Brass – Materials and norms

Material

Bronze
Brass
Copper
Cast Iron
Aluminum

Brass

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. In engineering, only alloys with copper content of at least 58 % are used. Due to the wide range of Cu to Zn ratios and other alloy surcharges, the properties of brasses also differ significantly. In general, brass has good machinability, corrosion resistance, good electrical and thermal conductivity and a low melting point.

Brass is still commonly used in cases where low friction and endurance of components is required, for example in locks, hinges, gears, bearings, firearm cartridges, zippers, water pipes, hose couplings, valves, electrical plugs… For safety reasons (to avoid sparks), brass is applied in fittings or tools used near flammable or explosive substances. Brass is also used in production of musical instruments, dishes and jewelry.

We supply brass in the form of bars (round, flat, square, hexagonal, hollow), tubes or sheets (plates).

Below you will find a selection of the most common material grades we work with. If you are interested in another grade or alloy, do not hesitate to contact us.

Grade

ČSN

DIN

ASTM (UNS)

GOST

Afnor

Cu60ZnSi

055686

CF724R

Cu60ZnSi

This material is used for welding and soldering wires or rods (for soldering steel and copper or nickel alloys). Working temperature ranges from 920 to 950 °C.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Sn	Fe	Si	Cd	Sb	Bi	Al	As
58.50–61.50	≤0.02	≤ 0.2	≤ 0.25	0.20–0.40	≤ 0.03	≤ 0.01	≤ 0.01	1E–3	1E–3

CuZn16Si4

423303

CC761S

C87500

LC15K4

CuZn16Si4

Some customers may also know this alloy as silicon tombac. The silicon content leads to a strengthening of the metal matrix, while the material retains its good cold and hot ductility. Due to its corrosion and salt resistance, it is used in fittings for seawater and saline solutions.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Sn	Fe	Ni	Al	Mn	Si	P	Sb	Zn
78.00–83.00	≤0.80	≤ 0.30	≤ 0.60	≤ 1.00	≤ 0.10	≤ 0.20	3.00–5.00	≤0.03	≤0.05	rest

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
GS	100	400	230	10
GZ	130	500	300	8

CuZn25Al5

423311

CB762S

2.0598

C86200

LC23AZ3Mc

CuZn19AI6Y20

CuZn25Al5

Due to the presence of aluminum, manganese and iron, CuZn25AI5 (or CuZn25AI5Mn4Fe3) is a relatively light material. However, its strength also makes it suitable for components exposed to high static loads, worm wheels or internal parts of high-pressure valves.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Sn	Fe	Ni	Al	Mn	Si	P	Sb
60.00–66.00	≤0.20	≤ 0.20	1.5–3.5	≤ 2.70	4.00–7.00	3.00–5.00	≤0.08	≤ 0.02	≤0.03

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
GC	190	750	480	5
GZ	190	750	480	5

CuZn25Al5Mn4Fe3

423311

CC762S

2.0598

C86200

LC23AZ3Mc

CuZn19AI6Y20

CuZn25Al5Mn4Fe3

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Sn	Fe	Si	P	Ni	Al	Mn	Sb
60.00–67.00	≤0.20	≤ 0.20	1.50–4.00	≤0.10	≤0.03	≤ 3.00	3.00–7.00	2.50–5.00	≤0.03

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
GC	190	750	480	5
GZ	190	750	480	5

CuZn28Al4Ni3SiMn

CuZn35Al1

423322

CC765S

C86400

CuZn30AIFeMn

CuZn35Al1

CuZn35Al1 (or CuZn35Mn2Al1Fe1; comparable to CuZn32AI2Mn2Fe1 = CB763S) is a grade of hard and tough structural brass with high tensile strength. It is used in production of ship propellers, pressure and sliding plates, wheel sleeves for crane rails, etc.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Sn	Fe	Ni	Al	Mn	Si	P
56.00–65.00	≤1.00	≤1.00	0.50–2.00	3.00	0.50–2.00	0.30–3.00	≤0.10	≤0.05

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
GZ	120	500	200	18
GC	120	500	200	18

CuZn35Ni3Mn2AlPb

CW710R

2.0540

CuZn35Ni3Mn2AlPb

This alloy belongs to high-grade brass. It is used in production of commercial water fittings and valves, as well as forgings and fittings for ships and ship propellers. CuZn35Ni3Mn2AlPb can also be simply referred to as SoMs59.

