Olympus Machining

Precision CNC machining in Hanover, PA. ITAR registered, CMMC Level 1 compliant.

Olympus Machining LLC — precision CNC machine shop in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

About Olympus Machining

Olympus Machining at Olympus Machining LLC is delivered from our ITAR-registered precision CNC machine shop in Hanover, Pennsylvania (York County). This page (https://www.olympusmachining.com/) documents the scope, controls, and engineering practices we apply for OEM, aerospace, defense, and medical buyers requesting olympus machining.

Olympus Machining is CAGE 9V9P0, CMMC Level 1 self-attested per FAR 52.204-21, and NAICS 332710. CMM dimensional inspection is performed in-house on Haas HMM 430 and Chien Wei CWB-450-CNC. AS9102 Rev C First Article Inspection packages, material certifications with heat/lot traceability, and Certificates of Conformance are produced on request as part of olympus machining.

To request a quote, supplier qualification documentation, or a controlled copy of our capability statement related to olympus machining, contact info@olympusmachining.com or call (717) 634-5094. Olympus Machining LLC, 639 Frederick Street Suite 1, Hanover, PA 17331.

Related pages

    Back to Materials

    Brass vs Bronze Machining: Properties, Machinability & Cost

    Brass and bronze are two of the most commonly machined copper alloys in production turning and milling. This guide compares their mechanical properties, machinability, corrosion resistance, and cost — written from the perspective of a U.S.-based, ITAR-registered CNC machining shop in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

    Quick Reference

    • Brass (C36000 lead-free): Cu-Zn alloy. ~45 ksi tensile. Best-in-class machinability, excellent for high-volume turning. CDA 360 / ASTM B16.
    • Bronze (C93200 bearing): Cu-Sn alloy. ~35 ksi tensile. Superior wear resistance and corrosion resistance, ideal for bearings and marine hardware. CDA 932 / SAE 660.

    Property Comparison Table

    Property Brass (C36000) Bronze (C93200)
    Ultimate tensile strength 45–58 ksi (310–400 MPa) 35–45 ksi (240–310 MPa)
    Yield strength 15–25 ksi (103–172 MPa) 18–25 ksi (124–172 MPa)
    Elongation at break 18–50% 15–30%
    Brinell hardness 55–85 HB 65–85 HB
    Density 8.49 g/cm³ 8.70–8.80 g/cm³
    Machinability rating 100 (standard) 30–70 (alloy-dependent)
    Thermal conductivity 115 W/m·K 62 W/m·K
    Electrical conductivity 28% IACS 12–15% IACS
    Corrosion resistance Good (moderate in saltwater) Excellent (marine-grade)
    Wear resistance Moderate Excellent (self-lubricating)
    Relative cost (per lb) 1.0× (baseline) 1.3–2.0×
    Primary alloying elements Cu, Zn (Pb-free variants: Cu, Zn, Bi) Cu, Sn (Pb-free variants: Cu, Sn, Zn)

    Values are typical for common wrought and cast grades per ASM Copper Development Association data. Actual values vary by mill, temper, and certification.

    Machinability Notes

    Both brass and bronze machine cleanly, but the practical differences are significant for production planning, tooling cost, and surface finish.

    • Brass (C36000): The benchmark for free-machining metals. Short, brittle chips and low cutting forces enable very high surface speeds (800–1,500 SFM) on CNC lathes with standard carbide. Tool life is excellent; roughing and finishing are often done in the same setup. Excellent for screw-machine production and turned fittings. Lead-free variants (C36000, C34000 with bismuth) machine nearly identically and are RoHS-compliant.
    • Bronze (C93200 bearing): Softer and more abrasive than brass. Chips are gummier and tend to weld to inserts if speeds are too high. We run 200–400 SFM with positive-rake carbide and flood coolant to control heat and chip welding. The lead content in C93200 (typically 6–8%) provides natural lubricity — beneficial for bearing applications but requires coolant management for compliance. Lead-free bronze variants require sharper geometries and slightly reduced feeds.

