Brass Alloy Selection Guide
Compare machinability, DZR rating, RoHS status, and workability across 19 documented alloys. Decision guide for engineers and procurement teams.
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Relative Machinability (CW614N = 100% reference)
All 19 documented grades, ranked against the CW614N reference. Higher = faster cutting speeds, lower tool wear, better surface finish. UNS twins (violet) carry their EN equivalent’s rating; C46400 and C14500 per their own datasheets.
Key Properties at a Glance
●●●●● = Excellent ● = Poor
| Alloy | Machine | DZR | RoHS | Hot | Cold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW617N | ●●●●● | No | No | Yes | Ltd |
| CW614N | ●●●●● | No | No | Yes | Ltd |
| CW625N | ●●●● | No | No | Yes | Ltd |
| CW602N | ●●●● | Yes | No | Yes | Ltd |
| CW724R | ●●● | Yes | Yes | Yes | Ltd |
| CW612N | ●●●● | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| CW607N | ●●●● | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| CW510L | ●●● | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| CuZn37 | ●●● | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| CuZn40 | ●●● | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| C27450 | ●● | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| C6802 | ●● | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| C11000 | ● | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Six UNS grades are documented as direct twins of EN alloys in the matrix and share their ratings — C36000 (≈CW614N class), C37700 (≡CW612N), C35330 (≈CW602N), C69300 (≡CW724R), plus C46400 naval brass and C14500 tellurium copper. Full data on each datasheet.
Composition of all 19 alloys
Nominal composition in weight %, per EN 12164/12165, ASTM B371 and ASTM B187. Zinc is the balance ("rem" = remainder) in every brass. Green Pb = lead-free / low-lead (≤0.1%). Click an alloy for the full datasheet with mechanical properties and tolerances.
| Alloy | Designation | Cu % | Zn % | Pb % | Other key elements | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW617N | CuZn40Pb2 | 57–59 | rem | 1.6–2.5 | Fe ≤0.3, Ni ≤0.3 | EN 12164 |
| CW614N | CuZn39Pb3 | 57–59 | rem | 2.5–3.5 | Fe ≤0.3, Ni ≤0.3 | EN 12164 |
| CW625N | CuZn38Pb2 | 59–62 | rem | 1.5–2.5 | Fe ≤0.3 | EN 12164 |
| CW602N | CuZn36Pb2As | 61–63 | rem | 1.5–2.5 | As 0.02–0.15 (DZR inhibitor) | EN 12164 |
| CW724R | CuZn21Si3P | 75–78 | rem | ≤0.10 | Si 2.7–3.5, P 0.02–0.15 (lead-free DZR) | EN 12164 |
| CW612N | CuZn38Pb1.5 | 59–62 | rem | 1.0–2.0 | Fe ≤0.3 | EN 12164 |
| CW607N | CuZn36Pb2 | 62–64 | rem | 1.5–2.5 | Fe ≤0.3 (no arsenic) | EN 12164 |
| CW510L | CuZn42 | 57–59 | rem | ≤0.10 | Fe ≤0.3 (forging grade) | EN 12165 |
| CuZn37 | CW508L · alpha brass | 62–64 | rem | ≤0.10 | Fe ≤0.1 (cold-forming) | EN 1652 |
| CuZn40 | CW509L · Muntz | 59–62 | rem | ≤0.10 | Fe ≤0.3 | EN 12164 |
| C27450 | UNS yellow brass | 62–64 | rem | ≤0.10 | Fe ≤0.3 | ASTM / UNS |
| C6802 | Cu–Si silicon brass | 80–83 | rem | ≤0.09 | Si 3.0–4.5, Mn ≤0.5 (lead-free DZR) | ASTM B371 |
| C11000 | Cu-ETP (pure copper) | ≥99.90 | — | ≤0.005 | O ~0.04; ≈100% IACS conductivity | ASTM B187 |
Values are nominal specification ranges for guidance; for a specific lot, request an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate with your order. Full per-element min/max/typical tables are on each alloy datasheet.
Formability by Alloy
Relative capability for hot forging and cold forming operations.
ISO 9001 Material Traceability
Every alloy batch is spectrometer-verified and shipped with full mill certs and third-party test reports on request.
View CertificationsBrowse by Material Family
All 19 documented alloys, grouped the way buyers actually choose them. Every tag opens the full datasheet.
Highest machinability — the workhorses of high-volume CNC and Swiss-turn production. Leaded; not for potable water.
Dezincification-resistant per ISO 6509 — built for potable and hot-water systems. End-product approvals rest with the fitting maker.
For low-lead programmes — NSF 372 / EU DWD limits by design. Silicon grades machine nearly as well as leaded brass.
Alpha-beta brasses that flow under the hammer — forged blanks, then machined to finish. The fittings standard.
Cold-formable and corrosion-duty grades — deep-drawn parts, stamped components and marine service.
Alloy Selection by Service Environment
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Choosing a brass alloy — common questions
What is the most machinable brass?
What is the best lead-free brass?
Which brass should be used for potable (drinking) water?
Which brass or copper has the highest electrical conductivity?
What is the difference between CW617N and CW614N?
Verify against the primary source
Composition ranges, mechanical properties, machinability ratings and regulatory data on this page are cross-referenced against the publishers below. Always confirm any data point against the current published edition at the official source.
Last reviewed: June 2026 · maintained by the Brassland editorial team. EN/ISO/ASTM standards and EU regulations are updated periodically; for contract-critical work, always verify against the current published edition. For supplier-specific composition windows, request a Type 3.1 mill certificate (EN 10204) with your order.