VT machining provides CNC Honing Brass for customers who need accurate, repeatable Brass components. Because Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
CNC Honing Capability for Brass
- Bore Ra to 0.1 µm
- Cross-hatch pattern
- Roundness within 0.002 mm
- Hydraulic-bore finishing
Brass Material Data
| Density | 8.50 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 340–470 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 125–310 MPa |
| Hardness | 78–130 HB |
| Melting point | 885–900 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 115 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 20.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 26% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 100% (the benchmark) |
| Grades we run | C36000 free-cutting, C37700 forging, C26000 cartridge, C46400 naval |
Published typical values for C36000. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Nothing much — this is the easiest metal in the shop. Worth asking about if a copper or bronze part is cost-driven rather than conductivity-driven.
How CNC Honing Brass Works
Abrasive media or tooling refine the Brass surface in controlled stages, removing the previous step's marks until the target roughness and edge condition are reached.
Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Honing Brass
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Surface roughness | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.05 µm |
| Edge break | 0.1–0.3 mm | 0.05 ±0.02 mm |
| Material removed | 0.02 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Bore roundness after honing | 0.005 mm | 0.002 mm |
| Cross-hatch angle | 45° ±10° | 45° ±5° |
| Cosmetic grade | uniform satin | mirror, no visible lines |
| Masking of datum faces | on request | standard |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
CNC Honing Tolerances & Surface Finish
Finishing brings Brass to a defined roughness target — from a uniform satin to Ra values as low as 0.05 µm — with controlled, repeatable edge breaks.
Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.
Design Tips for CNC Honing Brass
We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Telling us the target Ra, the cosmetic faces and any masking needs lets us finish Brass efficiently without over-processing. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Working with Brass
As a material, Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.
We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Finished Brass parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.
CNC Honing Quality & Inspection
We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Brass part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.
Applications of CNC Honing Brass
Customers order CNC Honing Brass components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.
How to Order CNC Honing Brass
Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.
Parts We Have Run in Brass
Three representative CNC Honing Brass jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Cosmetic housing
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- 150 × 90 mm visible face
- Key callouts
- Uniform satin, no directional lines
- Batch
- 2,500 pcs
Grained in one direction with datum faces masked so they keep their tolerance.
Deburred stamping
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- 40 × 25 × 1 mm
- Key callouts
- Edge break 0.05–0.15 mm, no sharp edges
- Batch
- 30,000 pcs
Vibratory finished in media sized to reach every internal cutout.
Passivated stainless fitting
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- Ø18 × 40 mm
- Key callouts
- ASTM A967 citric passivation, no free iron
- Batch
- 5,000 pcs
Passivated after all machining, then tested with a copper sulphate check.
Finishing Options for Brass
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel plate | 5–15 µm | Hard, bright, corrosion resistant |
| Chrome plate | 0.3–1 µm | Decorative, over nickel |
| Clear lacquer | 10–20 µm | Stops the natural tarnish |
| Tin plate | 3–15 µm | Solderable contacts |
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Honing Brass
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Brass grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for CNC Honing
Other Processes for Brass
Send the drawing, the Brass grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What is CNC Honing Brass and how is it done?
CNC Honing Brass refers to honing finishes bores with abrasive stones to precise size, roundness and a cross-hatch surface. Applied to Brass — free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
Why is Brass a good choice for CNC Honing?
Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish, which makes it well suited to CNC Honing. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Brass finishing part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
Which industries use CNC Honing Brass parts?
CNC Honing Brass parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Brass components are required.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Honing Brass?
Achievable tolerances for Brass finishing depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. We hold tight, repeatable tolerances appropriate to the feature and material. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.
What surface finish is achievable on Brass with CNC Honing?
Our finishing processes refine Brass surfaces to Ra values as low as 0.05 µm for cosmetic or sealing faces.