Technical Decision Guide

★ Compare 19 EN & UNS Brass Alloys Side-by-Side

Brass Alloy Selection Guide

Select the perfect brass alloy in minutes. Compare 19 European EN and American UNS brass and copper grades by machinability, DZR corrosion rating, RoHS compliance, lead content, and workability.

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Quick Decision Cards: Find Your Alloy

DECISION CARD 01

What is the most machinable brass?

CW614N (CuZn39Pb3 / C36000) contains 3.0% lead, forming short chips. It is the 100% machinability benchmark. CW617N (CuZn40Pb2) is close behind at 90%.

CW614N Datasheet Compare Alloys

DECISION CARD 02

What is the best lead-free brass?

CW724R (CuZn21Si3P / C69300 Eco-Brass) has ≤ 0.09% Pb. It is 100% RoHS compliant without exemption, DZR resistant, and provides ~80% machinability.

CW724R Datasheet Lead-Free Guide

DECISION CARD 03

Which brass for drinking water?

CW602N (DZR) and CW724R (Eco-Brass) pass ISO 6509-1 dezincification tests and comply with WRAS, DVGW, KIWA, and California Prop 65.

CW602N DZR Plumbing Guide

DECISION CARD 04

Highest electrical conductivity?

C11000 (Cu-ETP Pure Copper) delivers 100% IACS conductivity (388 W/m·K) for busbars, transformer pins, and high-current electrical contacts.

C11000 Datasheet Electrical Guide

Relative Machinability Index Comparison Chart

Machinability ratings relative to Free-Cutting Brass CW614N / C36000 (100% Benchmark):

CW614N

CuZn39Pb3

100%

CW603N

CuZn36Pb3

95%

CW617N

CuZn40Pb2

90%

CW602N

CuZn36Pb2As

85%

CW724R

CuZn21Si3P

80%

CW508L

CuZn37

30%

C11000

Cu-ETP

20%

Alloy Engineering Property Comparison Matrix

Compare mechanical, machining, and regulatory compliance ratings across major brass grades:

Alloy Grade	EN Standard	Machinability	Hot Forging	Cold Forming	Corrosion	DZR Rating	RoHS Compliant
CW614N	CuZn39Pb3	••••• (100)	••• (Fair)	• (Poor)	••• (Good)	No	Exemption 6c
CW617N	CuZn40Pb2	•••• (90)	••••• (Excellent)	•• (Fair)	••• (Good)	No	Exemption 6c
CW602N	CuZn36Pb2As	•••• (85)	•••• (Good)	•• (Fair)	••••• (DZR)	ISO 6509-1 Pass	Exemption 6c
CW724R	CuZn21Si3P	•••• (80)	•••• (Good)	•••• (Good)	••••• (DZR)	ISO 6509-1 Pass	100% Lead-Free
CW508L	CuZn37	•• (30)	••• (Fair)	••••• (Excellent)	•••• (Very Good)	No	100% Lead-Free

Frequently Asked Alloy Selection Questions

What is the most machinable brass alloy?

CW614N (CuZn39Pb3 / C36000) is the 100% machinability benchmark. The 3.0% lead content causes chips to break cleanly into micro-fragments, maximizing tool life on Swiss CNC turning centers.

What is the best lead-free brass for potable water?

CW724R (CuZn21Si3P Eco-Brass) is the premier choice. It contains ≤ 0.09% lead, complies fully with California Prop 65, NSF/ANSI 61, and WRAS, while providing excellent resistance to dezincification (DZR).

Do you issue chemical spectro analysis certificates?

Yes, every production heat code shipped from Divine Brass Industries comes with an EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill test certificate detailing exact chemical composition percentages.

Brass Alloy Selection Guide

Quick Decision Cards: Find Your Alloy

Relative Machinability Index Comparison Chart

Alloy Engineering Property Comparison Matrix

Frequently Asked Alloy Selection Questions

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