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Free Cutting Brass Rods
Product Overview
Free Cutting Brass Rods offered by R V Metal Corporation are precision-engineered copper–zinc alloys specially formulated with controlled lead content to deliver exceptional machinability, superior surface finish, and consistent dimensional accuracy. These rods are designed for high-speed automatic and CNC machining operations where productivity, tool life, and tight tolerances are critical. Widely used in electrical components, plumbing fittings, automotive parts, fasteners, and precision-turned components, free cutting brass rods ensure clean chip formation, reduced tool wear, and excellent repeatability. Manufactured in compliance with international standards such as ASTM, EN, and IS, R V Metal Corporation’s free cutting brass rods are available in multiple diameters, tempers, and custom lengths, making them a reliable choice for OEMs, exporters, and high-volume component manufacturers seeking performance, consistency, and cost efficiency.
Technical Specifications
| Technical Specifications – Free Cutting Brass Rods | |
|---|---|
| Material Type | Free Cutting Brass (Leaded Brass Alloy) |
| Common Grades | CuZn39Pb3, CuZn36Pb3, CuZn40Pb2 |
| UNS Designations | C36000, C38500, C37700 |
| Copper (Cu) Content | 57% – 61% |
| Zinc (Zn) Content | Balance |
| Lead (Pb) Content | 2.0% – 3.5% (for enhanced machinability) |
| Manufacturing Process | Continuous Casting / Hot Extrusion / Cold Drawing |
| Available Diameters | Ø 5 mm to Ø 100 mm (custom sizes available) |
| Standard Lengths | 3 m, 4 m, 5 m, or as per customer requirement |
| Temper / Condition | Soft (Annealed), Half Hard, Hard / As Drawn |
| Machinability Rating | ≈ 100% (Benchmark alloy for machining) |
| Surface Finish | Smooth, Bright Drawn, Turned, or Polished |
| Dimensional Tolerance | As per ASTM / EN / IS standards or tighter on request |
| Straightness | High straightness suitable for CNC & automatic lathes |
| Compliance Standards | ASTM B16 / B453, EN 12164, IS 319 |
| Typical Applications | Precision machined components, electrical parts, plumbing fittings, fasteners, automotive components |
| Supply Form | Round Rods (Hex, Square available on request) |
Chemical Composition
| Chemical Composition – Free Cutting Brass Rods | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element | CuZn39Pb3 (EN CW614N) |
C36000 (ASTM) |
C38500 (ASTM) |
CuZn36Pb3 (EN CW603N) |
Remarks |
| Copper (Cu) | 57.0 – 59.0% | 60.0 – 63.0% | 57.0 – 59.0% | 60.5 – 63.5% | Controls strength & conductivity |
| Zinc (Zn) | Balance | Balance | Balance | Balance | Improves machinability & hardness |
| Lead (Pb) | 2.5 – 3.5% | 2.5 – 3.7% | 2.0 – 3.0% | 2.5 – 3.5% | Provides excellent free-cutting properties |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.35% | ≤ 0.35% | ≤ 0.50% | ≤ 0.30% | Strengthening impurity |
| Tin (Sn) | ≤ 0.30% | ≤ 0.30% | ≤ 0.30% | ≤ 0.20% | Improves corrosion resistance |
| Aluminium (Al) | ≤ 0.05% | ≤ 0.05% | ≤ 0.05% | ≤ 0.05% | Controlled trace element |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤ 0.30% | ≤ 0.30% | ≤ 0.30% | ≤ 0.30% | Enhances toughness |
| Other Elements | ≤ 0.20% | ≤ 0.20% | ≤ 0.20% | ≤ 0.20% | Total residuals |
UNS Codes & Grades
| UNS Codes & Grades – Free Cutting Brass Rods | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNS Code | EN / DIN Designation | Common Grade Name | Typical Lead Content | Key Characteristics |
| C36000 | EN CW614N / DIN CuZn39Pb3 | Free Cutting Brass | 2.5 – 3.7% | Excellent machinability, industry benchmark for CNC turning |
| C38500 | EN CW614N (variant) | Architectural Brass Rod | 2.0 – 3.0% | Good machinability with improved strength for structural parts |
| C35300 | EN CW603N / DIN CuZn36Pb3 | High Copper Free Cutting Brass | 2.5 – 3.5% | Better cold working, good surface finish |
