Brass Alloys: C36000, C26000, C46400 and C93200 Uses

Brass Alloys: C36000, C26000, C46400 and C93200 Uses

Brass is not a single material — it is a family of copper-zinc alloys with different strengths, prelucrabilitate, corrosion resistance and colors. The four most common brasses are C36000 (free-cutting), C26000 (cartridge), C46400 (naval) and C93200 (bearing bronze). Each is optimized for a different job, and choosing the wrong one leads to premature failure or excessive cost. This guide compares the four so you can specify the right brass for fittings, supape, hardware and bearings.

The Four Brasses at a Glance

C36000 is the free-cutting brass — 61% Cu, 35% Zn, 3% Pb, and the most machinable brass available. It is the default for turned parts: fitinguri, supape, şuruburi, nuts and hardware. C26000 is the 70/30 cartridge brass — 70% Cu, 30% Zn, with excellent formability and corrosion resistance. It is used for cartridges, radiator cores and plumbing fixtures. C46400 is naval brass — 60% Cu, 39% Zn, 1% Sn, with excellent seawater corrosion resistance. It is used for marine hardware, propellers and valve stems. C93200 is a leaded red brass (actually a bronze) — 83% Cu, 7% Sn, 7% Pb, 3% Zn, with excellent bearing properties. It is the standard bearing bronze. Vezi noastre C12200 copper tube.

C36000: The Machining Default

C36000 is the most popular brass for machined parts because the 3% lead acts as a chip-breaker. It cuts like butter, produces short chips, and tools last 3 – 5× longer than on other brasses. It is the standard for plumbing fittings, valve bodies, conectori electrici, screw machine parts and any high-volume turned component. The trade-off is that it is not as strong as naval brass, and it is not recommended for high-pressure or marine applications. For general hardware and fittings, C36000 is the default choice.

C26000: The Forming Alloy

C26000 (70/30 brass) is the most formable brass. It is deep-drawn into cartridge cases, radiator cores, plumbing fixtures and decorative trim. It has a warm, golden color and takes a polished finish beautifully. It is not as machinable as C36000 — chips are stringy and tools wear faster — but it is the best brass for bending, stamping and drawing. For visible decorative parts, C26000 is the standard because of its color and finish.

C46400: The Marine Alloy

C46400 naval brass adds 1% tin to the standard 60/40 brass, which dramatically improves resistance to seawater corrosion. It is used for marine hardware: arbori de elice, tije de supape, pump components, and fittings exposed to salt spray. Are o rezistență la tracțiune de 380 – 550 MPa and is stronger than C36000. For marine applications, C46400 is the minimum — 70/30 brass dezincifies in seawater, leaving a porous copper layer that crumbles.

C93200: The Bearing Bronze

C93200 is technically a bronze (high tin content), not a brass. It is the standard bearing material: the lead provides lubrication, the tin provides strength, and the copper provides thermal conductivity. It is used for bushings, thrust washers, piston rings and wear plates. It is not a structural material — it is a tribological material designed to run against steel shafts with minimal wear.

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