Materials and finishes
Brass
CW614N / CZ121 / C36000 / IS 319 Type I / CW602N (DZR)
The workhorse for turned parts. Free-cutting brass breaks chips cleanly, holds fine threads and takes plating well; DZR brass (CW602N) is used where parts are in contact with drinking water.
Typical uses: Electrical terminals, Inserts, Fasteners, Gas fittings, Water fittings
- Machinability
- Excellent (reference grade)
- Conductivity
- Good, suitable for current-carrying parts
- Corrosion
- Good indoors; DZR grade for potable water
- Typical bar
- Round, hex and square
Nominal composition, % by weight: CW614N (CuZn39Pb3), BS EN 12164
- Cu
- 57.0 to 59.0
- Pb
- 2.5 to 3.5
- Fe
- 0.3 max
- Zn
- Remainder
Stainless Steel (SS)
SS 303 / SS 304 / SS 316
For strength and corrosion resistance. 303 for machinability, 304 for general duty, 316 where chlorides or marine exposure are expected.
Typical uses: Cable glands, Food and pharma fittings, Marine hardware
- Machinability
- Fair to good (303 best)
- Corrosion
- Very good to excellent (316)
- Strength
- High
- Finish
- Passivated or natural
Nominal composition, % by weight: SS 304 (1.4301), ASTM A276 / EN 10088-3
- Cr
- 18.0 to 20.0
- Ni
- 8.0 to 10.5
- C
- 0.08 max
- Fe
- Balance
Mild Steel (MS)
EN1A (leaded) / EN8 / IS 1079
Economical and strong. Free-cutting EN1A machines fast; EN8 is used where higher tensile strength is specified. Always plated for protection.
Typical uses: Studs and pins, Spacers, Agricultural parts
- Machinability
- Very good (EN1A)
- Corrosion
- Needs plating or coating
- Strength
- Medium to high
- Finish
- Zinc, nickel, black oxide
Nominal composition, % by weight: EN1A leaded (230M07Pb), BS 970
- C
- 0.15 max
- Mn
- 0.90 to 1.30
- S
- 0.25 to 0.35
- Pb
- 0.15 to 0.35
Copper
ETP C101 / C110 / Tellurium copper C145 / Phosphor bronze
Where conductivity matters most. Tellurium copper improves machinability without giving up much conductivity; bronze adds wear resistance.
Typical uses: Earthing parts, Bus connectors, Contact pins
- Conductivity
- Highest of the metals we machine
- Machinability
- Fair (C145 good)
- Corrosion
- Good
- Finish
- Tin or silver plated
Nominal composition, % by weight: C101 (Cu-ETP), BS EN 13601
- Cu
- 99.90 min
- O
- 0.04 max
Aluminium
6061 / 6082 / 2011
Light and naturally corrosion resistant. 2011 for high-speed turning, 6061 and 6082 for structural parts and anodised finishes.
Typical uses: Housings, Heat sinks, Lightweight spacers
- Machinability
- Excellent (2011)
- Weight
- About a third of brass
- Corrosion
- Good, better when anodised
- Finish
- Anodised or natural
Nominal composition, % by weight: 6082, EN 573-3
- Si
- 0.7 to 1.3
- Mg
- 0.6 to 1.2
- Mn
- 0.4 to 1.0
- Al
- Balance
Finishes and plating
Plating and surface treatment are coordinated with qualified finishing partners and inspected on return, before packing.
Natural / bright
Degreased and tumbled, no plating.
Nickel
Bright or satin; wear and tarnish resistance.
Tin
Solderability and stable contact resistance.
Chrome
Decorative finish over nickel for bath fittings.
Silver
Lowest contact resistance for electrical parts.
Zinc (trivalent)
Corrosion protection for steel parts.
Passivated
Restores the passive layer on stainless steel.
Anodised
Hard, coloured oxide layer on aluminium.
Not sure which grade to specify?
Tell us the application and environment. We will recommend a grade and finish, with the trade-offs.