Are you looking for a material that excels in mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, malleability, conductivity, and even sound absorption? Then it would be best to look at brass. This unique metal combines all those desirable qualities in a single, versatile material.
Brass is a superior copper alloy with a long history of usage in various machining applications. Because of its many benefits, it has developed into an important element of enterprises specializing in the manufacturing of components. Brass is often machined using CNC these days to produce a wide variety of items, including brass gears, pipes and fittings, bearings, flare fittings, and numerous others. Components manufactured of brass like these are used in various fields, including mechanical, automotive, electrical, and musical instrument production.
Brass CNC manufacturing has several advantages over other methods of CNC machining for metal, which is one of the reasons why it is in such high demand. This article will walk you through the six advantages of using brass for CNC machining. It will also assist you in distinguishing which brass grades are ideal for your next endeavor.
6 Main Benefits of Brass CNC Machining
You will better understand why brass CNC machining is always in fashion by reading the following hints.
- High-Speed Machining
The brass’s machinability is considered so high that it is frequently referred to as “100% machinability.” Shear resistance and high tensile strength are some of the mechanical features that are possessed by this alloy. When machining with brass, these qualities help increase the process’s speed. According to the study’s findings, brass CNC manufacturing is capable of rates five to twenty percent greater than those of other metal CNC machining techniques. - Precision Machining & Dimensional Stability
Brass is famous for its dimensional stability, making it an excellent material for production that requires stringent tolerances. Components of brass maintain their original dimensions because the material has a low deformation factor and a strong resistance to impact. - High Workpiece-to-Tool Compatibility
Because there is almost no chip formation during CNC machining of brass, the amount of wear and tear on the tools is quite low. For CNC machining, brass rod workpieces are recommended as the material of choice. These workpieces have a high level of compatibility with almost every kind of CNC machining tool. Productivity in machining is increased when there is less friction and tools have a longer lifespan. - Availability of Numerous Material Grades
Copper and zinc are the two elements that combine to produce brass in its purest form. Brass may be alloyed with various metals, including tin, aluminum, lead, and iron, to make brass alloys with specialized properties. These brass alloys can be used in a variety of applications. Including certain elements may also result in improved qualities, even when just a small amount (less than 0.05%) is included in the mixture. For instance, a trace quantity of tin may provide a brass alloy with outstanding resistance to the corrosive effects of saltwater. - Higher Productivity & Profit
The efficiency of the process is increased thanks to CNC machining of brass is a quick and accurate method. Brass is, in comparison to other materials, an economically suitable material; as a result, its use in machining materials provides advantages to capital investment. Because the tools used in this procedure have a longer lifespan, the expenses associated with changing them regularly are decreased. In addition to that, post-machining treatments are not necessary for the technique being described. The combination of these elements results in increased levels of productivity and profit. - Brass CNC Machining is Environment-friendly
Brass is an alloy made of copper that maintains raw copper’s chemical and physical characteristics. Nevertheless, a few of the properties are improved when using this alloy. As a result, the material that is used in this method is beneficial to the environment. In addition, brass CNC machining does not result in the emission of toxic gases or chemicals into the surrounding environment. The procedure generates no waste since any removed material may be recycled at a rate of one hundred percent. Consequently, this is an environmentally friendly method of machining.
Best Grades for Brass CNC Machining
CNC machining uses a broad range of brass alloys, each of which has unique qualities and applies to a certain sector of the economy. The following table provides a rundown of the top ten brass alloys that should be taken into consideration for CNC machining projects:
| C230 | C330 | C353 | C360 | C365 | C464 | |
| Common Name | Red Brass | Low Leaded Brass | Engravers’ Brass | Free Machining Brass | Brass Plate | Naval Brass |
| Description | Stronger than yellow-gold colored brass | Containing relatively low amounts of lead | Known for being both wear-resistant and strong while maintaining good machinability | The highest machinability Incredible strength due to its content of lead | Named after George Fredrick Muntz | Well known for its incredible corrosion tolerance due to the additions of tin |
| Advantages | Good corrosion resistance Excellent machinability Can be worked cold or hot | High water corrosion resistance High strength Excellent machinability | Good strength Excellent machinability (less than C360) Excellent resistance | Exceptional strength Excellent machinability Good corrosion resistance | Exceptional corrosion resistance and strength (similar to C464) High machinability | Great corrosion resistance and strength Can be hot worked Fair to good machinability compared to the C360 |
| Disadvantages | Can be sensitive to corrosion under severe environments Requires cleaning and careful treatment during its use | Sensitive to highly corrosive conditions (acids) Difficult welding | Not ideal for welding Poor to fair cold and hot working | Lead content can cause a cracked surface finish in some cases Sensitive to acids Possible environmental impact from lead | Not suitable for welding Limited cold formability | Causing structural cracks on the surface of the alloy Prone to dezincification with time |
| Applications | Decorative parts, light fixtures, steam iron parts, architecture, jewelry, sprinklers | Power cylinders, pumps, liners, tubing, ammunition primers | Adapters, watch parts, wheels, couplings, gears, valve stems | Screw machine parts, musical instruments, electrical equipment, plumbing components | Baffles, support sheets, tube sheets for condensers, heat exchangers | Condenser tubes, missile components, naval applications, wear plates, fasteners, bushings |
Final Words
The outstanding potential is offered by brass and its numerous alloys for various applications. Brasses provide multiple benefits, including exceptional strength and the possibility of excellent corrosion resistance, in addition to being incredibly cost-effective in making components by employing machining.
Work with Runsom for Your Machined Brass Parts
So far, the overview and advantages of CNC machining in brass have been discussed. Now, you must be sure to source these CNC machining services from a company you can trust to get the best quality products. Runsom Precision is a reliable supplier of CNC machining services and solutions in China. For more than ten years, we have been serving a multitude of critical industries including medical, automotive, marine, aerospace, and much more. And we are proficient in creating high-precision brass components with advanced CNC machining technologies and a wide variety of grades of brass materials.
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