Brass forgings and forged components — near-net-shape hot forging for valve bodies, manifolds and high-integrity pressure parts, managed to our dies at a dedicated partner forge, then machined and finished in-house. Forging brass CW617N is worked hot at 650–820 °C.
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 650 °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 the forging window grain growth and hot-shortness degrade the part. Lead in CW617N (1.6–2.2%) acts as a hot lubricant, easing die fill and extending die life.
| Alloy | Hot Forging | Forging Temp. | Lead-Free | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW617N | Excellent | 650–820°C | Pb 1.6–2.2% | Valve bodies, plumbing fittings, complex manifolds — the primary forging grade worldwide |
| C37700 | Excellent | 650–815°C | Pb 1.5–2.5% | US-spec forgings (ASTM B283) — the North American forging standard, EN equivalent CW612N |
| CW614N | Excellent | 625–725°C | Pb 2.2–3.5% | High-precision forgings where post-forge CNC finish quality is critical |
| CW724R | Good | 650–825°C | ✓ RoHS Free | Lead-free valve bodies and fittings; DZR + RoHS required |
| CW510L | Good | 650–800°C | Pb ≤0.2% — by heat | Hot forging without lead addition where DZR is not needed; order heats with Pb ≤0.10% if RoHS without Exemption 6(c) is required |
| CuZn40 | Good | 620–790°C | Pb ≤0.2% — by heat | Alpha-beta duplex; good hot-workability; architectural / structural hot-extrusion |
| CW625N | Moderate | 700–800°C | Pb 1.2–1.6% | Sometimes forged for plumbing fittings; higher Cu gives slightly less hot-ductility |
| CuZn37 | Rarely forged | 750–850°C | ✓ RoHS Free | A cold-forming grade: it can be hot-worked at 750–850°C, but forgings are normally made from the duplex grades above |
Lead in CW617N (1.6–2.2%) 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.
Forging without lead is more challenging but well-established for CW724R (lead-free, Pb ≤0.10%) and CW510L (no lead added, Pb ≤0.2% by standard). These alloys need 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.
Forging dies are a separate line item and are never buried in the piece price; for low volumes we will tell you when a machined-from-bar alternative is the better decision. Every figure below is taken from our FAQ pages, where each point is explained in full.
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | No fixed MOQ — the economical batch size depends on the part and is quoted from your drawing and annual quantity; tooling is always a separate line. Details |
| First articles | 30–50 pieces in 3–4 weeks from approved drawing with existing tooling; 4–6 weeks when new form tools are needed; forged parts 8–10 weeks including the die. A First Article Inspection report comes with every new component. Details |
| Series lead time | Series production runs 3–5 weeks from an approved drawing. A first order, including first articles and their approval, typically totals 6–8 weeks from confirmation, plus 3–4 weeks if new tooling is required. Repeat orders are made to order like any series run — typically 3–5 weeks; with a blanket order we can hold buffer stock, and releases then ship in 2–3 weeks; expedited orders take 3–4 weeks at the earliest, with air freight. Details |
| Tolerances | ISO 2768-m general tolerances unless your title block states otherwise; tighter limits are quoted from the drawing. Details |
| Documentation | Certificate of Conformity with every order; RoHS and REACH declarations at no charge; EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate for the alloy lot; PPAP Level 1–3 in 4–6 weeks from approved drawing. Details |
| Incoterms | EXW Jamnagar, FOB Mundra (FCL) or Nhava Sheva (LCL), CIF and DAP; DDP for selected countries. Any Incoterms 2020 rule on request. Details |
| Currency | Quotations and invoices are in USD. |
| Packaging | Polythene bags with printed labels, thread protectors on every threaded end, double-wall export cartons with edge protectors on pallets. Special packaging quoted separately. Details |
| Samples | 10–50 pieces of standard items at a nominal charge; custom parts are proven through the first-article batch. Details |
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; CW510L (CuZn42, no lead added) or lead-free CW724R 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 ±0.05 mm on turned diameters as standard and ±0.02 mm on precision features. 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: September 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.