XavierThe Importance of CNC Machining Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, the proportions of which can be varied to achieve different properties of the overall alloy. As a result, brass is used in a wide variety of industries, with applications ranging from music and electrical to antiseptic and antimicrobial. This article will not only teach you about the pros and cons of brass as a CNC machining material, but will also help you determine the best brass grade to use in your next project.
1.Applications of Brass in CNC Machining: Pros and Cons
As we mentioned before, brass has superior properties that make it ideal for a wide variety of applications. Why? When it comes to CNC machining, there are a few basic properties that make this material extraordinary.
1) Overall Machinability
This property, in simple terms, refers to how easily a material can be machined, and therefore brass is one of the easiest materials to machine. While many people consider easy-to-machine steel to be a comparative benchmark for machinability, brass alloys generally have better machinability.
2) Strength and Hardness
The strength and hardness properties of brass also lend themselves to a wide range of applications. While brass has good strength, it is relatively soft compared to other materials such as steel alloys and titanium, and is generally weaker than them. However, this also makes it far more machinable than these materials. Therefore, brass is a worthy choice for applications that do not require the high strength and hardness of steel or titanium.
3) Corrosion Resistance
In addition to the good strength and hardness characteristics that various aluminum alloys have, brass alloys also have excellent corrosion resistance, especially when alloyed with small amounts of aluminum. While they do find applications in some electronics (thanks to good overall conductivity), an important consideration for brass over aluminum is often how aesthetically pleasing brass is without the need for additional coatings.
2.Best Brass for CNC Machining
In its simplest form, brass is a combination of copper and zinc. However, alloying brass with other metals such as tin, aluminum, lead, and iron can produce brass alloys with unique properties. Even in small proportions (<0.05%), the addition of these elements can improve performance. For example, small amounts of tin give brass alloys excellent resistance to seawater corrosion. There are many brass alloys used in CNC machining, with a variety of properties and suitable for different industries.
3.Is Brass the Right Choice for Your Project?
The various brass alloys demonstrate the great potential of these metals in a wide range of applications. In addition to being extremely economical to produce parts through machining, brass also offers good strength and excellent corrosion resistance, among a host of other properties. For example, if your product will be used in a saltwater environment, you may want to avoid C385 and use C464 or C443 instead.
Ultimately, the requirements of your end product will help you narrow down your choices. Once you’ve chosen the most appropriate material for your project, you can count on our service experts to help you with the machining process! Come chat with us and check out our CNC machining services.