Brass Alloys - Brass CZ121 Properties, Fabrication and Applications, Supplier Data by Aalco

Topics Covered

Chemical Composition of Brass alloy CZ121

Properties of Brass alloy CZ121

Mechanical Properties of Brass alloy CZ121

Physical Properties of Brass alloy CZ121

Alloy Designations

Corrosion Resistance of Brass alloy CZ121

Fabrication of Brass alloy CZ121

Cold Working of Brass alloy CZ121

Hot Working of Brass alloy CZ121

Heat Treatment of Brass alloy CZ121

Machinability

Welding and Joining of Brass alloy CZ121

Applications of Brass alloy CZ121

Supplied Forms

Background

Brasses are alloys of Copper and Zinc. They may also contain small amounts of other alloying elements to impart advantageous properties. Brasses have high corrosion resistance and high tensile strength. They are also suited to fabrication by hot forging. Free machining grades of brass set the standard for machining, by which other metals are compared.

Brass Classes

Brasses are divided into two classes. The alpha alloys, with less than 37% zinc, and the alpha/beta alloys with 37-45% zinc. Alpha alloys are ductile and can be cold worked. Alpha/beta or duplex alloys have limited cold ductility and are harder and stronger. CZ121 is an alpha/beta alloy.

Alloy CZ114

Brass alloy CZ121 is used for machining. It has lead added to the composition to improve machinability. The lead remains insoluble in the microstructure of the brass and the soft particles act as chip breakers.

Alloy CZ121M

The name CZ121M is sometimes used to emphasise its machining properties.

Chemical Composition of Brass alloy CZ121

Table 1. Typical chemical composition for brass alloy CZ121

%	CZ121
Cu	58
Pb	3
Zn	Balance

Properties of Brass alloy CZ121

Mechanical Properties of Brass alloy CZ121

Table 2. Typical mechanical properties for brass alloy CZ121

Grade	CZ121
Tensile Strength (MPa)	360-580
Proof Stress (MPa)	150-420
Elongation A5 (%)	25-5
Hardness VPN	100-160

Physical Properties of Brass alloy CZ121

Table 3. Typical physical properties for brass alloy CZ121

Property	Value
Density	8.47 kg/m³
Melting Point	875°C
Modulus of Elasticity	97 GPa
Electrical Resistivity	0.062x10^-6 Ω.m
Thermal Conductivity	123 W/m.K
Thermal Expansion	20.9 x10^-6 /K

Alloy Designations

Brass alloy CZ121 corresponds to the following designations:

CEN	BS	UNS	ISO
CW614N	BS2874 CZ121	C38500	CuZn39Pb3

Corrosion Resistance of Brass alloy CZ121

The corrosion resistance of Brass alloy CZ121 is fair to excellent.

Fabrication of Brass alloy CZ121

Cold Wo rking of Brass alloy CZ121

Cold working of Brass alloy CZ121 is poor and is not recommended. It can, however, be knurled if required.

Hot Working of Brass alloy CZ121

Fabrication of Brass alloy CZ121 by hot working is excellent. It is recommended that hot working be done between 630 and 730°C.

Heat Treatment of Brass alloy CZ121

Solution treatment or annealing can be done by rapid cooling after heating to 430-600°C.

Machinability

The machinability of alloy Brass alloy CZ121 is excellent. It has a machinability rating of 90 where Alloy 360 FC Brass is 100.

Welding and Joining of Brass alloy CZ121

Soldering of Brass alloy CZ121 is rated as “excellent” and brazing is “good”. Butt welding is fair but all other welding methods are not recommended.

Applications of Brass alloy CZ121

Brass alloy CZ121 is typically used in:

· High speed machined components

· Architectural extrusions

· Locks

· Hinges

Supplied Forms

Brass alloy CZ121 is typically supplied by Aalco in the following forms:

· Round bar

· Hexagon bar

· Square bar

· Flat bar

Source: Aalco

For more information on this source please visit Aalco

Date Added: Apr 25, 2005 | Updated: Aug 9, 2011

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