Brass is a soft alloy because it consists of copper and zinc. In addition, it is easy to form, stamp and machine. Due to its durability, excellent ductility, high resistance to rust and thermal conductivity, brass has become a common product.
Depending on its application, brass may contain tin, lead, nickel, magnesium or chromium. And because of its copper content, brass is preferred in CNC machining because of its electrical and thermal conductivity. In addition, the presence of lead improves machinability, making brass one of the most machinable copper alloys. In CNC machining, brass is one of the most used materials.
In this brass CNC machining guide, we will examine the properties of brass and the various brass grades used for custom brass parts. We will also review brass manufacturing applications and factors to consider when selecting brass for machining projects.
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Best Brass Grades For CNC Machining
Numerous brass alloys are used in CNC machining, with a wide variety of properties, and they are useful for distinct industries. The table below shows 9 of the most important brass alloys for you to consider for CNC machining projects:
| Brass Grade | Common Name | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages | Applications |
| C36000 | Free-Cutting Brass | A leaded brass alloy with excellent machinability and good corrosion resistance. | Easy to machine, good corrosion resistance, good electrical conductivity. | Lower strength compared to non-leaded brass alloys, may cause environmental concerns due to lead content. | Plumbing fixtures, electrical components, decorative hardware. |
| C46400 | Naval Brass | A high-strength brass alloy with good corrosion resistance and excellent ductility. | High strength, good corrosion resistance, excellent ductility. | Higher cost compared to other brass alloys, not suitable for high-temperature applications. | Marine hardware, valves, pumps, bearings. |
| C26000 | Cartridge Brass | A relatively low-cost brass alloy with good corrosion resistance and excellent cold-working properties. | Easy to cold work, good corrosion resistance, good electrical conductivity. | Lower strength compared to other brass alloys, not suitable for high-temperature applications. | Ammunition casings, automotive components, musical instruments. |
| C28000 | Muntz Metal | A brass alloy with good strength and excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in seawater. | Good strength, excellent seawater corrosion resistance, good machinability. | Not suitable for high-temperature applications, not as easy to machine as some other brass alloys. | Shipbuilding, architectural applications, plumbing components. |
| C37700 | Forging Brass | A brass alloy with excellent hot and cold forging properties, as well as good corrosion resistance. | Excellent hot and cold forging properties, good corrosion resistance, good machinability. | Higher cost compared to some other brass alloys, not suitable for high-temperature applications. | Automotive components, plumbing fixtures, electrical components. |
| C38500 | Architectural Bronze | A lead-free brass alloy with a distinctive golden-brown color and good weather resistance. | Attractive color, good weather resistance, lead-free. | Lower strength compared to other brass alloys, not suitable for high-stress applications. | Architectural applications, decorative hardware, sculpture. |
| C44300 | Admiralty Brass | A copper-zinc-tin alloy with good corrosion resistance in both freshwater and seawater environments. | Good corrosion resistance in both freshwater and seawater, good heat transfer properties. | Not suitable for high-stress applications, lower strength compared to other brass alloys. | Heat exchangers, condenser tubes, marine hardware. |
| C46400 | Naval Brass | A high-strength brass alloy with good corrosion resistance and excellent ductility. | High strength, good corrosion resistance, excellent ductility. | Higher cost compared to other brass alloys, not suitable for high-temperature applications. | Marine hardware, valves, pumps, bearings. |
| C22000 | Commercial Bronze | A copper-zinc alloy with good strength, wear resistance, and ductility. | Good strength, wear resistance, ductility. | Not as corrosion-resistant as some other brass alloys, not suitable for high-temperature applications. | Architecture, hardware, decorative objects. |
What are the advantages of Brass CNC Machining?
Brass offers helpful properties that make it a perfect option for a number of applications. Below are some of the benefits of brass when it comes to CNC machining.
Malleability
Brass is extremely malleable due to its copper content. However, the metal is even more malleable than copper. Its high malleability makes it an easy choice for machining projects. This is because the machinists can easily manipulate the metal into different shapes. This is why custom brass machined parts.
