Brass (C2600 / C3604)
Brass (C2600 / C3604) is specified as ASTM B36 / EN CW508L. Plated fashion jewelry, enamel work, detailed cast charms are what it is normally chosen for, and its corrosion behaviour — tarnishes and patinas — must be plated or lacquered — decides whether it needs a protective finish or can be sold bare.
- Standard
- ASTM B36 / EN CW508L
- Density
- 8.47 g/cm³
- Hardness
- 95–130 HV
- Corrosion
- Tarnishes and patinas
What Brass is
Brass (C2600 / C3604) is specified as ASTM B36 / EN CW508L, with a composition of Cu 62–70%, Zn 30–38%, trace Pb in free-machining grades. It has a density of 8.47 g/cm³, a typical hardness of 95–130 HV, and melts at 900–940 °C.
Its defining behaviour for jewelry is corrosion: tarnishes and patinas — must be plated or lacquered. That single property decides more about a range than appearance does, because plating can make most metals look alike on arrival — what differs is how the piece looks after six months against skin.
Plated fashion jewelry, enamel work, detailed cast charms are the applications this alloy is normally specified for.
Measured properties
Values below are properties of the alloy as defined in ASTM B36 / EN CW508L, not claims about this supplier. They can be checked against the standard independently.
| Standard designation | ASTM B36 / EN CW508L |
|---|---|
| Composition | Cu 62–70%, Zn 30–38%, trace Pb in free-machining grades |
| Density | 8.47 g/cm³ |
| Hardness (Vickers) | 95–130 HV |
| Melting point | 900–940 °C |
| Corrosion resistance | Tarnishes and patinas — must be plated or lacquered |
| Plating & finishing | Gold, rose gold, rhodium, enamel, antique finishes |
| Indicative raw stock | $7–10/kg · Moderate volatility |
| Nickel-safe for skin contact | Plating-dependent — a nickel-free barrier must be specified |
Hardness is typical for the annealed or as-supplied condition and rises with cold work. Raw stock cost is an indicative market range, not a quotation.
Nickel release and skin contact
Nickel-free as an alloy, but conventional plating uses a nickel barrier under the gold. Specify nickel-free barriers for the EU and for pierced-ear items.
| Application | Limit under REACH Annex XVII entry 27 | Test method | Brass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierced ears, during epithelialisation | 0.2 µg/cm²/week | EN 1811 | Barrier layer must be nickel-free |
| Prolonged skin contact (rings, chains, bracelets) | 0.5 µg/cm²/week | EN 1811 after EN 12472 | Depends on the plating system |
| Coated items | Limit must hold for 2 years of normal use | EN 12472 wear simulation, then EN 1811 | Batch test required |
Limits are set by REACH Annex XVII entry 27 and are independent of supplier. A batch-specific report is what proves a particular production run complies — see EN 1811 compliance.
Finishing options
Gold, rose gold, rhodium, enamel, antique finishes.
Specify plating in microns, never by colour name. Two quotations both described as "18k gold plated" can differ tenfold in deposited thickness — 0.1 µm wears through within weeks of daily wear, 2.5 µm lasts years — and the cheaper quote is usually the one that assumed less.
01PolishedBare brass, lacquer sealed — nothing to wear through 
02Satin / brushedMechanical — lacquered 
03Bead blastMechanical — matte, lacquered 
04Frosted (Florentine)Mechanical — diamond-tipped stipple, taken before plating 
05AntiqueChemical patina, highlights relieved 
06GoldElectroplated — wears through at contact points 
07Rose goldElectroplated · specify barrier and microns 
08RhodiumElectroplated · bright white 
09EnamelFired into a machined channel
Swipe · 9 styles
Not sure which finish this material needs?
Send the design and the market you ship to. We reply with the finish options priced side by side.
