Free-Machining Brass · EN 12164

CW612N

CuZn39Pb2 — EN 12164

General-purpose free-machining brass to EN 12164. Pb 1.6–2.5% gives ~85% machinability with excellent hot-working and forgeability. Commercially cross-referenced to US forging brass C37700 for forging duty (C37700's exact EN twin is CW608N); legacy BS: CZ128.

⚙️ ~85% Machinability
🔧 Hot-Forgeable
📋 EN 12164
⚠️ RoHS Ex 6(c)
🌍 ≈ C37700 (forging duty)
~85%
Machinability vs benchmark
1.6–2.5%
Lead content (Pb)
C37700
US cross-reference (forging duty)
Ex 6(c)
RoHS — valid to Jun 2027
Chemical Composition

CW612N — EN 12164 Limits

Weight %. The reduced Pb window trades some machinability for genuine post-machining formability.

ElementSymbolMin %Max %Typical %
CopperCu59.060.059.5
ZincZnBalance~39
LeadPb1.62.52.0
IronFe0.300.08
NickelNi0.300.05
Copper (Cu)
~59.5%
Zinc (Zn)
~39%
Lead (Pb)
~2%
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.150–400MPa
Elongation (A)EN 12164, temper-dep.3–20%
Hardnesstemper-dependent90–150HB
Machinabilityvs CuZn39Pb3 = 100~85%
Density8.40g/cm³
Thermal Conductivity~115W/(m·K)
Melting Rangesolidus–liquidus880–900°C
Typical Applications
  • Turned parts that are crimped, flared or staked in assembly
  • Automotive and HVAC components with forming operations
  • Cable gland and gripper components
  • Hose tails and barbs that swage onto tubing
Why choose CW612N?

Reliable EN free-machining brass

  • Pb 1.6–2.5% — enough for clean chips at ~85% of the benchmark
  • Hot-forging — excellent hot-working and forgeability
  • Most-used machining brass — the common EN free-cutting grade alongside CuZn39Pb3
  • EN 12164 standardised — common drawn-rod stock
  • UNS context: C37700 — commercially cross-referenced for hot-forging duty; C37700's exact EN twin is CW608N
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

CW612N Cross-Reference

StandardDesignation
EN (Europe)CW612N / CuZn39Pb2
UNS / ASTM (USA)C37700 (commercial cross-reference for forging duty — exact US twin of CW608N)
BS (UK legacy)CZ128
DIN (Germany)CuZn39Pb2
ISOCuZn39Pb2
CW612N (CuZn39Pb2) is most often cross-referenced to US forging brass C37700; confirm the exact substitution against your drawing and EN 12164.
UNS cross-ref →
C37700
Forging brass — ASTM B283 / B124
← Faster machining
CW614N
CuZn39Pb3 — 100% machinability
↑ All alloys
Materials Library
Frequently Asked Questions

CW612N — common questions

What is CW612N brass used for?

CW612N (CuZn39Pb2) is a low-lead free-machining brass per EN 12164, rated around 85% machinability. It is one of the most widely used machining and hot-forging brasses, for turned and forged parts across automotive, HVAC and general engineering.

Is CW612N RoHS compliant?

Yes, under RoHS Annex III Exemption 6(c), which permits up to 4% lead in copper alloys and is currently valid to 30 June 2027.

CW612N vs CW614N — which should I specify?

CW614N (CuZn39Pb3, 100% machinability) carries more lead for the fastest pure turning. CW612N (CuZn39Pb2, ~85%) has slightly less lead; both machine and hot-forge well. Choose by lead content and your forging requirements.

What are the international equivalents of CW612N?

CW612N is commercially cross-referenced to US forging brass C37700 for forging duty (C37700's exact EN twin is CW608N); the former UK designation is CZ128. Composition is specified in EN 12164; Brassland supplies EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill certificates with every lot.

CW612N machined in Jamnagar

Turned, then crimped, flared or staked — 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 C37700 — cross-referenced US forging brass datasheet
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.