VT machining provides CNC Polishing 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 Polishing Capability for Brass
- Mirror finish capable
- Ra to 0.05 µm
- Cosmetic & sealing faces
- Multi-stage abrasives
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 Polishing 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.
Every job begins from your CAD model or 2D drawing. Fixturing and tool paths are planned so the most critical dimensions are produced in the most rigid, repeatable setup. Critical dimensions are checked on the first part and monitored through the run.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Polishing 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.
Design Tips for CNC Polishing Brass
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. 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.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
We complete Brass components with the secondary steps your drawing calls for. We arrange heat treatment, surface treatment, marking and assembly as needed. Tell us the final spec and we will plan the full route so parts arrive ready to use.
CNC Polishing 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.
Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.
Working with Brass
Brass offers a useful combination of properties: it is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish. Those characteristics shape how we approach finishing — from tool and parameter selection to work-holding and coolant.
If your application is sensitive to alloy condition, we agree the specification in writing and document it. Stock is sourced from reputable suppliers so what you order is what you receive.
CNC Polishing Quality & Inspection
Consistent quality comes from disciplined process control. Critical dimensions on Brass parts are checked in-process and verified at final inspection using calibrated instruments and, where required, CMM measurement. Full documentation — dimensional reports, mill certs, FAIR — is available when your programme needs it.
Applications of CNC Polishing Brass
CNC Polishing of Brass supports parts across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, energy and general industrial sectors. We scale from one-off prototypes to ongoing production while holding the same quality.
How to Order CNC Polishing Brass
Ordering Brass parts is straightforward. Provide the drawing, material, quantity and any certification needs. Our engineers reply — in English — with feasibility, pricing and a realistic lead time, usually within one business day.
Parts We Have Run in Brass
Three representative CNC Polishing 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.
Hydraulic bore
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- Ø32 × 200 mm
- Key callouts
- Ra 0.4 µm cross-hatch 45°, roundness 0.003 mm
- Batch
- 600 pcs
Honed in three stages; the cross-hatch is what holds the oil film.
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 Polishing 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 Polishing
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 Polishing Brass and how is it done?
CNC Polishing Brass refers to cNC polishing refines surfaces to a smooth, reflective finish for cosmetic and functional needs. 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.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Polishing on Brass?
Our deburring leaves Brass with a consistent, controlled edge break and burr-free surfaces.
What surface finish is achievable on Brass with CNC Polishing?
Our finishing processes refine Brass surfaces to Ra values as low as 0.05 µm for cosmetic or sealing faces.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Polishing Brass?
CNC Polishing prototypes for Brass can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Polishing Brass?
We machine Brass across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
Why is Brass a good choice for CNC Polishing?
Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish, which makes it well suited to CNC Polishing. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Brass finishing part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.