Brass C36000 Alloy Parts, Free Machining CDA 360 Brass Parts

Overview: Brass C36000 Alloy Parts and Free Machining CDA 360 Brass Parts

Brass & Copper Parts manufactures precision-machined components in ASTM C36000 (CDA 360) free-machining brass alloy from its ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in Jamnagar, India. C36000, designated CDA 360 under the Copper Development Association numbering system, is the global benchmark for free-machining brass, offering a machinability rating of 100% relative to AISI 1212 free-machining steel. With a copper content of 60–63%, zinc balance, and 2.5–3.7% lead content acting as a chip-breaking lubricant, C36000 alloy enables high-speed CNC turning, milling, and screw machine operations with minimal tool wear, exceptional surface finish, and tight dimensional tolerances. We produce C36000 brass parts including turned components, milled parts, screw machine products, threaded fittings, valve bodies, connectors, and custom prismatic parts for OEM buyers across the USA, UK, Germany, Australia, and the Middle East.

What is Brass C36000 / CDA 360?

ASTM C36000 is a copper-zinc-lead alloy standardized under ASTM B16, B124, B453, and B455. Its UNS designation is C36000 and it is commercially known as Free-Cutting Brass, Free-Machining Brass, or CDA 360. The lead (Pb) content (2.5–3.7%) forms insoluble lead globules within the alpha-beta brass matrix that act as internal chip-breakers during machining. This gives C36000 a machinability index of 100—the highest among structural metals—making it the preferred alloy for high-volume precision machining on CNC lathes, multi-spindle screw machines, Swiss-type automatics, and VMC centres. C36000 is not recommended for dezincification-resistant applications (potable water in some jurisdictions) or lead-restricted environments; for those applications, see our Lead-Free Brass and DZR Brass product pages.

Key Features of C36000 / CDA 360 Brass Parts

• Machinability Index 100: Highest machinability rating of any structural metal; enables maximum spindle speeds with minimal tool wear and excellent chip control.
• Superior Surface Finish: Short, broken chips produce burr-free cut surfaces with Ra as low as 0.4 µm in finish-turning operations without post-machining polishing.
• Tight Tolerance Capability: Dimensional tolerances to ±0.005 mm on CNC turned diameters; bore roundness to 0.003 mm TIR.
• Excellent Thread Quality: Low shear strength produces clean, accurate threads in BSP, NPT, UNC, UNF, and metric forms without tearing or built-up edge.
• Good Corrosion Resistance: Suitable for fresh water, petroleum, industrial gas, and general atmospheric service (not recommended for ammonia, sea water, or acid service).
• Electrical Conductivity: 26% IACS; suitable for electrical terminal bodies, connector housings, and bus components.
• Soft Solderability: Excellent solderability with resin flux; compatible with soft solder (Sn-Ag, Sn-Pb) and brazing alloys.

Technical Specifications: ASTM C36000 / CDA 360 Brass

International Equivalent Grades for C36000 / CDA 360 Brass

Product Types and Variants in C36000 Brass

C36000 Brass CNC Turned Parts

CNC turned parts in C36000 brass represent the largest segment of our free-machining brass production. Using single-spindle and multi-spindle CNC lathes, we produce shafts, spacers, bushings, nipples, connectors, and custom rotationally symmetric components. Turning speeds up to 3,500 RPM are employed with carbide tooling, achieving diameters from 3 mm to 100 mm with tolerances to ±0.005 mm. C36000’s chip-breaking lead content ensures clean turning without stringy chip formation, enabling unmanned high-volume production. Each batch is supplied with SPC data and Cpk analysis.

C36000 Brass Screw Machine Parts

Multi-spindle and Swiss-type CNC screw machines exploit C36000 brass’s benchmark machinability to produce high-volume small turned parts with multiple cross-drilled, threaded, and knurled features simultaneously. Components such as instrument fittings, pneumatic nipples, electrical terminals, valve stems, and miniature connectors are produced in production runs of 10,000 to several million pieces per month. Tolerances of ±0.01 mm are routinely held across all spindles; cam-operated form tools produce complex profiles in a single cycle.

