finishes to give your brass parts the perfect appearance and protection your application requires

Custom Manufacturing Applications

Our brass machined parts are widely used across the following applications.

Related FAQs of Brass Machining Service

Both are free-cutting brass alloys with very similar composition and machinability. H62 is the Chinese standard designation and C36000 is the American standard equivalent. Choice usually depends on which standard your market or drawing references.
By volume, brass bar stock typically costs about 2–3 times more than 6061 aluminum. However, because brass machines faster and causes less tool wear, the actual gap in total per-part cost is often smaller. This needs to be calculated based on the specific part geometry.
No. Anodizing only applies to aluminum. If similar protection or coloring is needed on brass, electroplating or chemical passivation should be used instead.
Brass has good ductility and is well-suited for wall thicknesses of 1mm or greater. For walls thinner than 0.5mm, fixturing method and machining stress should be evaluated during the design stage to avoid deformation.

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We value the relationships we build with our customers. If you have questions about our services, need support, or just want to chat about your project, we're happy to help. Reach out to us anytime, and let's start working together to bring your ideas to life.

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