Metal · Material guide
Custom brass parts from independent machine shops
Brass machines faster than any other metal, resists corrosion, and takes a bright gold finish straight off the tool. Upload a drawing and hear back from shops that turn and mill C360, C260, and C464 every day.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential
Brass shops on OpenSpindle
Real shops that machine and turn brass. See their equipment and talk to the person making your part.
★ Top rated
"Precision Waterjet & CNC Plasma Cutting for Any Material, Any Design."
★ Top rated
"Precision CNC Machining & Fabrication Near Austin - 40+ Years"
"Rapid Prototyping, Digital Manufacturing & CNC Machining Since 1994"
"Multi material experiential and retail fabrication in Brooklyn"
"Custom metal fabrication and precision machining in Baton Rouge"
"Precision Waterjet & CNC Cutting in Central Texas"
Grades
Brass grades shops run most
The alloy sets machinability, formability, and corrosion behavior. These are the ones you will see quoted; if yours is not here, ask when you request a quote.
C360 free-machining brass
The default brass and the industry benchmark for machinability at 100%. Turns and mills fast with excellent chip breaking and fine finishes. The lead content that makes it cut so well limits cold forming.
Best for Screw-machine parts, fittings, valves, fasteners
C260 cartridge brass
A ductile 70/30 brass built for cold forming and deep draw rather than heavy machining. Excellent formability and corrosion resistance, and it takes a bright polish.
Best for Deep-drawn parts, terminals, ammunition cases, hardware
C464 naval brass
A tin-bearing brass with added resistance to saltwater and dezincification. Stronger than C360 and still readily machined and forged, so it holds up in marine service.
Best for Marine hardware, valve stems, fittings, fasteners
C230 red brass
A higher-copper alloy (85/15) with strong corrosion resistance and a warm red-gold color. Common in plumbing and decorative work where appearance and durability matter.
Best for Plumbing, decorative and architectural hardware
C385 architectural bronze
A free-machining, forgeable brass often extruded into architectural shapes. Machines well and takes plating and polishing for a bright, durable finish.
Best for Trim, railings, architectural hardware, extruded profiles
Specs
Material properties
Representative values for C360 free-machining brass, the most common machining grade. Exact numbers vary by alloy and temper.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.5 g/cm³ (0.307 lb/in³) |
| Tensile strength (C360) | ~58 ksi (400 MPa) |
| Yield strength (C360) | ~45 ksi (310 MPa) |
| Hardness (C360) | ~65 HRB |
| Machinability | Excellent; C360 is the 100% industry benchmark |
| Corrosion resistance | Good; C464 resists saltwater and dezincification |
| Electrical conductivity | ~28% IACS; good thermal conductivity |
| Joining | Solders and brazes easily; non-sparking |
C360 sets the 100% machinability rating that every other metal is measured against, which is why it dominates high-volume screw-machine work.
Stock
Forms we machine it from
Plate & block
Milled fittings, manifolds, and prismatic parts from solid.
Round bar
Turned valves, fittings, and connectors from round bar.
Sheet
Blanked, formed, and stamped terminals and hardware.
Processes
Manufacturing methods for brass
The right process depends on part geometry, tolerances, and production volume.
Finishing
Finishes for brass
Brass ships bright and gold straight off the tool. Most finishing either preserves that color or plates over it for wear and appearance.
As-machined
The natural bright gold surface. It is attractive but will patina and tarnish over time as the surface oxidizes, especially with handling.
Clear lacquer / coat
A thin clear coating that seals the surface and prevents tarnish, holding the bright gold look on decorative parts.
Nickel plating
A durable silver-toned plate that adds wear and corrosion resistance and hides the base color. Common on hardware and fixtures.
Chrome plating
A hard, bright finish over the brass for a decorative chrome look with good wear resistance.
Bead blast
A uniform matte texture that removes machining marks, often used as a base before plating.
Tumbling / polishing
Mechanical deburring and brightening for a smooth, high-luster surface on visible parts.
Brass does not anodize. If tarnish is a concern for a cosmetic part, specify a clear coat or plating with your drawing.
Applications
Where brass parts are used
Brass shows up wherever corrosion resistance, easy machining, and appearance come together.
Compare
Brass vs other materials
How brass stacks up against the other metals shops quote most.
Brass vs Copper
Copper →- Copper has much higher electrical and thermal conductivity, which is its main reason to exist
- Brass machines far faster and is stronger and stiffer, while copper is soft and gummy to cut
- Copper costs more and is chosen for conductivity; brass is chosen for machinability and corrosion resistance
Choose brass for machined fittings and hardware. Choose copper when maximum electrical or thermal conductivity is the requirement.
Brass vs Aluminum
Aluminum →- Aluminum is roughly one-third the weight of brass and cheaper per pound
- Brass machines even faster, resists corrosion without a coating, and takes a bright gold finish
- Aluminum anodizes for color and wear; brass is soldered, plated, or left bright
Choose brass for corrosion resistance, appearance, and fine machined detail. Choose aluminum when light weight and low cost matter most.
Brass vs Stainless steel
Stainless steel →- Stainless is far stronger and harder and holds up better at high temperature and in harsh chemicals
- Brass machines several times faster, solders easily, and is non-sparking
- Stainless needs no coating to resist corrosion; brass may tarnish but resists dezincification in the right alloy
Choose brass for fast machining, conductivity, and hygienic plumbing fittings. Choose stainless for strength, heat, and the toughest corrosion environments.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
C360 free-machining brass is the default for machined parts: it turns and mills faster than any other metal and is the 100% machinability benchmark. C260 cartridge brass is a ductile 70/30 alloy built for cold forming and deep draw rather than heavy machining. Use C360 for screw-machine parts and fittings, and C260 for formed or drawn parts like terminals and cases.
More materials
Other materials on OpenSpindle
Get brass part quotes
Upload a drawing once and compare quotes from independent shops that machine, turn, and finish brass.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential