Structural Lead-Free — Muntz Metal

CuZn40

CW509L — EN 12167 · Muntz Metal · 60/40 Brass

The classic 60/40 brass. Higher zinc introduces beta phase for excellent hot working — extrusion, hot rolling, forging — with reasonable cold formability and ~52% machinability. Used for architectural profiles, condenser tube plates and marine hardware. US equivalent: C28000.

🔥 Excellent Hot Working
🌿 Lead-Free — RoHS
📋 EN 12167
⚙️ ~52% Machinability
🌍 ≡ C28000 · CZ109
α + β
Duplex structure — built for hot work
59–62%
Copper content
~52%
Machinability vs benchmark
RoHS ✓
No exemption required
Chemical Composition

CuZn40 (CW509L) — EN 12167 Limits

Weight %. At ~40% Zn the beta phase appears — harder and stiffer cold, but superbly workable hot.

ElementSymbolMin %Max %Typical %
CopperCu59.062.060.5
ZincZnBalance~39.5
Lead (max) ✓Pb0.10≤0.05
IronFe0.300.05
Copper (Cu)
~60.5%
Zinc (Zn)
~39.5%
Lead ✓
≤0.05%
Mechanical Properties

Typical (annealed → half-hard)

PropertyConditionValueUnit
Tensile Strength (Rm)annealed370–430MPa
Tensile Strength (Rm)half-hard430–520MPa
Proof Stress (Rp0.2)annealed≥140MPa
Elongation (A)annealed≥30%
Hardnessannealed85–105HB
Machinabilityvs C36000 = 100~52%
Density8.39g/cm³
Melting Rangesolidus–liquidus895–905°C
Typical Applications
  • Architectural extrusions and profiles
  • Condenser and heat-exchanger tube plates
  • Marine hardware (fresh-washed; for seawater see C46400)
  • Hot-rolled and hot-formed structural parts
Why choose CuZn40?

Muntz metal — the hot-work generalist

  • Duplex α+β structure — extrudes, rolls and forges beautifully at temperature
  • Lead-free by composition — RoHS compliant with no exemption
  • Stronger than CuZn37 — Rm 370–430 MPa annealed
  • Moderate cold work — stiffer than alpha brass; design forming for hot stages
  • Tin-added sibling: C46400 — naval brass adds ~0.8% Sn for seawater duty
RoHS & Compliance

Compliance Status

RoHS
✓ Fully Compliant
Lead-free by composition — no exemption needed.
Corrosion
Standard — Not DZR
Fine in dry and fresh-washed service; for seawater or aggressive water specify naval brass or a DZR grade.
Marine upgrade
C46400 — naval brass, +0.8% Sn for seawater
International Equivalents

CuZn40 Cross-Reference

StandardDesignation
EN (Europe)CuZn40 / CW509L
ASTM (USA)C28000 (Muntz Metal)
BS (UK legacy)CZ109
DIN (Germany)CuZn40 / Ms60
JIS (Japan)C2801
CuZn40 and C46400 share the 60/40 base — the tin addition is what separates general architectural duty from marine service. Specify by environment.
← Cold-work cousin
CuZn37
Cartridge brass — deep drawing champion
Marine sibling →
C46400
Naval brass — CuZn39Sn1, seawater service
↑ All alloys
Materials Library
Frequently Asked Questions

CuZn40 — common questions

What is CuZn40 (Muntz Metal)?

CuZn40 (CW509L) is a 60/40 copper-zinc brass with an alpha-beta duplex structure. The beta phase makes it excellent for hot working — extrusion, hot rolling and forging — which is why it is used for architectural extrusions, condenser tube plates and marine hardware.

Is CuZn40 RoHS compliant?

Yes — CuZn40 is lead-free by composition and RoHS compliant without exemptions.

How does CuZn40 compare with CuZn37 for forming?

They are opposites: CuZn37's all-alpha structure excels at cold forming, while CuZn40's duplex structure prefers hot working and is harder and stiffer cold. Pick CuZn37 for deep drawing at room temperature; pick CuZn40 for hot-extruded or hot-rolled shapes (machinability about 52%).

What standards and equivalents apply to CuZn40?

Rod and profiles are specified in EN 12167 (designation CW509L). The traditional US equivalent is C28000 Muntz Metal, former UK designation CZ109. Brassland supplies EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill certificates with every lot.

CuZn40 parts made in Jamnagar

Hot-worked and machined to your drawing. ISO 9001:2015. Quote within 24 hours.

Request a Quote
Sources & References

Verify this datasheet against the primary source

Composition ranges, mechanical properties, machinability ratings and regulatory data on this page are cross-referenced against the publishers below. Tolerances and minimum values are taken from the relevant published standard at the time of writing — for procurement specification, always reference the current published edition.

Copper Development Association
CDA alloy database — composition & properties
ASTM International
US specifications for copper-alloy rod, bar and forgings
MatWeb
Independent material property database — C36000 by temper
European Copper Institute
Copper Alliance EU — EN alloy designation system
SteelNumber.com
EN material designation cross-reference (CW603N/CW614N)
CEN / CENELEC
EN 12164, EN 12165, EN 12167 — EN brass rod standards
EU RoHS Directive 2011/65
Annex III Exemption 6(c) — valid to 30 Jun 2027
ECHA REACH SVHC List
Lead is on the candidate list (Article 33)
NSF/ANSI/CAN 61
Drinking water system components (US/CA)
Brassland — Standards Guide
Plain-English explainer for every standard above

Last reviewed: June 2026. EN/ISO/ASTM standards are updated periodically. This datasheet reflects the editions listed; for safety-critical or contract-critical applications, always verify against the current published edition of the standard. For project-specific deviations or supplier-specific composition windows, request a Type 3.1 mill certificate (EN 10204) with your order.