| C37100 | DIN CuZn39Pb3 | Forging Free Cutting Brass | 2.5 – 3.5% | Suitable for hot forging and high-speed machining |
| C34500 | EN CW602N (limited Pb) | Low-Lead Free Cutting Brass | ≤ 1.5% | Used where reduced lead is specified |
| C68000 | EN CW625N | Eco / Low-Lead Brass | ≤ 0.5% | Complies with RoHS & potable water norms (reduced machinability) |
Mechanical, Physical & Fabrication Properties
| Mechanical, Physical & Fabrication Properties – Free Cutting Brass Rods | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property | Typical Value | Unit | Annealed (Soft) | Half Hard | Hard / Drawn |
| Tensile Strength | 350 – 550 | MPa | 350 – 420 | 420 – 480 | 480 – 550 |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | 150 – 350 | MPa | 150 – 200 | 220 – 280 | 280 – 350 |
| Elongation | 8 – 30 | % | 25 – 30 | 15 – 20 | 8 – 12 |
| Hardness | 80 – 150 | HB | 80 – 100 | 100 – 125 | 125 – 150 |
| Density | 8.40 – 8.50 | g/cm³ | Typical for CuZn39Pb3 (varies slightly with Pb %) | ||
| Electrical Conductivity | 25 – 28 | % IACS | Lower than pure copper due to zinc & lead | ||
| Thermal Conductivity | 110 – 130 | W/m·K | Good heat dissipation for machined components | ||
| Machinability Rating | 100 | % | Industry benchmark (C36000 = 100%) | ||
| Cold Workability | Limited | — | Restricted due to lead content | ||
| Hot Workability | Good | — | Suitable for forging and extrusion | ||
| Formability | Fair | — | Not recommended for deep drawing | ||
| Weldability | Poor | — | Lead causes cracking and porosity | ||
| Brazing / Soldering | Good | — | Use low-zinc fillers for best results | ||
| Corrosion Resistance | Moderate | — | Not suitable for potable water or aggressive media | ||
| Surface Finish After Machining | Excellent | — | Produces clean, burr-free surfaces | ||
Common Names & International Identifiers
| Common Names & International Identifiers – Free Cutting Brass Rods | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region / Standard Body | Common Name | UNS / Alloy Code | Standard / Specification | Remarks / Industry Usage |
| USA | Free Cutting Brass | C36000 | ASTM B16 / ASTM B453 | Industry benchmark for machinability (100%) |
| USA | Free Machining Brass | C36000 | ASTM B16 | Widely used in CNC turned components |
| Europe (EN) | Free Cutting Brass | CW614N | EN 12164 / EN 12168 | Standard alloy for automatic machining |
| Europe (EN) | Machining Brass | CW617N | EN 12164 | Slightly higher strength than CW614N |
| Germany (DIN) | Ms58 | 2.0401 | DIN 17660 | Traditional designation, still commonly referenced |
| UK (BS) | Free Cutting Brass | CZ121 | BS 2874 | Preferred for high-speed turning operations |
| India (IS) | Free Cutting Brass | IS 319 Type I | IS 319 | Commonly used in plumbing & electrical components |
| Japan (JIS) | Free Cutting Brass | C3604 | JIS H3250 | Used in precision machined parts |
| ISO | Free Machining Brass | CuZn39Pb3 | ISO 426-2 | Generic chemical designation |
| International / Trade | Lead Brass | CuZnPb | Trade Name | Non-technical name, varies by supplier |
Standards & International Equivalents
| Standards & International Equivalents – Free Cutting Brass Rods | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country / Region | Standard | Grade / Designation | UNS Code | Chemical Designation | Remarks / Typical Usage |
| USA | ASTM B16 / ASTM B453 | Free Cutting Brass | C36000 | CuZn36Pb3 | Global benchmark for machinability (100%) |
| Europe (EN) | EN 12164 / EN 12168 | CW614N | - | CuZn39Pb3 | Most common European machining brass |
| Europe (EN) | EN 12164 | CW617N | - | CuZn40Pb2 | Higher strength, slightly lower machinability |
| Germany | DIN 17660 | Ms58 | 2.0401 | CuZn39Pb3 | Traditional DIN designation |
| United Kingdom | BS 2874 | CZ121 | - | CuZn39Pb3 | Preferred for high-speed turning |
| India | IS 319 | Type I | - | CuZn39Pb3 | Common in electrical & plumbing fittings |