    Design-for-Manufacturability (DFM) Guidance

    • High-volume turned parts → Brass. For fittings, connectors, and bushings produced in the thousands, brass's 100 machinability rating and low tool wear translate directly into lower cycle time and cost per part.
    • Marine and saltwater exposure → Bronze. Bronze's tin content resists dezincification and forms a protective patina. Specifying C93200 or C95800 (aluminum bronze) for valve bodies, propeller hardware, and pump components eliminates the risk of brass failure in chloride environments.
    • Bearings and wear surfaces → Bronze. C93200 bearing bronze is self-lubricating under load and exhibits excellent galling resistance. It is the standard material for bushings, thrust washers, and wear plates in industrial and defense equipment.
    • Electrical connectors and bus bars → Brass. Brass's higher electrical conductivity and solderability make it the default for electrical terminals, RF connectors, and grounding hardware. Bronze is rarely specified for electrical applications.
    • Decorative and cosmetic parts → Brass. Brass takes a bright polish and gold-like appearance without plating. It is the standard for architectural hardware, instrument bezels, and decorative fittings. Bronze's reddish-brown patina is valued for marine and antique aesthetics but is not interchangeable with brass for bright finishes.
    • Tight-tolerance bores and threads → Either, with different strategies. Brass's free-machining nature produces clean threads with standard taps. Bronze requires slower tapping speeds, bottoming taps for through holes, and attention to galling — especially on fine threads.

    Common Applications We Machine

    Brass (C36000 / C34000)

    • • Plumbing fittings and valve stems
    • • Electrical connectors and terminals
    • • Instrument bezels and knobs
    • • RF connector bodies
    • • Threaded inserts and standoffs
    • • Decorative architectural hardware

    Bronze (C93200 / C95800)

    • • Bearing bushings and thrust washers
    • • Marine valve bodies and flanges
    • • Pump impellers and wear rings
    • • Defense gunmetal components
    • • Gear blanks and worm wheels
    • • Industrial slide and guide components

    How Olympus Machines Brass and Bronze

    Brass and bronze are routine production materials at our Hanover, PA shop. We machine them on live-tool CNC lathes and 3-axis milling centers with copper-specific tooling geometries and flood coolant. For brass, we leverage high-speed turning with minimal tool changes to maximize throughput. For bronze, we control chip formation and heat with conservative speeds and positive-rake carbide inserts.

    Material certifications are retained for every lot, and Certificates of Conformance include alloy verification for defense and marine customers. CMM inspection on our Haas HMM 430 supports tight-tolerance bearing bores, thread pitches, and surface finish requirements. For bearing-grade bronze parts, we can specify and verify oil-impregnated sintered bronze where porosity is critical.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I plate brass or bronze after machining?

    Yes. Brass accepts nickel, chrome, tin, and gold plating readily — common for electrical and decorative parts. Bronze is often left as-machined or lacquered for marine hardware. Both can be chemically passivated for improved corrosion resistance.

    Is lead-free brass as machinable as leaded brass?

    Lead-free brass (C36000, C34000 with bismuth) machines at 95–100% of leaded C36000 performance. The primary difference is slightly longer chips; modern carbide geometries and coolant systems offset this. We default to lead-free brass for RoHS-compliant and drinking-water applications.

    What about aluminum bronze (C95400 / C95800)?

    Aluminum bronze is significantly harder and stronger than tin bronze (C93200) — tensile strength up to 85 ksi and hardness to 170 HB. It machines more like steel and is the standard for heavy-duty marine propellers, valve seats, and structural bearings where C93200 is insufficient. It costs more and requires slower machining, but it outperforms in high-load and cavitation environments.

    Need a Quote on Brass or Bronze Parts?

    Send drawings and we'll return a quote with alloy recommendation, lead time, and tolerance review.

    Start a Quote

    Related

    Last reviewed: June 8, 2026