Brass Machining Services

DEK provides brass machining services in C260, C360 and Cz121, from a single prototype through production volumes. There is no minimum order quantity, and prototype lead time runs as fast as 3 days.

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±0.005mm
Tight Tolerance
3 days
Prototype Lead Time
No MOQ
From One Part

CNC drilling of a brass fitting with coolant

ISO 9001:2015 Certified AS9100D and ISO 13485 certified

Why Choose Our Brass Machining Services?

Brass, especially C360 free-cutting brass, is one of the more machinable metals we run: it allows higher cutting speeds and cleaner finishes than harder alloys. Its low coefficient of friction suits gears and bearings, and its corrosion resistance suits wet environments.

We machine brass as one of 50+ metals and engineering plastics on the same shop floor. Because there is no MOQ, the same process handles a one-off prototype and a multi-thousand-unit run without re-quoting a different setup. See all CNC machining metals.

Three core alloys: C260, C360, Cz121
Standard ±0.05 mm, tight to ±0.005 mm
No MOQ, prototypes in as fast as 3 days
ISO 9001, AS9100D and ISO 13485 certified

Brass Alloys We Machine

Three core brass alloys cover fittings, valve parts, gears and screw-machine work. Alloy choice depends on machinability and water contact.

C260
Cartridge brass
For fittings, hinges and radiator components; a better fit than leaded grades when the part touches drinking water. C260 specs.
C360
Lead up to roughly 3%
Free-cutting brass for gears, valve parts and screw-machine work; cuts fast and clean. See C360 specs.
Cz121
General-purpose fittings
Used in general-purpose fittings and fabricated parts, machined from prototype to production. See Cz121 specs.

CNC machining coolant spraying on metal part during cutting

±0.005mm
Tight turning tolerance
±0.003mm
Micro parts tolerance
~1000 mm
Max part size

Brass CNC Machining Capabilities

Turning, Swiss-type turning, 3-, 4- and 5-axis milling, EDM, grinding, tapping and knurling, on parts from sub-10 mm to about 1000 mm.

1

CNC Turning & Swiss

Small pins up to ~1000 mm parts at ±0.05 mm standard, ±0.005 mm tight. Swiss-type turning handles small-diameter, high-precision parts.
2

CNC Milling (3/4/5-axis)

Parts up to ~1000 mm at ±0.05 mm standard, with ±0.01 mm profile control on 5-axis milling.
3

EDM and Grinding

EDM for fine detail and small features; grinding for bearing and shaft fits at ±0.005 mm on fit-critical diameters.
4

Micro Components

Sub-10 mm brass parts held to ±0.003 mm, with tapping, knurling and thread whirling as standard secondary operations. See micro machining.

Brass Alloy Selection & Cost Tips

Key factors our engineers review before quoting brass parts: water contact, corrosion, stock size and cycle time.

1

Lead Content & Drinking Water

C360’s lead (up to roughly 3%) restricts its use in potable water fittings in many jurisdictions. Flag water contact before quoting: C260 or a lead-free brass may fit better.
2

Dezincification Risk

Zinc can leach out of high-zinc brass in aggressive water, leaving a weak, porous copper-rich layer. Tell us your fluid exposure so we can recommend a suitable alloy.
3

Bar Stock Diameter & Waste

Material cost rises with larger bar stock diameters and deep pockets. Designs that limit waste reduce the price of your brass part.
4

Cycle Time & Finishing

C360 machines faster than C260 due to its lead content. Plating or secondary finishing added after machining also adds cost, so plan it at quoting.

Brass Grades for Custom Brass Parts

Full specs for each brass grade we machine: C260 cartridge brass, C360 free-cutting brass and Cz121 for general-purpose fittings.

Brass vs Copper, Bronze or Aluminum

Brass is not always the right call. If you need different strength, weight or cost characteristics, we also run these metal programs.

Criteria	This MaterialBrass	Copper	Bronze	Aluminum
Choose it for	Fittings, gears	Strength, cost	Strength, cost	Weight, cost
Machinability	High (C360)	–	–	–
Corrosion	Wet service	–	–	–
Friction	Low	–	–	–

Custom Brass Parts by Industry

Fittings, valve bodies, connectors, gears and housings machined in brass for corrosion resistance, conductivity and low friction.

Finishing Options for Brass Parts

CNC machining plus finish: plating, passivation, lacquer or electropolish for corrosion protection, appearance and clean surfaces.

Surface Treatments

Nickel Plating
Passivation
Electropolish
Clear Lacquer

Need chrome or tin plating? Ask our engineers for a review

Brass Machining FAQs

Common questions about machinability, tolerances and corrosion of brass parts.

Is brass easily machinable?

Yes. Brass, especially C360 with its lead content, is one of the more machinable metals we run, allowing higher cutting speeds and cleaner finishes than harder alloys.

Can brass be CNC machined?

Yes. We mill, turn and grind brass routinely, holding tolerances to ±0.05 mm as standard and down to ±0.005 mm, or ±0.003 mm on micro parts, across C260, C360 and Cz121.

Does dezincification affect brass parts?

It can. Dezincification is a corrosion process where zinc leaches out of high-zinc brass alloys under certain water conditions, leaving a weakened, porous copper-rich layer. It mainly affects parts in continuous contact with aggressive water: tell us your fluid exposure so we can recommend a suitable alloy.