Its strength and hardness
Brass is also renowned for its strength despite its easy machinability. While it is not as strong as steel, it is also quite durable.
It is corrosion resistance
One of the properties which make brass a suitable choice for machining is its corrosion resistance. This property is one of the reasons why tools made out of brass have a long tool life. Also, it makes parts made out of the material suitable for use in liquid environments. However, its corrosion resistance level depends on the number of constituents like iron and aluminum.
Better machinability
One of the major factors considered in machining is the aesthetic appeal of the finished part. With its bright golden color, brass definitely has the look to go with its other properties. Its beautiful natural finish means brass machined parts can be used without external finishes.
Very attractive
One of the major factors considered in machining is the aesthetic appeal of the finished part. With its bright golden color, brass definitely has the look to go with its other properties. Its beautiful natural finish means brass machined parts can be used without external finishes.
How do you cut and shape brass?
Brass is an attractive metal that can be used with a variety of materials. Fortunately, it is available in different sizes and shapes. However, if you want to use brass, you need to cut and shape it.
There are brass rods, brass tubes and brass plates. This means that you will need to learn how to cut and shape it in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Cutting brass
To cut small brass rods and tubes, you can use a hacksaw or pliers. However, for larger bars, you may need to use a large cutter.
In most cases, brass tubing, rods and plates can be cut with a handy electric rotary. Since it is not a hard metal, it can be cut to the size and shape you want.
Shaping brass
After cutting brass, you will need to bend and shape it to suit your needs. Happily, brass is also very easy to bend and shape. For example, brass wire can be bent and shaped with a pair of pliers.
But shaping brass pieces can be a bit difficult. However, you can use a variety of tools to simplify the work.
Finishing Options For CNC Machined Brass
As machined
Some people prefer to use machined brass parts because of the natural beauty of the brass surface. In most cases where this finish is used, the focus is usually on the function of the part rather than the aesthetics. However, these parts can be easily damaged.
Buffing
This involves using wheels and abrasive discs to polish the surface of custom brass parts. The abrasives on the discs help remove any impurities and give a smooth surface.
Electroplating
This finishing option uses electrolysis to bind molecules of another metal to the surface of the brass part. Examples of metals used include aluminum, stainless steel, etc. Electroplating usually has a glossy or smooth finish.
Honing
This finishing process involves the use of a grinding stone on the surface of the finished part. And it gives a cross-shadow pattern on the surface of the brass part.
Powder Coating
This finish involves the use of a free-flowing dry powder to coat the surface of a custom brass part. Powder coating improves the corrosion and wear resistance of the brass metal.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Brass For CNC Machining
Choosing brass for a CNC machining project might be a little trickier than it seems. Since there are various grades of metal, you need to consider which of these grades’ characteristics are a fit for your project. So, it would help if you made a checklist of factors to consider before settling on a particular grade. We’ve shortlisted some factors you can work with below:
Design for Manufacturability
DFM Principles are vital in any machining process. Although brass grades are quite easy to machine, you must ensure your parts design is not too complex for machining. Also, it is advisable to minimize the number of machine setups needed. This helps to reduce the machining cost for the project.
Machining Time Required for the Part
The lead times for various projects differ, which is a huge factor in determining the brass grade to use. In CNC machining brass, the C360 alloy is the best variant in terms of machinability. So, if you need a custom brass part urgently, the C360 is an overwhelming material favorite. However, if you require other properties apart from machinability, you could assess other grades like the C230 or the C220.
The Application of the Finished Part
The various compositions of the brass grades mean they all have varying strengths and weaknesses. This means where you plan to use the part will affect the brass suitable for the machining project. For example, if the part is meant for underground pipelines, it is better to use the C230 grade.
Applications Of Brass Machined Parts
- Hinges
- Knobs
- Plumbings
- Bells
- Jewelry
- Gears
- Door trim, and so on.
Conclusion:
Brass This metal is easy to machine, a property that is due to the presence of lead in its composition, making it a suitable choice for CNC machining. The properties of brass can be adjusted by varying the copper and zinc content to produce different grades of brass. Brass does not have its own natural coating, but its natural golden surface means that you can machine parts with machined brass.
