Brass Alloy Selection Guide
Compare machinability, DZR rating, RoHS status, and workability across 20 core alloys. Decision guide for engineers and procurement teams.
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Relative Machinability (CW614N = 100% reference)
The 20 core grades, ranked against the CW614N reference. Higher = faster cutting speeds, lower tool wear, better surface finish. UNS equivalents (violet) carry their EN equivalent’s rating; C46400 and C14500 per their own datasheets. Ratings follow the Copper Development Association scale (C36000 = 100) and the Kupferverband (DKI) index (CuZn39Pb3 = 100); C6802 is classed as free-cutting brass in JIS H3250 and carries no index number.
Key Properties at a Glance
Machinability: CW614N = 100. Hot and cold working: ratings of the Copper Development Association for the grade or its UNS equivalent and of the Kupferverband (DKI) data sheets. ¹ The standard allows Pb ≤0.2 %; heats with Pb ≤0.10 % need no RoHS exemption.
| Alloy | Machinability | DZR | RoHS | Hot | Cold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW617N | 90 | No | Ex 6(c) | Excellent | Poor |
| CW614N | 100 | No | Ex 6(c) | Excellent | Poor |
| CW625N | 55 | Yes | Ex 6(c) | Good | Good |
| CW602N | 75–85 | Yes | Ex 6(c) | Good | Fair to good |
| CW724R | 85 | Yes | Yes | Excellent | Poor |
| CW612N | 85 | No | Ex 6(c) | Excellent | Fair |
| CW607N | 70 | No | Ex 6(c) | Excellent | Fair |
| CW510L | 50 | No | Ex 6(c)¹ | Excellent | Poor |
| CuZn37 | ~35 | No | Yes | Fair | Excellent |
| CuZn40 | 40 | No | Ex 6(c)¹ | Excellent | Fair |
| C27450 | 70 | No | Ex 6(c) | Excellent | Excellent |
| C6802 | free-cutting | No | Yes | — | — |
| C11000 | 20 | n/a | Yes | Excellent | Excellent |
UNS grades with their own datasheets: C36000 (≡CW603N; cross-referenced to CW614N), C37700 (≡CW608N and CW612N), C35330 (≡CW602N), C69300 (≡CW724R), C46400 naval brass and C14500 tellurium copper. Full data on each datasheet.
Composition of the 20 core 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 | 1.6–2.2 | Fe ≤0.3, Ni ≤0.3 | EN 12164 |
| CW614N | CuZn39Pb3 | 57–59 | rem | 2.2–3.5 | Fe ≤0.3, Ni ≤0.3 | EN 12164 |
| CW625N | CuZn35Pb1.5AlAs | 62–64 | rem | 1.2–1.6 | Al 0.5–0.7, As 0.02–0.15 | EN 12164 |
| CW602N | CuZn36Pb2As | 61–63 | rem | 1.7–2.8 | As 0.02–0.15 (DZR inhibitor) | EN 12164 |
| CW724R | CuZn21Si3P | 75–77 | rem | ≤0.10 | Si 2.7–3.5, P 0.02–0.10 (lead-free DZR) | EN 12164 |
| CW612N | CuZn39Pb2 | 59–60 | rem | 1.6–2.5 | Fe ≤0.3 | EN 12164 |
| CW607N | CuZn38Pb1 | 60–61 | rem | 0.8–1.6 | Fe ≤0.2 | EN 12164 |
| CW510L | CuZn42 | 57–59 | rem | ≤0.2 | Fe ≤0.3 (forging grade) | EN 12165 / 12167 |
| CuZn37 | CW508L · alpha brass | 62–64 | rem | ≤0.10 | Fe ≤0.1 (cold-forming) | EN 1652 |
| CuZn40 | CW509L · Muntz | 59–61.5 | rem | ≤0.2 | Fe ≤0.2 | EN 12167 |
| C27450 | UNS yellow brass | 60–65 | rem | ≤0.25 | Fe ≤0.35 | ASTM / UNS |
| C6802 | Bismuth brass | 57–64 | rem | ≤0.10 | Bi 0.5–4.0, Sn (lead-free) | JIS H3250 |
| C11000 | Cu-ETP (pure copper) | ≥99.90 | — | ≤0.005 (CW004A) | Cu includes Ag; ≥100% IACS annealed | 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
Hot forging and cold forming, rated on the same basis as the table above.
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
The 20 core 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 6509-1 — for aggressive water and hot-water systems. Leaded; where drinking water sets a lead limit, use lead-free CW724R. End-product approvals rest with the fitting maker.
For low-lead programmes — lead within the NSF/ANSI 372 limit by composition. 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: September 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.
Brassland manufactures brass turned parts and CNC machined components to your drawing in Jamnagar, India, including precision turned brass components on 28+ Swiss-type lathes, with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate on every shipment.