---
title: "Brass CNC Machining & Turning | C360, C260, C464 | OpenSpindle"
description: "Get quotes for custom brass parts from independent machine shops. C360, C260, C464 naval, C230 and more, machined, turned, and finished. Upload a drawing."
canonical: https://openspindle.com/materials/brass
---

# 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.

## Brass shops on OpenSpindle

Real shops that machine and turn brass. See their equipment and talk to the person making your part.

[Browse all brass shops](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?material=C360%2CC464%20naval%20brass)

## 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

## Material Properties

Representative values for C360 free-machining brass, the most common machining grade. Exact numbers vary by alloy and temper.

| Property | 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

- **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 That Run This Material

- [CNC Turning](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-turning.md) -- Turned valves, fittings, and connectors from round bar, brass’s natural fit.
- [CNC Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-machining.md) -- Milled manifolds, bodies, and prismatic parts from plate and block.
- [Swiss Machining](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?capability=Swiss%20machining) -- High-volume small precision brass parts like pins, terminals, and fittings.
- [Sheet Metal & Press Brake](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sheet-metal-fabrication.md) -- Blanked and formed brass terminals, contacts, and decorative hardware.
- [Laser Cutting](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?capability=Laser%20cutting) -- Flat cut brass sheet for terminals, gaskets, and decorative parts.
- [Waterjet Cutting](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?capability=Waterjet%20cutting) -- Cold cutting for thicker brass plate with no heat-affected edge.

## Finishes

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

- Plumbing & valves
- Fittings & fasteners
- Electrical connectors & terminals
- Musical instruments
- Decorative & architectural hardware
- Gears & bushings
- Marine
- Industrial / OEM

Brass shows up wherever corrosion resistance, easy machining, and appearance come together.

## How It Compares

How brass stacks up against the other metals shops quote most.

### [Copper](https://openspindle.com/materials/copper.md)

- 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

**Verdict:** Choose brass for machined fittings and hardware. Choose copper when maximum electrical or thermal conductivity is the requirement.

### [Aluminum](https://openspindle.com/materials/aluminum.md)

- 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

**Verdict:** Choose brass for corrosion resistance, appearance, and fine machined detail. Choose aluminum when light weight and low cost matter most.

### [Stainless steel](https://openspindle.com/materials/stainless-steel.md)

- 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

**Verdict:** Choose brass for fast machining, conductivity, and hygienic plumbing fittings. Choose stainless for strength, heat, and the toughest corrosion environments.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between C360 and C260 brass?

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.

### Why is brass so easy to machine?

C360 brass contains a small amount of lead that acts as a chip breaker, so it cuts cleanly at high speed with short chips and a fine finish. It sets the 100% machinability rating that every other metal is compared against. That speed is why brass dominates high-volume screw-machine and Swiss work.

### Does brass tarnish, and how do I prevent it?

Yes. Brass ships bright and gold but oxidizes and patinas over time, especially with handling. A clear lacquer or coat seals the surface and holds the bright finish, and nickel or chrome plating protects it while changing the color. For internal or non-cosmetic parts, as-machined brass is usually fine.

### Which brass is best for marine or saltwater use?

C464 naval brass is the marine choice. It adds tin for resistance to saltwater corrosion and dezincification, the process where zinc leaches out of ordinary brass and weakens it. It is stronger than C360 and still machines and forges well, so it is common in valve stems and marine hardware.

### Can brass be soldered or brazed?

Yes. Brass solders and brazes easily, which is one reason it is common in plumbing fittings and electrical connections. Its good electrical conductivity (around 28% IACS) also makes it a practical choice for terminals and contacts where copper would be too soft to machine well.

### Is brass non-sparking?

Yes. Brass is a non-sparking alloy, so it is used for tools and fittings in flammable or explosive environments where a spark could be dangerous. Combined with its corrosion resistance and easy machining, that makes it a common pick for valves and fittings in gas and fuel systems.

### What file formats should I send for a brass part?

STEP, IGES, X_T, DWG, DXF, or a dimensioned PDF. Include the alloy (for example C360 or C464), critical dimensions and their tolerances, quantity, and any finish such as clear coat or nickel plating.

## Related Materials

- [Copper](https://openspindle.com/materials/copper.md)
- [Aluminum](https://openspindle.com/materials/aluminum.md)
- [Stainless Steel](https://openspindle.com/materials/stainless-steel.md)
- [Carbon Steel](https://openspindle.com/materials/carbon-steel.md)
- [Titanium](https://openspindle.com/materials/titanium.md)
- [Delrin](https://openspindle.com/materials/delrin.md)

## Get brass part quotes

Upload a drawing once and compare quotes from independent shops that machine, turn, and finish brass.