C36000 Brass — commonly known as Brass 360, Free-Cutting Brass, or Free-Machining Brass — is the most widely machined metal alloy in the United States and globally. At Cable Glands India, we manufacture a comprehensive range of C36000 brass machined parts for export to the USA, with the expertise and capacity to fulfill OEM, distributor, and contract manufacturing requirements. Our Jamnagar, India facility produces C36000 brass components to ASTM B16, ASTM B453, and custom customer specifications.
About C36000 Brass (Brass 360) Alloy
C36000 (UNS C36000) is a copper-zinc-lead alloy defined by ASTM B16 and ASTM B453. With approximately 60–63% copper, 35.5–38% zinc, and 2.5–3.7% lead, C36000 delivers the optimal balance of excellent machinability (machinability index: 100%), good corrosion resistance, adequate mechanical strength, and fair electrical conductivity. It is the standard reference material against which all other metals are rated for machinability.
C36000 Brass Machined Parts We Manufacture
1. C36000 Brass Cable Gland Components
Precision-turned cable gland bodies, lock nuts, compression washers, and nylon sealing inserts manufactured from C36000 brass. Available in NPT, UNC, Metric, and BSP thread forms for the US electrical market.
2. C36000 Brass Screw Machine Products
High-volume production of screw machine parts: shoulder bolts, standoffs, hex head screws, round head screws, pan head screws, and custom fasteners per ASME B18.6, IFI, and customer drawings.
3. C36000 Brass Fittings (NPT & Flare)
NPT (National Pipe Taper) and flare-type compression fittings for US refrigeration, HVAC, medical gas, and plumbing applications. Manufactured per ASME B1.20.1 thread standards.
4. C36000 Brass Valve Components
Valve bodies, balls, stems, seats, and packing glands for ball valves, needle valves, and gate valves conforming to ASME, ANSI, and API standards.
5. C36000 Brass Electrical Connectors
Binding posts, lug terminals, grounding connectors, neutral links, and busbar hardware for US electrical panel manufacturers — meeting UL 486A-486B and NEMA standards.
6. C36000 Brass Precision Turned Parts
Bushings, spacers, pins, threaded inserts, cartridge components, and instrumentation parts turned on Swiss-type CNC lathes with tolerances to ±0.0002″ (0.005mm).
7. C36000 Brass Lock Nuts and Conduit Fittings
Conduit lock nuts (UNC and NPT), conduit bodies, grounding bushings, and EMT/RMC fittings for the US electrical conduit industry. Manufactured to UL 514B, NEMA FB1 standards.
8. C36000 Brass Inserts for Plastic Moulding
Ultrasonic and heat-press brass inserts for thermoplastic injection moulding — available in unified thread (UNC, UNF) and metric thread forms, conforming to ASME B1.1 and DIN 16900.
Related Parts and Companion Products
- C37700 Brass Forgings (Forging Brass for complex shapes)
- C38500 Brass (Architectural Bronze)
- C26000 Cartridge Brass (for deep drawing)
- C28000 Muntz Metal (for heat exchanger plates)
- C35300 Leaded Brass (lower lead version)
- CW614N / CZ121 (European equivalents of C36000)
- C46400 Naval Brass (marine applications)
C36000 Brass – Material Grades & International Equivalents
| Standard | Designation | Cu% | Zn% | Pb% | Equivalent Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM (USA) | C36000 / UNS C36000 | 60–63 | 35.5–38 | 2.5–3.7 | Primary US designation |
| EN (Europe) | CW614N (EN 12164) | 57–59 | Bal. | 2.5–3.5 | European equivalent |
| BS (UK) | CZ121 (BS 2874) | 57–59 | Bal. | 2.5–3.5 | UK equivalent |
| DIN (Germany) | Ms58 / 2.0401 | 57–59 | Bal. | 2.5–3.5 | German equivalent |
| JIS (Japan) | C3601 (JIS H3108) | 59–63 | Bal. | 1.8–3.7 | Japanese equivalent |
| IS (India) | Brass Grade 1 (IS 319) | 58–62 | Bal. | 1.5–2.5 | Indian Standard |
| GOST (Russia) | ЛС59-1 | 57–60 | Bal. | 0.8–1.9 | Russian Standard |
Mechanical Properties of C36000 Brass
| Property | C36000 (Annealed) | C36000 (Half Hard) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 340 MPa (49 ksi) | 395 MPa (57 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | 105 MPa (15 ksi) | 310 MPa (45 ksi) |
| Hardness (Rockwell) | 55 HRB | 75 HRB |
| Elongation | 53% | 25% |
| Machinability Rating | 100% (reference standard) | 100% |
| Density | 8.49 g/cm³ | 8.49 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 885–900°C (1625–1650°F) | — |
Why Choose Cable Glands India for C36000 Brass Parts?
- USA Market Specialist: We manufacture parts to US standards (ASME, ASTM, ANSI, UL, NEMA) with NPT threads, inch dimensions, and American tolerances.
- Cost Advantage: Save 30–50% vs US domestic C36000 machined part suppliers with equivalent quality.
- ASTM Certified Materials: All C36000 stock sourced from ASTM B16-compliant mills with full MTR traceability.
