Brass comes in a variety of compositions to meet different industrial needs. From high-copper red brass to free-cutting brass, each type has unique characteristics that influence machinability, strength, and corrosion resistance. This guide provides an overview of the most commonly used brass alloys and their applications.
What is Brass?
Brass is a copper-zinc alloy used anywhere a combination of corrosion resistance, strength, machinability, conductivity, and appearance is needed. From consumer products like musical instruments and electronics to plumbing components, marine applications, and architecture and construction, brass plays an important role in a variety of industries.
Just like there are different families and grades of stainless steel, there are different types of brass. The type of brass is determined by the copper-to-zinc ratio or the addition of other elements like lead, tin, or nickel.
What are the Different Types of Brass?
C36000
The most common type of free-cutting brass is C36000. Offering good corrosion resistance, C36000 brass is typically used for precision-machined parts, valves, fittings, fasteners, and plumbing and industrial components. This type of brass is not ideal for welding due to the 2.5%-3.0% lead content. Copper (60%-63%), iron (0.35%) and zinc (balance) make up the rest of the composition. Dixon straight fittings are made from C36000 brass.
C37700
Known as forging brass, C37700 contains less copper (58%-61%) and lead (1.5%-2.5%) than C36000. It is typically used to make forged valve bodies, plumbing fittings, and hardware components. Dixon’s forged shapes are made from C37700 brass.
C23000
The high copper content (84%-86%) of C23000 makes this brass appear more red than other types of brass. The remaining composition is made up of 14%-16% zinc. C23000 offers excellent corrosion resistance and is a non-sparking brass, but it has lower strength and hardness compared to yellow brass alloys. C23000 brass is often used for plumbing and tube fittings, architectural trim and decorative components, heat exchangers and radiators, and marine and potable water components. This type of brass is chosen when corrosion resistance, ductility, and appearance are more important than machinability or high strength. Dixon 63PT brass compression inserts and some of the fire products we manufacture are made from C23000 brass.
C26800
Described as having excellent strength, corrosion resistance, and being very formable, C26800 is a general purpose yellow brass. C26800 is used for architectural and decorative components, electrical and electronic parts, stampings and formed hardware, and tubing and general-purpose fabricated parts. The composition of C26800 brass is 64%-68.5% copper, a maximum of 0.05% iron, a maximum of 0.09% lead, and the remainder is zinc. Dixon brass crimp ferrules are made of C26800 brass.
C27450
C27450 is a lead-free brass made up of copper (60%-65%), iron (0.35% or less), lead (0.25% or less),and zinc (balance). The trace amounts of lead make C27450 brass compatible with applications where regulations restrict lead, such as potable water fittings, marine hardware, and architectural and plumbing components. The tin in lead-free brass improves corrosion resistance, even in harsh environments, and offers good strength and durability. Dixon uses C27450 brass to manufacture lead-free fittings.
C3604
Widely used in Asian manufacturing markets, C3604 brass is the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) equivalent to C36000 brass. C36000 and C3604 have a similar chemical composition (57%-61% copper, 1.8%-3.7% lead, 0.7% or less tin, 0.5% or less iron, and the remainder zinc) and can be interchanged functionally. Dixon uses C3604 brass for extruded shapes.
While there are many other types of brass, these are the most common ones used by Dixon to manufacture brass fittings.
Brass vs Bronze
Similar in appearance, brass and bronze are both copper-based alloys with gold/reddish tones. Typically, brass is more yellow while bronze is more reddish brown, which is a result of the addition of zinc (brass) and tin (bronze) to copper. Brass is more malleable than bronze, which tends to be harder and more durable.
Dixon Brass
Located in Westmont, Illinois, Dixon Brass manufactures and supplies a variety of brass standard and Lok-on barbed fittings, garden hose fittings and adapters, welding connectors, re-usable stems and ferrules, pipe, compression, and DOT airbrake fittings.
Summary
Brass is a versatile copper-zinc alloy available in a range of compositions designed to balance machinability, strength, corrosion resistance, and regulatory requirements. Each alloy is selected based on how the finished component will be manufactured and used. Understanding these differences helps ensure the right brass is chosen for the selected application.
For more information about Dixon’s brass fittings, visit dixonvalve.com or call 877.963.4966.
