C360 vs C260 Brass: A Battle of Machinability vs. Formability
Views: 3 Author: Allen Xiao Publish Time: 2025-12-30 Origin: Site
To create a great metal part, you must first listen to the metal. You must understand what it wants to do. Some metals want to be carved. Others want to be bent.
In the world of brass, this choice is clearer than anywhere else. It is a choice between two of the most common alloys, each born for a completely different destiny.
This is the fundamental choice between C360 vs C260 Brass. It is a decision between a material made for the cutting tool, and a material made for the press and the hammer. Choosing the right one is the first step to an efficient and successful product.
C360 Brass is the machinist's best friend. It is known as "Free-Machining Brass" for a reason. It was designed with one primary goal: to be cut with maximum speed and efficiency.
Its secret is a small amount of lead in its alloy. This lead acts as an internal chip breaker. During the brass cnc machining process, this causes the chips to break into small, clean, manageable pieces.
This allows CNC machines to run at incredible speeds without the risk of long, stringy chips causing problems. The result is a much shorter cycle time, longer tool life, and a lower cost per part. It is the undisputed champion for any high-volume, automated production of machined parts like fittings, valves, and fasteners.
Meet the Artisan's Canvas: C260 Brass
C260 Brass, also known as "Cartridge Brass," has a completely different personality. It is the artisan's canvas. It was designed with one primary goal: to be formed into complex shapes without breaking.
Its secret is its high copper content (around 70%). This gives it excellent ductility. It can be bent, stretched, deep-drawn, and hammered into flowing, organic shapes at room temperature.
This is why it is used to make ammunition cartridges, which are formed from a flat disc. It is also the material of choice for musical instruments, custom light fixtures, and decorative architectural panels. It is a material that wants to be shaped. However, this same softness makes it "gummy" and difficult to machine, producing long, problematic chips.
The Defining Difference: A Tale of Two Microstructures
The opposing personalities of C360 vs C260 Brass come from their different chemical recipes and the resulting microstructures.
C260, with its 70/30 copper-zinc ratio, is an "alpha" brass. It has a single, uniform crystal structure that is soft and highly ductile.
C360, with a higher zinc and lead content, is an "alpha-beta" brass. It has a two-phase crystal structure. The harder "beta" phase and the soft lead particles are what help the chips to break. But this mixed structure is also what makes it less suitable for extreme forming.
Making the Right Call
The choice is a simple, but critical, question of your primary manufacturing process.
Factor
C360 Brass ("The Machinist")
C260 Brass ("The Artisan")
Superpower
Excellent Machinability
Excellent Formability
Primary Process
CNC Machining, Turning
Stamping, Bending, Forming
Chip Type
Small, Broken
Long, Stringy
Best For
Fittings, Valves, Screws
Musical Instruments, Lamp Shades
If your part is created by removing material, especially on a CNC lathe, C360 is the only logical choice. Its efficiency and lower cost are unmatched.
If your part is created by shaping a sheet or tube of metal, C260 is the answer. Its ductility will allow you to create your vision without failure.
Understanding this fundamental difference is the mark of a great designer. A manufacturing partner like JUCHENG, with expertise in both CNC machining and sheet metal forming, can help you make the right call, ensuring your material's personality is a perfect match for your project's soul.
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