Expert machining of lead, precision milling processes, and 360 brass alloy fabrication.
Expert machining of lead, precision milling processes, and 360 brass alloy fabrication.
In precision manufacturing, understanding machining lead - the relationship between tool movement and workpiece rotation - is critical for optimizing the machining milling process, particularly when working with versatile materials like 360 brass alloy.

Brass CNC Machining Services
Get instant quotes for custom CNC brass parts with our online CNC machining service. We offer free standard shipping on all US orders and can quickly produce prototypes and production parts within days.
ISO 13485
AS9100D
Brass refers to a widely used copper-zinc alloy. The composition of these alloys varies depending on the zinc content and the presence of other alloying elements such as lead, aluminum, and iron. Due to its copper content, brass exhibits good thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as excellent wear resistance.
Brass is a versatile copper alloy that retains some of the advantages of copper while improving upon others. Brass possesses high mechanical strength and a low coefficient of friction, exhibiting superior corrosion and wear resistance compared to standard copper.
Processing | CNC Turning, CNC Milling, Laser Cutting, Bending, Spinning, Wire Cutting, Stamping, Electric Discharge Machining (EDM), Injection Molding | |||
Materials | Aluminum: 2000 series, 6000 series, 7075, 5052, etc. | |||
Stainless steel: SUS303, SUS304, SS316, SS316L, 17-4PH, etc. | ||||
Steel: 1214L/1215/1045/4140/SCM440/40CrMo, etc. | ||||
Brass: 260, C360, H59, H60, H62, H63, H65, H68, H70, Bronze, Copper | ||||
Titanium: Grade F1-F5 | ||||
Plastic: Acetal/POM/PA/Nylon/PC/PMMA/PVC/PU/Acrylic/ABS/PTFE/PEEK etc. | ||||
Surface Treatment | Anodized, Bead Blasted, Silk Screen, PVD Plating, Zinc/Nickel/Chrome/Titanium Plating, Brushing, Painting, Powder Coated, Passivation, Electrophoresis, Electro Polishing, Knurl, Laser/Etch/Engrave etc. | |||
Tolerance | ±0.002 ~ ±0.005mm | |||
Surface Roughness | Min Ra 0.1~3.2 | |||
4.Quick proofing, short delivery time, usually is 3-15 days
Copper Cartridge (Copper C260)
Copper C260 is a zinc alloy formula containing approximately 30% zinc and less than 1% lead and iron. This grade is sometimes referred to as cartridge brass due to its historical use in cartridges.
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
95 | 90 | 65 | 54 | 8.53 |
* Generalized values. For reference only.
Free-Machining Brass (Copper C360)
Copper C360, commonly known as free-machining brass, exhibits excellent machinability due to the alloy's high lead content. This characteristic makes C360 a very popular choice for CNC machining and other machining processes.
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
124 to 310 | 138 | 53 | 63 to 130 | 8.49 |
* Generalized values. For reference only. Values vary greatly depending on temper.

Conclusion
Mastering the machining lead principles in the machining milling process for 360 brass alloy can yield significant productivity gains and quality improvements. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide - from optimized tool geometries to advanced milling techniques - manufacturers can achieve:
✔ 30-50% faster cycle times
✔ 2-3x improvement in tool life
✔ Consistent surface finishes under 16 µin Ra
✔ Reduced scrap rates to <0.5%
Ready to optimize your brass machining operations? Contact our engineering team today for a free process evaluation and cutting parameter recommendations.



























