C37700 – Forging Brass
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Descriptions
C37700 Forging Brass, also known as Leaded Forging Brass, is a high-strength copper–zinc alloy engineered specifically for hot forging and heavy forming applications. Containing small additions of lead, it offers the perfect balance between excellent hot-workability, good machinability, and reliable corrosion resistance.
This alloy produces tough, dimensionally stable forgings and pressings that are easy to machine and finish to high precision. C37700 Brass exhibits a warm golden appearance, takes plating and surface finishes extremely well, and provides strong mechanical integrity for both functional and decorative use.
Due to its superior forming behavior, C37700 Forging Brass is the material of choice for valves, pumps, fittings, and automotive hardware — where durability, pressure retention, and aesthetic finish are critical.
Chemical Composition
C37700 Forging Brass is a leaded copper–zinc alloy engineered for hot forging applications. The addition of lead improves machinability and surface finish, while the balanced copper–zinc ratio provides strength and excellent formability. Composition may vary slightly with product form and manufacturing standard (e.g. ASTM, EN, ISO).
| Element | Composition (wt%) |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 56.5 – 60.0 |
| Zinc (Zn) | Remainder (≈ 40 – 43) |
| Lead (Pb) | 1.5 – 2.5 |
| Iron (Fe), Tin (Sn), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn) | Each ≤ 0.3 – 0.5 (trace levels) |
Note: Exact composition may vary by standard — EN / ISO equivalent grades include CuZn39Pb2 and CuZn40Pb2. Lead improves machinability and chip formation, while maintaining strong forging properties and corrosion resistance.
Mechanical, Physical & Fabrication Properties
C37700 Forging Brass features a dual-phase (alpha + beta) microstructure, offering a combination of high strength, excellent hot-forging characteristics, and good machinability. While it performs superbly in hot-working operations, its cold-formability is limited due to rapid work hardening. The alloy’s fine grain structure ensures dimensional stability and a bright, smooth forged finish.
| Property | Typical Value / Description | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Microstructure | α + β (Duplex) | High strength, excellent hot flow; reduced cold ductility |
| Forgeability / Hot Working | Excellent (≈100 rating) | Recommended forge temperature: 650–815 °C (1200–1500 °F) |
| Tensile Strength | ≈ 380 – 520 MPa | Varies with temper and section size |
| Elongation | ≈ 12 – 45 % | Higher in softer annealed tempers |
| Machinability | ≈ 80 – 90 % | Relative to free-cutting brass (C36000 = 100 %) |
| Fabrication | Poor cold forming; excellent brazing & soldering | Welding possible with care; good plating and finishing |
Note: The C37700 alloy is specifically formulated for hot-forged components such as valves, fittings, and hardware requiring high strength, corrosion resistance, and superior surface finish.
Applications
C37700 Forging Brass is extensively used for forged and machined components that demand strength, precision, and an excellent surface finish. Its superior hot-forging behavior and good machinability make it the preferred material for mass-produced hardware and high-pressure fittings.
- Valve Bodies & Pump Components: Ideal for precision-forged parts used in fluid handling systems.
- Heavy Fittings & Couplings: Used in hydraulic, plumbing, and industrial connection systems.
- Automotive Components: Forged connectors, adapters, and mechanical hardware requiring high integrity and strength.
- Machined & Finished Hardware: Turned components and pressings where clean finish and dimensional stability are critical.
In summary: C37700 Forging Brass is the alloy of choice for high-strength, hot-forged, and precision-machined parts across the valve, pump, automotive, and fluid-control industries.
Standards & International Equivalents:
C37700 Forging Brass is recognized globally under various international and national standards for forged and wrought copper-zinc alloys. These specifications define its chemical composition, mechanical properties, and performance requirements for use in forged valves, fittings, and hardware.
| Standard Organization | Designation / Specification | Description / Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| UNS | C37700 | Unified Numbering System designation for Forging Brass |
| EN / ISO | CuZn39Pb2 / CuZn40Pb2 (CW617N / CW612N) |
European and ISO equivalents for leaded forging brass grades |
| ASTM | ASTM B124 | Forging Rod, Bar, and Shapes for Copper-Base Alloys |
| BS | BS 2874 (CZ120 – CZ122 series) | British Standard equivalents for brass forging stock |
| Indian Standard (IS) | IS 3488 | Brass Bars/Rods for Forgings — standard forging brass used in India |
Note: Equivalent designations may vary slightly depending on national and product-form specifications. C37700 / CuZn39Pb2 remains the most widely used forging brass alloy across valve, plumbing, and mechanical hardware industries.
Common Names & International Identifiers
C37700 Forging Brass is widely known across international markets under several trade and technical names. It is the industry’s preferred hot-forging alloy for producing durable, high-strength, and precisely machined brass components.
- Trade / Common Names: Forging Brass, Leaded Forging Brass
- UNS / CDA Designation: C37700 / CDA Alloy 377
- Chemical / ISO Designation: CuZn39Pb2 / CuZn40Pb2
- European (EN) Equivalent: CW617N (depending on variant)
- British Standard (BS): CZ120 / CZ122
Known for its excellent forgeability, strength, and finish quality, C37700 Brass remains the standard choice for valves, pumps, fittings, and automotive forgings globally.
Common Product Forms & Dimensions
C37700 Forging Brass is available in a wide range of product forms suitable for hot forging, machining, and precision hardware manufacturing. The alloy is typically supplied as rods, bars, tubes, or billets for closed-die and open-die forging of valve, pump, and fitting components.
| Form | Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Length (mm) | Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet / Strip | 0.3 – 6.0 | 50 – 600 | Custom | - |
| Rod / Bar | - | - | Custom | 3 – 150 |
| Tube | 1.0 – 15.0 (wall) | - | Custom | 10 – 250 (OD) |
| Wire | - | - | Custom | 0.5 – 12 |
Note: Custom dimensions, tempers, and tolerances are available upon request. C37700 Brass forging stock is typically supplied in straight lengths or cut-to-size billets for hot-forged valves, plumbing fittings, automotive connectors, and industrial hardware.
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