CuZn40 vs CuZn37: Both common brasses — CuZn40 crosses into alpha-beta territory
CuZn40 vs CuZn37
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
CuZn40
CW509L
Muntz Metal / 60-40 Brass — at the alpha-beta boundary, the strongest common unleaded brass. Good hot workability (extrusion, forging, hot stamping). Poor cold formability vs lower-Zn brasses. Susceptible to dezincification in aggressive waters. Used for architectural extrusions, heat exchanger tubes, condenser plates, and marine hardware. ≈ UNS C28000.
CuZn37
2.0321
Lead-free alpha/alpha+beta brass (63% Cu, 37% Zn). Compromise between cold formability (CuZn35) and hot formability (CuZn40). The most widely used unleaded brass. Used for cartridge cases, radiator cores, lamp components, plumbing fixtures, and decorative hardware.
| CuZn40 | CuZn37 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | CW509L | 2.0321 |
| Category | Copper & Brass | Copper & Brass |
| Standard | EN 12163 | EN 12167 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | CuZn40 | CuZn37 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ni | — | 0–0.3% | — |
| Cu | 59–62% | 62–64% | Partial |
| Al | — | 0–0.05% | — |
| Zn | — | — | — |
Mechanical properties
| Property | CuZn40 | CuZn37 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 350–420 | 310–400 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 120–170 | ≥ 100 | MPa |
| elongation | 35–50 | ≥ 38 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
CuZn40 (Muntz) has beta phase giving higher hot workability and strength but reduced cold formability and corrosion resistance vs CuZn37. CuZn37 stays fully alpha = better cold forming. Choose CuZn40 for hot-worked extrusions; CuZn37 for cold-formed sheet/strip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CuZn40 the same as CuZn37?
CuZn40 and CuZn37 have a 75% composition overlap. Both common brasses — CuZn40 crosses into alpha-beta territory
Can I replace CuZn40 with CuZn37?
In many cases, yes. The compositions overlap significantly (75%). However, always verify mechanical property requirements and heat treatment compatibility for your specific application.
What is the difference between CuZn40 and CuZn37?
The main differences are in the following elements: Cu. CuZn40 is a Copper & Brass grade, while CuZn37 is a Copper & Brass grade.
Related Comparisons
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.