4 Best Practices for Machining ECO BRASS® and ECO BRONZE

Wieland Chase is proud to offer technical support for our customers who are interested in machining ECO BRASS® C69300 and ECO BRONZE® C87850.  These alloys are lead-free, machinable and corrosion resistant alloys which make them an excellent solution for many applications.

While exact parameters are part and machine specific, consider these best practices for machining ECO BRASS® and ECO BRONZE:

1. Increase Feed Rate – To produce small chips, the best feed rates are greater than 0.006 ipr, and preferably a minimum of 0.010 ipr for optimal productivity.
2. Decrease Speed – Failure to consider surface feet per minute can result in damage to the alloy which can lead to failure of machined parts. Wieland Chase recommends a maximum of 350 surface feet per minute.
3. Utilize Positive Clearances and Rake Angle – Clearances like those used for 1215 steel will reduce frictional heating that wear out tooling and cause potentially damaging temperature increases to the part.
4. Use Higher Grade of HSS or Switch to Ceramic Coated Carbide – To further produce a superior part, use a higher grade of HSS such as T-15 vs M-2 or carbides coated with TiAIN or other high temperature coatings.

Special Note: These alloys are different from leaded brass.  Even following the above guidelines, there is the potential for shorter tool life and higher tool forces.

Proven Machining Support

Our machining and technical specialists can provide clarification, advice, and insight on any type of machining center, tool design, part layouts and setups. Our wealth of experience combined with our expertise can save customers money by increasing efficiency and lowering production costs. We will work with you to take your design and idea to machine an excellent brass solution.

Our History and Commitment

Since 1837, Wieland Chase has been the leading manufacturer and supplier in efficient brass rod mills in North America. Our outstanding machining support allows us to provide an American-made product of the highest quality. Our highly engineered brass products meet our customer’s challenging manufacturing requirements in various market segments, including plumbing, electrical, industrial, medical, transportation, and many more. We support our customers by delivering prompt, reliable service and are committed to continuous improvement and innovation in our industry.