Low-Lead Machining Brass — Ductile

CW612N

CuZn38Pb1.5 — EN 12164

Low-lead free-machining brass that keeps real cold-work ductility. Pb 1.0–2.0% delivers ~65% machinability while the part can still be swaged, crimped or staked in assembly. The EN twin of US forging brass C37700's family. Legacy BS: CZ131.

⚙️ ~65% Machinability
🔧 Crimp / Swage / Stake
📋 EN 12164
⚠️ RoHS Ex 6(c)
🌍 ≡ C37700 family
~65%
Machinability vs benchmark
1.0–2.0%
Lead — lowest of the leaded grades
≥22%
Elongation — best leaded-grade ductility
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 %
CopperCu59.062.060.5
ZincZnBalance~38
LeadPb1.02.01.5
IronFe0.300.08
NickelNi0.300.05
Copper (Cu)
~60.5%
Zinc (Zn)
~38%
Lead (Pb)
~1.5%
Mechanical Properties

Per EN 12164 (round rod)

PropertyConditionValueUnit
Tensile Strength (Rm)R360360–480MPa
Proof Stress (Rp0.2)R360≥140MPa
Elongation (A)R360≥22%
HardnessR360 typical90–115HB
Machinabilityvs C36000 = 100~65%
Density8.50g/cm³
Thermal Conductivity~125W/(m·K)
Melting Rangesolidus–liquidus900–930°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?

Machinability you can still bend

  • Pb 1.0–2.0% — enough for clean chips at ~65% of the benchmark
  • ≥22% elongation — the most formable of the leaded machining grades
  • Future-resilient — lowest Pb of the leaded family if Exemption 6(c) thresholds tighten
  • EN 12164 standardised — common drawn-rod stock
  • UNS context: C37700 — hot-forging twin shares the CuZn39Pb2 family chemistry
RoHS & Compliance

Compliance Status

RoHS
Exemption 6(c) Required
Pb 1.0–2.0% — 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 / CuZn38Pb1.5
UNS / ASTM (USA)C37700 (forging twin) · C35000 (close)
BS (UK legacy)CZ131
DIN (Germany)CuZn38Pb1.5
ISOCuZn38Pb1.5
CW612N (CuZn39Pb2 family) is the EN designation matched to US forging brass C37700 in cross-reference tables; for drawn-rod substitution C35000-family medium-leaded brasses are closer. Confirm which your drawing intends.
UNS twin →
C37700
Forging brass — ASTM B283 / B124
← More machining
CW625N
CuZn38Pb2 — 72% machinability
↑ All alloys
Materials Library
Frequently Asked Questions

CW612N — common questions

What is CW612N brass used for?

CW612N (CuZn38Pb1.5) is a low-lead free-machining brass per EN 12164, rated around 65% machinability with noticeably better cold-work ductility than CW614N. It suits turned parts that also need swaging, crimping, staking or light bending after machining.

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. Its lower lead content (~1.5%) also positions it well if exemption thresholds tighten.

CW612N vs CW614N — which should I specify?

CW614N machines faster (95% rating) but is brittle under cold deformation. CW612N trades some machinability for ductility — pick it when the part is crimped, flared or staked in assembly. If the part is purely turned with no forming, CW614N remains the more economical choice.

What are the international equivalents of CW612N?

The nearest equivalents are C35000/C34000 medium-leaded brasses (US, ASTM) and former UK designation CZ131. 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 — UNS forging twin 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.