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CuZn40 – CW507L Brass Sheet Metal Components and Stamped Parts
CuZn40 – CW507L Brass Sheet Metal Components and Stamped Parts
CuZn40 (European EN designation CW507L, US equivalent C28000, historically known as Muntz Metal or 60/40 Brass) is a high-zinc, high-strength brass alloy containing nominally 60% copper and 40% zinc. Its alpha-beta duplex microstructure delivers significantly higher tensile strength and hardness than lower-zinc alpha brasses, combined with the characteristic golden-yellow brass colour and the inherent corrosion resistance of copper alloys. CuZn40 CW507L is the standard choice for heavy-gauge sheet metal components, structural stampings, busbar plates, panel hardware, condenser sheets, and architectural cladding where higher strength and lower material cost per kilogram are the driving requirements over maximum cold-formability. Electrical Accessories India manufactures CuZn40 CW507L brass sheet metal components and stamped parts at our Jamnagar, Gujarat production facility, serving electrical OEMs, HVAC manufacturers, marine hardware suppliers, and architectural metalwork fabricators across India and internationally.
Alloy Overview – CuZn40 / CW507L / C28000 Muntz Metal
Metallurgy and Phase Structure of CuZn40
CuZn40 (CW507L) contains 59–63% copper and 37–41% zinc, placing it squarely in the two-phase alpha-beta region of the copper-zinc equilibrium phase diagram. At room temperature, the microstructure consists of soft, ductile alpha phase (FCC) grains surrounded by harder, stronger beta phase (BCC) grains. The beta phase fraction increases with zinc content and is the source of CuZn40’s significantly higher strength compared to alpha brasses: tensile strength 370–450 MPa (annealed), hardness 90–115 HV – approximately 20–30% stronger than CuZn30 (CW505L) at equivalent temper. The duplex microstructure also gives CuZn40 excellent hot-workability, making it economical for hot-rolling of heavy plate and sheet. Cold-formability is reduced relative to alpha brasses (elongation 25–40% annealed vs 50–65% for CuZn30), but CuZn40 remains suitable for blanking, piercing, shearing, and moderate bending of sheet and plate components. CuZn40 has good machinability (approximately 40% on the CDA machinability scale) making drilled and tapped plate components practical.
CuZn40 vs CW507L vs C28000 – Designation Notes
CuZn40, CW507L, and C28000 are designations covering the same broad 60/40 brass alloy under different standards systems. CuZn40 is the ISO and DIN chemical composition designation. CW507L is the EN material number under EN 1652 for wrought plate, sheet, and strip. C28000 is the UNS/CDA designation (Muntz Metal) under ASTM B36. IS 291 is the Indian standard for Muntz Metal sheet and plate. Note: Some references use CW508L for CuZn37 (a slightly lower zinc variant); the 60/40 nominal Muntz Metal is correctly CW507L (CuZn40) under EN 1652. Buyers should verify the EN designation against the exact chemical analysis in the mill certificate.
Electrical and Industrial Sheet Metal Applications
CuZn40 CW507L sheet metal components and stampings serve demanding applications where strength and cost economy are prioritised. In electrical and switchgear applications: heavy busbar blanks and busbar plates (2–6 mm plate, blanked and drilled for bolt connections) in LV distribution switchgear and motor control centres; heavy terminal bars and strapping busbars for distribution boards; earthing plates and ground bars in substations and panel boards; panel door blanks and structural support stampings for metal-enclosed switchgear; and cable tray brackets and support hardware. In HVAC, marine, and industrial applications: condenser water box sheets and tube sheets (exploiting CuZn40’s anti-fouling and corrosion resistance in recirculating cooling water systems); valve body blanks; pump housing plates; marine hull sheathing blanks; and industrial heat exchanger baffles. In architectural applications: heavy facade cladding panels and feature sheets; column cladding and soffit panels; door kick plates and heavy grille panels where CuZn40’s durability and golden colour are valued.