C36000 Brass Threaded Fittings and Adapters

CDA 360 brass is the preferred material for precision-threaded fittings due to its clean thread formation, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with PTFE thread sealant. We produce BSP, NPT, UNC, UNF, and metric-threaded couplings, adapters, reducers, and union joints from C36000 bar stock to ASME B1.20.1 (NPT), ISO 7/1 (BSP), and BS 21 (BSP) standards. Thread gauging is performed on every production lot with Go/No-Go gauges traceable to NIST/NPL standards.

C36000 Brass Valve Bodies and Stems

Valve bodies, stems, and seats in C36000 brass are machined for ball valves, needle valves, check valves, and pressure regulator bodies. Internal bore concentricity, seat angles, and thread lead accuracy are critical for leak-free valve performance. Our CNC turning centres produce valve bodies with bore-to-OD concentricity within 0.01 mm TIR and seat angles accurate to ±0.25°. Pressure testing at 1.5× operating pressure is available as an in-process quality step.

C36000 Brass Electrical and Electronic Components

The combination of 26% IACS electrical conductivity, excellent machinability, and RoHS-compatible tin plating makes C36000 brass the material of choice for electrical connector pins, terminal blocks, bus bar studs, switch contacts, and relay housings. We produce components for IEC 60947, IEC 60309, and NEMA standard connector bodies. Electroless nickel or bright tin plating is applied for contact resistance stability and oxidation resistance.

C36000 Brass Instrumentation and Pneumatic Parts

Precision instrument fittings, compression ferrules, gauge adaptors, flow meter components, and pneumatic push-in fittings are produced from C36000 brass due to its dimensional stability under pressure cycling and compatibility with gases, oils, and non-corrosive liquids. Compression fitting bodies are machined to BS EN 1254-2 / ASME B16.22 geometry. Pneumatic fittings comply with ISO 6150 and CETOP standards for 6 bar and 10 bar service.

Applications by Industry

Manufacturing Process for C36000 Brass Parts

Step 1 – Incoming Material Verification: C36000 brass rod or bar is procured from ASTM B16/B453 certified mills with EN 10204 3.1 material test certificates. XRF spectroscopy verifies Pb, Cu, Zn, and Fe content per heat.

Step 2 – CNC Programming and Toolpath Optimization: CAM programs are optimized for C36000’s machinability—higher cutting speeds (150–300 m/min), aggressive feeds, and minimal coolant use are possible due to the alloy’s built-in lubrication from lead.

Step 3 – Machining Operations: Turning, threading, cross-drilling, milling, and knurling are performed on CNC lathes, multi-spindle screw machines, or VMC centres depending on part geometry. Tool life is typically 3–5× longer on C36000 versus standard brass.

Step 4 – Deburring and Cleaning: Vibratory tumbling or hand deburring removes all sharp edges. Ultrasonic cleaning in alkaline solution removes coolant and swarf. Parts are dried in temperature-controlled ovens.

Step 5 – Inspection: CMM dimensional inspection, thread gauging, surface roughness measurement, and visual inspection are performed. SPC data is recorded and Cpk ≥ 1.33 is required for production release.

Step 6 – Surface Treatment: Optional plating (tin, nickel, chrome) or lacquering per customer specification. RoHS-compliant coatings are standard. Plating thickness is verified by XRF coating analysis.

Step 7 – Packing and Export: Parts are packed in anti-abrasion compartmentalized trays, poly bags, or bulk containers. Export documentation includes QC reports, MTC, packing list, commercial invoice, and Certificate of Origin.

Quality Standards and Certifications

• ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality Management System
• Material per ASTM B16 (rods), B124 (forgings), B453 (machined parts), B455 (extruded sections)
• RoHS 2 (EU 2011/65/EU) and REACH SVHC Declaration of Compliance
• Thread gauging per ASME B1.20.1 (NPT), ISO 7/1 (BSP), ISO 965 (Metric)
• EN 10204 Type 2.1 / 3.1 material test certificates supplied with each order
• PPAP Level 1–3 documentation available for automotive and OEM supply chains
• In-house XRF spectrometry for incoming alloy verification and plating thickness check

