Custom Brass Parts
Precision CNC Machining
Drawing-based brass machining for OEM and distributor programs. C360, C260, C464, C377 and more - with CNC turning, milling, Swiss machining, and full documentation.
Why Choose Brass for CNC Machined Parts?
Brass offers an exceptional balance of machinability, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity - ideal for precision components across industries.
Superior Machinability
C360 brass has a machinability rating of 100 - the benchmark for free-cutting metals. Faster feeds, longer tool life, lower cost per part.
Corrosion Resistant
Naturally resists dezincification, tarnish, and salt spray. Naval brass (C464) handles marine and harsh chemical environments.
Electrical Conductivity
28% IACS conductivity makes brass ideal for connectors, terminals, and grounding components where copper alternatives are too soft.
Aesthetic Finish
Natural gold-tone appearance. Takes plating, polishing, and lacquer exceptionally well for decorative and architectural applications.
Brass CNC Machining Capabilities
Specs you can quote to - from alloy selection to final inspection.
| Processes | CNC turning, 3/4/5-axis milling, Swiss machining, screw machining |
|---|---|
| Brass Alloys | C360, C260, C280, C230, C377, C385, C464, C693 |
| Typical Tolerance | ±0.05 mm (ISO 2768-m medium/fine) |
| Tight Tolerance | Down to ±0.01 mm for critical features |
| Surface Roughness | Ra 0.4-1.6 µm (turned) · Ra 0.8-3.2 µm (milled) |
| Max Part Size | Milling: 1200×700×500 mm · Turning: Ø450×600 mm |
| Lead Time | Prototype: 3-7 days · Production: 2-4 weeks |
| Inspection | FAI, CMM, thread gauges (GO/NO-GO), material certs |
| Thread Standards | ISO metric, UNC/UNF, BSP, NPT, BSPT |
| Compliance | RoHS, REACH, ASTM B16/B453, lead-free options |
Brass Alloys for CNC Machined Parts
We machine 8+ brass grades. Alloy choice depends on strength, corrosion needs, machinability, and compliance requirements.
| Alloy | Composition | Machinability | Strength | Corrosion | Best Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C360 Most Popular | 61.5% Cu, 35.5% Zn, 3% Pb | 100 (benchmark) | Medium | Good | Fittings, connectors, valves, fasteners |
| C260 | 70% Cu, 30% Zn | 30 | Medium | Good | Stampings, cartridge cases, radiator cores |
| C280 | 60% Cu, 40% Zn | 40 | Higher | Moderate | Architectural panels, condensers, marine hardware |
| C377 | 59% Cu, 39% Zn, 2% Pb | 80 | High | Good | Forged valves, hot-pressed components |
| C385 | 57% Cu, 40% Zn, 3% Pb | 90 | Medium | Good | Architectural hardware, decorative trim |
| C464 Marine | 60% Cu, 39% Zn, 0.8% Sn | 30 | High | Excellent | Marine shafts, saltwater valves, propellers |
| C230 | 85% Cu, 15% Zn | 20 | Medium | Excellent | Jewelry, emblems, cosmetic hardware |
| C693 Lead-Free | 80% Cu, 16% Zn, 4% Si | 50 | High | Good | Drinking water fittings, RoHS-compliant parts |
C360 Free-Cutting Brass
The default choice for turned and milled parts. Machinability rating of 100 means fastest cycle times and longest tool life. Best all-rounder.
C464 Naval Brass
When corrosion resistance matters most. Tin addition prevents dezincification in salt water. Ideal for marine valves, shafts, and submerged hardware.
C693 Lead-Free
RoHS and Safe Drinking Water Act compliant. Silicon replaces lead for environmental compliance without sacrificing structural performance.
CNC Machining Processes for Brass Components
Our machining routes cover turning, milling, and Swiss machining to suit different geometry and volume requirements.
CNC Milling (3 to 5-Axis)
Pockets, faces, slots, and complex multi-feature geometry. 5-axis enables angled holes and reduced setups for tight feature-to-feature alignment.
CNC Turning & Turn-Mill
Shafts, bushings, fittings, spacers, and threaded parts. Controlled concentricity and surface finish. Turn-mill compound for mixed features.
Swiss & Screw Machining
High-volume small-diameter parts: pins, contacts, terminals, inserts. Guide bushing supports tight concentricity on slender features.
Industries We Serve with Brass Parts
Brass components for demanding applications across multiple sectors.
Surface Finishing for Brass Parts
Protect, enhance, and control appearance across production batches.
