C110 Copper vs C360 Free-Cutting Brass
C110 (electrolytic tough pitch copper) and C360 (free-machining brass) sit at opposite ends of the copper-alloy trade-off: pick C110 when the part must conduct, pick C360 when it must be machined fast and accurately.
The verdict
Choose C110 Copper when electrical or thermal conductivity is the priority — busbars, grounding, heat sinks, connectors. Choose C360 Brass when you need cheap, fast, high-tolerance machined parts — fittings, valves, fasteners, gears. C110 conducts far better but is soft, gummy to machine, and harder to hold tolerance. C360 is the easiest copper alloy to machine and stronger, but conducts only modestly.
Side-by-side data
| Property | C110 Copper | C360 Free-Cutting Brass |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Copper Alloy | Copper Alloy |
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.94 | 8.5 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 220 | 340 |
| Yield strength (MPa) | 70 | 125 |
| Elongation (%) | 45 | 53 |
| Hardness | 40 HB | 78 HB |
| Max service temp (°C) | 200 | 200 |
| Machinability | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Corrosion resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Relative cost | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Thermal cond. (W/m·K) | 391 | 115 |
| Typically used for | Electrical & thermal conductivity parts | High-speed machined fittings & valves |
Which should you choose?
Choose C110 Copper if…
- Electrical or thermal conductivity drives the design (busbars, grounding straps, heat sinks, lugs, motor parts)
- The part is formed, drawn, riveted, or bent rather than heavily machined — copper takes cold work well
- You need to braze, solder, or resistance/TIG-weld the joint reliably
- High ductility and fatigue life under repeated flexing matter (windings, flexible shunts)
- The application sees no machined fine threads or tight tolerances that copper's gumminess would spoil
Choose C360 Brass if…
- The part is screw-machined or CNC-turned in volume — C360 is the industry machinability benchmark (100% rating)
- You need crisp threads, tight tolerances, and excellent surface finish (valves, fittings, fasteners, nozzles)
- Higher strength and hardness than pure copper are required without heat treatment
- Conductivity is secondary — plumbing, hydraulic, instrumentation, and decorative hardware
- Lower part cost from faster cycle times and longer tool life is the goal
Key differences that matter
- Conductivity is the dividing line: C110 is ~100% IACS while C360's ~26% IACS is fine for mechanical parts but poor for true electrical duty.
- Machinability is reversed: C360 cuts cleanly at the highest free-machining rating, while soft C110 is gummy, smears, and burrs — slow and tool-loading.
- C360 is meaningfully stronger and harder as-supplied; C110 is soft and ductile, favoring forming, bending, and joining over load-bearing machined detail.
- Both resist corrosion well, but C360 can dezincify in aggressive or chloride-rich water; C110 has no zinc to leach and suits potable and marine grounding uses.
- C110 solders, brazes, and welds easily; C360's lead and zinc make welding impractical, so brass parts are typically threaded, soldered, or mechanically joined.
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Open the Material SelectorGet a Quote →Frequently asked questions
Is C110 Copper stronger than C360 Brass?
No. C360 brass is stronger and harder in its standard form. C110 is soft and ductile, so it wins on conductivity and formability, not on mechanical strength or hardness.
Which is cheaper to make parts from?
C360 usually yields cheaper finished parts despite copper's commodity price swings, because it machines several times faster with less tool wear. For machined components, cycle time dominates cost more than raw stock.
Can I machine C110 Copper?
Yes, but it is one of the harder metals to machine well — it's gummy, smears, and forms burrs, loading tools and hurting finish. Sharp tooling, positive rake, and coolant help. C360 machines far more easily.
Can I weld C360 Brass?
Not practically. The zinc fumes and (in C360) lead make fusion welding unreliable, so brass is normally joined by threading, brazing, or soldering. C110 copper, by contrast, solders, brazes, and welds readily.
Will C360 Brass corrode in water?
It resists general corrosion well but can suffer dezincification in aggressive, low-pH, or chloride-heavy water, leaving a weak porous structure. For potable or marine-critical use, a dezincification-resistant brass or copper is safer.
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.