Can CNC Machining Cut Copper and Brass Alloys?

Can CNC Machining Cut Copper and Brass Alloys?

Brass and copper are two common metals that are frequently confused among the many different metals and alloys used in commerce. By outlining their most distinctive characteristics, we hope to introduce you to the use of brass and copper alloys in the CNC machining sector.

Copper

In humanity's history, copper remains a pure metal suitable for direct processing that has also been actively used since ancient times. Antimicrobial in nature, copper is remarkably soft and can easily be hammered in its purest form. It also offers high electrical and thermal conductivity alongside a high resistance rate to corrosion. The electrical and electronics industry benefits from the properties of copper. 

Brass

Brass, a metal that contains in itself a combination of copper and zinc, is among the preferred CNC machining metals thanks to its high machinability despite its relatively high raw material cost. Additionally, brass stabilizes its raw material cost with its high scrap yield. Brass is also prevalently known as having medium hardness and high tensile strength. Significantly enhancing the power of the brass zinc concentration and ductility rate.

Choosing between Copper and Brass

Copper offers you excellent electrical and thermal connectivity. With high purity alloys such as C101/HC (99.99% Cu) and C110 (99.9% Cu), you can fulfill the requirement of your conductivity and obtain the mechanical properties for the part that you design. Furthermore, these alloys can be quickly processed thanks to their high machinability properties. 

Amongst all copper alloys, brass offers you the best machinability. The copper found in brass brings the best electrical and thermal conductivity. Having said that, thanks to its zinc content, brass showcases superior mechanical properties and is a low-friction material compared to copper. In a nutshell, brass showcases much better abrasion and corrosion resistance compared to copper. Brass also gains excellent machinability thanks to another alloy element: ammunition. 

You can access high corrosion resistance thanks to the most ductile yellow brass C260 and the best machinable alloy C360. CNC machines can efficiently process these alloys thanks to their excellent machinability, thus saving time and energy. For parts that need low-friction and high endurance, brass alloys C260 and C360 are ideal.

Known for their electrical conductivity, brass and copper showcase remarkable differences in electrical conductivity. Superconductive copper, accepted as 100% conductive in absolute terms, is located on other electrical conductivity material reference systems. On the other hand, brass displays approximately 28% of electrical conductivity due to its copper and zinc alloy. 

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