Forming and Fabrication of CuZn40 CW507L Sheet
CuZn40 CW507L sheet is processed by blanking and piercing (shear-blanking or progressive die for thinner gauges), press-brake bending (minimum bend radius 1.5–2.0× material thickness in the annealed condition), punching, drilling, and tapping. For heavy plate (3–8 mm), hydraulic press blanking and CNC punching are used. Blanking clearance for CuZn40 is 6–10% per side of material thickness due to its higher hardness compared to alpha brasses. Minimum bend radius: 1.0×T (annealed, across rolling direction); 1.5×T (annealed, parallel to rolling direction); 2.0×T (half-hard, across rolling direction). Blanked edges exhibit a characteristic clean shear zone of approximately 60–70% material thickness with a minimal fracture zone, reflecting the alpha-beta structure. Hot forming of CuZn40 is performed at 650–800°C for severe forming operations beyond cold-working capability.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Value / Range | Standard / Temper |
|---|---|---|
| EN Designation | CW507L | EN 1652 |
| ISO / DIN Designation | CuZn40 | ISO 426/1 / DIN 17660 |
| UNS Designation | C28000 | ASTM B36 |
| Common Name | Muntz Metal, 60/40 Brass | – |
| Indian Standard | IS 291 | Muntz Metal Sheet and Plate |
| Copper (Cu) | 59.0–63.0% | EN 1652 / ASTM B36 |
| Zinc (Zn) | Balance (~37–41%) | EN 1652 |
| Lead (Pb) max | 0.30% | EN 1652 |
| Microstructure | Alpha + Beta (duplex FCC + BCC) | – |
| Tensile Strength – Annealed | 370–450 MPa | EN 1652 / ASTM E8 |
| Tensile Strength – Half-Hard | 440–520 MPa | EN 1652 / ASTM E8 |
| Elongation – Annealed | 25–40% | EN 1652 / ASTM E8 |
| Hardness – Annealed | 90–115 HV | EN ISO 6507 |
| Electrical Conductivity | 22–26% IACS | ASTM B193 |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~116 W/m·K | – |
| Density | 8.39 g/cm³ | – |
| Melting Range | 885–905°C | – |
| Sheet/Plate Thickness Range | 1.0–10 mm | EN 1652 / IS 291 |
| Machinability Index | ~40% (CDA scale, C36000 = 100%) | CDA |
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Designation | Common Name |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (EN 1652) | CW507L | CuZn40 – Muntz Metal |
| ISO 426/1 | CuZn40 | 60/40 Brass |
| Germany (DIN 17660) | CuZn40 / WNr 2.0360 | Messing 60/40 |
| USA (UNS / ASTM B36) | C28000 / CDA 280 | Muntz Metal |
| UK (BS 2870) | CZ109 | Muntz Metal Strip/Plate |
| India (IS 291) | Muntz Metal | 60/40 Brass Sheet and Plate |
| Japan (JIS H3100) | C2800 | 黄銅板 (60/40 Brass) |
| China (GB/T 2040) | H62 / H60 | 黄铜 (Yellow Brass) |
Product Types and Variants
| Product Type | Description | Typical Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| Busbar Plates | Blanked, drilled, deburred LV busbar plates | 2–6 mm thick, custom profile, 20–200 mm wide |
| Heavy Terminal Bars | Thick-section terminal bars with multiple bolt holes | 3–8 mm thick, 20–100 mm wide |
| Panel Structural Stampings | Panel frame components, brackets, support stampings | 1.5–4 mm sheet, custom profile |
| Earthing Plates and Ground Bars | Flat earthing plates for panel and substation assembly | 2–5 mm, custom hole pattern |
| Condenser and Heat Exchanger Sheets | Water box blanks, tube sheet blanks | 2–6 mm plate, custom size |
| Architectural Cladding Panels | Facade, column, and feature cladding blanks | 1.5–3 mm sheet, up to 600×1200 mm |
| Marine Hardware Blanks | Hull sheathing, seacock blanks, portlight frames | 1.5–5 mm, custom profile |
| Precision Plate Blanks | Precision-sheared plate blanks for further machining | 2–10 mm, ±0.1 mm dimensional tolerance |
Key Features
- Highest tensile strength of standard brass sheet grades – 370–450 MPa annealed (25–30% stronger than CuZn30)
- Alpha-beta duplex microstructure: excellent hot-workability and hardness with adequate cold-formability for blanking and bending
- Lower copper content (~61% Cu) vs alpha brasses: competitive pricing for large-area sheet metal components
- Good machinability (~40% CDA): drilled, tapped, and milled plate components practical in-house
- EN 1652 CW507L certified strip and plate supply with EN 10204 3.1 MTR
- ISO 9001:2015 certified production; full batch traceability
- Compatible with tin, nickel, and chrome plating; hot-dip tinning option for anti-fouling applications
- Available anti-dezincification (DZR) variant (CuZn40As) for water contact applications on request
Manufacturing Process
Material Procurement: CuZn40 CW507L plate and sheet sourced from EN 1652 / IS 291 certified mills. EN 10204 3.1 MTR confirming composition and mechanical properties supplied with each batch. OES chemical verification on receipt.
