CNC en laiton
Usinage

Le laiton est une famille d'alliages de cuivre et de zinc qui combine une excellente machinabilité, une bonne résistance à la corrosion, un aspect attrayant et des propriétés de faible friction. En usinage CNC, le laiton est apprécié pour ses caractéristiques exceptionnelles de rupture de copeaux, sa capacité à respecter des tolérances strictes, et la finition de surface brillante et lisse qu'il produit directement à la sortie de la machine. Les applications courantes incluent les raccords de plomberie, les connecteurs électriques, les corps de vannes, le matériel d'instruments de précision, les composants décoratifs, et toute pièce nécessitant une combinaison de résistance à la corrosion, de conductivité et d'esthétique de haute qualité.

C360 (Free-Cutting Brass) and C260 (Cartridge Brass) differ in zinc content and the addition of lead. C360 contains approximately 61.5% copper, 35.5% zinc, and 3% lead — the lead dramatically improves machinability, making C360 the fastest-cutting brass available. C260 contains 70% copper and 30% zinc, with no lead — it has lower machinability than C360 but significantly better cold-forming ability, ductility, and is suitable for applications requiring RoHS compliance or potable water contact. For pure machining applications without regulatory constraints, C360 is preferred; for formed parts or lead-free specifications, C260 is the correct choice.

No. C360 brass contains approximately 3% lead, which is a restricted substance under the RoHS directive. C360 cannot be used in electrical or electronic equipment subject to RoHS regulations, nor in food-contact or potable water applications. For applications requiring lead-free brass, specify C260. We provide RoHS Declaration of Conformity and ICP chemical analysis reports for C260 orders used in regulated applications.

Brass is one of the most dimensionally stable and predictable metals to machine. Standard CNC turning and milling tolerance for C360 and C260 is ±0.01 mm. Tighter tolerances of ±0.005 mm are routinely achievable on precision turned features, and ±0.002 mm is achievable on specific critical dimensions with appropriate tooling and process control. The excellent machinability of C360 allows consistent dimensional results across high-volume production runs.

Common surface treatments for brass CNC machined parts include: electroless nickel plating (corrosion resistance, uniform coverage on complex geometry), tin plating (solderability, RoHS safe for connectors), gold plating (low-contact-resistance RF connectors and precision contacts), silver plating, zinc-nickel, and clear lacquer or polishing for decorative brass parts. We coordinate all of these treatments as part of the order.

C360 Free-Cutting Brass is used for: threaded fittings and connectors, plumbing valves and valve bodies, pneumatic and hydraulic fittings, electrical connector housings, precision instrument hardware, standoffs and spacers, screw machine products, camera and optical equipment hardware, and any high-volume precision turned component where cycle time and surface finish quality are important. Its machinability rating of 100% makes it the fastest and most economical metal to machine.

Brass can be joined by brazing, soldering, and welding, but conventional MIG/TIG welding is challenging due to zinc volatilization. Brazing with silver-based filler alloys is the preferred joining method for brass assemblies. C260 is more weldable than C360 — C360's lead content further complicates welding. For most brass assembly applications, mechanical joining (threading, press fit) or brazing is specified instead of welding.

Le laiton C360 à coupe libre a une note de machinabilité de 100% — c'est le matériau de référence contre lequel tous les autres métaux sont comparés. Pour comparaison : le laiton C260 a une note d'environ 30%, l'acier inoxydable 303 environ 45%, l'acier au carbone 1018 environ 78%, et l'aluminium 6061 environ 90%. Cela signifie que le C360 peut être usiné à des vitesses de coupe nettement plus élevées avec une durée de vie de l'outil plus longue et une meilleure finition de surface que pratiquement tous les autres métaux d'ingénierie, ce qui en fait le choix le plus économique pour les applications de tournage de précision à volume élevé où les propriétés du matériau le permettent.