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Brass 360 CNC Machining: The Fastest Metal to Cut
Brass 360 is the easiest metal to machine. Period. It has a 100% machinability rating. Every other metal is compared to it. When machinists say a material is "60% machinable," they mean it takes 60% as fast as brass 360.
Also called C36000 or free-cutting brass, this alloy is made of 61.5% copper, 35.5% zinc, and 3% lead. The lead is the secret. It breaks chips into small, clean pieces instead of long, tangled strings. That means faster cuts, longer tool life, and lower part cost.
Brass 360 is strong, corrosion resistant, and looks great right off the machine. It has a warm gold color that needs no painting. Many parts go straight from the CNC to the customer with no finish at all.
If you need fittings, valves, gears, connectors, or decorative hardware, brass 360 is likely your best choice. It costs less to machine than stainless steel, it resists corrosion better than carbon steel, and it looks better than both.
Brass 360 Material Properties
Here are the numbers that matter when you design with brass 360 (C36000).
| Property | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 58 ksi (400 MPa) | Stronger than aluminum 6061-T6 |
| Yield Strength | 45 ksi (310 MPa) | Good load-bearing ability |
| Elongation | 25% | Ductile — won't crack easily |
| Hardness | Rockwell B78 | Harder than pure copper, softer than steel |
| Thermal Conductivity | 115 W/mK | Good heat transfer for fittings |
| Electrical Conductivity | 26% IACS | Fair — use copper C110 for high-current |
| Density | 0.307 lb/in³ (8.49 g/cm³) | Heavier than aluminum, lighter than steel |
| Composition | 61.5% Cu, 35.5% Zn, 3% Pb | Lead enables free-cutting behavior |
| Machinability | 100% | THE benchmark — best of any metal |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good (not saltwater) | Resists fresh water, steam, indoor air |
Brass 360 Grades and Variants
Brass 360 (C36000) is the most popular brass for machining. But there are other brass alloys for special jobs. Here is how they compare.
| Alloy | C36000 (Brass 360) | C26000 (Cartridge Brass) | C46400 (Naval Brass) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machinability | 100% | 30% | 30% |
| Tensile Strength | 58 ksi | 68 ksi | 75 ksi |
| Corrosion | Good (indoor, fresh water) | Good (indoor) | Excellent (saltwater) |
| Lead Content | 3% | 0% | 0% |
| Best For | Fittings, valves, gears | Stampings, springs | Marine hardware |
| Cost to Machine | Lowest | 2–3x higher | 2–3x higher |
Key takeaway: If your part does not need saltwater resistance or lead-free compliance, brass 360 is the best choice. It machines faster and costs less than any other brass alloy.
Brass 360 vs Other CNC Materials
Not sure if brass 360 is right? Here is how it stacks up against the most common CNC metals.
| Property | Brass 360 | Aluminum 6061-T6 | Stainless 303 | Copper C110 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machinability | 100% | 90% | 45% | 20% |
| Tensile Strength | 58 ksi | 45 ksi | 90 ksi | 32–50 ksi |
| Thermal Conductivity | 115 W/mK | 167 W/mK | 16 W/mK | 391 W/mK |
| Electrical Conductivity | 26% IACS | 43% IACS | 2.5% IACS | 101% IACS |
| Density | 0.307 lb/in³ | 0.098 lb/in³ | 0.289 lb/in³ | 0.323 lb/in³ |
| Corrosion | Good | Good (with anodize) | Excellent | Good |
| Typical Part Cost | $75–$300 | $65–$250 | $100–$400 | $95–$400 |
| Best For | Fittings, valves, gears | Brackets, housings | Shafts, fasteners | Heat sinks, bus bars |
Choose brass 360 when you need corrosion resistance, a beautiful finish, and the lowest machining cost. Choose copper C110 for thermal or electrical jobs. Choose aluminum 6061-T6 when weight matters. Choose stainless 303 when you need high strength and chemical resistance.
Get a Brass 360 Quote in Minutes
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Upload CAD for Instant QuoteIndustries That Use CNC Machined Brass 360
Brass 360 shows up everywhere that needs corrosion resistance, good looks, and fast machining. Here are the top six industries.
Plumbing & Fluid Handling
Fittings, valves, manifolds, and couplings. Brass 360 resists corrosion from water and steam. It seals well with O-rings and threads cleanly for leak-free joints.
Electrical & Electronics
Connectors, terminals, and switch contacts. Brass 360 conducts electricity at 26% IACS and machines into complex pin shapes with tight tolerances. Great for high-volume connector pins.
Musical Instruments
Keys, slides, valve casings, and mouthpiece components for trumpets, trombones, and saxophones. Brass 360 is the standard material for precision instrument hardware.
Industrial Equipment
Gears, bushings, bearings, and wear plates. Brass 360 has low friction against steel shafts. It works as a sacrificial wear surface that protects more expensive parts.
Decorative Hardware
Knobs, handles, trim, and architectural fittings. The gold color of brass 360 looks premium with no finish needed. Add clear lacquer to prevent tarnishing over time.