| Japan | JIS H3250 | C3604 | - | CuZn39Pb3 | Precision machined components |
| ISO | ISO 426-2 | CuZn39Pb3 | - | CuZn39Pb3 | Generic ISO designation |
| International Trade | — | Free Machining Brass | — | CuZnPb | Trade terminology, not a controlled standard |
Applications
| Applications of Free Cutting Brass Rods | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry / Sector | Typical Components | Key Requirement | Why Free Cutting Brass is Used | Common Grades |
| Automotive | Fuel fittings, sensor bodies, connectors, bushings | High machinability & dimensional accuracy | Excellent chip breakage enables high-speed CNC machining | C36000, CW614N |
| Electrical & Electronics | Terminals, connectors, switch components, contact pins | Precision machining & good conductivity | Combines machinability with adequate electrical conductivity | C36000, CZ121 |
| Plumbing & Sanitary | Valves, faucets, couplings, pipe fittings | Leak-free threading & smooth surface finish | Produces clean threads with minimal tool wear | IS 319 Type I, CW617N |
| HVAC & Refrigeration | Valve bodies, control fittings, adaptors | Tight tolerances & repeatability | Stable machining performance in mass production | C36000, CW614N |
| Industrial Machinery | Gears, spacers, fasteners, threaded inserts | Fast production with minimal rejects | High tool life and consistent dimensional control | C36000, Ms58 |
| Aerospace (Non-Structural) | Precision fittings, bushings | Precision machining, low vibration | Excellent surface finish and tight tolerance capability | C36000 |
| Instrumentation | Meter parts, control knobs, sensor housings | Micro-machining accuracy | Superior machinability for small, intricate components | C36000, C3604 (JIS) |
| Fasteners & Hardware | Screws, nuts, bolts, inserts | Thread quality & production speed | Lead content improves chip control during threading | C36000, CW614N |
| General Engineering | Custom turned & milled components | Cost-effective machining | Lowest machining cost per part among copper alloys | C36000 |
Standard Free Cutting Brass Rods Dimensional Chart
| Free Cutting Brass Rods – Standard Diameter & Theoretical Weight (Round Rod) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form | Diameter (mm) | Approx. Inch | Theoretical Weight (kg/m) | Theoretical Weight (kg/3m) | Remarks |
| Round Rod | 3 | 0.118" | 0.059 | 0.177 | Weights are theoretical (based on ~8.40 g/cc). Actual weight varies by alloy, temper & dimensional tolerance. |
| 4 | 0.157" | 0.106 | 0.318 | ||
| 5 | 0.197" | 0.165 | 0.495 | ||
| 6 | 0.236" | 0.238 | 0.714 | ||
| 8 | 0.315" | 0.422 | 1.266 | ||
| 10 | 0.394" | 0.660 | 1.980 | ||
| 12 | 0.472" | 0.950 | 2.850 | ||
| 14 | 0.551" | 1.293 | 3.879 | ||
| 16 | 0.630" | 1.689 | 5.067 | ||
| 18 | 0.709" | 2.138 | 6.414 | ||
| 20 | 0.787" | 2.639 | 7.917 | ||
| 22 | 0.866" | 3.193 | 9.579 | ||
| 25 | 0.984" | 4.123 | 12.369 | ||
| 28 | 1.102" | 5.173 | 15.519 | ||
| 30 | 1.181" | 5.939 | 17.817 | ||
| 32 | 1.260" | 6.760 | 20.280 | ||
| 35 | 1.378" | 8.084 | 24.252 | ||
| 38 | 1.496" | 9.531 | 28.593 | ||
| 40 | 1.575" | 10.556 | 31.668 | ||
| 45 | 1.772" | 13.362 | 40.086 | ||
| 50 | 1.969" | 16.493 | 49.479 | ||
| 55 | 2.165" | 19.952 | 59.856 | ||
| 60 | 2.362" | 23.757 | 71.271 | ||
| 65 | 2.559" | 27.889 | 83.667 | ||
| 70 | 2.756" | 32.338 | 97.014 | ||
| 75 | 2.953" | 37.105 | 111.315 | ||
| 80 | 3.150" | 42.188 | 126.564 | ||
| 90 | 3.543" | 53.442 | 160.326 | ||
| 100 | 3.937" | 65.973 | 197.919 | ||
NOTE: Theoretical weights are calculated for round rods using a typical brass density (~8.40 g/cc). Different brass alloys (free-cutting / leaded / high-tensile / DZR) can vary in density, so actual coil/rod weight may differ. For machining-critical parts, specify diameter tolerance, straightness, and temper/condition (as-drawn / annealed) in your PO.
