Brass rods are long, solid bars manufactured from brass, a copper–zinc alloy often enhanced with small additions of lead, tin, manganese, or aluminum to improve machinability, strength, and corrosion resistance.
They are extensively used in engineering, electrical, plumbing, automotive, and decorative applications due to their excellent workability, durability, and attractive gold-like appearance.
Why Brass Rods Are Widely Used
✔ High machinability (especially free-cutting grades)
✔ Excellent corrosion resistance
✔ Good strength and durability
✔ Electrical and thermal conductivity
✔ Anti-bacterial properties for sanitary applications
Typical Chemical Composition (By Alloy Type)
| Brass Rod Type | Cu % | Zn % | Other Elements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free-Cutting Brass (C36000) | 60 – 63 | 33 – 37 | Pb 2 – 4% |
| Cartridge Brass (C26000) | ~70 | ~30 | — |
| Naval Brass (C46400) | ~60 | ~39 | Sn ~1% |
| Red Brass (C23000) | ~85 | ~15 | — |
| Manganese Brass | 55 – 62 | 35 – 40 | Mn, Fe |
| Lead-Free Brass | 60 – 75 | Balance | Bi, Si, P |
Key Point: Mechanical performance of brass rods is primarily alloy-dependent rather than geometry-dependent.
Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.4 – 8.7 g/cm³ |
| Melting Range | 880 – 950 °C |
| Electrical Conductivity | 20 – 30% IACS |
| Thermal Conductivity | 100 – 120 W/m·K |
| Thermal Expansion | 18 – 21 µm/m·°C |
| Magnetic Behavior | Non-magnetic |
| Color | Yellow to reddish-gold |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 300 – 600 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 120 – 450 MPa |
| Elongation | 8 – 50% |
| Hardness | 80 – 180 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | ~100 GPa |
Cold-drawn rods exhibit higher strength, while annealed rods provide superior ductility.
Strengthening & Metallurgical Behavior
✔ Alpha (Cu-rich) phase provides ductility and corrosion resistance
✔ Beta (Zn-rich) phase increases strength and hardness
✔ Zinc provides solid-solution strengthening
✔ Cold working is the primary strengthening method
✔ Not precipitation-hardenable
Key Characteristics of Brass Rods
✔ Excellent machinability
✔ Balanced strength and ductility
✔ High corrosion resistance
✔ Non-sparking and non-magnetic
✔ Good electrical and thermal conductivity
✔ Attractive surface finish
✔ Easy brazing and soldering
Refining & Processing Properties
Manufacturing process includes billet casting, hot extrusion, pickling, straightening, cold drawing to final size, optional annealing, and precision cutting.
| Process | Performance |
|---|---|
| Machining | Excellent |
| Hot Extrusion | Excellent |
| Cold Drawing | Excellent |
| Forging | Good |
| Welding | Fair |
| Brazing / Soldering | Excellent |
| Plating | Excellent |
Available Forms & Sizes
Round rods, hex rods, square rods, flat bars
Precision rods and cut-to-length bars
Hollow rods (special applications)
Typical diameter range: 3 mm – 150 mm
Applications
Machined screws, nuts, bolts, inserts, and bushings
Plumbing valves, fittings, and couplings
Electrical terminals, connectors, and switch parts
Automotive hydraulic fittings and sensor housings
Decorative hardware and architectural components
Advantages
✔ Wide alloy selection
✔ Excellent machinability
✔ Long service life
✔ Corrosion resistant
✔ Highly recyclable
✔ Cost-effective
✔ Consistent quality
Why Choose Brass Rods?
Choose brass rods when you need reliable machining performance, tight dimensional tolerances, good corrosion resistance, moderate electrical conductivity, and visual appeal across diverse industries.
Engineering Rule:
Brass rods are the default material choice
for machined components
where steel is excessive
and aluminum is too soft.
Brass Rods vs Other Rod Materials
| Material | Machinability | Corrosion | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
| Aluminum | Good | Good | High |
| Brass Rods | Excellent | Excellent | Moderate |
| Bronze | Fair | Excellent | Moderate |