Brass Parts Australia
Custom brass machined parts in C360 free-machining brass and all standard alloys. Fittings, valves, connectors, bushings, and precision instruments. Send us your drawing — we source, manage, inspect and deliver complete finished parts.
Brass Grade Selection Guide
Choosing the right brass alloy affects machinability, corrosion resistance, and regulatory compliance. Here is how the most common brass grades compare for CNC machining.
| Grade | Key Property | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| C360 (Free-Machining) | Excellent machinability — fastest to machine | Fittings, valves, connectors, complex turned parts |
| C385 (Architectural) | Good strength, decorative finish | Architectural hardware, decorative applications |
| C464 (Naval Brass) | Corrosion resistant in seawater | Marine fittings, propeller shafts, underwater hardware |
| C260 (Cartridge Brass) | High ductility, excellent formability | Ammunition, cold-formed parts, electrical connectors |
| Phosphor Bronze | Excellent spring properties, wear resistant | Bushings, bearings, springs, electrical contacts |
Industries Served
Plumbing & Fluid Systems
C360 brass is the standard for plumbing fittings, valve bodies, and fluid connectors. Compliance with Australian plumbing standards (AS 4020) for potable water contact. Machined fittings, compression fittings, and valve bodies.
- ✓ AS 4020 potable water compliant
- ✓ C360 standard grade
- ✓ Custom thread forms available
- ✓ High-volume production capable
Electrical & Electronics
Brass is the preferred material for electrical connectors, terminal blocks, and bus bars. Excellent electrical conductivity (28% IACS), easy to solder, and accepts nickel or gold plating for improved contact resistance.
- ✓ 28% IACS conductivity
- ✓ Solderable without flux
- ✓ Nickel and gold plating available
- ✓ Precision pin and socket forms
Industrial & Marine
Naval brass (C464) resists dezincification in seawater — the standard choice for marine hardware, propeller shafts, and underwater fittings. Industrial applications include bearings, bushings, and instrument components.
- ✓ C464 naval brass for marine
- ✓ Dezincification resistant
- ✓ Phosphor bronze bearings
- ✓ Precision bushings and bearings
Brass Parts FAQ
What brass grades are available for CNC machined parts in Australia?
We supply brass machined parts in all standard grades: C360 (UNS C36000 — free-machining brass, the most common grade for CNC turning and milling, contains ~3% lead for machinability, not for potable water contact without verification), C385 (architectural brass — decorative applications), C260 (cartridge brass — highest ductility, forming applications), C464 (naval brass — inhibited, dezincification resistant, marine and seawater applications), and phosphor bronze (copper-tin-phosphorus — excellent wear resistance and spring properties for bushings and bearings). Material certification provided with orders.
Why is C360 brass the most machinable material available?
C360 (free-machining brass) contains approximately 3% lead, which acts as a chip breaker during machining. Lead creates brittle, fine chips rather than long stringy swarf, reducing tool wear and enabling very high cutting speeds. Brass machines at 2–3× the speed of aluminium and 10× the speed of stainless steel. Excellent surface finish is achievable without grinding. This makes C360 the preferred material for high-volume turned parts such as fittings, connectors, valves, and any component where machinability reduces cost significantly. Where lead content is a concern (potable water, food contact), unleaded alternatives such as C69300 are available.
Is brass suitable for potable water and plumbing applications in Australia?
Australian plumbing regulations (AS 4020:2018 — Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water) restrict the lead content of materials in contact with potable water. Standard C360 brass (3% lead) does not meet AS 4020 without specific testing. For plumbing applications, specify: low-lead brass (C69300 or equivalent, <0.25% lead), DZR (dezincification resistant) brass where required by local regulations, or certified plumbing-grade brass bar stock with AS 4020 compliance documentation. We source certified plumbing-grade brass and can provide compliance documentation. Specify potable water contact in your quote request.
What surface finishes are available for brass machined parts?
Brass surface finishes: as-machined (bright, smooth Ra 0.8–1.6µm typical), polished (mirror or satin polish — decorative hardware), clear lacquered (protects polished finish from tarnishing), nickel plated (silver appearance, improved corrosion and wear resistance), chrome plated (decorative, hard surface), gold plated (electrical contacts, decorative), tin plated (improves solderability — electrical connectors), and black nickel (dark decorative finish). For outdoor applications, clear anodise is not applicable to brass — specify an appropriate protective coating.
What tolerances can be achieved on brass CNC turned parts?
Brass is one of the most dimensionally precise materials to machine. Standard CNC turning achieves ±0.02mm on diameters. High-precision turning holds ±0.01mm. Swiss turning for small, complex parts achieves ±0.005mm on critical dimensions. Brass's excellent machinability and low thermal expansion during cutting contribute to dimensional stability. Thread forms machined in brass — NPT, BSP, metric, and custom — achieve clean, accurate profiles. Specify tolerance requirements on your 2D drawing for accurate quoting.
What is the minimum order quantity for brass machined parts?
No minimum order quantity. We supply single prototype brass components as readily as production runs of thousands. Brass is an excellent production material — its machinability and material cost make it economical for medium to high-volume production. For high volumes, tooling offsets and setup costs are further amortised, significantly reducing per-unit cost. Swiss turning centres are particularly well-suited to high-volume small brass parts, achieving cycle times of seconds per component.
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Upload your brass part drawing and receive a quote for finished machined brass components. C360, naval brass, phosphor bronze — all grades, all finishes.
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