C360 brass CNC machining is about as productive as metal cutting gets. C360, also called free-cutting brass or alloy 360, adds a small amount of lead to a copper zinc base so chips break into small, clean fragments. That makes it a natural fit for high volume turned parts. Wexmar machines C360 fittings, pins, contacts and valve components on Swiss-type machines, CNC lathes and horizontal mills at our shop in Canastota, New York.
C360 machinability
Copper alloys are rated on their own scale, where C360 is the reference at 100. On that scale, cartridge brass C260 is about 30 and pure copper C110 about 20. For perspective, C360 runs several times faster than AISI 1212 steel, the reference for the steel scale. In practice, C360 lets us run high spindle speeds and feeds, get long tool life, and hold size with very little heat in the part.
Tolerances and surface finish
Because C360 cuts with low force and low heat, it holds size well. Typical tolerances are plus or minus 0.0005 to 0.001 in on turned diameters and plus or minus 0.001 in on milled features. A 32 Ra finish is typical straight off the tool, and 16 Ra is often reached on turned diameters with sharp, polished inserts. These are typical values and depend on part length, wall thickness and feature size.
Tooling and chip control gotchas
- Drill grab. Standard positive rake drills can pull themselves into brass and break or oversize the hole. We use drills with neutral or dubbed lips so they cut without self-feeding.
- Sharp, uncoated edges. Polished uncoated carbide or sharp ground tools give the cleanest finish. Heavy edge hones produce rubbing and burrs.
- Fine chips. C360 chips are small and plentiful. On Swiss machines, chip evacuation and coolant filtration matter so fines do not scratch finished surfaces or pack into guide bushings.
- Thin walls and handling. Brass is soft and dents easily. Thin wall sleeves and threaded fittings need light clamping and careful part catching to avoid nicks.
- Lead content. C360 contains roughly 2.5 to 3 percent lead. For potable water parts under lead-free rules, a lead-free brass alloy is specified instead, and we quote that material to the drawing.
Plating and finish options
Finishes for brass parts are applied through qualified outside processors. Common options are nickel plating, bright or satin chrome, tin, silver and gold for electrical contacts, and clear lacquer for appearance parts. Many C360 parts ship bare, cleaned and packaged to prevent tarnish. We handle deburring, cleaning and inspection in-house before any part goes out for finishing.
Common C360 parts and processes
- Electrical connector pins, sockets and contacts, run lights-out on Swiss-type machines
- Pipe fittings, adapters, nipples and hose barbs turned on CNC lathes
- Valve stems, seats and bodies for instrumentation and fluid handling
- Threaded inserts, standoffs and thumb screws
- Nozzles, orifices and manifold blocks milled on horizontal machining centers
Our four Maier Swiss-type machines with bar feeders handle precision brass turned parts up to 32 mm diameter in production quantities. More on that process is on our Swiss machining page.
Cost index: C360 brass vs other materials
| Material | Approx. machinability | Cost index vs 6061 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 aluminum | ~180 (1212 scale) | 1.0 | Reference for cost |
| C360 free-cutting brass | 100 (copper scale) | 1.2 | Reference for copper alloys |
| C260 cartridge brass | 30 (copper scale) | 1.6 | Formable, gummy chips |
| C932 bearing bronze | 70 (copper scale) | 1.6 | Bushings and bearings |
| C110 copper | 20 (copper scale) | 2.2 | High conductivity |
| 303 stainless | ~78 (1212 scale) | 1.8 | Corrosion resistant alternative |
Values are typical and illustrative for a comparable part; actual quotes depend on geometry, quantity, tolerances and mill pricing, and brass pricing tracks copper markets closely.
Applications and industries
C360 is used across electrical and connector manufacturing, instrumentation, plumbing and fluid handling, fastener production and general industrial hardware. It is often chosen over steel when a part needs corrosion resistance, conductivity or low friction without plating. For formed or crimped parts that need more ductility, see our C260 brass machining page, and browse the industries we serve. As a brass machine shop in Central New York, we ship production lots nationwide by parcel or LTL.
Getting a quote
For C360 brass parts, upload a drawing for an instant estimate or call (315) 400-2654. A human estimator confirms every quote, including plating and packaging.