Brass
Brass is a versatile alloy that finds extensive use in various industries, particularly in the manufacturing of machined components. Brass machined components offer several desirable properties that make them highly suitable for a wide range of applications. Brass is an excellent choice for components requiring electrical conductivity, low cost, and a nice appearance. Brass is also non-magnetic. Brass has the best overall machinability of all the metals we currently machine. We can machine brass at very high surface speed rates and high machining feed rates without worrying about tool wear and overheating. Brass is good for high-volume applications because its superior machinability allows us to run it “lights-out” 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Brass exhibits good resistance to corrosion, making it ideal for components exposed to moisture or harsh environments. It resists oxidation and does not rust, which enhances the longevity and reliability of brass machined components. Brass is an excellent electrical conductor, which is ideal for components requiring efficient electrical current transmission. Its high electrical conductivity allows for creating connectors, terminals, and electrical contacts that maintain reliable electrical connections.
Brass also exhibits good thermal conductivity, enabling efficient heat transfer. This property is crucial in components that dissipate heat or require effective thermal management, such as heat sinks or connectors in electronic devices. Brass has a distinct golden appearance that gives it an aesthetically pleasing quality. The warm and attractive color makes brass machined components desirable for decorative or architectural applications.
One characteristic not commonly considered is that brass has inherent antimicrobial properties, known as the “oligodynamic effect,” which inhibits the growth of bacteria on its surface. This property makes brass machined components suitable for applications in healthcare settings or areas where hygiene is critical.
If corrosion protection is required, there are several options available to protect your brass components. Bright nickel and electroless nickel are probably the most common forms of electroplating on brass. Both processes are relatively inexpensive and provide excellent corrosion resistance.
C360 leaded brass is the most common screw machine form of brass. It contains a small amount of lead, giving it its great machinability property.
Copper
Copper (C110 and C111) and its alloys, like tellurium copper (C145), offer superior electrical conductivity and are non-magnetic. Copper is an excellent choice for CNC Swiss screw machine parts used in electrical applications. Tellurium copper (TeCu) is a free machining grade of copper that machines similarly to brass. Purer forms of copper, such as C110, have relatively poor machining characteristics, but Swissturn has years of experience machining these grades.
Beryllium copper (C172 and C173) is commonly used for very small electrical contacts and connectors. Swissturn does not machine beryllium copper because of the extreme health hazard that it poses to our employees. There are companies that specialize in machining BeCu who have successfully created systems to mitigate the health hazards.
