Brass Fasteners
Manufacturer
India · Mumbai
Why Brass — And Why Grade Selection Prevents Dezincification Failure
Brass is the family of copper-zinc (Cu-Zn) alloys ranging from approximately 60% to 90% copper, with the balance zinc. The most commercially important brass for fasteners is free-cutting brass (C36000, approximately 61.5% Cu / 35.5% Zn / 3% Pb) — the lead addition makes it the most machinable of all common engineering metals, with a machinability rating of 100% (the reference standard). This makes C36000 the fastest, most economical brass to machine into screws, bolts, nuts, and precision instrument hardware.
Brass fasteners are specified for four distinct reasons: (1) excellent machinability — lower machining cost than stainless steel for precision small fasteners; (2) good corrosion resistance in dry indoor and general atmospheric environments; (3) non-sparking properties — brass fasteners will not generate sparks when struck, making them the standard specification for fasteners in explosive atmospheres (oil tank covers, grain elevator hardware, mining equipment); and (4) attractive golden appearance — architectural, heritage, and decorative applications.
The critical limitation: standard brass (alpha-beta brasses with Zn >15%) is susceptible to dezincification in stagnant water, particularly slightly acidic soft water. Zinc selectively leaches from the brass matrix, leaving a porous copper sponge with very low mechanical strength — the fastener appears intact but can be snapped with finger pressure. Dezincification-resistant DZR brass (C69300, CW602N) contains 0.02–0.15% arsenic as an inhibitor that prevents the dezincification mechanism. For all potable water plumbing, hot and cold water systems, and any brass fastener in continuous water contact, DZR brass must be specified.
Brass Grade Profiles — Free-Cut · Cartridge · Naval · DZR
Select brass grade by primary requirement: machinability (C36000), cold formability (C26000), marine resistance (C46400), or potable water dezincification resistance (C69300 DZR). All four grades available as fasteners from ASTM-certified bar/rod stock.
Free-Cutting Brass
Cartridge Brass
Naval Brass
DZR Brass
Brass Fastener Types — Full Range
C36000 free-cutting brass is the primary stocking grade — the standard for precision machined brass fasteners in all sizes. DZR C69300 stocked for plumbing applications. Naval brass C46400 and cartridge brass C26000 on order. M2–M36.
Hex Bolts
Full thread and partial thread hex bolts in C36000 (standard) and DZR C69300 (plumbing). M4–M36. Precision instrument housing bolts, electrical panel hex bolts, HVAC equipment hex bolts, mechanical assembly general hex bolts, valves and fittings hex bolts, marine above-waterline structural hex bolts (naval brass C46400), and heritage restoration architectural hex bolts matching period-correct brass finish.
Hex Nuts
Standard hex nuts in C36000, DZR, and naval brass. M2–M36. Matched from same ASTM-certified bar as hex bolts for single-alloy assembly documentation. Brass hex nuts for instrument terminal connections, plumbing DZR nuts matched with DZR bolts for potable water fitting assemblies, and decorative brass hex nuts for heritage woodwork and period architectural hardware.
Threaded Rods
Full thread and end-thread brass threaded rods in C36000. M4–M36, lengths to 1,000mm. Electrical busbar structural rods, instrument rack tying rods, cabinet assembly rods, architectural panelling tie-rods, and all applications requiring non-magnetic non-sparking threaded rod in an environment where stainless steel or carbon steel is undesirable.
Socket Cap Screws
Hex socket cap screws in C36000 free-cutting brass. M3–M24. Precision instrument panel screws, electrical equipment internal screws, optics and scientific instrument mounting screws, PCB mounting screws requiring non-magnetic non-ferrous material, and all applications where a hex socket head in brass provides the required conductivity, non-sparking property, and attractive appearance.
Washers
Plain flat washers (DIN 125) and small OD thin washers (DIN 433) in C36000 brass. M2–M36. For complete brass fastener assembly documentation — bolt, nut, and washer from same certified rod. Brass spring washers (DIN 127) available. Bearing surface washers for precision instrument and electrical terminal assemblies.