Blanking and Piercing: Shear-blanked on hydraulic press for heavy plate (3–10 mm); progressive die blanking for thinner sheet (1–3 mm). Blanking clearance 6–10% per side; punch and die from D2 tool steel HRC 60–62.
Bending and Forming: Press-brake forming for long bends; progressive die forming for high-volume complex profiles. Minimum bend radius 1.5×T (annealed, across rolling direction). Spring-back compensation applied in tooling design.
Drilling and Tapping: CNC drilling of bolt patterns, grounding holes, and mounting holes. Tapping for M5–M24 threaded holes in plate components. Drill speeds optimised for CuZn40 hardness. Deburring after drilling.
Surface Treatment: Vibratory deburring; electrolytic tin or nickel plating through certified partner facilities; hot-dip tinning for condenser and marine applications; chromate passivation on request.
Final Inspection and Packing: AQL sampling per ISO 2859-1; dimensional report; plating thickness by XRF if applicable. Anti-tarnish packaging; moisture-barrier bags for sea freight export.
Quality Standards and Certifications
| Standard / Certification | Applicability |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | Quality Management System |
| EN 1652 CW507L | Copper alloys – plate, sheet, strip for general purposes (CuZn40) |
| ASTM B36 | Brass plate, sheet, strip and rolled bar (C28000) |
| IS 291 | Indian standard – Muntz Metal sheet and plate |
| EN 10204 3.1 | Material test report – every batch |
| ISO 2768 | General tolerances for sheet metal parts |
| ISO 2859-1 | AQL inspection plan |
| REACH SVHC | Lead (Pb) SVHC declaration provided where applicable |
Pricing
CuZn40 – CW507L Brass Sheet Metal Components and Stamped Parts: US$ 15.90 per kilogram (CIF major port, indicative). Final price subject to order quantity, part dimensions, thickness, finish, and secondary operations. MOQ 50 kg per part number. Contact us with drawings or specifications for a firm quotation within 24 business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Muntz Metal (CuZn40 / CW507L) and what makes it unique?
Muntz Metal (CuZn40, CW507L, C28000) is a 60/40 copper-zinc alloy with an alpha-beta duplex microstructure. Named after George Frederick Muntz (patented 1832), it offers the highest strength of commercial brass sheet grades, good machinability, and competitive cost due to its low copper content. It was originally developed for ship hull sheathing as a lower-cost alternative to copper.
2. Is CuZn40 CW507L suitable for deep drawing?
No. CuZn40’s alpha-beta microstructure gives it lower ductility (elongation 25–40% annealed) than alpha brasses (50–65% for CuZn30). It is not suitable for deep drawing operations. It is appropriate for blanking, shearing, piercing, and moderate bending of sheet and plate. For deep-drawn parts, CuZn30 (CW505L) is required.
3. Can CuZn40 CW507L be used in seawater or marine environments?
Standard CuZn40 is susceptible to dezincification in stagnant seawater and aggressive marine environments. For such applications, the dezincification-resistant grade CuZn40As (arsenic-inhibited Muntz Metal) should be specified. CuZn40 without DZR inhibitor performs well in flowing seawater and clean industrial water systems.
4. What is the difference between CW507L (CuZn40) and CW508L (CuZn37)?
CW507L is the EN designation for CuZn40 (60/40 Muntz Metal, ~40% Zn), while CW508L is the EN designation for CuZn37 (63/37 brass, ~37% Zn, also called Yellow Brass or Spring Brass). CW508L has slightly higher copper content, slightly better formability, and is within the alpha-beta boundary. CW507L has higher zinc, higher strength, and is a firmly duplex alloy. Both are used for sheet metal components.
5. What minimum bend radius is required for CuZn40 CW507L sheet?
Minimum bend radius for CuZn40 annealed sheet: 1.0×T (across rolling direction), 1.5×T (parallel to rolling direction). For half-hard CuZn40: 2.0×T (across), 3.0×T (parallel). Always bend across the rolling direction where possible to minimise cracking risk on the tension side of the bend.
Related Products
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- CuSn5 / CW451K / C51000 Spring Hard Pressing and Stamping Parts
- C27000 / C28000 (Muntz Metal) Brass Sheet Metal Parts
- Brass Stampings – Brass Stamped Parts and Components
Request a Quote
Electrical Accessories India manufactures CuZn40 – CW507L Muntz Metal brass sheet metal components and stamped parts for global OEM, EPC, and distribution customers. Indicative price: US$ 15.90/kg. Supply your drawing, sample, or specification and receive a detailed technical and commercial proposal within 24 business hours.
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