Near-net-shape brass forging at 600–750 °C for valve bodies, manifolds and high-integrity pressure parts — managed to our dies, then machined and finished in-house.
Hot forging is a complementary process to our core CNC turning — not our primary capability. You still get one accountable supplier for the whole part:
For cylindrical and small precision parts, CNC turning or Swiss turning from bar is usually faster and lower cost than forging.
Above roughly 600 °C, leaded brass (CW617N) becomes highly plastic and flows to fill the die cavity under 1,000–5,000 tonnes of press force. Forging works the metal rather than cutting it: micro-porosity in the billet is closed, density rises, and the grain structure flows continuously around the part contour instead of being severed by a tool. That directional grain gives forged valve bodies and pressure fittings roughly 15–30% higher fatigue and burst strength than the same part cut from bar.
Because the blank is near-net shape, 85–95% of the material ends up in the part (versus 40–70% when turning from solid), and only the sealing faces, threads and bores need CNC finishing. The temperature window is critical: too cold and the die will not fill and cracks initiate; above ~800 °C grain growth and hot-shortness degrade the part. Lead in CW617N (1.6–2.5%) acts as a hot lubricant, easing die fill and extending die life.
| Alloy | Hot Forging | Forging Temp. | Lead-Free | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW617N | Excellent | 620–720°C | Pb 1.6–2.5% | Valve bodies, plumbing fittings, complex manifolds — the primary forging grade worldwide |
| C37700 | Excellent | 620–720°C | Pb 1.5–2.5% | US-spec forgings (ASTM B283) — the North American forging standard, EN twin CW612N |
| CW614N | Excellent | 610–720°C | Pb 2.5–3.5% | High-precision forgings where post-forge CNC finish quality is critical |
| CW724R | Good | 700–780°C | ✓ RoHS Free | Lead-free valve bodies and fittings; DZR + RoHS required |
| CW510L | Good | 680–760°C | ✓ RoHS Free | Lead-free hot forging where RoHS required but DZR not needed; highest-Zn lead-free |
| CuZn40 | Good | 680–750°C | ✓ RoHS Free | Alpha-beta duplex; good hot-workability; architectural / structural hot-extrusion |
| CW625N | Moderate | 630–720°C | Pb 1.5–2.5% | Sometimes forged for plumbing fittings; higher Cu gives slightly less hot-ductility |
| CuZn37 | Not recommended | N/A | ✓ RoHS Free | Alpha-phase only — insufficient hot-ductility for closed die forging |
Lead in CW617N (1.6–2.5%) acts as an internal lubricant at forging temperatures, allowing the brass to flow smoothly into complex die cavities. This improves die fill, reduces forging pressure, and extends die life.
CW617N has been the standard brass forging grade globally for decades — its combination of excellent hot workability AND excellent machinability for post-forge CNC finishing makes it uniquely dual-purpose.
Lead-free forging is more challenging but well-established for CW724R and CW510L. These alloys require slightly higher forging temperatures and greater press tonnage to achieve equivalent die fill.
CW724R forgings are used for lead-free DZR valve bodies — the forging process is proven in European markets where both DZR certification and lead-free are mandatory.
Brassland manages closed-die brass forging through a dedicated forging partner — built to our die designs and quality plan — in CW617N, CW724R and other grades. We machine, finish and inspect every forged part in-house in Jamnagar.
Discuss Your Forging CW617N DatasheetThe detail behind a sound forging — what we specify to our forging partner and verify on the machined part.
H13/H21 tool-steel dies with correct draft, generous radii and a controlled flash land — for EN 12420 tolerance and long die life.
Graphite or graphite-free synthetic lubricant — graphite-free where WRAS or food-contact parts cannot carry carbon residue.
Flash trimmed hot (or cold for delicate parts) before CNC finishing; the trimmed brass is recycled.
Stress-relief anneal (250–300°C) for ammonia-exposed or fatigue-loaded parts to prevent season cracking.
Brass hot forging is carried out by qualified partner forges near our Jamnagar facility, working exclusively in brass; all finish machining, thread cutting and quality inspection then happen in-house at Brassland under ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001. We do not offer casting.
Forging wins when the part is large relative to bar stock, has a non-round body, or needs the strength and pressure-tightness of an unbroken grain flow — valve and fitting bodies, manifolds, flange parts. Machining from bar wins on smaller round parts and tighter as-machined tolerances. Many parts combine both: forged blank, CNC-finished features.
CW617N (CuZn40Pb2) is the standard forging brass; lead-free CW510L (CuZn42) is used where regulations require it. Forging stock is specified per EN 12165, with EN 10204 Type 3.1 certificates per lot.
As-forged dimensions follow EN 12420 forging tolerances; functional features are then CNC machined to the drawing — typically ±0.01 mm capability on machined diameters. Send your drawing and we’ll mark which features are forged and which are machined.
Forging, alloy and tolerance guidance on this page is drawn from the standards bodies and references below. For production-critical work, validate against the relevant standard and your material supplier.
Last reviewed: June 2026. Values are typical for hot-forged leaded brass (CW617N) finished by CNC; validate critical features via first-article inspection (FAI) before scale production. Forging is produced by Brassland's dedicated forging partner to our dies and quality plan.