- Comprehensive Finishing: Nickel, tin, chrome, and silver plating; passivation; powder coating — all in-house.
- ISO 9001:2015 & Quality Inspection: 100% dimensional inspection, CMM, thread gauging, and salt-spray testing.
- US Import Ready: HTS classification support, ISF (Importer Security Filing), and C-TPAT compatible supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions – C36000 Brass
Q1: What does C36000 stand for?
A: C36000 is the Unified Numbering System (UNS) designation for free-cutting brass, also known as Brass 360 or Free-Machining Brass. The “C” prefix indicates a copper-based alloy; “36000” is the specific alloy number in the UNS system managed by ASTM and SAE.
Q2: Why is C36000 called “free-cutting” brass?
A: The 2.5–3.7% lead in C36000 acts as an internal chip-breaker during machining, producing small, easily evacuated chips rather than long, stringy ones. This allows faster cutting speeds, longer tool life, and better surface finish — hence “free-cutting.”
Q3: Is C36000 brass suitable for NPT threaded fittings?
A: Yes. C36000 is ideal for NPT threaded fittings (per ASME B1.20.1). Its excellent machinability produces sharp, clean NPT thread profiles without built-up edge, achieving reliable seals for pressures up to 3,000 psi in gas and liquid applications.
Q4: Can C36000 be used for drinking water applications in the USA?
A: C36000 does not meet NSF/ANSI 61 (Drinking Water System Components) requirements due to its lead content exceeding 0.25% weighted average for wetted surfaces (per US Safe Drinking Water Act amendments). For potable water, use C69300 (Eco Brass) or C87850 (silicon brass) alternatives.
Q5: What ASTM standards cover C36000 brass?
A: C36000 brass is covered by: ASTM B16 (free-cutting brass rod, bar and shapes), ASTM B453 (copper-zinc-lead alloy rod), and ASTM B124 (copper alloy forgings). Chemical composition per ASTM B601.
Q6: What is the difference between C36000 and C37700?
A: C37700 (Forging Brass) is designed for hot forging and stamping operations, containing 58–62% Cu, 36.5–41% Zn, and 1.5–2.5% Pb. C36000 is optimized for machining from bar stock. C37700 is preferred when complex shapes require forging rather than machining from solid.
Q7: What surface finishes are available for C36000 brass parts?
A: Bright machine finish, electroless nickel, electrolytic nickel, chrome, tin, silver, and gold plating. Passivation, lacquering, and powder coating are also available. All finishes meet RoHS, MIL-SPEC, and ASTM B734 (electrodeposited tin) standards.
Q8: What sizes of C36000 brass rod do you machine from?
A: We machine from C36000 round bar (1/8″ to 6″ diameter), hexagonal bar (1/4″ AF to 3″ AF), and flat bar. Custom extrusions and profiles can be sourced on request.
Q9: How quickly can you ship C36000 brass parts to the USA?
A: Standard production lead time: 3–5 weeks. Air freight to USA: 5–7 days. Sea freight to US West Coast ports: 18–22 days; East Coast: 22–28 days. We work with DHL, FedEx, UPS, and major freight forwarders.
Q10: Do you provide ASTM material certification for C36000 brass?
A: Yes. We provide Mill Test Reports (MTR) confirming compliance with ASTM B16 chemical composition and mechanical property requirements. All test reports are from NABL-accredited testing laboratories.
Q11: Can you machine C36000 brass to imperial (inch) dimensions?
A: Absolutely. We regularly machine C36000 brass to inch dimensions for the US market: diameters in fractions or decimal inches, thread sizes in UNC/UNF/UNS, and tolerances in ±0.001″ increments. We use both imperial and metric gauging equipment.
Q12: What is the thermal conductivity of C36000 brass?
A: C36000 has a thermal conductivity of approximately 115 W/m·K (800 BTU·in/hr·ft²·°F), making it a good heat conductor — suitable for heat exchanger end caps, thermal management components, and heat sink hardware.
Q13: Do you work with US importers and distributors?
A: Yes. We have established relationships with US importers, industrial distributors, and OEM manufacturers across all 50 states. We offer private-label packaging, drop-shipping, and bonded warehouse programs for high-volume customers.
Contact Cable Glands India for a competitive quote on C36000 Brass Machined Parts. Email sales@cableglandsindia.com or call us for a prompt response.
📦 Request a Free Quote from Cable Glands India
We are a leading manufacturer and exporter of precision-machined components based in Jamnagar, India — the brass capital of the world. Our products are trusted by buyers across the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, Canada, and the Middle East.
- ✅ ISO 9001:2015 Certified manufacturing facility
- ✅ CNC machined to tight tolerances — drawings welcome
- ✅ MOQ flexible — from sample quantities to bulk orders
- ✅ 30–60% cost savings vs. European or US domestic suppliers
- ✅ Fast lead times — most orders dispatched within 7–14 working days
- ✅ Third-party inspection available (SGS, Bureau Veritas, etc.)
- ✅ Custom alloys, threading, plating & packaging on request
📧 Get in Touch
Email: sales@cableglandsindia.com
Website: www.cableglandsindia.com
Response time: Within 24 hours (Mon–Sat)
Send us your technical drawings, specifications, or a sample part. Our engineering team will review and revert with pricing and lead time within one business day.