Brass and copper alloys machine very differently from steel. Brass is one of the most machinable metals; pure copper is one of the most difficult due to its ductility. This guide...
Complete reference tables and engineering data for brass/copper. All values verified against ISO, ANSI, and manufacturer standards.
Brass and copper alloys machine very differently from steel. Brass is one of the most machinable metals; pure copper is one of the most difficult due to its ductility. This guide covers speed, feed, and tooling recommendations for common copper-based alloys.
Free-cutting brass (C360) contains 2-3% lead, which acts as a chip breaker and lubricant at the cutting edge. Chips form as small, brittle fragments rather than long strings. Tool life in brass is typically 2-3x longer than in steel at the same speeds. Lead-free brasses (C274, C693) are available for drinking water applications but machine slightly less well.
Sharp, polished carbide inserts with high-positive rake angles (15-20 degrees) and sharp cutting edges (honed, not chamfered). PCD (polycrystalline diamond) tools excel in high-volume copper machining because copper is abrasive to carbide. HSS tools work but wear quickly. Use coolant to prevent built-up edge (BUE), which is the main problem in copper machining.
Yes -- C360 free-cutting brass machines well dry. Dry machining eliminates the sticky chip-slurry that coolant creates with brass fines. For drilling and deep-hole operations, use coolant or minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) for chip evacuation, not for cooling. Bronze and pure copper benefit from coolant to reduce tool wear.
Use this reference to choose the right copper alloy and machining parameters. C360 free-cutting brass is the best choice for high-volume machined components. For electrical conductivity requirements, specify tellurium copper (C145) instead of pure copper for significantly better machinability.
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MACHINING BRASS OR COPPER? Brass demands the right rake, and the wrong one shows up as built-up edge rather than as an outright failure. See how a supplier's geometry claim is checked.
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Cutting formulas with the units worked through · Speed and feed starting points for all six ISO material groups · How to read a carbide grade past its ISO code. 12 pages.
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