Free-Cutting Leaded Brass · CuZn38Pb2

CW608N

CuZn38Pb2 — EN 12164 / EN 12165

Free-cutting leaded brass (CuZn38Pb2), the EN equivalent of US forging brass C37700. Pb 1.6–2.5% gives clean, fast machining and excellent hot stamping for fittings, valve components and general turned parts.

⚙️ Free-Cutting
🔧 Hot-Stamping
📋 EN 12164
⚠️ RoHS Ex 6(c)
🌍 BS CZ128 (legacy)
C37700
US equivalent (UNS)
60–61%
Copper content by weight
1.6–2.5%
Lead content
Ex 6(c)
RoHS — valid to Jun 2027
Chemical Composition

CW608N — EN 12164 Limits

Weight %. Slightly lower Zn than CW617N shifts the balance toward ductility while Pb keeps machining economical.

ElementSymbolMin %Max %Typical %
CopperCu60.061.060.5
ZincZnBalance~38
LeadPb1.62.52.0
IronFe0.300.08
NickelNi0.300.05
Copper (Cu)
~60.5%
Zinc (Zn)
~38%
Lead (Pb)
~2.0%
Mechanical Properties

Per EN 12164 (round rod)

PropertyConditionValueUnit
Tensile Strength (Rm)EN 12164, temper-dep.360–500MPa
Proof Stress (Rp0.2)EN 12164, temper-dep.230–350MPa
Elongation (A)EN 12164, temper-dep.3–20%
Hardnesstemper-dependent90–150HB
Machinabilityfree-cutting; confirm on cert
Density20 °C8.44g/cm³
Thermal Conductivityconfirm on certW/(m·K)
Melting Rangeconfirm on cert°C
Typical Applications
  • Plumbing fitting bodies that are flared or swaged in assembly
  • Pneumatic and compression fitting components
  • Turned parts with secondary crimping or staking operations
  • General fittings balancing machining cost and formability
Why choose CW608N?

Free-cutting machining and forging brass

  • Free-cutting — Pb 1.6–2.5% gives clean chips and fast turning
  • Excellent hot stamping — the EN equivalent of US forging brass C37700
  • EN 12164 standardised — readily available drawn rod across Europe and India
  • RoHS via Exemption 6(c) — same compliance route as the other leaded grades
  • Not DZR — for wetted potable parts specify a DZR or lead-free grade
RoHS & Compliance

Compliance Status

RoHS
Exemption 6(c) Required
Pb 1.6–2.5% — within the 4% copper-alloy allowance. Valid to 30 June 2027.
Drinking Water (US)
Not Suitable — Wetted Parts
NSF/ANSI 372 limits weighted Pb to 0.25% in potable systems. Use a lead-free grade instead.
Lead-free alternatives
CW724R · C69300 — silicon brass, 78–80% machinability
International Equivalents

CW608N Cross-Reference

StandardDesignation
EN (Europe)CW608N / CuZn38Pb2
BS (UK legacy)CZ128
DIN (Germany)CuZn38Pb2
ISOCuZn38Pb2
UNS / ASTM (USA)C37700 (exact equivalent)
CW608N's exact US equivalent is UNS C37700 (CuZn38Pb2) — they are the same alloy (EN vs US designation). Confirm composition limits against your drawing when substituting.
← Max machining
CW614N
CuZn39Pb3 — benchmark, but brittle when formed
More ductility →
CW612N
CuZn39Pb2 — free-machining brass
↑ All alloys
Materials Library
Frequently Asked Questions

CW608N — common questions

What is CW608N brass used for?

CW608N (CuZn38Pb2, UNS C37700) is a free-cutting leaded brass per EN 12164/12165. It machines and hot-stamps cleanly and is widely used for fittings, valve components and general turned parts.

Is CW608N RoHS compliant?

Yes, under RoHS Annex III Exemption 6(c) (lead up to 4% in copper alloys), currently valid to 30 June 2027. For mandatory lead-free applications specify CW724R or C69300 silicon brass.

How does CW608N differ from CW617N and CW614N?

All three are leaded machining brasses. CW614N (CuZn39Pb3) has the most lead and the best chip-breaking for pure bar turning; CW617N (CuZn40Pb2) is the hot-forging grade; CW608N (CuZn38Pb2, = US C37700) is the general-purpose free-cutting and hot-stamping grade, used for machined and forged fittings and valve components.

What are the international equivalents of CW608N?

The nearest equivalents are C37700-family leaded brasses (US, ASTM) and former UK designation CZ128. Composition is specified in EN 12164; Brassland supplies EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill certificates with every lot.

CW608N machined in Jamnagar

Machining economy plus forming headroom, to your drawing. ISO 9001:2015. Quote within 24 hours.

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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.