Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties. Brass has higher malleability than bronze. The relatively low melting point of brass (900C to 940C, 1652F to 1724F, depending on composition) and its flow characteristics make it a relatively easy material to cast. By varying the proportions of copper and zinc, the properties of the brass can be changed, allowing hard and soft brasses.

Brass bars are the most widely used and least expensive of copper-based alloys. They have relatively good corrosion resistance, moderately high strength, and in some compositions exceptionally good ductility and excellent forming characteristics when shaped by pressing, deep drawing, rolling and machining. Improved tensile properties are the result of cold working. After cold working, they can be softened and recrystallized by appropriate annealing. Adding lead to the brasses results in free cutting of free-machining alloys in which the elemental lead is present as uniformly dispersed particles. The high content of lead results in a relatively low ductility and plasticity.

360 Brass

360 brass is a soft, ductile metal with outstanding corrosion resistance and excellent cold formability. It has a machinability rating of 100%, allowing it to be used at the highest capabilities of any screw machine work. In addition to screw machine parts, it is typically used for plumbing products, connectors, electronic components, circuit board relays, and more.

Alro stocks brass in 360 (C36000) grade in flat, hex, round, rod, and square. 260 brass (C26000) is stocked in sheet and plate form. Tubing and special shapes are available upon request.