CuZn36Pb3 -- 3% lead free-cutting brass, the classic "brass rod" material. Excellent machinability, good cold formability. For general turned brass components, valve stems, and hardware where CuZn39Pb3 free-machining performance is not fully required.
Standards
| Standard Body |
Designation |
Country |
| EN 12164 |
CuZn36Pb3 / CW603N |
EU |
| DIN W.Nr |
CW603N |
Germany |
| UNS |
C34000 (nearest) |
USA |
| ASTM |
B453 (nearest free-cutting brass rod) |
USA |
| BS EN |
CZ124 (nearest) / CW603N |
UK |
| JIS |
C3601 (nearest) |
Japan |
| JUS |
C.MZPb36 |
Yugoslavia/BiH |
Composition (wt.%)
| Element |
Symbol |
Min % |
Max % |
Typical % |
| Copper |
Cu |
61.000 |
63.000 |
62.000 |
| Zinc |
Zn |
34.000 |
37.000 |
35.500 |
| Lead |
Pb |
2.500 |
3.500 |
3.000 |
Physical
Melting Range
895 – 900
°C
Thermal Conductivity
120
W/mK
Thermal Expansion
20.5
×10⁻⁶/K
Machinability
| Rating |
78.0% (B1112=100%) |
| Turning HSS |
220.0 m/min |
| Turning Carbide |
975.0 m/min |
| Surface Finish |
Ra 0.4-1.6 um |
| Coolant |
Light oil mist or dry |
Mechanical
| Condition |
Rm (MPa) | Re (MPa) | A (%) |
HB | HRC | KV (J) | E (GPa) |
| Extruded/Drawn (H02) (H02) |
380 – 470 |
≥250 |
≥15 |
95 – 130 |
— |
— |
100 |
| Annealed (O) (+O) |
340 – 420 |
≥150 |
≥25 |
75 – 105 |
— |
— |
100 |
Heat Treatment
| Process |
Temperature |
Medium |
Duration |
Hardness After |
| Annealing |
450 – 600°C |
Inert or reducing atmosphere |
20-60 min |
HB 75-105 |
| Stress Relief |
150 – 200°C |
Air oven |
1 h |
Minimal |
| NOT hardenable |
— |
Duplex alpha-beta brass -- s |
N/A |
N/A |
| Extrusion (primary production route) |
650 – 750°C |
Hot extrusion press |
N/A |
Standard rod/bar stock |
Applications
Turned Components: General-purpose turned brass components on automatic and CNC lathes.
Valve Hardware: Valve stems, spindles and small valve body components.
Instrument Parts: Precision instrument fittings and small mechanical components.
Hardware: General brass hardware requiring good machinability and moderate formability.
Notes
CuZn36Pb3 vs CuZn39Pb3 vs CuZn40Pb2: CuZn39Pb3: highest Pb+Zn, maximum machinability, standard for the highest-volume simplest turned parts. CuZn36Pb3: slightly lower Zn, marginally better cold formability while retaining excellent machining. CuZn40Pb2: optimised for hot stamping/forging rather than machining. Choose CuZn36Pb3 when a turned part also requires some post-machining cold forming (e.g. crimping or light bending).