Leaded Free-Machining Brass — EU Benchmark

CW614N (CuZn39Pb3) Brass

CuZn39Pb3 — EN 12164 / EN 12165

CW614N (CuZn39Pb3, EN 12164 / EN 12165) is the European benchmark free-machining leaded brass — 57–59% copper and 2.5–3.5% lead, rated 100% machinability — the EN twin of C36000 (legacy BS CZ121). The European benchmark for free machining — the EN twin of C36000. Highest standard lead content (2.5–3.5%) gives the best chip-breaking and surface finish in the EN brass family. First choice for high-volume CNC and Swiss-turned parts. Legacy BS designation: CZ121.

⚙️ 100% Machinability Benchmark
✨ Best Surface Finish
📋 EN 12164
⚠️ RoHS Ex 6(c)
🌍 ≡ C36000 · CZ121
100%
Machinability — EN benchmark grade
57–59%
Copper content by weight
2.5–3.5%
Lead — maximum chip-breaking
Ex 6(c)
RoHS — valid to Jun 2027
Chemical Composition

CW614N — EN 12164 Limits

Weight %. Highest standard Pb content in EN brass grades — maximum lubrication during cutting, finest surface finishes.

ElementSymbolMin %Max %Typical %
CopperCu57.059.058.0
ZincZnBalance~38.5
LeadPb2.53.53.0
IronFe0.300.10
NickelNi0.300.05
Copper (Cu)
~58%
Zinc (Zn)
~38.5%
Lead (Pb)
~3.0%
Mechanical Properties

Per EN 12164 (round rod)

PropertyConditionValueUnit
Tensile Strength (Rm)R360360–470MPa
Tensile Strength (Rm)R430430–530MPa
Proof Stress (Rp0.2)R360≥130MPa
Elongation (A)R360≥15%
HardnessR360 typical90–110HB
Machinabilityvs C36000 = 100~100%
Density8.50g/cm³
Thermal Conductivity~120W/(m·K)
Melting Rangesolidus–liquidus890–920°C
Typical Applications
  • High-volume CNC and Swiss-turned parts — inserts, terminals, standoffs
  • Precision screw-machine products with critical surface finish
  • Connector bodies, sensor housings, instrument components
  • Fastener components — nuts, set screws, screw plugs
  • Watch, optical and decorative parts needing fine finish
Why choose CW614N?

The grade CNC shops reach for first

  • Highest Pb (2.5–3.5%) — maximum cutting lubrication; the finest surface finishes achievable in brass
  • Benchmark machinability — the EN twin of C36000, the alloy that defines the 100% rating
  • EN 12164 standardised — the default drawn-rod grade on European drawings
  • UNS twin: C36000 — one metallurgy serves EU and US specifications
  • Lower ductility than CW617N — not suited to cold forming, bending or staking after machining
RoHS & Compliance

Compliance Status

RoHS
Exemption 6(c) Required
Pb 2.5–3.5% — 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

CW614N Cross-Reference

StandardDesignation
EN (Europe)CW614N / CuZn39Pb3
UNS / ASTM (USA)C36000 — Free-Cutting Brass
BS (UK legacy)CZ121
DIN (Germany)CuZn39Pb3 / Ms58
JIS (Japan)C3604 (close)
ISOCuZn39Pb3
⚠️ C36000 (ASTM) allows Pb up to 3.7% versus 3.5% max under EN 12164 — check your spec carefully when substituting between systems.
← Forging sibling
CW617N
CuZn40Pb2 — the hot-forging workhorse
UNS twin →
C36000
Free-Cutting Brass 360 — ASTM B16
↑ All alloys
Materials Library
Frequently Asked Questions

CW614N — common questions

What is CW614N brass best used for?

CW614N (CuZn39Pb3) is the highest-lead free-machining brass in EN 12164, the EN twin of the C36000 benchmark, rated ~100% machinability. The lead acts as a chip-breaker, making it the first choice for high-volume CNC and Swiss-turned parts — inserts, terminals, standoffs, valve components — where cycle time and surface finish matter most.

Is CW614N 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. For applications that must be lead-free outright — such as US/EU potable water wetted parts — consider CW724R or C6802 lead-free brass instead.

CW614N vs CW617N — which should I specify?

CW614N is optimised for bar turning: more lead, the best chip-breaking, supplied as drawn rod per EN 12164. CW617N (CuZn40Pb2) has a higher zinc content that gives excellent hot-working, so it is the standard grade for hot-forged and stamped parts that are then machined. If the part is fully machined from rod, choose CW614N; if it starts as a forging, choose CW617N.

What are the international equivalents of CW614N?

The closest equivalents are C36000 free-cutting brass (US, ASTM) and CZ121 (former UK BS designation). Composition is specified in EN 12164; Brassland supplies parts with EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill certificates confirming the alloy lot.

CW614N machined in Jamnagar

The EN free-machining benchmark, turned 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 C36000 — UNS 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.

Made by Brassland
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