| Free Cutting Brass Rods – Other Forms (Standard Sizes & Theoretical Weight) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form | Size (mm) | Across Flats / Width (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Theoretical Weight (kg/m) | Common Supply |
| Hex Rod | AF 6 | 6 | - | 0.131 | Straight lengths (3m / 4m / 5m / 6m), cut-to-length |
| AF 8 | 8 | - | 0.232 | ||
| AF 10 | 10 | - | 0.362 | ||
| AF 12 | 12 | - | 0.522 | ||
| AF 14 | 14 | - | 0.710 | ||
| AF 16 | 16 | - | 0.928 | ||
| AF 18 | 18 | - | 1.174 | ||
| AF 20 | 20 | - | 1.450 | ||
| AF 25 | 25 | - | 2.265 | ||
| AF 30 | 30 | - | 3.262 | ||
| Square Rod | 6 × 6 | 6 | 6 | 0.302 | Straight lengths (3m / 4m / 5m / 6m), cut-to-length |
| 8 × 8 | 8 | 8 | 0.538 | ||
| 10 × 10 | 10 | 10 | 0.840 | ||
| 12 × 12 | 12 | 12 | 1.210 | ||
| 14 × 14 | 14 | 14 | 1.647 | ||
| 16 × 16 | 16 | 16 | 2.150 | ||
| 18 × 18 | 18 | 18 | 2.722 | ||
| 20 × 20 | 20 | 20 | 3.360 | ||
| 25 × 25 | 25 | 25 | 5.250 | ||
| 30 × 30 | 30 | 30 | 7.560 | ||
| Flat / Rectangular Bar | 12 × 3 | 12 | 3 | 0.302 | Straight lengths; typical tolerances on width/thickness apply |
| 15 × 3 | 15 | 3 | 0.378 | ||
| 20 × 3 | 20 | 3 | 0.504 | ||
| 25 × 3 | 25 | 3 | 0.630 | ||
| 25 × 5 | 25 | 5 | 1.050 | ||
| 30 × 5 | 30 | 5 | 1.260 | ||
| 40 × 5 | 40 | 5 | 1.680 | ||
| 50 × 6 | 50 | 6 | 2.520 | ||
| 60 × 6 | 60 | 6 | 3.024 | ||
| 75 × 8 | 75 | 8 | 5.040 | ||
NOTE (Weight Basis): Theoretical weights use density ≈ 8.40 g/cc. Round: W(kg/m)=0.006597×D². Hex (Across Flats): W(kg/m)=0.007704×AF². Square: W(kg/m)=0.00840×A². Flat: W(kg/m)=0.00840×W×T. Actual weight varies with alloy chemistry, temper, and dimensional tolerance.
| Dimensional Tolerances – Brass Rods & Bars (EN / ASTM / IS) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Form | Size Range | Diameter / AF Tolerance | Straightness | Length Tolerance |
| EN 12164 / EN 12165 | Round / Hex / Square | ≤ 20 mm | ±0.05 mm | 1/1000 of length | +5 / −0 mm |
| EN 12164 / EN 12165 | Round / Hex / Square | 20–50 mm | ±0.08 mm | 1/1000 of length | +5 / −0 mm |
| ASTM B16 / B124 | Round / Hex / Square | ≤ 25 mm | ±0.13 mm | 1.5/1000 of length | ±6 mm |
| IS 319 (Part 1 & 2) | Round / Hex / Square | ≤ 25 mm | ±0.10 mm | 1/1000 of length | +6 / −0 mm |
| Straightness Limits – Brass Rods & Bars | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Form | Standard Limit | Typical Supply | Machining Impact |
| Round Rods | ≤ 1 mm per meter | Cold drawn | Essential for bar-feed CNC |
| Hex Rods | ≤ 1 mm per meter | Cold drawn | Prevents spindle vibration |
| Square Rods | ≤ 1.5 mm per meter | Cold drawn | Improves tool life |
| Flat Bars | ≤ 2 mm per meter | Rolled / drawn | Reduces face-milling correction |
| Corner Radius – Flat & Square Brass Bars | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness / Side (mm) | Standard Corner Radius | EN / ASTM Practice | Functional Impact | Customization |
| ≤ 6 mm | 0.3 – 0.5 mm | Mill-edge | Sharper profile, less stock | Custom sharp / chamfered edges available |
| 6 – 12 mm | 0.5 – 1.0 mm | Standard | Balanced strength & machinability | |
| 12 – 25 mm | 1.0 – 1.5 mm | Standard | Reduces edge cracking | |
| > 25 mm | 1.5 – 2.0 mm | Heavy section | Improves structural integrity | |
| Recommended Machining Allowance – Brass Rods | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rod Size | Form | Typical Tolerance | Recommended Machining Allowance | Reason |
| ≤ 10 mm | Round / Hex | ±0.05 mm | 0.20 – 0.30 mm | Ensures clean finish & concentricity |
| 10 – 20 mm | Round / Hex | ±0.08 mm | 0.30 – 0.50 mm | Accounts for draw marks & ovality |
| 20 – 40 mm | Round / Hex | ±0.10 mm | 0.50 – 0.80 mm | Heavy turning operations |
| > 40 mm | Round / Hex | ±0.15 mm | 0.80 – 1.20 mm | Structural & forging pre-machining |
| Flat / Square | All sizes | Width ±0.10 mm | 0.5 – 1.0 mm per face | Surface leveling & squareness |
- Cold-drawn rods are preferred for CNC bar-feed applications due to superior straightness.
- Hex rods are specified by Across Flats (AF), not circumscribed diameter.
- Flat bars are supplied with natural corner radius unless sharp-edge machining is specified.
- Machining allowance depends on tolerance class, surface finish, and final part geometry.
- For high-precision components (valves, inserts, connectors), always specify tolerance + temper.
