CZ121 Brass

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CZ121 (CW614N) is a 3% lead content free-machining brass that offers the highest machinability of any copper alloy.

The lead content is dispersed finely throughout the material - this acts as a combination of lubricant and chip breaker, which gives the alloy its free machining properties. CZ121 has a machinability rating of 100% and is the standard by which all other copper-based alloys are compared and rated. The material can be easily soldered or brazed, combining good strength with corrosion resistance.

Benefits:

Typical commercial applications include:

• Highest machining rating of any copper alloy (100%)
• Free machining brass
• Good strength and corrosion resistance
• Lead content acts as a lubricant and chip breaker

Introducing Lead (Pb)

Adding lead in the alloying process significantly improves the machinability of brass by altering its microstructure. Lead acts as a lubricant for tooling and a chip breaker under machining, resulting in a free machining material. Lead also creates pressure tightness which effectively seals shrinkage defects. While the difference between leaded and unleaded brasses is marginal, there is a marked difference in performance characteristics.

Applications

CZ121 brass alloy finds use in machined components, fasteners, extruded sections, window frames, switch blocks and plug pins.

Material Specifications

2.0401, C38500, CuZn39Pb3, CuZn40Pb3 (FR), CW614N, NF A51-105

Stock Availability

We offer stock availability in bars, hexagons, flat bars, square bars and hollow bars.