Chemical composition

Cu	Zn	Pb	Ni	Fe	Sn	Al	Mn	Si	others
58.00–60.00	rest	0.20–0.80	2.00–3.00	≤ 0.50	≤ 0.50	0.30–1.30	1.50–2.50	≤0.10	≤0.30

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R490	–	490	320	8
R440	–	440	200	12

CuZn36Pb2As

CW602N

C35330

CuZn36Pb2As

The addition of arsenic to the brass alloy ensures the improvement in the level of resistance to disinfecting corrosion. CuZn36Pb2As has good machinability and is easily forged when hot. It is traditionally used in plumbing fittings, which are produced by pressing and hot machining.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Sn	Fe	Ni	Al	Mn	As	Zn
61.00–63.00	1.70–2.80	≤ 0.10	≤ 0.10	≤ 0.30	≤ 0.05	≤ 0.10	0.02–0.15	35.00–37.00

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R280	80	280	120	30
R350	90	350	150	25
R430	110	430	200	15

CuZn37

423213

CW508L

2.0321

C27400, C27200

L63

CuZn37

CuZn37, also referred to as Ms63, is one of the basic brass grades popular for its cold and hot workability. This alloy excels in flexibility. Machinability is good as well, but only at low speeds. CuZn37 is used in heat exchangers, radiators, switches, lamellar coolers, rivets, springs for electrical engineering, in decorative objects, etc.

Chemical composition

Cu	Sn	Pb	Fe	others	Zn
62.00–65.00	≤ 0.15	≤ 0.20	≤ 0.25	≤ 0.50	rest

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R400	110	400	280	10
R350	90	350	180	20

CuZn37Al1

423321

CC766S

C85800

LC40S

CuZn40Y40

CuZn37Al1

CuZn37Al1 is a grade of high-strength brass with good machinability. It is used as a top layer of mechanical and electrochemical components. It is also suitable for galvanic plating. Therefore, CuZn37Al1 is used in heavy duty components of motors, electronics, pumps, fittings, gears, valves and sliding bearings.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Sn	Fe	Ni	Al	Mn	Sb	Si
60.00–64.00	≤0.50	≤ 0.50	≤ 0.50	≤ 2.00	0.30–1.80	≤ 0.50	≤0.10	≤0.60

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
GM	105	450	170	25

CuZn37Mn3Al2PbSi

CW713R

2.0550

CuZn37Mn3Al2PbSi

This alloy is a grade of high-ductility brass. By adding manganese, aluminum, lead and silicon the alloy achieves comparable hardness to aluminum bronze, but is much easier to machine. It is used for heavy duty bearings, sliding and contact plates, valves, pistons, etc. CuZn37Mn3Al2PbSi is also known as SoMs58Al2. The synonym is CuZn40Al2.

Chemical composition

Cu	Zn	Pb	Ni	Fe	Sn	Al	Mn	Si	others
57.00–69.00	rest	0.20–0.80	≤ 1.00	≤ 1.00	≤ 0.40	1.30–23	1.50–3.00	0.30–1.30	0.30

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R540	150	540	280	15
R590	160	590	320	12
R570	150	570	300	12
R640	180	640	400	5
R620	170	620	350	8

CuZn39Pb1

423222

CW611N

2.0371

C37000

LS59-1

CuZn39Pb1

CuZn39Pb1 (equivalent to CuZn38Pb1 = CW611N) combines both good machinability and cold workability. However, it also works great under high temperatures.