Why Choose Brass & Copper Parts for C36000 / CDA 360 Components

• Alloy Expertise: 29+ years of producing high-volume C36000 turned parts in Jamnagar – the global hub for brass precision machining.
• High-Volume Capability: Multi-spindle screw machines and twin-spindle CNC lathes capable of 50,000–500,000 pieces per month per component.
• Material Traceability: Full heat-to-part traceability via XRF verified MTC and unique lot numbering system.
• Competitive Pricing: India’s cost structure and proximity to raw material mills (Jamnagar brass ecosystem) delivers landed cost advantages vs. European and US manufacturers.
• Responsive Engineering: DFM (Design for Manufacturability) review provided free of charge; 24-hour RFQ response.
• Proven Export Compliance: Extensive experience with USA FDA 21 CFR, EU REACH, and Australian TGA material compliance documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between C36000 and C37700 brass?

C36000 (CDA 360) has 2.5–3.7% Pb and is optimized for high-speed machining with machinability index 100. C37700 (forging brass) has 1.5–2.5% Pb and higher zinc for improved hot forgeability. C36000 is preferred for machined parts; C37700 for hot-forged components.

Is C36000 brass RoHS compliant?

C36000 contains lead (Pb) at 2.5–3.7%, which exceeds the RoHS threshold of 0.1% for homogeneous materials. Under EU RoHS 2 Annex III, Category 6(c) provides an exemption for lead in brass (copper alloy) up to 4%. We can provide RoHS exemption documentation. For fully RoHS-compliant lead-free applications, see our Lead-Free Brass pages.

Can C36000 brass be used in potable water applications?

In many jurisdictions (USA post-Safe Drinking Water Act 2014, UK WRAS, EU Drinking Water Directive), the lead content of C36000 restricts its use in potable water contact. For these applications, we supply lead-free (C69300 / CW511L) or DZR brass alternatives. Please specify your application and regional regulatory requirements when enquiring.

What is the maximum diameter available in C36000 brass rod?

C36000 extruded rod per ASTM B16 is available in diameters from 6 mm (1/4″) up to 100 mm (4″) in continuous lengths. Larger diameters require hot-pressed bar per ASTM B124. We source material from ASTM/EN certified mills in India and maintain stock in common sizes.

What tolerances can you hold on CDA 360 turned parts?

Standard CNC turning: ±0.01 mm diameter, ±0.02 mm length. Precision turning: ±0.005 mm diameter. Thread class: 6H/6g (ISO) or 2A/2B (ANSI) standard; 3A/3B available on precision parts. Roundness: 0.003 mm TIR typical.

Do you perform pressure testing on C36000 brass fittings?

Yes. Hydrostatic pressure testing at 1.5× rated working pressure is available. Air-under-water leak testing and helium leak testing are also available for instrumentation-grade fittings.

What plating options are available for C36000 parts?

Bright tin (IEC 60068-2-58), matte tin, electroless nickel (MIL-C-26074), hard chrome, silver, and gold plating are available. All platings comply with RoHS 2 (lead-free solder alloys) and REACH SVHC limits.

Can you supply C36000 brass parts with full material traceability?

Yes. Each delivery includes an EN 10204 Type 3.1 material test certificate from the brass mill, cross-referenced to our internal lot number. XRF analysis results are included for critical orders.

What is the minimum order quantity for CDA 360 brass parts?

Prototypes and first articles from 50–100 pieces. Standard production orders typically from 1,000 pieces. High-volume screw machine parts: 10,000 pieces minimum for economical multi-spindle production.

How long does it take to produce C36000 machined parts?

Standard lead time is 4–6 weeks from drawing approval and PO. Prototypes and samples: 2–3 weeks. Expedited production subject to capacity and tooling availability.

Request a Quote for C36000 / CDA 360 Brass Parts

Share your engineering drawings (STEP, DXF, PDF), required quantities, and target specifications. Our technical team will respond with a competitive quotation and DFM feedback within 24–48 hours.

Email: sales@brass-copper-parts.com | Phone/WhatsApp: +91-22-43449300

Brass & Copper Parts (India) – Plot 10-B, GIDC Industrial Estate, Shankar Tekri, Jamnagar 361004, Gujarat, India.