Wing Nuts / Thumb Screws
Wing nuts (DIN 315) and thumb screws (DIN 316) in C36000 brass. M4–M16. Hand-tightening applications in laboratory equipment, jig and fixture assemblies, instrument panels requiring frequent adjustment, electrical terminal covers, and all applications where tool-free hand tightening is required and the non-sparking, non-magnetic property of brass is valued.
Machine Screws
Slotted and Phillips cheese head, pan head, countersunk, and round head machine screws in C36000 brass. M2–M12. Precision instrument assembly, electrical terminal screws, panel screws in control equipment, scientific instrument housing screws, and all small brass machine screw applications where non-magnetic non-sparking properties and machined accuracy are valued over socket cap screw geometry.
Custom Brass
Special head forms, odd pitches, slotted socket combinations, standoffs, spacers, and drawing-specific brass fastener configurations in any of the four brass grades. Brass insert nuts for plastic injection moulding, knurled thumb screws, stepped screws, and all custom precision brass hardware. Contact sales@akbarfasteners.in with grade, drawing, and quantity.
Brass Fasteners Application Areas
Precision machining, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, marine above waterline, explosive atmospheres, heritage restoration — the six distinct application niches where brass fasteners are the specified choice.
Electrical & Electronics
non-magnetic instrument hardware
Plumbing & HVAC
hot & cold water systems
Instrumentation
scientific instrument hardware
Marine Above Waterline
deck fittings · splash zone
Hazardous / Explosive Atmos.
ATEX zone fasteners
Heritage & Architectural
restoration hardware
Gas Fittings
meter body bolts
Furniture & Locks
furniture brass hardware
Brass Fastener Standards Coverage
Same ISO 9001:2015 quality system as our full fastener range. PMI confirms Cu% and Zn% — critical for distinguishing DZR brass (arsenic-inhibited) from standard free-cutting brass in potable water applications.
Complete Documentation Package
ASTM B16 / B21 Stated
Conformance
DZR As% Confirmed
EN 13349 (DZR on req.)
Tensile · Hardness
Related Non-Ferrous Fastener Alloys
Brass for machinability and appearance. Silicon bronze for marine below-waterline. Pure copper for electrical grounding. SS 316L for higher corrosion resistance.
Silicon Bronze / Al Bronze
For below-waterline marine service where dezincification-resistant brass is still at risk — silicon bronze C65500 (no zinc, zero dezincification risk) is the correct specification for wooden boat hull bolts, keel bolting, and composite hull connections. Aluminium bronze C63000 for high-strength marine structural connections.
View Copper Range →Copper Nickel Fasteners
For Cu-Ni piping systems and biofouling-resistant seawater service — Cu-Ni 90/10 (C70600) provides superior seawater corrosion resistance and biofouling resistance compared with naval brass C46400. For marine seawater systems requiring galvanic compatibility with Cu-Ni piping.
View Cu-Ni Range →SS 316L Fasteners
When the corrosion environment exceeds brass’s capability — SS 316L (PRE≈24, 2% Mo) handles chloride-containing chemical process environments, marine atmospheres, and pharmaceutical service where brass would suffer stress corrosion cracking or dezincification.
View SS 316L →SS 304 Fasteners
When a stainless steel appearance is preferred over brass’s golden colour and the application is indoor dry service — SS 304 provides comparable corrosion resistance to free-cutting brass C36000 in most dry environments with greater strength (≥515 MPa UTS vs brass ≥360 MPa) and no dezincification risk.
View SS Range →Need Brass
Fasteners?
Grade (C36000 / DZR / Naval / Cartridge) · form · size · finish. Akbar Fasteners Pvt. Ltd. responds within 24 hours.
Export: +91 8696 32 4646 · Support: +91 800 9315 333 · export@akbarfasteners.in