Nickel Plating
Bright, hard surface. Excellent wear and corrosion protection. Common for fittings and hardware.
Chrome Plating
Mirror-bright decorative finish. High hardness, scratch resistance for architectural and automotive.
Polishing
Mirror or satin finish. Brings out brass's natural gold tone. Ideal for cosmetic and decorative parts.
Passivation
Chemical treatment to slow tarnish. Maintains brass color without plating thickness or dimensional impact.
Lacquer Coating
Clear protective layer prevents oxidation and fingerprints. Used on decorative and display components.
Tin Plating
Solderable surface for electronic connectors. Lead-free option available for RoHS compliance.
Gold Plating
Premium contact resistance for electronic connectors. Thin flash or heavy deposit per specification.
As-Machined
Clean deburr with no additional finish. Suitable for internal components and non-cosmetic assemblies.
Design Tips for Brass CNC Parts
Cost-saving DFM guidelines specific to brass machining.
Use Standard Hole Sizes
Standard drill sizes reduce tooling changes. Call out reamed bores only on critical fits.
Avoid Thin Walls Below 0.5 mm
Brass machines easily but thin features can deflect under cutting forces. Minimum 0.8 mm recommended.
Limit Deep Narrow Pockets
Depth-to-width ratio above 4:1 requires special tooling. Design radii at pocket corners ≥ 1 mm.
Specify Thread Standards Early
ISO metric, UNC/UNF, BSP, NPT all have different geometries. Matching gauges to drawing prevents rework.
Tolerance Only Critical Features
Apply ±0.01 mm only on mating interfaces. General features at ±0.05 mm reduce cycle time and cost.
Consider Plating Buildup
Nickel and chrome plating add 5-25 µm per side. Account for dimensional growth on bores and threads.
Tolerances and Inspection
Cost-effective tolerance planning with inspection methods matched to your acceptance criteria.
Tolerance by Process
| Process | Standard | Achievable |
|---|---|---|
| CNC Turning | ±0.05 mm | ±0.01 mm |
| CNC Milling | ±0.05 mm | ±0.02 mm |
| Swiss Machining | ±0.025 mm | ±0.005 mm |
| Threading | Class 2A/2B | Class 3A/3B |
| Surface Finish | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 0.4 µm |
Inspection & Documentation
FAI verifies key dimensions before batch production. CMM reporting covers critical features, datums, and GD&T callouts. Thread gauges (GO/NO-GO) verify form and fit per drawing class. Material certs, CoC, and dimensional reports packaged per PO requirements.
Brass CNC Parts Gallery
Examples of precision brass components produced for OEM and distributor programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
C360 (Free-Cutting Brass) is the most widely used. It has a machinability rating of 100, produces clean chips, and offers good corrosion resistance. For marine applications, C464 (Naval Brass) is preferred. For lead-free compliance, C693 (Silicon Brass) is the recommended alternative.
Standard tolerances are +/-0.05 mm (ISO 2768-m). For critical features like bearing bores or mating interfaces, we achieve +/-0.01 mm on turning and +/-0.005 mm on Swiss machining. Specify tight tolerances only on functional dimensions to optimize cost.
C360 contains lead for free-machining and is the standard choice for general-purpose parts. C464 (Naval Brass) replaces lead with tin, providing superior dezincification resistance in salt water and marine environments, though at lower machinability (rating ~30 vs 100).
Yes. C693 (Silicon Brass) is our primary lead-free option. It meets RoHS, REACH, and Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. Silicon replaces lead as a chip-breaking additive, maintaining good machinability while meeting environmental regulations.
Options include nickel plating, chrome plating, polishing (mirror/satin), passivation, lacquer coating, tin plating, and gold plating. The choice depends on corrosion requirements, cosmetic expectations, and dimensional tolerances. Specify masking areas for critical fits.
Include 3D/2D drawings, quantity, brass alloy, surface finish, thread standards (metric/UNC/BSP/NPT), and inspection requirements. Mark critical dimensions, cosmetic faces, and masking areas in drawing notes. This reduces back-and-forth and ensures accurate pricing.
MOQ is 1 piece for prototypes. For production orders, we support quantities from 50 to 100,000+ pieces with volume-based pricing tiers. Tooling costs (if applicable) are typically amortized over the first order.
Prototypes: 3-7 business days. Low-volume production: 10-15 days. Full production runs: 2-4 weeks depending on quantity, complexity, and finishing requirements. Expedited options available for urgent orders.
Ready to Start Your Brass Project?
Submit drawings for engineer review and DFM feedback. We return pricing within 24 hours.