Brass is a copper-zinc alloy, other metals like lead and iron are also added to produce unique characteristics.
As a copper alloy, brass has many properties that are similar to copper. However, it has a few distinct properties compared to the pure copper. Such as stronger and stiffer, more malleable, easy to work, etc.
Brass is one of the commonly used metals in producing custom-machined parts. what are the benefits, what are the popular grades, advantages, and applications? The questions will be answered in this article, let us dive in.
What are the benefits of brass in CNC machining?
Excellent Machinability
Due to the lead composition contained, the brass can be easily cut and formed by using CNC machining processes, furthermore, the brass material has low cutting resistance that helps to efficient chip formation, thus reducing the tool wearing.
The easy-to-be machined property of the brass makes it an ideal material to produce complex components.
Wide Range of Grades
Brass is available in various grades, each with its specific characteristics. This allows the engineers to choose the suitable grade of brass for their application requirements.
Different brass grade has different characteristics in strength, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity.
High Dimensional Stability
Due to high thermal conductivity and low thermal deformation rate, the cutting heat generated in the CNC machining process dissipates very fast, resulting in the dimensional stability of the machined brass parts.
This stability makes the brass ideal for producing precision machined brass parts with tight dimensional tolerances.
Commonly used brass for CNC machining.
There is a variety of grades available for brass, each grade of brass has its unique material makeup.
For CNC machining parts, the commonly used grade is listed below:
C260-Cartridge brass
Alloy C260 is also known as cartridge brass, it is a copper-zinc alloy that has
a shiny, yellow appearance.
According to ASTM B927/B927M-17, C260 brass is made up of 68.5-71.5% copper, contains up to 0.07% lead and 0.05% iron and the remaining is Zinc.
C260 is suitable for applications that involve exposure to the environment,
due to its corrosion resistance. Also, it is ideal for use in many manufacturing processes like machining, forming, and bending, because of its high flexibility.
Some applications for C260 brass include:
- Fasteners
- Instruments
- Locks
- Hinges
- Electrical connectors
- Radiator tanks
- Lamps
- Bathroom fixtures
C360-Free-cutting brass
Alloy C360 is known as free-cutting brass, also called lead brass. It is a copper-zinc alloy that contains more lead.
C360 brass is made up of 60-63% copper, and 2.5-3.7% lead, it also contains up to 0.35% iron and the remaining is Zinc.
This alloy is the most common type of brass, it is known for having excellent machinability, as well as it is suitable for fabrication processes like soldering and brazing.
Some of the applications for C360 include:
- Fittings
- Valves
- Musical instruments
- Adapters
- Bolts
- Nuts
- Connectors
C353-Clock brass
Alloy 353 is also referred to as clock brass, it is often used to fabricate small precision components, such as clock and watch parts, because of its superior machinability.
C353 brass is made up of 60-63% copper, and 1.5-2.5% lead, it also contains up to 0.1% iron and the remaining is Zinc.
This alloy is excellent for soldering and it has better formability than C360,
as well as excellent machinability that makes it ideal for producing the components with precise measurements. However, it is not good for
welding or hot working.
You can find some applications for C353 as follows:
- Bearings
- Gears
- Clock and watch components
- Screws
- Wheels
- Couplings
Advantages of using CNC brass components
There are a variety of advantages by using CNC brass parts, some are listed below:
Electrical Conductivity
Due to the brass alloy containing Zinc, the electrical conductivity of brass
( 15.9 x 10⁶siemens/ meter ) is lower than that of pure copper ( ~58.7 x 10⁶ Siemens/m ).
However, the brass is harder and easier to fabricate than pure copper, so it
is widely used in the applications that require both electrical conductivity
and easy to machine.
Good Conductor of Heat
Being a mixture of Cu and Zn, brass alloy has a high thermal conductivity of 146.87 W/m.K, and thermal conductivity is the factor that decides the heat conduction capability of a material, so brass is a good conductor of heat,
it can transfer the heat rapidly.
Corrosion Resistance
Brass resists corrosion, it has very good corrosion resistance in most atmospheric applications, and certain brass alloys can even work well
in seawater.
This property makes it a preferred choice by many designers and manufacturers. You can find brass parts in a variety of applications,
like furniture, plumbing fixtures, hardware, etc.
Durability
Brass has been used for centuries for various purposes, including jewelry, musical instruments, and home decor. It is one of the most durable metals.
So what makes it so durable?
Two main factors contribute to the durability of brass.
One factor is its anti-corrosion property that makes it not easy to rust or corrode when exposed to water or moisture environment.
Another factor is its resistance to wear and tear, brass is much stronger
than other softer metals like aluminum or copper, and the brass parts do
not easily deform when exposed to applications with pressure or impact
load.
Aesthetic Appeal
The distinctive golden appearance of brass gives it an aesthetic appeal,
which makes it popular to use in applications that require stylish and
elegant appearance, like railings, room dividers, and interior decorations.
Recycling Potential
Brass is recyclable and is combined with high residual value, you can
infinitely recycle it.
The recycling process uses less energy than that of producing new brass
from raw materials, also it reduces the requirement of new brass production by recycling the brass scrap.
Overall, brass recycling can conserve resources and reduce waste.
Applications of the custom brass parts
Custom CNC machined brass components are commonly used for applications in various industries, including:
- Automotive industry
- Aerospace industry
- Electronic industry
- Medical industry
- Telecommunications industry
- And more
Precision CNC Machining Brass Parts FAQ
1). What is CNC machining and how does it relate to brass parts?
CNC machining is a manufacturing process for producing brass parts and components with high accuracy and efficiency.
2). What are the advantages of utilizing brass for machined parts?
Brass, being an alloy of copper and zinc, exhibits low friction and tensile strength, making it suitable for applications requiring high corrosion resistance and precision machining.
3). How does CNC milling apply to the production of brass components?
CNC milling is a popular process in the production of brass components, as it allows for precise shaping and detailing of the material to achieve custom specifications.
4). What makes brass one of the easiest materials to machine?
The easy-to-work property of brass, particularly free-machining brass like brass C360, makes it one of the easiest materials to machine, enabling the production of complex custom parts.
Conclusion:
Brass has excellent machinability and high dimensional stability, it is suitable for producing high-accuracy brass CNC machined parts.
The commonly used brass for CNC machining parts are C260, C360, and C353. Brass exhibits a few advantages in machining CNC parts, thus brass CNC parts can be found in various industries, such as electronic, medical, and automotive industries, etc.
At CY Manufacturing, our machining capabilities enable us to produce custom brass parts with high quality.
If you have precision CNC machined brass parts need to be made for your projects, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Reference:
Wikipedia.