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CNC Machining Material

Copper & Brass

Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity — ideal for precision parts

Quick Stats

Machinability
Excellent
Tolerance
±0.01 mm
Lead Time
5-7 days
Min Wall
0.5 mm
Company
Strength
20 Years of Experience
20 Years of Experience
72 Sets of CNC Machines
72 Sets of CNC Machines
Precision: ±0.01mm
Precision: ±0.01mm
7-15 Days Fast Shipping
7-15 Days Fast Shipping
Quality
Advantages
No Knife Marks
No Knife Marks
No Scratches
No Scratches
No Blemishes
No Blemishes
No Color Difference
No Color Difference

Material Overview

Copper and brass are essential materials for CNC machining applications requiring excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and decorative appeal. Copper is widely used in electrical components, heat exchangers, and plumbing, while brass is favored for decorative hardware, valves, and precision instruments.

We machine C110 (electrolytic tough pitch copper) for electrical applications, C360 (free-cutting brass) for precision components, and various bronze alloys for bearing and bushing applications. Copper and brass machine beautifully, producing excellent surface finishes with minimal tool wear.

Both materials offer natural corrosion resistance and antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for medical, food processing, and marine applications. Surface treatments include polishing, plating, and clear coating to preserve their natural beauty.

Key Advantages

  • Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity
  • Natural corrosion resistance
  • Antimicrobial properties
  • Superior machinability (especially brass)
  • Attractive natural appearance
  • Good formability and solderability

Material Properties

The following table lists typical mechanical, thermal, and physical properties for this material. Actual values may vary by grade and temper.

Property Value Unit

Available Grades & Alloys

We stock multiple grades for different application needs. Each grade offers distinct properties optimised for specific uses — click to view detailed specifications, machining advice and typical applications.

Copper & Brass · Related Products

A selection of parts machined from this material.

Common Applications

This material is widely used across multiple industries for various applications, from precision prototypes to end-use production parts.

Medical

Surgical instruments, housings

Aerospace

Structural brackets, panels

Automotive

Engine components, housings

Electronics

Heat sinks, enclosures

Robotics

Motor mounts, brackets

Industrial

Fixtures, jigs, tooling

Consumer

Frames, handles, cases

Marine

Fittings, valves, hardware

CNC Machining Tips

Available Surface Finishes

Finish Type Description Ra (typical)

Compatible Surface Treatments

Common Applications

Material FAQ

The questions engineers ask most about machining, surface quality and selecting this material.

Related to Copper & Brass

Can CNC Machining of Acrylic (PMMA) Achieve a Mirror Finish?+
Yes. Acrylic is one of the few plastics that can achieve a mirror finish directly through cutting. We use single-crystal diamond tools for precision machining, followed by flame polishing or diamond grinding. Surface roughness is consistently controlled within Ra0.4μm, delivering a high-gloss appearance free of scratches or defects, resembling a mirror. No secondary coating is required. For batch production, identical parameters are used to ensure consistent mirror finish quality.

Read full answer

Can Plastic and Aluminum Parts Maintain Consistent Aesthetic Quality?+
The criteria for judgment are consistent: high gloss, high-shine surface, no scratches, and no defects. The difference lies in the process—aluminum parts rely on anodizing and polishing, while plastic parts use diamond cutting and flame polishing or mechanical polishing. When aluminum and plastic parts are mixed in the same batch, we standardize color swatches and gloss samples to avoid visual discrepancies between the two materials on the same product.

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PEI vs PEEK: How to Choose?+
Temperature and cost guide selection. PEI offers long-term service up to 170°C (Tg 217°C), inherent flame retardancy, and lower cost than PEEK, ideal for aerospace interiors, electrical insulation, and medical device structural parts. PEEK withstands long-term temperatures up to 250°C with better chemical and wear resistance, suitable for high-heat, corrosive, or implant-grade applications. For temperatures below 170°C, PEI is usually more economical.

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Can Plastic Parts Achieve a Ra0.4μm Mirror Finish?+
Yes, but not all plastics can achieve this. Dense, polishable materials such as acrylic, PC, POM, and PEEK, when processed with diamond tooling and polishing, can consistently reach surface roughness below Ra0.4μm, achieving a high-gloss, mirror-like appearance. Glass or carbon fiber-filled grades, due to exposed fibers, can only achieve a matte or satin finish, which we will clarify in advance.

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What is the MOQ for Plastic Parts?+
We focus on volume production with a standard MOQ of 100 units. Unit pricing for plastic parts is highly volume-sensitive—raw materials are purchased in full sheets or bars, so material waste and setup time cannot be amortized below 100 units. Prices drop significantly above 100 units, with a standard lead time of 15-25 days for batch orders.

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Is UHMW-PE Really More Wear-Resistant Than Steel?+
In low-load, mid-to-high-speed environments with abrasive particle erosion, this is indeed the case. The wear resistance of UHMW-PE can reach approximately 7 times that of carbon steel. It features a low coefficient of friction, non-stick properties, and low operating noise. However, its rigidity and load-bearing capacity are far inferior to steel, classifying it as a wear-resistant but non-load-bearing material. Structural support is required during design to compensate for stiffness.

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Send Us Your Drawing — We Handle the Rest

Send your STEP / DWG / PDF drawing and get a detailed quote with free DFM analysis and process recommendations within 2 hours. No minimum order — from 1 piece.

Live inquiries
Michael · GermanyNeed 500 aluminum brackets, please quote
Sophie · FranceLead time for CNC turned stainless shafts?
David · USANeed 1000 injection molded ABS housings
Emma · UKCan you machine 5-axis titanium parts?