Which categories suit Brass
Ranked by how well this alloy performs in each product shape, not by how often it is used.
| Category | Why it suits, or does not |
|---|---|
| Rings | Cheapest route to a gold look, but must be plated and will wear through |
| Necklaces & Pendants | Cast pendants at low cost, always plated |
| Earrings | Bodies only, never posts, and only with a nickel-free barrier layer |
| Bracelets & Bangles | Forms easily into cuffs, always plated |
Compared with the alternatives
Composition, density, hardness and corrosion behaviour are published properties of each alloy. They do not vary from supplier to supplier, which makes them the only honest basis for choosing between these six metals.
| Material | Standard | Density g/cm³ | Hardness HV | Corrosion | Raw cost | Nickel-safe bare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass (C2600 / C3604) | ASTM B36 / EN CW508L | 8.47 | 95–130 HV | Tarnishes and patinas | $$$$$ | Plating-dependent |
| Stainless steel 316L | ASTM A276 / EN 1.4404 | 7.98 | 150–190 HV | Excellent | $$$$$ | Yes |
| Titanium (Grade 2 / Grade 5) | ASTM B348 Gr.2 / Gr.5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | 4.51 | 145 HV | Excellent | $$$$$ | Yes |
| Sterling silver 925 | ASTM B700 / EN ISO 9202 (925 fineness) | 10.36 | 60–80 HV | Tarnishes | $$$$$ | Yes |
| Zinc alloy (Zamak 3 / 5) | ASTM B86 (Zamak 3 / Zamak 5) | 6.6 | 80–100 HV | Poor bare | $$$$$ | Plating-dependent |
| Copper & bronze | ASTM B152 (Cu) / ASTM B505 (bronze) | 8.96 (Cu) · 8.8 (bronze) | 50–100 HV | Patinas | $$$$$ | Plating-dependent |
Raw cost is a relative ranking of metal stock. Metal is one line in a unit price — see the manufacturing cost breakdown.
What to watch out for
Brass — buyer questions
Each answer stands alone and can be read without the rest of this page.
Is Brass jewelry hypoallergenic?
Nickel-free as an alloy, but conventional plating uses a nickel barrier under the gold. Specify nickel-free barriers for the EU and for pierced-ear items. The EU limits nickel release rather than nickel content: 0.5 µg/cm²/week for prolonged skin contact and 0.2 µg/cm²/week for pierced-ear items, both measured to EN 1811 under REACH Annex XVII entry 27.
What is Brass actually made of?
Brass (C2600 / C3604) is specified as ASTM B36 / EN CW508L, with a composition of Cu 62–70%, Zn 30–38%, trace Pb in free-machining grades. Its density is 8.47 g/cm³ and typical hardness 95–130 HV, melting at 900–940 °C. Those are properties of the alloy defined in the standard, so they can be checked independently of any supplier.
Does Brass tarnish or corrode?
Corrosion behaviour: tarnishes and patinas — must be plated or lacquered. Free-machining brass grades can carry lead above the California Prop 65 threshold. Ask for a lead-free grade in writing if you ship to the US.
What finishes can be applied to Brass?
Gold, rose gold, rhodium, enamel, antique finishes. Plating must always be specified in microns rather than by colour name — "18k gold plated" describes a colour and covers everything from 0.1 µm, which wears through in weeks, to 2.5 µm, which lasts years.
How much does Brass cost as raw stock?
Indicative raw-stock cost is $7–10 per kilogram, priced against copper-linked, with moderate volatility. Metal is only one line in a unit price — labour, plating, finishing, packing and a scrap allowance make up the rest, and on lighter pieces they dominate.
What should I use Brass for?
Plated fashion jewelry, enamel work, detailed cast charms. Free-machining brass grades can carry lead above the California Prop 65 threshold. Ask for a lead-free grade in writing if you ship to the US.
Not answered here? All buyer questions →
Quote a Brass run
Send the category, the finish and the quantity. You get an itemised unit price, the tooling cost as its own line, and the compliance route for your market. Production runs on our own floor in Qingxi, Dongguan, Guangdong.
- 01Reply within one working day, Guangdong business hours.
- 02Itemised cost sheet — mold quoted separately, not folded into the unit price.
- 03NDA on request before any file is shared.