C360 Free-Cutting Brass vs C932 Bronze
C360 free-machining brass and C932 bearing bronze are both copper alloys, but they solve different problems: one is built for fast, cheap machining, the other for sliding wear under load. The choice is driven by whether your part is a fitting or a bearing.
The verdict
Choose C360 Brass when you're machining fittings, valves, fasteners, or precision components and want the fastest, cheapest cutting of any copper alloy. Choose C932 Bronze when the part is a bearing, bushing, or wear surface that slides against a steel shaft under load, where its tin-lead structure resists galling and seizing. For non-bearing parts, brass almost always wins on cost.
Side-by-side data
| Property | C360 Free-Cutting Brass | C932 Bronze |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Copper Alloy | Copper Alloy |
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.5 | 8.8 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 340 | 310 |
| Yield strength (MPa) | 125 | 150 |
| Elongation (%) | 53 | 20 |
| Hardness | 78 HB | 65 HB |
| Max service temp (°C) | 200 | 250 |
| Machinability | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Corrosion resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Relative cost | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Thermal cond. (W/m·K) | 115 | 59 |
| Typically used for | High-speed machined fittings & valves | Bearings & bushings (low friction) |
Which should you choose?
Choose C360 Brass if…
- You are machining fittings, valve bodies, fasteners, or precision turned parts in volume
- Per-part machining cost and screw-machine throughput are your priority
- You are working from wrought bar or rod rather than casting near-net shape
- The part is not a load-bearing sliding surface
- You want the best chip control and tool life of any copper alloy
Choose C932 Bronze if…
- You are making a sleeve bearing, bushing, thrust washer, or wear plate that slides against a steel shaft
- The part must carry moderate-to-heavy loads and resist galling and seizing
- You need decent performance under marginal or boundary lubrication, where the lead phase helps
- The application is pumps, valves, or marine hardware needing corrosion resistance under load
- You are casting to near-net shape rather than machining from bar
Key differences that matter
- C360 is the machinability benchmark for copper alloys — leaded for fast cutting and clean chips — so it wins decisively on per-part machining cost and throughput.
- C932 is a true bearing alloy: its lead-tin bronze structure resists wear, galling, and seizing against a shaft, which brass cannot match in a bushing.
- C360 is typically supplied as wrought bar/rod; C932 is most often sand or continuous cast, which shapes both the design and the supply approach.
- Both have good corrosion resistance, but C932 holds up better in marine and pump service under load; C360 can dezincify in some aggressive waters.
- Neither alloy welds well due to lead content — design for brazing, soldering, or mechanical fastening, not fusion welding.
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Open the Material SelectorGet a Quote →Frequently asked questions
Is C360 brass stronger than C932 bronze?
They are comparable in tensile strength, but it depends on use. C932 has better compressive and wear performance under sustained bearing load, while cold-drawn C360 bar can show higher hardness and yield. For a sliding bearing, C932 is the right profile; for a machined structural fitting, C360 is fine.
Which is cheaper, C360 or C932?
C360 brass is usually cheaper per part. It costs less per pound than tin-bearing C932 and machines far faster, lowering labor. C932's cost is only justified when you actually need its bearing properties — paying for it on a non-bearing part is wasted money.
Can I use C360 brass as a bearing or bushing?
Generally no. C360 lacks the tin content and bearing microstructure of C932, so it galls and wears quickly against a steel shaft. For bushings, sleeves, and wear surfaces, use C932 or another dedicated bearing bronze.
Can either alloy be welded?
Not reliably. Both contain lead for machinability and bearing performance, which causes cracking and porosity in fusion welds. Use brazing, soldering, or mechanical fastening instead, and design joints accordingly.
Which machines more easily?
C360 — it is the standard against which copper-alloy machinability is rated, effectively 100%. C932 machines well for a cast bronze but causes more tool wear and is less suited to high-speed screw-machine work than C360.
Property values are typical/nominal figures for early-stage guidance only and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specifications against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer before production.