Chemical composition

Cu	Al	As	Fe	Mn	Ni	Pb	Sn	Zn	others
59.00–60.00	≤ 0.05	-	≤ 0.20	-	≤ 0.30	0.80–1.60	≤ 0.20	rest	≤ 0.20

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R380	90	380	160	20
R360	90	360	150	25
R410	120	410	250	15
R490	140	490	370	8
R550	150	550	420	-

CuZn39Pb2

423223

CW612N

2.0402

C37700

CuZn39Pb2

CuZn39Pb2 is also referred to as Ms58 (along with CuZn39Pb3). Thanks to the addition of lead, this alloy is excellent for engraving and cutting, so it is widely used in decorative metal production (e.g. for labels). However, it is also used in valves, gears, linkages or in forgings and stampings, for which excellent hot formability and machinability is required.

Chemical composition

Cu	Al	As	Fe	Mn	Ni	Pb	Sn	Zn	others
59.00–60.00	≤ 0.05	-	≤ 0.30	-	≤ 0.30	1.60–2.50	≤ 0.30	rest	≤ 0.20

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R380	90	380	160	20
R360	90	360	150	25
R410	120	410	250	15
R490	140	490	370	8
R550	150	550	420	-

CuZn39Pb3

423223

CW614N

2.0401

C38500

CuZn40Pb3

CuZn39Pb3

CuZn39Pb3 is also referred to as Ms58 (along with CuZn39Pb2). Its major advantage is excellent machinability (added lead acts as a lubricant and helps to separate chips) - the highest among copper alloys, so CuZn39Pb3 is used as a machinability benchmark. It is used in production of many different machinery components, linkages, special extruded profiles, window frames, plugs, switch blocks, pressed profiles in architecture, metal working components, etc.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Al	Fe	Ni	Sn	Zn	others
57.00–59.00	2.50–3.50	≤ 0.05	≤ 0.30	≤ 0.30	≤ 0.30	rest	≤0.20

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R400	90	400	160	15
R380	90	380	160	18
R360	90	360	150	20
R430	120	430	250	10
R500	150	500	390	8
R550	150	550	420	–

CuZn40

423220

CW509L

2.0360

C27450

L60

CuZn40

CuZn40 is used in the construction, automotive, aerospace and food industries or in electronics. Due to the minimal lead content, this alloy is suitable for fresh water pipelines.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Sn	Fe	Ni	Al	Zn
59.00–61.50	≤0.05	≤0.20	≤0.20	≤0.20	≤0.05	rest

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R440	120	440	300	10
R400	100	400	190	18

CuZn40Al2

CW713R

2.0550

CuZn40Al2

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Si	Al	Mn	Zn
57.00–59.00	0.20–0.80	0.30–1.30	1.30–2.30	1.50–3.00	rest

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R540	150	540	280	15
R570	150	570	300	12

CuZn40Bi1,5

Bismuth brass has similar properties (incl. machinability) as brass with added lead. Unlike lead, bismuth is non-toxic (environmentally friendly). Thanks to its exceptional corrosion resistance, it can be used even in seawater. It is used in bearings, bushings, fittings or as a surface layer for engine components and piston pumps.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Zn	Bi	Ni
60.50–62.00	≤ 0.15	rest	1.20–1.70	≤ 0.30

CuZn40Pb2

423223

CW617N

2.0402

C37700

LS60-2

CuZn39Pb2

CuZn40Pb2

This alloy has very similar properties as Ms58, i.e. excellent formability and machinability. CuZn40Pb2 is mainly used in production of more complex hot-pressed components in cars, valves, etc.

Chemical composition

Cu	Pb	Zn	Fe
56.00–58.50	1.50–2.50	rest	≤ 0.30

Mechanical Properties

Temper	Hardness – HB	Tensile strength – R_m min. [MPa]	Yield strength – R_p0.2[MPa]	Elongation – A min. [%]
M	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured	as manufactured
R400	90	400	160	15
R380	90	380	160	18
R360	90	360	150	20
R430	120	430	250	10
R500	150	500	390	8
R550	150	550	420	–

Brass – Materials and norms

Material

Brass

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