Medical & Lab Equipment
Gas fittings, flow control valves, and instrument housings. Brass 360 is easy to sterilize and resists corrosion from cleaning chemicals used in lab environments.
Design Tips for CNC Machining Brass 360
Brass 360 is forgiving to machine, but smart design still saves you money. Here are the top tips.
1 Use Standard Thread Sizes
Brass taps easily and holds threads well. Stick to standard sizes like 10-32, 1/4-20, or M6 for the lowest cost. Brass threads don't need thread-locking compounds in most cases because the material deforms slightly during assembly to grip.
2 Keep Inside Corner Radii at 0.030" or Larger
Brass 360 machines fast with standard end mills. A 0.030" inside corner radius lets us use common 1/16" tools at full speed. Sharp corners need slow EDM or small tools that add cost.
3 Avoid Very Thin Walls
Brass is softer than steel. Walls under 0.040" can deflect during cutting. Keep walls at 0.060" or thicker for best results. If you need thin sections, let us know and we will adjust our fixturing.
4 Design for Turning When Possible
Many brass parts are round — fittings, pins, connectors. Round parts cut faster on a CNC lathe than a mill. Design with a cylindrical base shape and add milled features only where needed.
5 Consider As-Machined Finish
Brass 360 comes off the machine with a bright gold surface. Many customers skip secondary finishing entirely. If you want to prevent tarnishing, a simple clear lacquer coat is the cheapest option.
Surface Finishes for Brass 360
Brass 360 looks great as-machined. But you have more options when you need them.
- As-machined: Bright gold color. 125 Ra or better. Ready to use for most parts. The most popular finish for brass.
- Tumble polished: Smooth, even surface with rounded edges. Removes tool marks. Good for decorative parts.
- Mirror polish: High-gloss reflective surface. Used for decorative hardware, instruments, and display pieces.
- Clear lacquer: Thin clear coat that prevents tarnishing. Keeps the gold color looking new for years. Common for architectural hardware.
- Nickel plating: Bright silver finish over brass. Adds wear resistance. Used for fittings that see heavy use.
- Chrome plating: Hard, bright, and durable. Adds a modern silver look. Common for bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
- Passivation: Chemical cleaning that removes surface contaminants. Improves corrosion resistance for fluid-handling parts.
- Blackening (patina): Controlled darkening for an antique look. Popular for decorative and architectural hardware.
Tolerances for CNC Machined Brass 360
Brass 360 holds tight tolerances better than most metals. The clean chip formation means smooth surfaces and precise dimensions right off the tool.
- General features: ±0.005" (±0.127 mm)
- Precision features: ±0.001" (±0.025 mm)
- Critical features: ±0.0005" (±0.013 mm) on request
- Surface finish: 32–125 Ra standard, 16 Ra or better on request
- Flatness: 0.001" per inch on ground surfaces
- Thread tolerance: Class 2B (standard) or Class 3B (precision)
Brass 360's high machinability means achieving ±0.001" is routine. The material does not work-harden like stainless steel, so dimensions stay stable throughout the cutting process. This makes brass 360 one of the most consistent materials for precision work.
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Upload CAD for Instant QuoteBrass 360 CNC Machining Pricing
Brass 360 is one of the cheapest metals to machine because of its 100% machinability rating. Less machine time means lower cost per part.
Typical Price Ranges
- Simple fittings and connectors: $75–$125 per piece
- Medium-complexity valves and housings: $125–$225 per piece
- Complex gear or multi-feature parts: $200–$300+ per piece
- Volume discount: 10+ pieces typically 15–25% less per piece
What Drives Brass 360 Part Cost
| Factor | Lower Cost | Higher Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Complexity | Simple turned part — 1 setup | Multi-axis milled part — 3+ setups |
| Tolerances | Standard ±0.005" | Precision ±0.001" or tighter |
| Finish | As-machined (free) | Mirror polish, chrome plate |
| Quantity | 10+ pieces (amortized setup) | 1 piece (full setup cost) |
| Lead Time | Standard 5–7 days | Rush 3 days (expedite fee) |
Upload your CAD file for exact pricing. You get a real number in minutes, not a range.
Why RivCut for Brass 360 CNC Machining
We machine a lot of brass 360. Here is why teams choose RivCut for their brass parts.
- Brass 360 always in stock. We keep C36000 round bar and flat stock on hand. No waiting for material. Your part goes straight into production.
- 100% made in USA. Every brass part is machined in our Union City, California facility. No overseas outsourcing.
- No minimum order. One fitting or 5,000 connectors. Same process, same quality.
- Free DFM review. We check your design for thin walls, tight radii, and features that add cost. Most shops charge for this.
- Optimized for brass. Our machinists know the speeds, feeds, and tooling that get the best finish on brass 360. Sharp tools, high feeds, minimal coolant.
- Prototype to production. Start with 1 part. Scale to thousands. No shop switch needed.
The RivCut Guarantee
If your brass 360 parts don't match your drawing, we remake them at no charge. Every dimension on your print is a promise we make. We back that with calibrated inspection and a team that takes tolerance seriously.
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Brass 360 CNC Machining: Common Questions
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